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Volunteer Opportunities

With Northwestern’s proximity to the city of Chicago, there are a plethora of organizations that one can become involved with in the health sector. Below are some organizations that have been popular with students seeking volunteer experience. 

Organization  Description 
AIDS Foundation of Chicago  AIDS Foundation of Chicago mobilizes communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV and related chronic diseases. Their work includes advocacy, prevention, housing & care services, health insurance, capacity building, and campaigns.   
Alzheimer's Association, Greater Illinois Chapter  The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support, and research. They aim to eliminate Alzheimer's through advancement of research, enhance care for all affected, and reduce the risk fo dementia through promotion of brain health. 
American Heart Association, Greater Chicago Chapter  The American Heart Association seeks to weave healthy living practices and opportunities to alleviate complex health issues within Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. 
Center on Halsted Center on Halsted is the Midwest's most comprehensive community center dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people of Chicagoland. More than 1,000 community members visit the Center every day, located in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview Neighborhood.
Chicago Area Heifer International  Heifer International works to provide sustainable gifts of livestock and agricultural training to those in need in order to end hunger and poverty while implementing sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices. 
Chicago Fair Trade  Chicago Fair Trade is the largest fair-trade coalition in the US that cultivates a community dedicated to an economy that values the labor and dignity of all people. It increases economic and environmental justice through advocacy and promotion. 
Chicago Greater Food Depository  Greater Chicago Food Depository distributes an average of 200,000 pounds of food to those in need across Chicagoland. The food is distributed through partner agencies and programs to reach children, older adults, and veterans. 
Chicago Red Cross  The American Red Cross in Chicago and Northern Illinois mobilizes communities and volunteers to prevent, prepare for, and respond to natural and human-caused disasters by delivering health and safety training across the region and 24/7 global emergency communication services. The Red Cross is also the largest supplies of blood products in the country. 
Chicago Women's Health Center  Chicago Women's Health Center facilitates empowerment of women and trans individuals by providing access to health care and health education in a respectful environment. 
Concern Worldwide  Concern Worldwide is a global community of humanitarians, partners, community members, supporters, and volunteers that aim to alleviate extreme poverty by developing effective emergency response and long-term programs in 23 countries. 
City of Evanston Volunteering Opportunities  The City of Evanston has many local organizations that are always in need of volunteers, whether that be in environmental programming or childhood literacy. 
Erie Family Health Center  Erie Family Health Centers provide high quality medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare to all in Chicago's West and North Sides as well as Northern Suburbs regardless of ability to pay.  
Erika's Lighthouse  Erika's Lighthouse is dedicated to educating and raising awareness about adolescent depression, encouraging good mental health, and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health issues. 
Esperanza Health Centers  Esperanza Health Centers deliver bilingual, high quality primary care, behavioral health, and wellness services to Chicago's underserved communities, serving populations regardless of immigration status, insurance status, or ability to pay. 
Family Focus Our Place  Family Focus Our Place provides early childhood development, youth development, and family support services to promote the holistic well-being of children from birth by strengthening families within their communities. 
Girls in the Game  Girls in the Game empower elementary and middle school girls to be strong and confident through active sports and health & leadership programs during the school year and summer. 
GlobeMed  GlobeMed engages over 2,000 undergraduates at 60 university-based chapters throughout the United States; each chapter is partnered with a grassroots health organization to strengthen long-term partnerships, fundraise, and educate on-campus students about global health issues. 
Habitat for Humanity Chicago  Habitat Chicago invests in neighborhood and housing improvements to promote civic engagement, housing security, improved social conditions, and long-term economic security. 
Heartland Alliance  Heartland Alliance is an anti-poverty organization that takes a holistic approach by working in housing, healthcare, jobs, and justice in communities to advocate for human rights and create lasting change. 
Howard Area Community Center  Howard Area Community Center is a community safety net for families by addressing their needs of education, employment, health, childcare, amongst others. 
Lawndale Christian Health Center  Lawndale Christian Health Center provides quality holistic healthcare by including spirital, social, and emotional health services along with affordable physical healthcare. 
Lincoln Park Community Shelter  Lincoln Park Community Center empowers individuals facing homelessness and poverty to secure stable housing and make sustianable life changes. 
McGaw YMCA  The McGaw YMCA works to strengthen youth development, health living, and social responsibility in Evanston and surrounding communities. 
Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault  Northwest CASA is the only full service agency that provides free services to sexual assault survivors and their loved ones within the North and Northwest suburbs of Cook County and McHenry County. 
NPH USA  NPH (Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos) USA supports thousands of vulnerable children in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru through community outreach, scholarships, meals and healthcare. 
Refugee One  RefugeeOne serves refugee populations around the world who resettle in Chicago through the U.S. State Department Refugee Admissions Program. RefugeeOne provides resettlement services, English language training, workforce development, trauma-informed mental health care, vocational sewing, youth & young adult programming, women's services, and immigration assistance. 
Solidarity Bridge  Solidarity Bridge operates four year-round surgical programs and medical missions in Bolivia and Paraguay to train and equip medical communities and empower local personnel to provide surgery and other health care for patients who lack access to treatment. 
UNA USA Health and Task Force  The United Nations Association of Chicago educates local citizens on the work of the United Nations and advocates on its behalf. 
U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Chicago Regional Office  The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF through fundraising, advocacy, and education around the world, specifically addressing health, human rights, and emergency relief. 
World Bicycle Relief  World Bicycle Relief distributes bicycles to global populations to provide educational empowerment, healthcare access, economic development, and gender equality. 
Y.O.U.  Youth and Opportunity United (Y.O.U.) is a youth development agency that provides services and leadership to meet the emerging needs of young people and their families in Evanston.