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Volunteer

Volunteer experience is an excellent way to make you a more attractive job applicant. Volunteerism provides opportunities to learn new skills, gain real-life experience, explore career fields, network, and gain self-confidence. People who are involved in volunteering are viewed by most corporations as being good citizens. Volunteering is also a great indictor of professional qualities that interviewers look for, such as good work ethic, motivation and team work.

Volunteering videoWatch the "Volunteering" video to learn how you can include on your resume what you learned from your volunteer experiences.

Serve Illinois External link opens in a new window provides easy-to-find information about AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Learn and Serve Program. Find the resources you need as well as training opportunities and service day events in your area. Learn about different service opportunities by selecting an area of interest or by using the ZIP Code search. From their website, you can also read the latest Serve Illinois Newsletter.

Why should I volunteer?


How do I become a volunteer?

How will volunteering prepare me for a job?

How will volunteering help me develop skills and abilities that employers look for?

How can I include my volunteer experience on a resume?

How do I decide where I should volunteer?

What's involved in volunteering?

What are the benefits of volunteering?

How do I create a plan for volunteering?

How old do I have to be to volunteer?

Can people with disabilities volunteer?

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Economic Recovery Effects on Volunteering

ARRA emblem AmeriCorps External link opens in a new window is a nationwide volunteer program. Serve Illinois External link opens in a new window has commissioned 22 AmeriCorps programs across the state. Members are volunteers who sign up for one year of full or part time service. Part time members receive an education award to go toward student loans. Full time members receive a living stipend, an education award to go toward student loans, health care and, if income eligible, child care benefits. As a result of the federal economic recovery effort, the current AmeriCorps Program Portfolio will expand, increasing the number of programs and members.
  • Get Local Information

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  • Statewide Interest

    Serve Illinois
    Serve Illinois The Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service has developed the Serve Illinois website so you can easily find information on AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Learn and Serve Program. You can find a place to serve by selecting an area of interest or by using a ZIP Code search. Click here External link opens in a new windowto learn more about volunteer opportunities, to find resources for volunteers of all ages, and to sign up for training opportunities and service day events in your area. You can also call (800) 592-9896 (voice) or (888) 261-2713 (tty).

  • Spell Check Your Work Online
    SpellChecker.net SpellChecker.net External link opens in a new windowallows you to paste in your work and then run a spell check or type your work directly into the spell checker for potential corrections as you write. This tool is useful for creating resumes, proofing emails or blogs, and any other work which may be presented to a potential employer.

  • Senior Corps
    National Senior Service Corps Senior Corps is a volunteer program for adults over age 55. The program assists seniors in finding volunteer opportunities through the Foster Grandparent Program, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the Senior Companion Program. By volunteering with Senior Corps, senior adults across the country are making a difference in their community every day. Click here External link opens in a new window to learn more about service opportunities through Senior Corps.

  • Youth Service Providers

    Workforce Investment Act programs are offered to youth between the ages of 14-21. Youth services providers offer programs to assist young people in reaching individual academic goals (high school diploma recovery or GED) and developing basic job skills as they make the transition from being older youth to young adults. All WIA services for youth are offered at no cost to the participant.

    All Local Workforce Area’s have at least one provider of services to this group of people. The statewide WIA Youth Services Providers List gives the provider’s name, contact info, city in which the provider is located, and a brief listing of the services provided. Click here to see the list of Youth Service Providers External link opens in a new window


  • Could this be YOUR LIFE?
    Could this be Your Life logo

    Ever wonder how those everyday life choices could affect your career, family life, and choosing a place to live?

    If so, then check out this online interactive game brought to you by the Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support, and take the journey through Could this be YOUR LIFE.  This interactive game will teach you about the consequences of making career and life choices.

    To access this interactive game, visit the Could this be YOUR LIFE External link opens in a new windowweb site.


  • Job Corps: education and training programs for young adults.
    Job Corps logo Welcome to Job Corps Chicago Region, dedicated to helping youth aged 16 yrs - 24 yrs find success through education and career technical training.  Whether you are a student, parent, or employer we invite you to explore this site to learn more about how the Job Corps program can benefit you.  The federally funded program serves the entire United States, including the 18 centers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin, known as the Chicago Region.  Where do I sign up? Link opens in a new window

  • Looking for Free Online Courses to Improve your Computer Skills?
    GCF logo

    If you answered Yes to the above question, then take a look at the Goodwill Community Foundation (GCF) Global Learning website.  Sponsored by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACT), Global Learning offers free online tutorials covering the basics of computers, the Internet, Microsoft Office and life skills.  GCF Global Learning also offers free online classes covering Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

    For more information and to access this free online site, visit the Goodwill Community Foundation (GCF) Global Learning External link opens in a new windowweb site.


  • Looking for Wage Information in the State of Illinois?
    IDES Wage Information Logo

    The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) provides information on entry level, median, and experienced hourly and annual wages for occupations in the State of Illinois.

    Wage information is available for Illinois, Metropolitan Areas, Economic Development Areas, counties and Local Workforce Areas.  To access this information, visit the IDES Wage Information External link opens in a new windowwebsite. 


  • Visit Career Coach
    Career Coach a free online personalized career counselor for women and men.  Find the right career and make a step-by-step plan to reach your goals.  Visit the Career Coach web site to learn more External link opens in a new window.

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