A few hours of your time will make a difference in the lives of the children and adults that call Misericordia "home".

Misericordia welcomes two types of volunteers, "regular" volunteers and "special event / holiday" volunteers. Below is an explanation of the two different types of volunteer commitments. Please read to determine how you can help.

REGULAR VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT

Misericordia offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. If it is a regular commitment that you are looking to make, we have a list of approximately ten pages of different opportunities to choose from. We are confident that there is an opportunity to fit the personality and schedule of just about everyone. We offer weekday, weeknight and weekend opportunities. All of these opportunities take place on our campus located at 6300 N. Ridge Ave., (at the corner of Devon & Ridge), in Chicago.

In order to create a stable environment for our residents, Misericordia does require each "regular" volunteer to commit to a minimum two - three hour commitment per week for at least a 6-12 month term. These volunteers must complete the full volunteer process which begins with filling out a volunteer application. Volunteer orientation is mandatory and is typically only given once a month. Depending on when your application and references are received, it is possible that placement could take up to 4-5 weeks.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A VOLUNTEER FORM, which can be completed and returned via fax or mail to:

SPECIAL EVENT / HOLIDAY HELP
If you are interested in helping Misericordia, however you know that it is unrealistic for you to make a weekly commitment; there are still plenty of opportunities for you to help. These volunteer opportunities normally do not include interaction with our residents, nor do they require you to go through the regular volunteer application process in order to participate. Time commitments vary from 2-3 hours to one full day. You simply only need to call in advance to sign up.

MISERICORDIA HOME
SPECIAL EVENT
&
HOLIDAY
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

WE NEED YOUR HELP! PLEASE VOLUNTEER!

For more details regarding any of the events below
or to volunteer please contact
Theresa Rooney at 773-273-4161
Mary Doherty at 773-273-4177
or by email at : theresar@misericordia.com
NOTE: The following volunteer opportunities rarely involve direct interaction with our residents, therefore, no volunteer application process is necessary in order to participate.
You simply just need to call to sign up.

Regular Sunday Breakfast & Brunches (January - November)

Misericordia is open to the public each Sunday for a delicious Sunday Breakfast and Brunch menu. The Brunch Sundays are heavily operated by volunteer support. Volunteer tasks vary from waitstaff, kitchen help, dish washers and more. We ask that all volunteers be flexible with their assignment. This volunteer opportunity requires volunteers to be at least 17 years of age and to make an all day the commitment of 9:00 AM -3:00/3:30 PM. If interested in this opportunity please contact one of the following people to see if help is still needed on the Sunday you are available. Peter at phiggins@lipkinhiggins.com or 847-251-3131; Molly at mbmc11@yahoo.com or 414-839-6058; Nancy Turry at giftshop@misericordia.com or 773-273-4189.

We are also in need of a regular/weekly volunteer grill chef to work under the direction of the Misericordia’s chef. Good cooking skills a must. This volunteer opportunity would require an inservice to be sure this opportunity is mutually good for both parties. If you are able to commit to only one Sunday a month, that would be ok too. Again this would be a full day commitment from 9:00 AM - 3:00/3:30 PM. Please contact Theresa at 773-273-4161 or theresar@misericordia.com.

Do you know your way around the kitchen?

If you are comfortable in the kitchen and would be willing to help with pre-brunch food prep on Saturday mornings we would love your assistance. No true culinary skills are necessary however you would need to be responsible enough to use a sharp knife on occasion. We can use 2 volunteers on Saturdays between the hours of 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM.

Saturday Bakery Help (Except holiday weekends.)
Any 3 hour shift between 9AM - 4 PM on Saturday would be appreciated. Please call to schedule in advance.

"Twice Blest" Thrift Shop in Palatine, IL
"Twice Blest" in Palatine (27 E. Northwest Highway) is a thrift store where all proceeds directly benefit the children and adults of Misericordia. Since November 1980 the Twice Blest Thrift Shop has operated solely on the generosity of donations and volunteer staff. Twice Blest is in need of your help any day Monday - Saturday from 10 AM - 4 PM. Call Misericordia’s volunteer office or contact the store directly at 847-934-1140 to offer your help.

Laundry Helpers
Misericordia does nearly 3000 pounds of laundry a day, so needless to say your volunteer support is not only needed but would also be greatly appreciated. It is not a difficult job, but certainly one that requires ongoing help. If you are available on any Saturday, Sunday or Holiday for two or more hours between 8:00 am - 2:00 pm we’d love to hear from you.

Tailor / Seamstress
Are you looking for a way to be helpful to Misericordia but can not commit to a weekly commitment? If you have moderate sewing skills then this is the volunteer opportunity for you. We are looking for a person(s) willing to do minor alterations on resident clothing. Often our resident’s waist size is not consistent with his or her pant length, therefore need hemming. If you have a machine at home and would be willing to pick up and return the items needing alterations we’d be grateful. This is a sporadic need. Once you let us know that you are willing to help, we will contact you as the need arises.

Team Sports
Individual and team skills, sportsmanship and awareness of leisure activities are addressed. Each gathering is geared towards the skill level of its participants. No experience is needed to be actively involved. This is a great opportunity for volunteer groups. All volunteer visits must be scheduled in advance. Team Sports meets on Thursdays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. We must limit this opportunity to three visits if the volunteer(s) have not completed the full volunteer process.

Bakery Order & Processing Assistant
Misericordia’s Hearts & Flour Bakery is seeking some volunteers that are willing to answer phones, take bakery orders and input the order information into the computer. From October through December your help on any day between the hours of 9 AM - 4 PM would be very much appreciated. Computer experience and a confident and pleasant phone personality is very important and necessary. The bakery manager will train the volunteer on computer specifics.

Holiday Bakery -Just about any day between mid October and December 2009
Misericordia Bakery would be happy to see volunteers. No bakery experience required. Volunteer tasks will vary between scooping, mixing, baking, packaging and displaying bakery products. Your flexibility is appreciated. Any 3 hour or more shift between 9 AM and 9 PM (on most days) is helpful. Bakery dress code: closed toed shoes, long pants, short/long sleeved shirt and a hat or hair net. Volunteers are welcome to bring their own hat or will be given one to use by Misericordia. Please call in advance to schedule your time.

Pre Holiday Brunch Food Prep/Kitchen Help
The kitchen staff would welcome up to 4-5 volunteers to help with food prep on the Friday and Saturday’s prior to the Christmas Brunches. (12/4, 12/5, 12/11, and 12/12). Any 2-3 hour shift between the hours of 9:00 AM - 2/3 PM would be greatly appreciated.

Christmas Brunches

Sunday, December 6, 2009 & Sunday, December 13, 2009
Misericordia puts on a beautiful Holiday Brunch on each of the above Sunday's. We serve approx. 1000 through the course of the day at 2 scheduled seatings. We are in great need of volunteers on those days. Tasks vary from waitstaff, bakery, raffle ticket sellers, kitchen help, dish washers and more. This volunteer commitment requires volunteers to work the complete day of 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Volunteers are asked to wear black pants, white shirt and comfortable closed toed shoes. Your flexibility in volunteer assignments is appreciated.

Sunday, December 20th
Misericordia’s Greenhouse Inn Restaurant will be open to the public on Sunday, December 20th for a delicious Sunday Brunch menu. The Brunch Sundays are operated by volunteer support. Volunteer tasks vary from waitstaff, kitchen help, dish washers and more. We ask that all volunteers be flexible with their assignment. This volunteer opportunity requires volunteers to be at least 17 years of age and to make an all day the commitment of 9:00 AM -3:00/3:30 PM. If interested in volunteering on this day please contact Theresa Rooney 773-273-4161 or theresar@misericordia.com.

Gift Shop
Seasonal help needed in this area for Special Event Parties during November and December (typically evenings).

Ho Ho Ho!
Celebrate the season and be a Secret Santa for a child or an adult at Misericordia. Though we refer to it as the “Secret Santa” program and conduct it only once a year, it is truly a program that continues to give all year long. Our residents come to us from all walks of life. The parents and families of our residents generally purchase Christmas, Hanukkah and Birthday gifts for their family members. However, we serve many persons who have no families and are Wards of the State. An additional number of residents have families who exist at the poverty level and therefore are unable to buy gifts for them. We are grateful to the friends who help put the word “special” in special occasions for these children and adults. Call 773-273-4161 for a wish list. (Available in early November each year.)

Friday & Saturday, April 23rd & 24th, 2010
Misericordia Annual Jelly Belly Candy Days

12,000 volunteers are needed throughout Chicago and all the suburbs. It's your typical "tag day". Volunteers are needed to work the streets, sidewalks and store fronts of Chicago and the suburbs. Volunteers simply pass out candy and informational tags in exchange for donations. Any minimum 2 hour shift would be greatly appreciated. Learn more or sign up to volunteer online at www.misericordia.org or call Tessa Garcia at 773-273-2768. Beginning in late March/early April you can sign up via our website by clicking on the moving banner at the top of our home page and it will take you directly to the volunteer sign up page.

Friday, July 23rd - Sunday August 1st , 2010
Misericordia Camp Week

This opportunity does involve direct interaction with our residents. Though the camp activity details are not completely worked until early-mid July, there will be activities planned on each day. Volunteer opportunities will vary in time from daytime hours to evenings and weekends. If you are available our staff would love the additional helping hands. It promises to be a very rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Sunday, September 12th, 2010
Misericordia's 29th Annual Family Fest

Family Fest is for all ages. Nearly 13,000 people from all around Chicago and the suburbs flock to our campus for a wonderful afternoon of food, fun, drink, live entertainment, kids games and rides, bingo, raffles, shopping and a huge flea market. This one day event takes approximately 1000 volunteers in order to run smoothly and the volunteer opportunities are endless. Time commitments are generally broken up into 2 ½ -3 hour shifts. Volunteers age 12 through adult are needed and welcome, however opportunities for the younger volunteers are limited. This is a great opportunity for both individuals as well as groups.

If you have any questions about these volunteer opportunities or if you are interested in making more of a regular volunteer commitment, Misericordia has plenty of other volunteer opportunities, however, those opportunities would require persons to go through a full volunteer process. Please call for more details Theresa Rooney 773-273-4161 or Mary Doherty at 773-273-4177