HandsOn Suburban Chicago Programs and Initiatives
The mission of HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC) is to improve lives by developing, advancing, and promoting community volunteer initiatives. We accomplish this mission through nine programs that fit three categories: nonprofit consulting services, volunteer mobilization, and direct-service projects
Nonprofit Consulting Services
Professional Development Trainings cover topics such as volunteer management, fundraising, strategic planning, technology, and much more. The program consists of lunch ‘n’ learns, workshops, and HOSC’s signature Excellence in Volunteer Management Training Series (EVMTS). These trainings help nonprofit partners implement best-practices in volunteer and nonprofit management, offer low-cost professional development opportunities to their employees, and learn about new solutions to challenges that nonprofits face.
SAVE and Volunteer Management Consulting increases the organizational capacity of nonprofits through volunteer management consulting. This program’s service ranges from informal phone conversations with our highly trained and experienced staff to HOSC’s nationally recognized SAVE Consulting Process. This process helps nonprofits by the deliberate and methodical integration of skills-based volunteers into a nonprofit’s structure to address existing strategic needs. It includes a process of internal assessment and organizational planning conducted by HandsOn Suburban Chicago staff, skills-based volunteer consultants, the organization’s management and the top level of the organization’s executive structure.
Direct-Service Projects
Managed Projects provide group volunteer opportunities under a fee structure. The program works with over 180 community partners to offer a variety of volunteer opportunities in different focus areas. Corporate group projects facilitate teamwork and increase employee morale, as well as fulfill corporate responsibility initiatives.
The Community Paint-A-Thon is a yearly event for which volunteers are recruited to provide painting and basic home care services to elderly and disabled members of our community. This improvement of their homes helps residents to retain their independence and remain in their homes. The Paint-A-Thon is a community event in which HOSC partners with Catholic Charities, Habitat for Humanity, and Valspar.
Volunteer Mobilization Services
Volunteer Connections connects potential volunteers to hundreds of volunteer opportunities throughout the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago. The program provides a valuable resource to nonprofits, and an easy and personalized method for finding volunteer opportunities for potential volunteers. The Volunteer Connections Program helps potential volunteers find a suitable volunteer position that matches what they want to do. By publicizing the volunteer needs of nonprofits in a centralized location, nonprofits are able to attract more volunteers who are needed in order to maintain or grow their organization.
Learn more about how HOSC supports nonprofits in the community
RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) helps and encourages people 55 and better to engage with their communities through volunteerism. Volunteers are covered by supplemental insurance and are recognized for their effort in our community. RSVP is a national network that is operated through independent organizations who receive funding and oversight through Senior Corps, a branch of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).
The Court Appointed Service Elective (CASE) program places adult and juvenile offenders with community service sentences in volunteer positions to help provide restitution to the community and positively redirect the life of the offender.
Schools & Youth is an umbrella program focusing on the specific needs of schools and youth. HOSC leverages pro-bono and skills-based consulting to help schools and districts at a macro level, mobilizes volunteers to tutor and mentor students, and engages students through service. This multi-programmatic effort improves the organizational capacity of schools through tutoring and mentorship in the classroom and providing leadership and service opportunities to students.
Emergency Preparedness works with local townships to provide training for potential volunteers and volunteer managers to prepare for a large-scale emergency. This training includes CERT training, spontaneous-volunteer management, and several other preparedness initiatives.
Days of Service
HandsOn Suburban Chicago celebrates service and volunteerism through service projects and other events during the following days:
- Martin Luther King Day (January)
- National Volunteer Week (April)
- Global Youth Service Day (April)
- Earth Day (April)
- AmeriCorps Week (May)
- 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance (September)
- Senior Corps Week (September)
- Make a Difference Day (October)
