Volunteer & Agency Programs

Since its founding in 1969, TVC has grown to become the largest volunteer center in Illinois, making just over 10,000 volunteer referrals in 2008/2009. These individuals volunteered at over 150 local nonprofits in 53 towns and villages throughout the north and northwest suburbs of Cook and DuPage Counties. In order to mobilize these volunteers and help nonprofits in our community, TVC provides the following programs and services:

Agency Services

  • Professional Development programs regularly conducts half-day workshops which cover topics such as volunteer management, fundraising, strategic planning, technology, and much more. Last year, over 20 workshops were held.
  • Volunteer Connections, where TVC regularly communicates with over 150 partner nonprofits to determine their organizational volunteer needs and the type of volunteer which would be an ideal match. TVC recruits individuals to serve as volunteers through posting an average of 400 volunteer opportunities online and listing many in a periodic section of the regional Daily Herald Newspaper.
Learn more about how TVC supports nonprofits in the community


Volunteer Programs

  • The Strategic Action for Volunteer Engagement (SAVE) program recruits highly skilled professionals to serve in strategic volunteer roles that utilize their professional expertise in order to build a nonprofit’s capacity. TVC launched this program in April 2009.
  • The Court Appointed Service Elective (CASE) program places adult and juvenile offenders with community service sentences in volunteer positions to provide restitution to the community and positively redirect the life of the offender.
  • The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) recruits volunteers age 55 and older.
  • Youth in Action develops youth leaders in the community by preparing them to initiate, manage, organize, and participate in service projects. The program matches youth to volunteer opportunities and conducts workshops at local schools to educate them on the needs in their communities and inform them on opportunities to volunteer.• The 
  • The Corporate Volunteer Program organizes group volunteering opportunities for corporate employees.
  • The Emergency Preparedness Program recruits and trains volunteers to serve in the case of an emergency.
  • Our Tutoring and Mentorship Programs, including Volunteer Impact for Student Achievement (VISA), place volunteers with after-school educational programs and schools serving a high percentage of the low-income or limited English proficient students.

Service Initiatives

  • Helping Hands in Action educates the local community on nonprofit volunteer needs through free, interactive classes. These are offered through local schools and the Continuing Education programs of High School District 214.
  • The Caring Hearts Community Drive collects necessities for area shelters and families in crisis.
  • The Volunteer Impact Awards are an annual celebration of service in our community, recognizing the efforts of local volunteers, nonprofits, and other groups for doing their part to make a difference.
  • The Paint-A-Thon is a community-wide event that encourages teams of volunteers to paint the homes of the elderly; co-managed by TVC, Catholic Charities, and Habitat for Humanity. Sponsored by Valspar.
  • Our Annual Volunteer Recognition Events honor the service of volunteers. These have included the Volunteer Fest & Expo, the Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner (AVRD), and the Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon (AVRL).
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