The Cara Program cannot continue to grow and
thrive without the support of volunteers who are willing
to share their time and talents.
There are many ways
that you can help us train and prepare Cara participants
for their journey from homelessness to hope.
Please read about the volunteer opportunities we have, and if you are interested please complete the volunteer
form and return it to us.
Reading Enhancement Program/ GED Preparation:
Interested volunteers should have a passion for reading,
writing and mentoring people and be available to volunteer with a minimum commitment of once a week to work one-on-one
with an assigned participant.
Computer
Trainers and Lab Assistant:
Volunteers should be proficient in using and teaching
the Microsoft Business Suite and the use of the Internet
for completing job searches and research. We will work with you on how best to schedule training around your work/ other commitments. Classes are normaly delivered between the hours of 9am and 5pm.
Mock Interviewers:
Volunteers for mock interviews are typically current or retired business
professionals or persons with human resources experience. Mock-interviewers role-play with Cara participants in interview situations.
Volunteers should be prepared to commit to 2-hour blocks of time during
regular business hours (9am-5pm) and ideally be willing to be called
upon weekly, bi-monthly or monthly depending on the
volunteers’ schedules and the needs of the program.
Other Opportunities
Volunteers
to Solicit Gifts In Kind:
Cara needs volunteers with the ability and willingness
to solicit and obtain contributions for The Cara Program
from grocery stores, clothing stores, bookstores, toy
stores etc. These gifts benefit the participants and
their families during their time in the program. This
is a flexible program however we would benefit from
volunteers who would have time to interface with our
supporters on an on-going basis and coordinate their
participation throughout the year.
Guest
Speakers and Curriculum Developers:
The Cara Program would benefit from the participation
of additional trainers and teachers in areas relevant
to the program such as financial management, business
communications, writing and specific business skills
i.e. call center support. If you have expertise in a
particular area as mentioned, we would welcome your
participation as a guest lecturer, a monthly speaker
or someone who puts together a class designed to be
taught over several weeks. The time commitment can vary
and can be discussed based on the volunteer. However
the ability to train or teach during working hours is
preferred (8:30am-4:30pm weekdays). Also, effective
speakers and facilitators with management/HR experience
are needed to discuss workplace issues.
If you have any questions or needs,
please feel free to contact:
Volunteer Program
The Cara Program
703 West Monroe
Chicago, IL 60661
