Service Learning at King College Prep
Ms. McDowell - Service Learning Coach - Room 214

"I'd like somebody to mention that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others."  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (from the speech, The Drum Major Instinct) Seniors!! You must complete your hours by February 1, 2012. All students must complete all 40 hours to graduate. Check out all of the opportunities listed below...these are appropriate for students at King College Prep. Ask Ms. McDowell before beginning any service if you are not sure it qualifies for King College Prep's Service Learning standards. Examples of what is acceptable Service Learning for King students (including classroom-based projects): ·        tutoring children at the YMCA or any other non-profit tutoring program ·        teaching children about science at the Museum of Science and Industry ·        serving lunch at a soup kitchen at your church ·        reading books to senior citizens in a nursing home  ·        going to the Food Depository & packing food for the homeless What is not acceptable for Service Learning for King students? ·        Any office-type work is not Service Learning ·        working in a for-profit business is not Service Learning ·        grading papers or cleaning classrooms is not Service Learning ·        teaching a Sunday School lesson is not Service Learning ·        stocking shelves at a grocery store is not Service Learning ·        keeping score for the basketball team is not Service Learning ·        donating blood at the blood drive is honorable but not Service Learning ·        working in an in-home day care is not Service Learning Service Learning Opportunities for Individuals or possible Classroom-Based Projects 1. KLEO Community Family Life Center Food Pantry-  ocated on the South Side of Chicago is now an official site of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and provides a Food Pantry on the first Wednesday of each month from  3:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Come out and serve, by packing and passing out 6 tons of food to the community. For more information please contact Mr. Perry at (773) 363-6941. 2. Peer Tutor Program - Students of King College Prep High School can participate in the Center of Higher Development 2011-2012 After-School Peer Tutoring Program as tutors.  The Center of Higher Development is a 501 (c) 3 organization that provides computer training, workforce development and job readiness skills, GED preparation, practical life skills, and educational resources via technology.  Our purpose is to provide digital opportunities in underserved communities in the Chicago-land area.  See Mrs. Hill or Ms. Taylor in the counseling department for more information. 3. Chicago Cares - This fantastic organization can work with you to find a project for your classroom that is appropriate and they will organize all of the details for you. Check out their calendar of opportunities, browse through their projects and discuss with your students at ChicagoCares.org. 4.  Center of Higher Development - A new fall After- School tutoring program is now available for all students. Each volunteer will be trained, receive an orientation and must adhere to the screening process. The program will begin in late September but the screening process for volunteers is beginning now. Contact Qiana Gillespie for more information at 773-398-3064. 5. The Anti-Cruelty Society, 157 W GrandThe Anti-Cruelty Society is offering a new program called “Exploring the Link” where students will have daily opportunities to interact with dogs, cats, and learn training methods and the various functions that the shelter and clinic at The Anti-Cruelty Society serve. Students will be awarded attendance-based stipends for participation. The After School Program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 p.m.–7 p.m. The Fall session runs from October 4–December 6. CTA passes will be provided. If you wish to attend, visit our website at www.anticruelty.org to download an application or call 312-644-8338 ext 341. You may also register on-line to just be a regular volunteer by clicking on one of the available dates. After attending a new volunteer orientation, you may choose the volunteer program you wish to participate in. Contact the Volunteer Manager, Darlene Duggan, with any question you may have by e-mail at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 6. Chicago Park District projects (perfect for classroom-based work)The Chicago Park District offers many opportunities for corporate and one day service project volunteers. Your service may include planting gardens, mulching trees, and other various park improvements. These events not only contribute to making Chicago’s Parks the beautiful destinations that they are, but also serve as opportunities for team building. For more information, please review the Group Volunteer Guidelines. To schedule a group service project event, fill out the Group/Corporate Volunteer Application and call: 312-742-4775 to find out more about group projects with the park district.  7. Greater Chicago Food Depository Volunteer any time at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. You will be packaging food that will be delivered to various churches and agencies in the city who service families in need. Bring a friend or two with you! Contact the depository to set up a time at 773.843.7296. They’re always looking for a group of two or four people. 8. City-Wide Reading Program for children  The WIC/Catholic Charities reading program enables teenagers to volunteer to read to children at the WIC centers. This program encourages literacy for toddlers and pre-school children across the city. If you are interested in helping out with this program, there are several locations to choose from including: 2907 S. Wabash (312-326-5020); 416 E. 43rd St. (773-924-7041); 6202 S. Halsted (773-488-9096; 5332 S. Western (773-778-1292); 2310 Roosevelt (312-666-4193); 5125 W. Chicago Ave (773-378-8760); 1734 W. Chicago Ave (312-455-8595); 1643 W. Cermak (773-523-0409); 3932 W. Madison (773-533-9003); 1802 E. 71st St. (773-667-3932); 11255 S. Michigan (773-785-1786); 2400 S. Kedzie (773-522-7220); 8959 S. Commercial (773-978-6235) and 1106 W. 79th St. (773-651-6690). If you are interested, just call the center location you choose and ask them when you can come to read to the children. 9. Avenue Care Nursing Home Avenue Care is the nursing home is also directly next door from our school and students can volunteer to help with playing Bingo, arts and crafts or reading to the residents.  This can be an on-going Service Learning project for a student or a group of students. Contact Melanie Nobles, the events coordinator, at Avenue Care: 773-285-0550 or just walk over and let them know you would like to volunteer. 10. Price Elementary Tutoring Program The afterschool tutoring program has started at Price Elementary School. All students who are interested can go directly to the school and speak with the front office. The program is from 3:00 - 4:30. 11.  The Near North Health Service at 4259 S. Berkeley Avenue is looking for volunteers to help with their health care programs throughout the year. Any interested students can call 773-268-7600 Ext. 180. 12. Du Sable Museum of African American History The museum has opportunities for students to serve as docents, gallery attenders or other children's activities. Be sure to choose an activity that involves working with or teaching people. More information can be found on their website at http://www.dusablemuseum.org/ or Contact: Kay McCrimon: Docent Training Coordinator & Special Projects (773) 947-0600 x239;   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 13.  La Rabida Children's Hospital Students 16 years of age or older are needed to volunteer after school and/or on the weekends at the hospital. Students must be dependable. In addition, volunteers can spend one-and-a-half hours a week tutoring La Rabida's outpatients and their siblings from October to May. For more information about volunteer opportunities at La Rabida, call 773.256.5985 or e-mail Volunteer Services at   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 14. Museum of Science and Industry A science minor is group of teenaged “explainers” at the Museum. These young people fulfill service learning requirements, learn about science, make friends and meet professionals in science careers while sharing information about exhibits with museum visitors and the community. Participants must: Be between 14 and 17 years of age; Be able to participate in 10 Saturday training sessions and Fill out and submit a program application. Contact:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 15. The Field Museum The Field Museum has great opportunities in all of their departments. Volunteers in collections and research provide support in the following areas: Anthropology; Botany; Geology; Zoology; Birds; Fishes; Insects; Reptiles and Amphibians; Mammals, Plants of the World Tours. Volunteers also help show off Sue...the famous T-Rex! For these and many more email: volunteer@ fieldmuseum.org or check out the website at: http://www.fieldmuseum.org and click on “volunteering”. 16.  Shedd Aquarium There’s a bunch of perks that go along with volunteering at Shedd, like free admission, discounts at their restaurants and stores and free classes. From future ichthyologists (those are fish scientists) to folks who just want to get their feet wet in the world of Shedd. The Shedd usually requires at least a six month commitment and they have hundreds of volunteer opportunities such as: Aquarium Collections Husbandry, Education, Floor Programs, Marine Mammal Husbandry, Oceanarium Volunteer, Special Events, Water-quality Laboratory, conservation, and horticulture. Once you've found one that interests you, send a message to   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Check out their website for more info. 17. The Adler Planetarium The Adler provides science education service opportunities in astronomy.  Most positions require volunteers to be at least 17 years old and require a minimum time commitment which varies from 3-15 hours per month for a full year. Volunteers commit to a regularly scheduled time & must complete an orientation & training. Contact them at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or 312/322-0514. 18. Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier Lend a hand at CCM to extend the learning and fun for thousands of families who enjoy the museum every year. There are volunteer options available to suit every schedule, and the commitment begins with four hours a month. Your help is most appreciated on weekdays and weekends (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and Thursday evenings (5 p.m. - 8 p.m.). Volunteers attend training and an orientation session and choose from the following opportunities: Exhibit Volunteer, Office Volunteer, Art/Workshop Volunteer, Special Event Volunteer, Group Volunteers, Community Connections Volunteer, Early Childhood Volunteer and more. For more information call 312-464-7652 or email at   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   19. Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago The Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago are always looking for mentors, tutors, art instructors, computer aids, and coaches/referees. They have locations all over the city. Contact: 312/235-8000 or www.bgcc.org. 20. Inspiration Café This is a great chance to serve the people of your community who are in need. There are both North and Southside locations. Students are needed to help cook and serve meals. Contact: 773/878-0981 x203. 21. The Night Ministry 4711 N. Ravenswood Students are needed to pack food and assemble hygiene kits for distribution to the homeless. Office support is needed as well. Contact: 773/784-9000 x216. 22. Youth Coaches at Chicago Public Park District Volunteer Coaches are needed to pass along their knowledge of sports in one of a number of Chicago Park District programs. Contact your local park district for more information.  23. The National Runaway Switchboard 3080 N Lincoln. Students are needed to answer the runaway hotline to offer support for runaway, at-risk and homeless teens. Students will attend an intensive training before getting started. Contact: 773/880-9860 x218. 24. Rainbow/Operation Push Operation Push headquarters needs volunteers for a variety of tasks including a voter registration push and helping with the Great Turkey Giveaway during the Christmas holidays. Located at 930 East 50th Street; Contact: 773-373-3366. Remember though, office work will not count towards your Service Learning hours so do not let a sponsor talk you into doing their filing for them.  25. Lincoln Park Zoo needs you!  If you love animals, you will love volunteering at the zoo. As a zoo volunteer you will meet new people with similar interests and make lifelong friends, learn the latest animal and conservation news, enhance your talents—whether it be teaching, gardening or assisting with events and projects. If you are interested, email them at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 26. Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL For information on the Career Ladder for Youth Program, including volunteer opportunities for teens age 14-17, Contact: Youth Program Coordinator at (708)485-0263, ext. 452, or via e-mail   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it REMEMBER: Service Learning is not just volunteering: 1) Students should develop lifelong commitments to the common good 2) Students should receive valuable experience they can use later in life 3) Students should step outside of their comfort zone and broaden their knowledge of the world 4) Students should develop a skill or learn something new 5) Students should develop an awareness of social concerns and issues 6) Students should care less about the hours and more about their experience