Volunteer Opportunities at YWLCS

Volunteers are an important part of the YWLCS community. We welcome both community volunteers and family volunteers to share your energy, skills, and experience with us.

Class Assistant (Various Times During the School Day - 8:30am to 3:30pm): Class assistants work with teachers in particular subject matter areas in order to provide more individualized assistance to students and/or in order to provide support for hands-on activities by the students. Currently, there is assistance required in the following classes: 12th Grade Debate - preference given to volunteers with debate experience or knowledge of public policy process and health care in Sub-Saharan Africa; 10th Grade Chemistry - preference given to volunteers with careers in chemistry and/or experimental design; and All Grades Art - preference given to volunteers with experience using a variety of artistic media.

Career Fair Panelist (Various Dates During the School Year): Career fair panelists speak to young women about their careers. The time commitment is usually 2-3 hours on a weekday. The school is particularly interested in representatives of careers related to math, science and technology and career women of color.

Interviewer for Mock Job Interview Program (Late Fall): As part of the school’s internship program, 10th grade girls participate in mock job interviews. Interviewers conduct the interviews. The time commitment is usually 4-6 hours on a weekday.

Financial Aid Night Volunteer (Winter): YWLCS is committed to our graduates obtaining the financial aid necessary to attending college. As part of that effort, volunteers along with professional financial aid officers assist students and their families with completion of the necessary federal financial aid forms. The time commitment is 3 hours on a weekday evening.

Science Fair Judge (May): Students in each science class study various aspects of the Chicago River in the field. They present their observations, data analysis and findings in the Chicago River Science Fair. Using a defined rubric judges evaluate the presentations and displays. The time commitment is 3 hours on a weekday afternoon. Preference is given to professional scientists.

Promotion Presentation Evaluator (May-June): Promotion Presentations are part of the unique YWLCS assessment system. In order to be promoted from 8th to 9th grade, from 10th to 11th grade and to graduate, students make a promotion presentation. Evaluators sit with faculty and determine whether the student has demonstrated proficiency or better based on a rubric that evaluates a student’s ability to think for themselves, articulate what they have learned, and share what they think and know with others. The time commitment is for 3-4 hours on a weekday morning or afternoon.

Interviewer for College Mock Admissions Interview Program (June): This interview is the final step in the 11th grade College Prep course. Volunteers serve as “mock college admissions officers” and students present their college admissions portfolio to you and are interviewed by you. The interview panel consists of two interviewers and one professional college admissions officer. The time commitment is for 3-4 hours on a weekday morning or afternoon.

Mentoring Friends Group (January to May): YWLCS understands the power of women mentoring girls – it is one of the best ways for the girls of today to become the leaders of tomorrow! We invite you to join our Mentoring Friends Group at YWLCS and connect with urban teenage girls through a series of structured adventures! Mentoring Friends and YWLCS students will gather for five adventures from January to May. All you have to do to become a Mentoring Friend is to complete a volunteer application (below), attend at least 3 of the 5 adventures (and pay for the cost of your participation as appropriate), and work with staff to coordinate at least one of the adventures. Click here to learn more about the current adventures!

School Committees (Ongoing): Committees of the school’s board of directors welcome members with particular expertise to share. The time commitment is between 8 and 10 hours per month and includes attending a monthly meeting.

Budget & Finance Committee: Seeking members with accounting expertise, especially in not-for-profit accounting.
Development & Outreach Committee: Seeking members with fundraising and/or event planning expertise.
Marketing Committee: Seeking members with marketing expertise.

Click here to download the Volunteer Interest Form.

You can mail this form to: YWLCS

2641 S. Calumet Ave.

Chicago, IL 60616.

OR contact Alison Chisolm, Development Director, by email at achisolm@ywlcs.org or by phone at 312-949-9400 x215.


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		Volunteers Volunteers are an important part of the YWLCS community. We welcome both community volunteers and family volunteers to share your energy, skills, and experience with us. Current Volunteer Opportunities Class Assistant (Various Times During the School Day - 8:30am to 3:30pm): Class assistants work with teachers in particular subject matter areas in order to provide more individualized assistance to students and/or in order to provide support for hands-on activities by the students. Currently, there is assistance required in the following classes: 12th Grade Debate - preference given to volunteers with debate experience or knowledge of public policy process and health care in Sub-Saharan Africa; 10th Grade Chemistry - preference given to volunteers with careers in chemistry and/or experimental design; and All Grades Art - preference given to volunteers with experience using a variety of artistic media. The time commitment is generally 1-2 hours at least one day a week. Career Fair Panelist (Various Dates During the School Year): Career fair panelists speak to young women about their careers. The time commitment is usually 2-3 hours on a weekday. The school is particularly interested in representatives of careers related to math, science and technology and career women of color. Interviewer for Mock Job Interview Program (Late Fall): As part of the school’s internship program, 10th grade girls participate in mock job interviews. Interviewers conduct the interviews. The time commitment is usually 4-6 hours on a weekday. Financial Aid Night Volunteer (Winter): YWLCS is committed to our graduates obtaining the financial aid necessary to attending college. As part of that effort, volunteers along with professional financial aid officers assist students and their families with completion of the necessary federal financial aid forms. The time commitment is 3 hours on a weekday evening. Science Fair Judge (May): Students in each science class study various aspects of the Chicago River in the field. They present their observations, data analysis and findings in the Chicago River Science Fair. Using a defined rubric judges evaluate the presentations and displays. The time commitment is 3 hours on a weekday afternoon. Preference is given to professional scientists. Promotion Presentation Evaluator (May-June): Promotion Presentations are part of the unique YWLCS assessment system. In order to be promoted from 8th to 9th grade, from 10th to 11th grade and to graduate, students make a promotion presentation. Evaluators sit with faculty and determine whether the student has demonstrated proficiency or better based on a rubric that evaluates a student’s ability to think for themselves, articulate what they have learned, and share what they think and know with others. The time commitment is for 3-4 hours on a weekday morning or afternoon. Interviewer for College Mock Admissions Interview Program (June): This interview is the final step in the 11th grade College Prep course. Volunteers serve as “mock college admissions officers” and students present their college admissions portfolio to you and are interviewed by you. The interview panel consists of two interviewers and one professional college admissions officer. The time commitment is for 3-4 hours on a weekday morning or afternoon. Mentoring Friends Group (January to May): YWLCS understands the power of women mentoring girls – it is one of the best ways for the girls of today to become the leaders of tomorrow! We invite you to join our Mentoring Friends Group at YWLCS and connect with urban teenage girls through a series of structured adventures! Mentoring Friends and YWLCS students will gather for five adventures from January to May. All you have to do to become a Mentoring Friend is to complete a volunteer application (below), attend at least 3 of the 5 adventures (and pay for the cost of your participation as appropriate), and work with staff to coordinate at least one of the adventures. Click here to learn more about the current adventures! School Committees (Ongoing): Committees of the school’s board of directors welcome members with particular expertise to share. The time commitment is between 8 and 10 hours per month and includes attending a monthly meeting. Budget & Finance Committee: Seeking members with accounting expertise, especially in not-for-profit accounting. Development & Outreach Committee: Seeking members with fundraising and/or event planning expertise. Marketing Committee: Seeking members with marketing expertise. Click here to download the Volunteer Interest Form. You can mail this form to: YWLCS 2641 S. Calumet Ave. Chicago, IL 60616. OR contact Alison Chisolm, Development Director, by email at achisolm@ywlcs.org or by phone at 312-949-9400 x215. Learning at YWLCS \| Students at YWLCS \| Support YWLCS