--- title: 5 Places to Volunteer in the Joliet Area description: Did you know that volunteering can improve your health? With the holiday season nearing, now is the perfect time to give back to your community. image: https://blog.jjc.edu/hubfs/Blog_Images/picking%20up%20trash%20helping%20the%20environment.jpg --- [Joliet Junior College Home Page ![Joliet Junior College Home Page](https://blog.jjc.edu/hubfs/RGB%20JJC%20Wolf%20Outline%202-Color%20Purple%20White.svg)](https://jjc.edu/) - [Apply Now](https://jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions/apply-now) - [My JJC](https://stujjc.sharepoint.com/) - [iCampus](https://icampus.instructure.com/) - [Technology Resources](https://www.jjc.edu/technology-resources) - [Giving](http://www.jjc.edu/giving) Open Search ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=224127874799132&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=224127874799132&ev=PageView%20&noscript=1) - [Getting Started](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started) - [Admissions](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions) - [Admitted Students](https://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/admitted-students) - [Pay for College](https://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/pay-college) - 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[Academics](http://www.jjc.edu/academic-areas-study) - [Academic Interests](http://jjc.edu/academics) - [Crawford Honors College](https://jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions/honors-college) - [Credit for Prior Learning](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/transfer-information/prior-learning) - [English as Second Language | ESL](https://jjc.edu/community/department-adult-education-literacy/english-second-language-and-citizenship) - [High School Diploma | GED](https://jjc.edu/community/department-adult-education-literacy/illinois-high-school-diplomaged-and-basic-skill) - [Search for Classes](https://selfservice.jjc.edu/Student/Courses) - [Online Learning](https://www.jjc.edu/online-learning) - [Student Resources](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources) - [Bookstore](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/bookstore) - [Career Services](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/career-services) - [Disability Services](https://jjc.edu/disability-services) - [Mental Health & Wellness](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/mental-health-wellness) - [Library](https://library.jjc.edu/home) - [Multicultural Student Services](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/center-multicultural-access-success) - [Registrar](https://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/registrars-office) - [Student Advising](https://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/student-advising-center) - [Testing Services](https://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/testing-services) - [Transfer Resources](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/transfer-information) - [Tutoring & Learning Center](http://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/tutoring-learning-center) - [Veterans Resources](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/veterans-resource-center) - [Campus Life](http://www.jjc.edu/campus-life) - [Athletics](http://jjcwolves.com/) - [Cafe/Food Services](http://www.jjc.edu/campus-life/food-services) - [Child Care Services](https://jjc.edu/campus-life/child-care-services) - [Student Activities](http://www.jjc.edu/campus-life/student-activities) - [Student Rights](https://www.jjc.edu/campus-life/office-student-rights-responsibilities) - [Sustainability](https://jjc.edu/campus-life/sustainability) - [Community](http://www.jjc.edu/community) - [Adult Education](https://jjc.edu/community/workforce-education-adult-ed-literacy) - [Continuing Education](https://www.jjc.edu/community/continuing-education) - [Facility Rentals](http://www.jjc.edu/community/facility-rentals) - [Small Business Services](https://jjc.edu/jjc-entrepreneur-business-center-getting-started) - [Vendors](http://www.jjc.edu/community/vendors) - [Workforce Development](http://www.jjc.edu/community/workforce-development) - [About JJC](http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc) - [College Leadership](http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/leadership) - [Inclusive Excellence & Advocacy](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/office-inclusive-excellence-and-advocacy) - [Employment](https://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/college-leadership/administration/human-resources/jobs-careers) - [Freedom of Information](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/freedom-information-act) - [History](http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/history) - [Institutional Effectiveness](http://jjc.edu/about-jjc/institutional-research-effectiveness) - [Locations](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/campus-locations) - [Places of Interest](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/places-interest) - [Police & Safety](https://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/college-leadership/administration/finance-administrative-services/police-and-safety) - [Strategic Plan](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/strategic-plan) - [Apply Now](https://jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions/apply-now) - [My JJC](https://stujjc.sharepoint.com/) - [iCampus](https://icampus.instructure.com/) - [Technology Resources](https://www.jjc.edu/technology-resources) - [Giving](http://www.jjc.edu/giving) Open Search # JJC Blog Learn more about student life and what you can accomplish at Joliet Junior College in our blog. # 5 Places to Volunteer in the Joliet Area Posted by [Sam Sottosanto](https://blog.jjc.edu/author/sam-sottosanto) on Nov 20, 2017 8:03:23 AM ![Sam Sottosanto](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![5 places to volunteer in the joliet area joliet junior college jjc](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/places%20to%20volunteer%20banner5.jpg?width=624&name=places%20to%20volunteer%20banner5.jpg "5 places to volunteer in the joliet area joliet junior college jjc") Did you know that volunteering can [improve your health](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/hilary-young/benefits-of-volunteering_b_4151540.html)? According to the Huffington Post, 94 percent of people surveyed said that volunteering helped put them in a good mood. With the holiday season right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start giving back to your community. If you're not sure where to start, we've compiled a list of five organizations below. **Want to see more?** [Click here for additional opportunities (list organized by the JJC Office of Holistic Wellness)](http://www.jjc.edu/campus-life/student-wellness) **![5 places to volunteer in the joliet area joliet junior college jjc fosterpalooza](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/fosterpalooza1.jpg?width=392&name=fosterpalooza1.jpg "5 places to volunteer in the joliet area joliet junior college jjc fosterpalooza") 1. JJC's Fosterpalooza (Friday, Dec. 8, 4 to 7 p.m.)** **Contact:** Patricia Shue, [pshue@jjc.edu](mailto:pshue@jjc.edu) or (815) 280-2519 **Website:** [www.facebook.com/events/1744931775814762/](https://www.facebook.com/events/1744931775814762/)  Want to help spread holiday cheer? Take part in JJC's annual event, Fosterpalooza, happening on Friday, Dec. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. on Main Campus. Volunteers are needed to help set up, clean up, wrap gifts and more during this event that celebrates local foster children.      **![5 places to volunteer in the joliet area joliet junior college jjc literacy tutors](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/jjc%20literacy%20tutors.jpg?width=408&name=jjc%20literacy%20tutors.jpg "5 places to volunteer in the joliet area joliet junior college jjc literacy tutors") 2. JJC Literacy Tutors** **Contact:** Mandy Dwyer, [mdwyer@jjc.edu](mailto:mdwyer@jjc.edu) or (815) 280-1331 **Website:** [jjc.edu/community/workforce-education-adult-ed-literacy](https://www.jjc.edu/community/workforce-education-adult-ed-literacy) Is English your favorite subject? Do you enjoy teaching others? Sign up to be a JJC Literacy Tutor! As a tutor, you'll help adults who either read below the ninth grade level or those who are learning English to improve their reading, writing, math or their use of the English language.      **![5 places to volunteer in the joliet area joliet junior college jjc big brothers big sisters will grundy](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/mentoring.jpg?width=395&name=mentoring.jpg "5 places to volunteer in the joliet area joliet junior college jjc big brothers big sisters will grundy") 3. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties** **Contact: **[info@bbbswillgrundy.org](mailto:info@bbbswillgrundy.org) or (815) 723-2227 Website: [www.bbbswillgrundy.org](http://www.bbbswillgrundy.org/)  Think you'd make a good mentor? As a Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer, you'll help shape a child's future by developing a positive relationship with them and act as a role model.      **![5 places to volunteer in the joliet area joliet junior college jjc hopeful tails animal rescue](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/walking%20dog.jpg?width=369&name=walking%20dog.jpg "5 places to volunteer in the joliet area joliet junior college jjc hopeful tails animal rescue") 4. Hopeful Tails Animal Rescue** **Contact:** [hopefultailsvolunteers@outlook.com](mailto:hopefultailsvolunteers@outlook.com) or (799) 206-2132 **Website: **[www.hopefultailsanimalrescue.org/volunteering.html](http://www.hopefultailsanimalrescue.org/volunteering.html)  If you love animals, think about volunteering at Hopeful Tails! Volunteer duties include walking, grooming and cleaning up after shelter animals. Volunteers also work special events and socialize with the animals.     **![5 places to volunteer in the joliet area joliet junior college jjc helpers of mother earth](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/picking%20up%20trash%20helping%20the%20environment.jpg?width=370&name=picking%20up%20trash%20helping%20the%20environment.jpg "5 places to volunteer in the joliet area joliet junior college jjc helpers of mother earth") 5. Helpers of Mother Earth** **Contact:** [vkemp@helpersofmotherearth.org](mailto:vkemp@helpersofmotherearth.org) **Website: **[www.meetup.com/Helpers-of-Mother-Earth-a-volunteer-Meetup-Group/](https://www.meetup.com/Helpers-of-Mother-Earth-a-volunteer-Meetup-Group/) If you're passionate about the environment, Helpers of Mother Earth is the perfect volunteer organization for you! As a member, you'll help clean up local public areas including parks, forest preserves, road sides and more.   *Note: Some of these opportunities require volunteers to fill out an application form. Reach out to the head of each organization for more information.*   **Additional JJC Volunteer Initiatives** Joliet Junior College faculty, staff and students participate in a number of volunteer opportunities each year. Some of those are listed below.  - The Culinary Department's Epicurean Club collects canned food items for local food banks - The JJC Bookstore makes care packages for troops overseas (via the organization, [Boatsie's Boxes](http://www.boatsie.com/)) - The Veterans Alliance Club hosts an annual sock drive - The Department of Natural Sciences and Physical Education participates in environmental clean ups - The Romeoville Student Activities Committee is collecting crayons, colored pencils and markers for Lurie's Children Hospital from Nov. 15 to Dec. 1. To learn more about how you can volunteer, [click here](http://www.jjc.edu/campus-life/student-wellness) or contact Coordinator of Student Activities and Holistic Wellness Amy Sims at [asims@jjc.edu](mailto:asims@jjc.edu).     **Related Posts**[Top 5 JJC Outings for Couples or BFFs](https://blog.jjc.edu/top-5-jjc-outings-for-couples-or-bffs)[What Are You Thankful For?](https://blog.jjc.edu/what-are-you-thankful-for)[Getting Involved is Easy at JJC](https://blog.jjc.edu/getting-involved-is-easy-at-jjc)[Money Saving Hacks](https://blog.jjc.edu/money-saving-hacks)[Best Gift Ideas for Students](https://blog.jjc.edu/best-gift-ideas-for-students)   \*\*\* **Like this post? 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