Sharing Your Time and Talents 
by Linda Buchalo
Are you looking for a way to give back? Are you interested in having some fun? Do you want to support one of Chicago’s most treasured organizations? Become a Misericordia volunteer! You can make a difference by choosing from many different opportunities. When you volunteer at Misericordia, expect to make new friends, have a good time, and feel rewarded.
Let’s talk about how to get started and cover some of the many volunteer opportunities that are available.
The easiest way to jump into a volunteer role is to attend an orientation for new volunteers. At that meeting, staff try to match someone’s current interests and availability with current volunteer needs.
Training is required for recurring volunteer positions. Training for new volunteers happens approximately three times each month and covers the confidentiality rights of the residents and Misericordia-specific policies. The session includes mandatory abuse and neglect training.
Generally, volunteers must be 16 or older, but some opportunities allow individuals aged 13 to 16 with chaperone support. Most volunteer opportunities are best suited to individuals who are high school age or older.
The need for volunteers is constantly fluctuating. In April, over 1000 volunteers support Candy Days. In September, about 1200 people volunteer in the week leading up to and on the day of Family Fest. The volunteer office is looking for some new families to step up and coordinate booths for the Fest. Some families have been able to manage booths with just friends and family members, while others use the Misericordia network to fill their volunteer shifts. Family Fest opportunities use the SignUp Genius application, and the list is generally published by the last week of July.
Some of the opportunities associated with Family Fest include setting up the booths, unloading merchandise, marking merchandise, filling candy bags, appearing in costume for photo ops, manning the many different food and game booths, directing parking, cleaning up the picnic areas, escorting residents, and dismantling the booths after fest. As you can see, there are many choices and you are sure to find something that works for you.
The Christmas season also abounds with volunteer opportunities, which are published in SignUp Genius by the last week of September. In November and December, 3400 volunteers work shifts in the Hearts and Flour Bakery to assist with bakery goods for the holidays. In addition to the holiday brunches on the first two weekends in December, there are many different luncheons centered around the holiday season. The gift shop is very busy at that time of year, and various appreciation events for staff require extra volunteers.
Outside of these very busy times of year, volunteers support many of the Misericordia vocational and developmental training programs and recreation and leisure activities. The MFA, SIBS group, and Rec and Leisure department organize many of the other events, which are posted in the MizBiz newsletter.
Do you have a special talent? Can you sing, dance, shoot hoops, create artwork, cook, ….? Misericordia has lots of places where volunteers lean on their special talents! For years, volunteers have helped to facilitate a Tuesday night beading club in the Village. Athletic volunteers help with Thursday night team sports and assist in the fitness center and pool. For anyone interested in kitchen help, Shannon Apartments is looking for people to help with chopping fresh fruits and vegetables that the residents take in their lunches.
Other talents needed include barbers and hair stylists, seamstresses and tailors, knitters, and office workers.
Whether you are hoping to find a steady volunteer position or want to volunteer periodically, you can choose from many opportunities. The Greenhouse Inn restaurant on campus, the gift shop, the laundry, and the swimming pool and fitness center are all good places to look if you want an ongoing activity. One-time volunteer opportunities include various campus special events, such as concerts and sing-alongs, staff appreciation luncheons, and the holiday brunches.
The following website posts many of the volunteer opportunities that are available:
https://www.misericordia.com/volunteer/special-event-help/
Many groups affiliated with Misericordia are active in both fundraising efforts and volunteering. These groups include the Women’s Auxiliary, the Women’s Board, the Women’s League, the Junior Board, Young Professionals, and the HeartRacers.
If you are looking for a place to volunteer, Misericordia wants you! The folks in the volunteer office will work with you to find something that fits your needs and abilities.
Send yours to