DuPagePads Youth Volunteers are

Learning while Helping Others

There are many health benefits of volunteering, these include a longer life, reduced stress, making you happier, and provide a sense of purpose.

There are even more benefts for young people when they volunteer! Below are a few great ways for youth to get involved with DuPagePads mission to end homelessness, that can boost their self esteem, help discover interests and gain valuable experience.

Learning through Lunches, all ages

You can help youth get involved in filling a critical need and learning by providing nutritious bagged lunches to feed families and individuals at our Interim (Overnight) Housing sites.

• Find an Available Date and Register on our website.
• Purchase and prepare non-perishable lunches.
• Organize and deliver to an Interim Housing site between 6:00pm-7:00pm.
• Wear gloves!!!

Your youth can learn about and discuss food insecurity, budgeting and healthy eating. The experience of helping those who are hungry in our community to be fed is a long lasting and valuable one.

Host a donation drive, all ages

DuPagePads relies on your donations to provide everyday essentials to the men, women and children who utilize our program. Necessities include: deodorant, underwear, hats, gloves, shoes, body wash, and much more. Several times a year we update our donation needs list to help with your collections.

See immediate needs here.

Consider hosting a donation drive during your next youth or family gathering!
Host a Donation Drive

Special Events Volunteer, age 14+

Interested in helping DuPagePads at a variety of family friendly fund raising and special events throughout the year?

Events include:

• Naperville Ribfest
  • July 3^rd through July 6^th
  • Register to volunteer, be sure to list DuPagePads as the Agency or Group you represent! (This is how we receive grant funding!)
• Naperville Jaycees Last Fling
  
  • August 30^th through September 2^nd
  • Register to volunteer, be sure to list DuPagePads as the Agency or Group you represent! (This is how we receive grant funding!)
• DuPagePads Run 4 Home
  • Saturday, September 21^st, 2019
  • Sign up to volunteer!
• Holiday Meals in a Bag
  • Date annually determined
• DuPagePads Bowl to Strike Out Homelessness
  • April 2020
• Additional community fundraising events for the agency.

Community Service Projects, all ages

Does your youth need to complete a project for school or an extracurricular activity, such as an Eagle Scout Project or Gold Award?

Look no further! DuPagePads is always interested in hearing ideas that youth have on how to support or improve our client services. We also have short- and long-term projects that might interest you!

Read about Jack’s Eagle Scout Project in 2017, and James’s Eagle Scout Project in 2007!

If you are interested in completing your Community Service Project at DuPagePads, contact the DuPagePads Volunteer Coordinator.

Interim (Overnight) Housing Program Support, age 12-17 with an adult

Create a deeper understanding of homelessness with your youth by volunteering for the Breakfast and Cleanup shift at our Interim Housing sites throughout DuPage County!

Prepare and serve breakfast to our clients, and help transform the sites back to their original layout during the Breakfast and Cleanup shift, 5:30am-7:30am.

An annual Youth Volunteer Registration must be completed by the parent or guardian prior to volunteering.

Are you a Young Person at Heart?

DuPagePads has volunteer opportunities for anyone with a desire to give back to one’s community and help those in need.