Strengthen Your Organization with Free Training & Volunteer Support

Wow — how is it already February?!

We’re excited to share a special, time-sensitive opportunity for nonprofits, community organizations, proprietary healthcare entities, and government agencies serving North Suburban Chicago.

Thanks to federal funding, HandsOn Suburban Chicago is offering FREE access to volunteer recruitment tools, training, and a Volunteer Engagement certification — but organizations must opt in by February 23, 2026.

THREE OPPORTUNITIES TO ACT ON:

1. Engage 55+ Volunteers to Build Capacity
2. Boost Volunteer Recruitment and get volunteer opportunities in front of thousands of local volunteers.
3. Earn a Volunteer Engagement Certificate and level up your skills

✅ HOW IT WORKS

Five Simple Steps to Access Free Resources

1. Click here to complete our simple all-access form
2. Complete the fields on the first page.
3. To reaffirm participation or join RSVP as a host site for volunteers 55 and better, sign at the bottom of page 2.
4. To access HandsOn Connect, our online volunteer recruitment and matching platform, select one of the following options: have us invoice you, or take advantage of the federally funded scholarship, so there is no cost to your organization.
5. To join our Volunteer Engagement Training & Certificate Program, delivered by an international trainer, select one of the following options: have us invoice you, or take advantage of the federally funded scholarship, so there is no cost to your organization. Don’t forget to let us know who to register for the cohort.

We hope you take advantage of all THREE opportunities! If you have any questions, please email us!

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP (Volunteers Age 55+)

Engage experienced, reliable community members who want to give back.

We help your organization:

• Craft compelling volunteer role descriptions
• Recruit and refer volunteers age 55 and better
• Promote opportunities to active community volunteers

📞 After you opt in, our team will schedule a short call to:

• Learn your goals
• Answer questions
• Set you up for successful recruitment and to refer volunteers to your organization.

HandsOn Connect

Volunteer Recruitment Platform

Get your volunteer opportunities in front of thousands of local volunteers.

Key benefits include:

• Unlimited volunteer postings
• Volunteer sign-ups and placement tracking
• Attendance and service reporting
• Promotion to 9,500+ eNews subscribers
• Regular training and one-on-one support

✨ Need help polishing your listings? We’re happy to assist.

✨Have an opportunity that needs special promotion? We can highlight the listing.

🎓Volunteer Engagement Training & Certificate Program

Join a cohort-based training delivered by an internationally recognized trainer through Points of Light.

Program highlights:

• 6 live, interactive virtual sessions (Tuesdays / 9 am -11 am)
• Recordings available if you miss a session
• Optional 1-on-1 coaching
• Practical tools you can use immediately

We are thrilled to have Kayla Paulson, CVA, an international consultant, trainer, and coach, deliver the Points of Light’s Volunteer Engagement Training Program.

Click Here For More Information!