At Home of the Sparrow, volunteers are the backbone and heart of the agency. During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 18^th through April 23^rd, 2022, Home of the Sparrow extends their gratitude to the many individual, group, corporate, church, and high school volunteers who have volunteered countless hours to Home of the Sparrow’s mission.

In fiscal year 2021, 784 total volunteers dedicated over 58,867 outstanding hours of service. It is amazing what the community can do and how many lives are positively impacted when members from the community come together to help the women and children of homelessness within Home of the Sparrow’s programs. Home of the Sparrow thanks each and every volunteer for their time and talents, and for helping those in need.

Volunteers allow for Home of the Sparrow to keep overhead expenses low so that funds can be invested back into its year-round programs and supportive services for their clients. Volunteers at Home of the Sparrow perform a wide array of tasks including special and seasonal projects at Home of the Sparrow’s 25 housing properties across Northern Illinois, annual fundraising events, community events as Ambassadors, seven thrift stores (six Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Stores located in Cary, McHenry, Mundelein, Third Lake, Palatine, Woodstock, and one Community Threads in Arlington Heights), Administrative Office, transitional shelter, and so much more. With the help of volunteers, Home of the Sparrow was able to directly help 378 individuals in fiscal year 2021.

If you are interested in getting involved, Home of the Sparrow is always welcoming new volunteers at its seven thrift stores. As the season warms up, new volunteer opportunities for volunteer groups will include housing property clean ups and yard work, community events, and more. For additional information about volunteering, please visit www.HOSparrow.org, call (815) 271-5444 x260, or email Rebecca Stiemke at RStiemke@hosparrow.org.