Mission

Founded in 1991, Chicago Cares is the city's largest hands-on volunteer service organization. We provide opportunities for area businesses and individuals to improve the Chicago community through participation in creative, structured group volunteer programs that address Chicago's most pressing needs. Chicago Cares develops more than 170 hands-on, group volunteer projects each month. These projects serve children, adults, seniors, the environment, the hungry and homeless and much more. Our format gives people the opportunity to volunteer at Chicago Cares projects on a flexible basis and has attracted thousands of active volunteers. Chicago Cares is an affiliate of Hands On Network, a growing alliance of volunteer management and mobilization organizations across the United States, the U.K. and other countries.