Crisis Line

Volunteer

Volunteering With NAMI DuPage

Thank you for your interest in becoming a NAMI DuPage volunteer! As a grass-roots organization, volunteers have always been the heart and soul of NAMI; they make us who we are!

If you are passionate about mental health and those living with mental illnesses, then you will thrive during your time volunteering with us.

We offer a variety of ways to get involved, and are grateful for the help that you can offer as we work together to help provide education, advocacy and support to those living with a mental health condition and their families, in DuPage County!

Volunteer Application
New Volunteer Intake Materials
Internships

Current Volunteer Opportunities

We have many volunteer opportunities for people interested in supporting us with your time! If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please fill out our Volunteer Application below, and we will be in touch soon about next steps!

SHINE A LIGHT SPRING GALA

Come and be a part of our most anticipated event of the year! Volunteers are needed for mailings, calls, set up, working the event, and tear down. Please fill out our application and check “Fundraising Events” and make a note in the comments “Spring Gala”. You may also contact Yolanda Bounds at [email protected] for more details.

Support Group Facilitators

Opportunity to lead one of our support groups for individuals or families. NAMI Illinois provides intensive training to lead a support group.

Receptionist

Answer phones and greet visitors. Comfortable using the phone and technology. Preferred customer service experience and knowledge in Microsoft Office applications. Various shifts available: M – F, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Job Coaching

Familiar with resume writing and/or interviewing skills and the job search process? Assist individuals living with a mental health condition get the interview, and ace it! Help with resume writing, and job search process. 

Speaker

Sharing your story at events and programs. Speakers are individuals with a lived experience with their mental health condition that are doing well in their recovery and are willing to share their story to help inspire others. Placements could include hospitals, schools, and other community settings.

Recreation & Social Programs Instructor

  • Planning and facilitating weekly and/or monthly programs to encourage socialization, relaxation, and recreation.
  • For Zoom classes, facilitators will need to be tech savvy, familiar with zoom, and using the internet.
  • Implementing activities that accommodate those with special needs.
  • Observing participants to gauge their enjoyment and obtain their feedback to improve programs.
  • Reporting any concerns or observations.
  • Adhering to and enforcing all safety procedures.
  • Providing participants with instructions for the programs.

Getting Started

If you are new to volunteering with NAMI DuPage, please start by filling out our application, and we will be in touch with you soon!

Register for a volunteer orientation. Volunteer Orientations are held on the third Wednesday of each month, at either 11:00 AM or 7:00 PM, via Zoom. New volunteers are required to attend one session of your choice. You will learn about the mission and values of NAMI DuPage, its history, our Programs and Services, and the many ways to volunteer within our organization. Registration is accepted until 5:00 PM the previous day.

Review our New Volunteer Intake Materials. These can be found in the Volunteer portal. Instructions on how to access these materials will be sent to you via email upon completion of your volunteer application.

Orientation Registration (11:00 AM sessions)
Orientation Registration (7:00 PM sessions)
New Volunteer Intake Materials
I Have Further Questions!

Volunteer Form

New to volunteering with NAMI DuPage? If so, please fill out our application below and we will be in touch with you soon.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Please fill out this application if you want to volunteer for enjoyment. Completing this application does not obligate you to volunteer with NAMI DuPage, nor does it guarantee a placement at NAMI DuPage. Information contained on the application is treated confidentially.

If you are interested in pursuing training as a Recovery Support Specialist you must complete the application below. 

 











    Please note that these times are approximate:












    Community Service Volunteering

    Please fill out the application below if you are in need of community service hours. This is for services due to court, church, or school. Completing this application does not obligate you to volunteer with NAMI DuPage, nor does it guarantee a placement at NAMI DuPage. Information contained on the application is treated confidentially.

    COMMUNITY SERVICE APPLICATION















      Please note that the following times are approximate:












      Internships

      NAMI DuPage offers limited internships during the fall, spring and summer terms for individuals wishing to gain hands-on experience in non-profit work in the mental health field. Our goal is to give our interns a well-rounded experience by exposing them to more than one service area in our organization, and tailoring their experience by placing them in areas they prefer. Join us in creating positive changes in the mental health system, and increasing the public and professional understanding of mental health conditions as a NAMI DuPage intern! 

      If you have any questions, please email Yolanda Bounds at [email protected].

      *NOTE: NAMI DuPage does not provide direct service opportunities, and cannot accept interns hoping to complete direct service psychology, social work, or counseling-related practicum requirements.
      Overview & Expectations
      • These are limited, unpaid internships.*
      • Part-time internship; depending on the number of interns we have for a given term, we typically keep hours at a maximum of 12 – 15 per week.
      • We are a non-clinical agency; we are a peer-led agency.
      • Due to client confidentiality, observing support groups is not allowed.
      • Internship opportunties mentioned below may be revised based on the needs of the agency. 

      *exception to this is the CRSS internship, which is paid through the school’s federal grant.

      Opportunities
      • Reception
      ○ Answering phones and greeting guests and program participants
      • Social & Recreation
      ○ Includes leading classes and planning activities
      • Social Enterprises
      ○ Working alongside NAMI DuPage clients at our Rise & Shine Café and/or Print Shop and supporting them while they learn new skills
      • Youth Department
      ○ Collecting and inputting data for grant purposes, observing an Ending the Silence program, leading the Ending the Silence sessions in schools (if appropriate), and various other as-needed tasks. Our youth program is for junior high and high school aged teenagers
      • Resource & Support and Community Education
      ○ Outreach, collecting and inputting data for grant purposes, and entering new participants into our database.
      • Administration
      Social media, database, resources, outreach, and other various tasks and projects.
      INTERN APPLICATION

      Please fill out this application if you are in need of an internship. Completing this application does not obligate you to volunteer with NAMI DuPage, nor does it guarantee a placement at NAMI DuPage. Information contained on the application is treated confidentially.

      If you are pursuing the CRSS Internship track, you must complete the application below. 

       















        Please note that the following times are approximate: