Events

Join us for a feel-good event where kindness takes center stage! Volunteers will write uplifting, empowering notes and share them with students across campus. A few kind words can go a long way, so come help brighten someone’s day!

Points: 1

The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center is an organization dedicated to fostering the distribution of media and art of underrepresented artists. They are looking for volunteers  to assist with set-up, clean-up, and welcoming guests at their monthly Community Nights. 

Note: Please send a photo of yourself volunteering at this event to vip.arts.outreach@gmail.com to receive your points!

Points: 1 point per hour

At the Hope Center, we will help organize their warehouse in preparation for the next week. 

Points: 3 points

Please join us for Makerspace Urbana Repair Cafe, a free monthly community event where volunteers work with community members to fix broken household items, like clothing that needs mending, small appliances, toys, electronics, yard tools, and more. The goal is to reduce waste, keep things out of the landfill, teach repair and engineering skills, and build community by empowering people to understand how to fix things. 

The Repair Cafe is run entirely by volunteers and donations and is designed to be welcoming to all skill levels. You do not need prior repair experience to participate. Volunteers can help repair items, shadow experienced mentors to learn, or simply support the event. If you or any of your friends have items to be fixed, please bring them with you!

For transportation to the event, please meet at the Illini Union at 6:30 pm to take the MTD 5E Green bus over to the Makerspace Urbana building. 

Points: 2 points

We need help from volunteers to table and or donate at our upcoming blood drives, tabling would require the volunteer to be active and work to garner interest in people walking through the union.

Points: 1 for each hour of tabling, 3 for donating

Join us in creating handmade encouragement cards for pediatric patients in our community. Volunteers will write uplifting messages and decorate each card with colorful drawings and stickers to help brighten a child's day!

Points: 1 point

Join us for a night of crafting with a purpose. We’re coming together to create handmade cards for our newest neighbors. Let’s use our creativity to send messages of love, hope, and welcome to immigrants in our community, reminding them that they belong.

Points: 1 point

We need help from volunteers to table and or donate at our upcoming blood drives, tabling would require the volunteer to be active and work to garner interest in people walking through the union.

Points: 1 for each hour of tabling, 3 for donating

We need help from volunteers to table and or donate at our upcoming blood drives, tabling would require the volunteer to be active and work to garner interest in people walking through the union.

Points: 1.5 points

Please come join VIP for a cute and fun Rom Com social! 

Points: 1 social point

Brighten a seniors' day with handwritten letters of love!

Points: 1 point

Zoom panel discussions with former EJP students offer an exceptional opportunity to learn more about EJP's program at Danville, incarceration in Illinois generally, the challenges of reentry, and the organizations and efforts that provide support and advocacy.

Participants are welcome to listen and learn, and also to bring any questions you might have about incarceration, higher education in prison, and reentry. You can sign up for them via the link below.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net. 

Points: 1 point

*NOTE ON RECEIVING POINTS: Please send proof of attendance to Railey Montgomery on GroupMe or to raileym2@illinois.edu

We will be hosting a bake sale in support of the RSO JURY! JURY is an organization that seeks to establish a community of students at UIUC that not only participate in restorative justice, but also uplift and advocate for at risk youth through outreach and policy initiatives. 

Points: 1 point for donating or 1 point for tabling

Registration is now open for Spring 2026 Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses. MHFA is a free, evidence-based training that builds practical skills to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges. Full participation earns a three-year, internationally recognized certification. Courses are offered in person, with additional sessions available later in the semester.

Do you love animals and want to make a difference? Do you want more hands-on volunteering with animals? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Animals Allies is working with CCHS to organize an ongoing volunteering sign-up, but we want to make sure there is enough interest! We're looking for passionate individuals interested in hands-on volunteering with the animals at the Champaign County Humane Society! Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or just curious, we'd love to hear from you! Fill out this form if you would want to participate!

Anywhere from dogs and cats to critters, YOU can get involved.

VIP is exploring a collaboration with the Makerspace Urbana Repair Cafe, a free monthly community event where volunteers work with community members to fix broken household items, like clothing that needs mending, small appliances, toys, electronics, yard tools, and more. The goal is to reduce waste, keep things out of the landfill, teach repair and engineering skills, and build community by empowering people to understand how to fix things. 

The Repair Cafe is run entirely by volunteers and donations and is designed to be welcoming to all skill levels. You do not need prior repair experience to participate. Volunteers can help repair items, shadow experienced mentors to learn, or simply support the event. The Repair Cafe takes place every third Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Makerspace Urbana in the lower level of the Independent Media Center.

This form is to collect interest to understand how many volunteers may want to be involved.

Volunteers will assist with childcare during CU Early’s monthly parent meetings, providing a safe, engaging environment for infants and toddlers while their caregivers participate in support and education sessions. CU Early’s mission is to strengthen and uplift Champaign-Urbana families by empowering parents of young children, and volunteers play an important role in helping that happen.

Points: 2 points per session

Volunteers will support Children’s Services staff by helping with room setup and cleanup and assisting kids as they build their Legos! All Lego blocks are provided; volunteers just bring their creativity and enthusiasm!

Points: 2 points

Volunteers will support Children’s Services staff by helping with room setup and cleanup and assisting kids as they build their Legos! All Lego blocks are provided; volunteers just bring their creativity and enthusiasm!

Points: 2 points

Support students in the Edison Middle School adaptive programs by helping during Academic/Functional-Life-Skills (FLS) classes, Adaptive PE and Encore classes (Art, Music, STEM, Drama). Volunteers will aid teachers and help foster an inclusive environment. In the FLS classroom, students need one-on-one support, so volunteers will work directly with them to provide the assistance they require.

Times:

2nd Period (Academic/FLS Classes): 9:00–9:42 AM

3rd Period (Encore Classes): 9:42–10:24 AM

4th Period (Adaptive PE): 10:26–11:08 AM

5rd Period (Academic/FLS Classes): 11:10–11:55 AM

Requirements:

• Background check (coordinated through Edison)

• Weekly commitment preferred

Points: Background check completion: 1, 1 point per class period volunteered

Join us in supporting the wonderful students and staff at Urbana Early Childhood School, a program dedicated to inclusive education for children ages 3–5. Volunteers will assist teachers in the classroom, helping with activities that encourage social, emotional, and cognitive development among all students — including those with disabilities. Tasks may include engaging in play-based learning, reading with children, assisting during group activities, and providing general classroom support.

Points: 1 per hr volunteered