Volunteer Opportunities

 

MWA is 100% volunteer run and completely independent of government funding. The only requirements for volunteering with MWA are that you care and you’re willing to work.

Volunteer with MWA and learn basic organizing skills and advocacy methods that will last a lifetime. Professional certified organizers provide on-the-job training daily.

Call today to discuss your interests with an MWA organizer and schedule for a volunteer orientation and activity. Join us in organizing and fighting for an economy that leaves no one behind!

  • Lead

    Lead door-to-door membership canvasses in low-income neighborhoods, joining together low-income workers to build organization where it’s needed most.

  • MWA organizers Virginia Miller and Dave Hampshire talk to a new member signed up on a canvass in New City.

  • A University of Chicago student volunteer signs up a new member to Midwest Workers Association.

  • MWA canvass team captain Raul Green supervises a new volunteer signing up a member on a canvass.

  • Build

    Build an 11-point self-help membership benefit program of emergency food, preventive medical and non-emergency dental care, legal advice, utility bill advocacy, clothing and more, providing stability for workers fighting for long-term change. Volunteer benefit staff coordinate professionals, advocates, drivers and interpreters.

  • Volunteer attorney Andrew Sidea answers questions from MWA members on immigration law.

  • Volunteer dentist Dr. Ghislaine Roe provides donated care for an MWA member as the benefit advocate records next steps.

  • MWA members carry food to transport for a weekly supplemental food distribution to fellow members.

  • Dr. Stephanie Johnson-Brown of Plano Vision Center adjusts the new donated glasses for an MWA member.

  • Dr. Douglas Gill provides care for an MWA member as volunteer organizer Dave Hampshire shows a University of Chicago student how to record next steps.

  • Members of Blackwell Israel Samuel Church prepare donated supplies for MWA's Back to School Distribution to members.

  • Children of an MWA member proudly display their new school supplies from MWA's Back to School Distribution.

  • Produce

    Produce an independent newspaper and literature that represent the interests of low-income workers denied a voice in the mainstream media. Unite with local business owners who back MWA members’ benefit program and campaigns to get money going into our communities at the bottom.

  • Graphic designer Jarod Spohrer creates a new display for an edition of The Midwest Worker newspaper at MWA's publications training session.

  • Volunteers collate pages of a new printing of MWA's benefit booklet donated by D&R Press.

  • The owner of Aitana's Auto Repair displays the poster he's going to put on his wall in support of MWA's campaign for full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Mobilize

    Mobilize campaigns alongside MWA members to end government policies that undermine the survival of working families, while fighting for full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 goals now!

  • SDG #7: Affordable and clean energy for all.

  • MWA member Sharon Grant speaks as part of an MWA delegation at a meeting of the Illinois Commerce Commission demanding they reject a rate increase for Peoples Gas.

  • MWA members, volunteers and supporters celebrate blocking a rate increase for Peoples Gas.

  • SDG #6: Clean water and sanitation for all.

  • University of Chicago students display posters they made to publicize MWA members' fight for SDG #6.

  • MWA Operations Manager Virginia Miller speaks at a WBEZ panel on the cost of water.

  • Assist

    Assist MWA members in organizing self-help holiday campaigns in the spirit of solidarity and mutual aid, so low-income workers can celebrate the season with decency and dignity.

  • John Chisum as Santa Claus greets members' children at MWA's Family Holiday Party.

  • Members' children jump during a game at MWA's Family Holiday Party.

  • Members enjoy the face painting table with their families at MWA's Family Holiday Party.

  • A student volunteer paints the face of a member's child at MWA's Family Holiday Party.

  • Volunteers sort food into boxes for members' families at MWA's Holiday Food Basket Distribution at Ida Noyes Hall.

  • Volunteers sort food into boxes for MWA's 2020 Holiday Food Distribution held in the St. Thomas the Apostle Church parking lot due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Celebrate

    Celebrate with MWA members, volunteers and supporters from all walks of life at special events that mark MWA milestones. Invest your time and special talents to help make these events extraordinary!

  • MWA volunteers Rick and Dr. Elizabeth Pryor, Organizing Committee member Timuel Black, Ada Steenken, Janice Gintzler and Janice Calahan enjoy MWA's 23rd Anniversary Dinner at KAM Isaiah Israel.

  • Elmore James, Jr., Carl Norrington and Ed Williams perform the blues at MWA's 23rd Anniversary celebration.

  • Roberto Ferreyra of Aztec dance troupe Nahui Ollin performs at MWA's 23rd Anniversary celebration.

  • Irekani Ferreyra and Mercedes Inez Martinez of Son Monarcas perform at MWA's 23rd Anniversary celebration.

  • Attendees celebrate MWA's 10th Anniversary at the University of Chicago International House.

  • Chef Milton James serves cake donated by Ace Bakery of Bridgeport at MWA's 23rd Anniversary celebration.

  • Contribute

    Contribute your skills to organize day-to-day activities in MWA’s office including group publication and letter mail-outs, clerical work, phone calls, driving and more.

  • MWA volunteer advocate Rodrigo Garcia calls an agency about COVID-19 rent assistance for an MWA member.

  • MWA volunteers Cynthia Clarey and Mary Ogilvie file cards at MWA's Office Central.

  • A crew of MWA volunteers prepares the association newspaper to mail to hundreds of members, volunteers and supporters.

  • MWA volunteers Kimberly Mims and Elmore James, Jr. deliver holiday food boxes to members.

  • University of Chicago students process new members they signed up on a door-to-door membership canvass.