Not only does volunteering benefit communities but it also serves you in the following ways:

• Helps you grow as an individual, builds your confidence, and gives you a sense of purpose
• Provides an opportunity to develop new skills and hone others
• Introduces you to new careers and a new network of people
• Helps you develop a sense of belonging and foster social cohesion

Need transportation?

If you are volunteering in Beloit, Janesville, Rockton, Rockford during the fall, spring, or summer and need transportation, we have a Community Connections vehicle available for use. Learn more about College Vehicles.

Public transportation is also a choice. See the Riders’ Guide and visit the Beloit Transit website for more information.

Local opportunities

Below is a short list of volunteer opportunities in the Stateline area. To know who to contact or for more information, please email Sylvia López (lopezs@hwfj-art.com), Director of Community Connections, or Suzanne Goebel (goebels@beloit.edi), Community Partner & Employer Relations Manager.

Unique

• Beloit Memorial High School: Sort and catalog items in the Athletics department. (November 2024, ongoing)

Working with children

• Even Start Family Literacy: Care for and help develop early literacy skills in children ages zero to four years of age.
• Merrill Elementary School: Be a Reading Buddy to K-1st graders in the early morning
• Todd Elementary School: Be a Reading Buddy after school or be a mentor during lunchtime.
• Winter Crafters’ and Farmers’ Market (Downtown Beloit Association): Play with and entertain children while parents work in the market. Clubs, teams and Greek houses are encouraged to volunteer as a group.

Working with homeless shelters

• Family Promise of Greater Beloit: Help families facing homelessness by serving meals, provide financial literacy training, and assist with fundraising events.
• Stateline Works of Mercy: Help in the day shelter by preparing and serving food, cleaning the facilities, and assisting with social media.

Working with food and clothing

• Caritas Community Resource Center: Help provide food and clothing community members in need.
• Choszen Donations: Sort clothes, sweep, mop, enter data, help with website, etc.

Working with animals

• Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (Janesville): Care for cats and/or dogs.

Working with environmental organizations

• Nature at the Confluence: Plant gardens, pull weeds, trim trails, and/or help with events.
• Natural Land Institute: Offers a variety of volunteer services all year long.

Annual opportunities

• Maple Sugar Fest: Welty Environmental Center (February)
• Nikolas Ritschel Foundation: Nik’s Home Run Race (October)
• Salvation Army: Thanksgiving Dinner (November)
• Rotary Botanical Gardens, Janesville: Holiday Light Show (November-January)
• Community Action: Gingerbread Extravaganza (December)

Non-profits seeking volunteers may contact Sylvia López at lopezs@hwfj-art.com.