Welcome to Serve Illinois

​Make Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a Day On, Not a Day Off!
Day of Service set for January 21

"Life's most persistent and urgent questions is: What are you doing for others?" – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Each year, thousands of Illinoisan​s make the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday "a day on, not a day off." Illinois was the first state in the union to honor Dr. King with a holiday, and we proudly continue that tradition of honoring a man who made our world a better place.​​​

This year Serve Illinois asks you to join your neighbors in giving back. For more information on the day of service, and to find volunteer opportunities, please visit MLKDay.gov.

• »Find a place to volunteer

​Nominate a volunteer for the 2019 Governor's Volunteer Service Awards
Nominations due February 15, 2019

The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service presents the Governor's Volunteer Service Awards. These awards recognize ​individual volunteers through a statewide award program to highlight the importance of volunteerism and community service in the State of Illinois.

The following awards categories are offered:

• Adult (19-54 years old)
• AmeriCorps Member (member of an Illinois AmeriCorps national service program)
  
• Business (a for-profit company)
• Senior (55 years old plus)
• Senior Corps Members (55 years old plus that are members of the national service programs Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Senior Companion Program (SCP))
• Youth (18 years old or younger)

Each of the project categories will have a winner selected in each of the Commission’s five service regions across the state (Northeast, Northwest, East Central, West Central and Southern Illinois). Thus, there are a total of 30 awards possible throughout the state!

A panel of judges from across the state, comprised of Governor-appointed Commissioners, will select the award recipients.

• »Nominate a Volunteer
  
• »Meet Last Year's Winners
  

Recognize a volunteer!

 

2017 Serve Illinois Annual Report - posted by Serve ​Illinois Staff

Carol Taylor

​Carol Taylor has been nominated due to her extraordinary patience and kindness as a tutor with the Literacy Volunteers of Illinois. Literacy Volunteers of Illinois is a statewide organization committed to developing and supporting volunteer literacy programs that help families, adults and out-of-school teens increase their literary skill.

Carol Taylor has been nominated due to her extraordinary patience and kindness as a tutor with the Literacy Volunteers of Illinois. Literacy Volunteers of Illinois is a statewide organization committed to developing and supporting volunteer literacy programs that help families, adults and out-of-school teens increase their literary skill. When Carol started at the Illinois Youth Center as an AmeriCorps member she hit the ground running. It did not take long to recognize that tutoring came second nature to her. The patience and kindness she shows towards her students is nothing short of extraordinary. She treats the youth at the Center as if they were part of her family.

On one specific occasion, one of the female students threw a fit in the library next door. Carol carefully observed the students behavior. The next day before starting her tutoring session, Carol began to talk with the student regarding consequences of her actions. Carol described how negative behavior would continue to get her in trouble and could keep her from reaching her future goals.

Carol’s LVI program contact says she feels so fortunate to have Carol as a part-time AmeriCorps member. Carol not only is a very knowledgeable tutor, but is also incredibly compassionate towards her students.