What We Do
Volunteering should
be easy. Now it is.
We untap the Chicago community’s potential when we connect Chicagoans who want to volunteer with organizations that can use the help.
What we provide:
Free volunteering events (2 or 3 on every 2nd Saturday of every month), all over the city
An easy way to sign up for the event and email reminders
A convenient way to get to events thanks to our VUber program (learn more in our FAQs - help us carpool & get some cash!)
Light snacks and water to power through
An excuse to meet new people with similar interests over a cocktail, mocktail, and/or burger at our event afterparties
What you provide:
Yourself (and for that, we’re so grateful. We couldn’t do this without your dedication to your community!)
History
VU Chicago started in 2016 with a group of 6 friends who just wanted to make the city a better place and give Chicagoans the opportunity to volunteer and form a community. We were originally modeled after the Baltimore chapter but have added our own twist on things over the last 7 years.
Vision
We envision a Chicago where individuals feel a sense of belonging and are motivated to act on their responsibility to their community.
Mission
To foster a community of engaged Chicagoans by connecting individuals to volunteer opportunities with nonprofit organizations throughout Chicago.
Our Impact
Volunteer events all around Chicago
Our non-profit partners around the city range in size and scope, from small teams cleaning their local environment to international organizations fighting for a more just society - and everything in between.
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Work
Volunteering Untapped Chicago is committed to ensuring that our work supports cultivating a more just and equitable Chicago. We recognize that volunteering is just a drop in the bucket, and we believe that a drop can still create a ripple of impact. Read below to learn more about our 2022 goals.
2023 JEDI Goals
Hosting educational series to teach not only our organization, but a larger audience about various topics (financial literacy, etc.)
Creating authentic relationships with new communities and spreading the knowledge of volunteering
Being more transparent and communicate further who we are working with, who we are serving, and the true impact
Our Leadership Team
Executive Board
GINA BLASKIE - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gina was born and raised in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. She attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois where she graduated with a double major in International Studies and Political Science. Gina made the move to Chicago in the fall of 2019 and hasn’t looked back! Currently, she works as an Assistant Project Manager with HP Tuners.
Gina loves traveling, especially when it involves trying new foods and hiking. In her free time she can be found attending WNBA games (go Sky!), participating in VU’s rec leagues, hanging out at the beach with friends, or curling up with a cup of tea and a good book.
ZACH OZBUN - DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Zach was born and raised in mid-Michigan. He made the switch from lifelong Spartan fan to Wolverine, graduating from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a major in Economics. Following graduation, he stayed in the Midwest by moving to Chicago and has been in the city ever since. Currently, he works as an Associate for Neuberger Berman.
Zach tries to make the most of summers in Chicago by being out on the lakefront or enjoying drinks on a patio. Year-round he can be found participating on VU’s rec sports teams, going to see live music and watching the latest HBO releases.
ANKIT KANSAL - DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Ankit, a Midwesterner at heart, was born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio. He graduated holding a BBA with a double major, focused on Information Systems and Operations Management from the University of Cincinnati. After graduating, he began a consulting career at Accenture, currently as a Technology Strategy & Advisory Manager. Ankit moved to Chicago a few years in and has loved it ever since!
In his free time, Ankit is an active traveler across the world, an aspiring chef and can be found around Chicago exploring, spending time with friends and enjoying new activities and experiences.
LINMEI AMAYA - DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Linmei was born in China but was adopted at an early age and raised in rural Oregon. Following her studies in economics and mathematics at the University of Oregon, she moved to the Midwest to work in economic research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Two years later, she made her way to Chicago to continue her work in monetary policy as a quantitative analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
You can usually find her trying new coffee shops, waking up early for Formula One races, or drenching her food in hot sauce. In the summer, she'll often be outside running or biking but when the Chicago winter rolls around, this west coast girl transitions into hibernation mode.
CATHY CAO - DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS
Cathy was born in China and raised in the capital of Canada. After graduating with an Honors Business Administration degree from Ivey Business School, she moved to Toronto to begin her consulting career. A few years later, a client engagement brought her to Chicago and she made it her home. She now works as a Strategist in Transition Management for Northern Trust Securities, Inc.
Cathy is a traveling foodie who loves exploring by boat, noshing on new cuisines, strolling through art galleries and browsing local markets. In her spare time, she frequents new workout classes, hosts dinner parties and plays tennis.
ROXY NOVO - DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Roxy was born in New Jersey, and only recently left her East Coast life behind to move to Chicago. She graduated from Marist College (Poughkeepsie, NY) in 2018 with a double major in communications: advertising, and studio arts, and spent the next 5 years living and working in New York City in several health and wellness advertising agencies including Y&R, Havas, McCann, and now Biolumina as an Art Supervisor. Outside of her 9 to 5 job, Roxy is a freelance Brand Coach specializing in nonprofits and has several NPO clients at any given time; learning new ways to expand brand reach, utilize social media effectively, and fine-tuning brand identity.
In her free time, Roxy can be found at a craft brewery or beer festival sampling new flavors with her Fiancé, or still trying out touristy Chicago things until it gets old.
Leadership Committees
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Aaron Fugleberg - Financial Development Coordinator
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Leon Lin - Data Product Owner
Josiah Johnson - Partnerships Database Coordinator
Casey Quinn - Logistics Coordinator
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Molly Will - Social Partnerships Coordinator
Jill Duffy - Activities Coordinator
NON-PROFIT PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTEE
Anuraag Rajasekhar - Nonprofit Partnerships Coordinator
MARKETING COMMITTEE
Ceire McCarthy - Social Media Coordinator
Caleb Miller - Digital Marketing Coordinator
Meaghan Attard - Communications Coordinator
Dani Long - Multimedia Coordinator
JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION (JEDI) COMMITTEE
Iliana Vazuka - JEDI Lead
Emily Milkes - JEDI Coordinator
GROUP LEADERS
Cassie Bass
Cathy Marquez
Derek Kwok
Errol Jones
Fabiola Avitia
Khang Pham
Robert Gancarski
Ruthvik Basavaraj
Taylor Sportswood
Varun Raja
Kyle Kramer
Brad Hagoski
Nick Kosar
Join our team
We depend on our organization leadership to facilitate diverse, fun, inclusive, and impactful volunteer events across Chicago. Are you interested in joining the team?
Interested in becoming a group leader? Email us at contactus@volunteeringuntappedchi.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We host events on the 2nd Saturday of every month from around 10am-1pm! Events are announced 2 weeks in advance and tickets go quickly - make sure to sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to know when new events are announced!
We host a number of other social and fundraising events as well - you’ll hear about them well in advance on our social media & newsletter.
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Upon arrival, volunteers go through the check-in process and grab a snack while mingling and waiting for the event to begin. There’s typically a variety of tasks available, and volunteers can choose based on their preferences. Volunteers are then broken into smaller groups of 10-15 people, guided by volunteer group leaders. We also run an Instagram contest, with the winner getting a prize at the afterparty.
In the past, we’ve landscaped city parks and urban gardens, revamped and beautified CPS schools, sorted donations, picked up litter, painted murals, written cards, and much, much more! We work with a number of nonprofits, which allows for a different experience every month. -
We have a wide range of events so it depends. The email and Eventbrite page will have special instructions if you should wear something in particular, like closed-toe shoes. If nothing is posted, we recommend you just wear something comfortable!
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Sign up for the waitlist on the event page! You’ll get an email if a spot opens up.
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We limit registrations for our events to accommodate manageable group sizes. In addition, most nonprofits that we work with have volunteer caps for activities and we want to respect their guidelines.
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We would love to have you! Our community is filled with folks looking to meet new people and network. Feel free to come by yourself, and feel free to let any leadership team members (blue shirts!) know if you want us to introduce you to a group.
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We do not have an age minimum or maximum for the volunteering portion of our events. Age minimums for the afterparty are dependent on the location (varies month by month).
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While we’re sure your furry friend would love to volunteer, please leave pets at home due to allergies and restrictions with our nonprofit partners. Our events are for humans only!
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VUber is our volunteer event carpool program! During event sign-up we ask for willing drivers and those in need of rides to sign up. Then, we coordinate central pickup spots and carpools. If you have a car and are willing to take volunteers to the event and make a friend along the way, we hope you consider signing up and appreciate your help making our events more accessible! You’ll get some gas money as a thank you :)
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Make sure to show up for the afterparty after your 5th event!
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Absolutely! The more partners, the better. Send us an email at contactus@volunteeringuntappedchi.org.
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Absolutely! Reach out to our team at contactus@volunteeringuntappedchi.org for more information.