Dads on Deck
The club aims to connect Universal students with Chicagoland organizations that need volunteers — supervised by dads when we can field a crew, with hours logged for families to share with NHS chapters and counselors (each sets its own rules).
The case
34.1%
of Americans 16-17 volunteer — the highest of any age group (AmeriCorps & U.S. Census, 2023 data)
58%
of college admissions staff say service strengthens an application (Forbes survey, 2018)
14
verified partner organizations within reach of Bridgeview (directory on this page)
Civics
service learning is written into Illinois' required high-school civics course (105 ILCS 5/27-605)
For families
Service hours serve the community and can strengthen a student's record. We aim to make both easier — supervised crews when we can field them, signed sheets, and a club ledger families can share.
Service is one of the four National Honor Society pillars, and each chapter sets its own hour targets. Illinois writes service learning into the required high-school civics course (105 ILCS 5/27-605). Colleges notice too: 58% of admissions staff say service strengthens an application (Forbes survey, 2018).
Sign up through the organization. Serve the shift. The org signs your shift sheet. The club aims to log it in a shared ledger so families have a clear record to share with NHS chapters, counselors, or applications — acceptance is never guaranteed; each chapter and school sets its own rules.
The President's Volunteer Service Award has been paused since May 2025 — so the club keeps its own verified ledger until something succeeds that award.
When we can, we pick one service shift at a monthly meeting and aim to show up with a crew — dads and students at one of the fourteen organizations in the directory below. Join us when you can.
For organizations
We aim to show up with a crew — RSVP'd, supervised, and ready to work. Here's the honest pitch:
The directory
All fourteen were verified Oct 5, 2026 — what they do, the age minimums they publish, and where to sign up. Programs change, so confirm with the organization before you go.
Chicago's food bank. Ages 14+ solo; ages 9-13 with an adult.
chicagosfoodbank.org/volunteer → BridgeviewNeighborhood food pantry. Ages: confirm with org. Contact: (708) 430-5666.
mosquefoundation.org → Oak LawnTeen volunteer program. Ages: confirm with org.
olpl.org/using-the-library/teen-services → Oak LawnFamily meals for house guests. Ages 13+ with an adult.
ronaldmcdonaldhousechicago.org → Oak LawnPantry plus seasonal drives. Ages: confirm with org.
centralusa.salvationarmy.org → Palos HeightsRestoration workdays and garden care. Ages: confirm with org.
lakekatherine.org/35/Volunteer → BeverlyVolunteer with senior residents. Ages: confirm with org.
smithseniorliving.org/volunteer → SW ChicagoCommunity programs on Chicago's southwest side. Ages: confirm with org.
imancentral.org/volunteer → ChicagoBuild volunteer days. Ages 16+; 21+ chaperone at a 4:1 ratio; waiver required.
habitatchicago.org/volunteer → ChicagoNeighborhood cleanups and youth events. Ages 14-23.
formyblock.org/volunteer → Cook CountyRestoration workdays in the preserves. Ages: confirm with org.
fpdcc.com/volunteer → ChicagoRiver care, including Chicago-Calumet River Day. Ages: confirm with org.
chicagoriver.org → SchaumburgTwo-hour meal-packing shifts. Ages: confirm with org.
fmsc.org → LombardHealth fairs with a student track. Ages: confirm with org.
imana.org/imr/volunteer →Bridgeview Public Library's volunteer program is suspended until further notice (bridgeviewlibrary.org) — we watch for its return.
