https://howardbrown.org/vounteer
In 1974, Howard Brown was founded by four volunteers that made an impact and changed healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community. We have volunteer opportunities at our 7 health clinics including Sheridan & Broadway Youth Center, Brown Elephant Resale Shops, and across the city with street festivals, parades, health fairs & fundraising events. Please complete this application form if you are interested in becoming a Howard Brown Health volunteer. We can't promise volunteer placement after your application is accepted. Being accepted means you will have access to our volunteer opportunities, events, training, and we will do our best to support your individual volunteer goals.
Volunteer Resources: Web | Handout | Orientation Sign Up | Current Volunteer Opportunities | Application
Volunteer Responsibilities: A volunteer donates their time, talent or services to Howard Brown without an expectation of monetary compensation, future employment or other tangible benefits. Volunteers select what opportunities they want to support. They are expected to show up on-time, wear appropriate attire including volunteer badge, track service hours in Better Impact, perform the duties as assigned along with stay for the duration of their shift as listed in their respective volunteer opportunity email confirmation(s).
Volunteer Requirements: Volunteering with Howard Brown is contingent upon completing the volunteer onboarding requirements listed on the second page of the Volunteer Handout.
- Non-Patient Support Volunteer opportunities (ie The Brown Elephant, Pride Fest, Pride Parade, Market Days, Tooth Fairy Sprint, Trans Media Fashion, etc.) are available to new and current volunteers. If you have not completed all the onboarding requirements, you can still sign up to help with these events as long as you are signed up to attend an in-person volunteer orientation within the next 3 months.
- Patient Support Volunteer opportunities (ie: Howard Brown Health -Sheridan & Halsted along with Broadway Youth Center) require volunteers to complete the orientation, 3 self-paced trainings & DCFS Background Check prior to volunteering.
VOLUNTEERING REQUIREMENTS | Volunteer Handout
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Non-Patient Support |
Patient Support |
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Andersonville, Northalsted, Oak Park
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4. DCFS Background Check* |
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5. MBI Background Screening** |
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6. HIPAA Training*** á |
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7. Bloodborne Pathogens Training*** á |
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* 4. DCFS Background Check/CANTS Form: After signing up for an orientation, you will receive an email from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) (dcfs.cfs689backgroundcheck@illinois.gov) titled “Account Creation and Authorization Required for a DCFS Background Check, requested by Howard Brown Health.” Follow the steps to initiate your background check by the State of Illinois.
** 5. MBI Background Screening: After orientation, you will receive an email from MBI Worldwide Background Checks info@mbiworldwide.com) titled “Please complete your background check for Howard Brown Health Center.”
***á 6-8. Trainings Certificates
- ***Log-In for 6. HIPAA & 7. Bloodborne Pathogen: User: HowardBrownHealth | Password: 2024Training
- áTo Upload Training Certificates: Sign In > MY PROFILE tab > click “Additional Info” section > under “Administration” section, click “Choose File” next to the form you want to upload.
- Expirations: 6. HIPAA (2 Years) | 7. Bloodborne Pathogen (1 Year) | 8. Mandated Reporter (3 Years)
I would like to volunteer
Get Social
Our Current Volunteer Opportunities
Brown Elephant Resale Shop
Brown Elephant | Retail Volunteer | 3-month commitment
Sort through, categorize and add pricing labels to donations. Help tidy up store including back-of-house areas.
Retail volunteer opportunities at Oak Park, Andersonville, & Lakeview locations. All proceeds support uninsured on under insured clients.
- Openings seven days a week at all locations
- Noon to 4 p.m.
- 3-month or 6-month commitment
Howard Brown Health Sheridan
Howard Brown Health Halsted | Greeter | 3-month commitment
Greeting, directing, and assisting patients, visitors, and other guests to navigate the building. May assist with internal package delivery in the building.
Howard Brown Health Halsted
Howard Brown Health Halsted | Greeter | 3-month commitment
Greeting, directing, and assisting patients, visitors, and other guests to navigate the building. May assist with internal package delivery in the building.
Broadway Youth Center
Broadway Youth Center | Drop-In Support | 3-month commitment
Lend your support at Broadway Youth Center (BYC) Drop-In, where we provide youth-centered support to LGBTQ+ youth, youth experiencing homelessness, and/or street-based youth by providing basic needs and linkage to resources and services.
Duties: Volunteers support various duties as assigned by the Youth Development Manager.
These duties are included but are not limited to mail support, admin, organization, and other direct service program needs to support youth.
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Special Events
- National Volunteer Month Annual Volunteer Event April 2023
- Pride Fest Beer Tent Fundraising June 2023
- Market Days Beer Tent Fundraising August 2023
- March in Pride Parade June 2023 carrying banner, signs, or pass out swag to attendees
- March in Budd Billiken Parade 2023 carrying banner, signs, or pass out swag to attendees
Corporate Volunteer Hour Match Program
Your employer may match your volunteer hours with charitable donations. Many companies will match an employee’s time volunteering, including volunteering at Howard Brown, with a financial gift – and the donations help us do important things!
This employer match must be initiated by the volunteer. Check with your employer to see if they have a volunteer hour matching program.
Howard Brown Health's Mission
HOWARD BROWN MISSION
Rooted in LGBTQ+ liberation, Howard Brown Health provides affirming healthcare and mobilizes for social justice. We are agents of change for individual wellbeing and community empowerment.
Howard Brown Health was founded by volunteers in 1974 and is now one of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) organizations.
Howard Brown serves men, women, trans and gender diverse people, infants, youth, and children through 7 clinics across Chicago (including Broadway Youth Center) and operates two Brown Elephant resale shops. Services include LGBTQ+ affirming primary care, STI/STD testing, HIV/AIDS services, trans and gender diverse healthcare, and women's health services.
