Work with Children
The PAWS Chicago Humane Education Program aims to reach and educate children, particularly in the neighborhoods where stray animals are a large problem, to engage the next generation of animal advocates.
Volunteers are a vital component to a successful humane education initiative at PAWS Chicago. Our dedicated volunteers are at the forefront of teaching students, shaping attitudes and forming the difference-makers of tomorrow.
Humane Education Volunteers present our education programs to targeted groups and classrooms. Currently, we have programs for middle school aged students and high school aged students.
Volunteer Opportunities
Overview
Our Humane Education Programs teach students about compassion, empathy and proper animal care. These programs are designed to establish firm foundations and foster student enthusiasm while addressing community needs and resources.
As a Middle School Humane Educator, you will use the PAWS Chicago modular training program to reach middle school-aged children.
You will cover topics including:
- Understanding No Kill
- The Problem with Overpopulation
- The Importance of Spaying and Neutering Pets
- Safety Around Animals
Helpful Skills
It is important that our volunteer educators have:
- An understanding of our mission and operations
- A desire to help animals, people and the community
- The ability to communicate clearly and effectively
- Access to reliable transportation
- A record for punctuality and reliability
- An appreciation of the power and fun of education
Helpful Skills include:
- A background in education (particularly humane education) and/or childhood development
- Experience speaking to groups, particularly children
- Ability to speak Spanish
- Familiarity with computers, particularly Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
Location and Hours
Educators teach during school hours, generally Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
We also work with community groups that typically require weekend or early evening availability.
Focused efforts are on schools in the Little Village neighborhood, where the Lurie Family Spay/Neuter Clinic is located, and in Highland Park, home to our North Shore Adoption Center.
Training
- New Volunteer Orientation
- Humane Education Modular Training:
Each of our programs is broken down into smaller modules that can be assembled to create custom programming for each group. Volunteers can learn pertinent information—and how to deliver it—in manageable pieces.
Advanced Volunteer Opportunities
As volunteers become more proficient in Humane Education, there are opportunities to help:
- Humane Education Operational Support Volunteer
- Train the Educators Volunteer
Overview
Our Humane Education programs teach students about compassion, empathy and proper animal care. These programs are designed to establish firm foundations and foster student enthusiasm while addressing community needs and resources.
As a High School Humane Educator, you will use the PAWS Chicago modular training program to reach high school-aged children.
You will cover topics including:
- Understanding No Kill
- The Problem with Overpopulation
- The Importance of Spaying and Neutering Pets
- Safety Around Animals
Helpful Skills
It is important that our volunteer educators have:
- An understanding of our mission and operations
- A desire to help animals, people and the community
- The ability to communicate clearly and effectively
- The ability and desire to work as part of a team
- Access to reliable transportation
- A record for punctuality and reliability
- An appreciation of the power and fun of education
Helpful Skills include:
- A background in education (particularly humane education) and/or childhood development
- Experience speaking to groups, particularly children
- Ability to speak Spanish
- Familiarity with computers, particularly Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
Location and Hours
Educators teach during school hours, generally Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
We also work with community groups that typically require weekend or early evening availability.
Focused efforts are on schools in the Little Village neighborhood,where the Lurie Family Spay/Neuter Clinic is located, and in Highland Park, home to our North Shore Adoption Center.
Training
- New Volunteer Orientation
- Humane Education Modular Training:
Each of our programs is broken down into smaller modules that can be assembled to create custom programming for each group. Volunteers can learn pertinent information—and how to deliver it—in manageable pieces.
Advanced Opportunities
As volunteers become more proficient in Humane Education, there are opportunities to help:
- Humane Education Operational Support Volunteer
- Train the Educators Volunteer
Overview
Looking to make an impact in the lives of kids and animals? As an Operational Support Volunteer, you will be on the front lines of expanding our Humane Education Program’s reach by helping with scheduling, administrative and logistical operations and supporting for Humane Education social media and outreach initiatives.
Helpful Skills
- Comfortable talking on the phone with the public
- Good organizational skills
- Familiarity with computers, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- A working knowledge of social media platforms
Location and Hours
Medical Center
3516 W. 26th St.
Chicago, IL 60623
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Training
- New Volunteer Orientation
- Computer and Phone Training:
You will be trained on the scheduling system, as well as on how to gather support materials for program visits. You will also learn how to monitor and update social media components for the department.
Overview
Our Humane Education Programs teach students about compassion, empathy and proper animal care. These programs are designed to establish firm foundations and foster student enthusiasm while addressing community needs and resources.
As a Train the Educator Volunteer, you will have the important job of administering workshops and seminars to Chicago public and private school teachers. These sessions will teach them how to incorporate Humane Education into their everyday lessons. You will also be able to support the training of PAWS Chicago’s Humane Educators.
Helpful Skills
It is important that our volunteer educators have:
- An understanding of our mission and operations
- The ability to communicate clearly and effectively
- Access to reliable transportation
- A record for punctuality and reliability
Helpful Skills include:
- Training or educator experience
- Comfort with speaking to groups
- Experience with corporate training concepts
- Ability to speak Spanish
- Familiarity with computers, particularly Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
Location and Hours
Medical Center
3516 W. 26th St.
Chicago, IL 60623
Training
- New Volunteer Orientation
- Humane Education Modular Training:
Each of our programs is broken down into smaller modules that can be assembled to create custom programming for each group. Volunteers can learn pertinent information—and how to deliver it—in manageable pieces.