Get Involved!

If you’re interested in making a difference and joining our team of dedicated volunteers, we invite you to visit our volunteer information page on our website or email us at volunteer@rizalcenter.org. Your support helps us continue to serve and uplift our community!

Volunteer Motivations at the Rizal Center

Volunteers at the Rizal Center are drawn to serve for several key reasons:

• Connection to Filipino Heritage and Community: Many volunteers seek to reconnect with their Filipino roots or support the Filipino American community in Chicago. The Rizal Center, as one of only two Filipino-based nonprofits in Chicago with platinum transparency through Candid, offers a meaningful way to engage with cultural heritage.
• Giving Back to the Community: Volunteers like Kevin express a desire to give back to the community that has supported them. As healthcare professionals or community members, they want to contribute their skills and time to improve community well-being.
• Professional Development and Skill Application: Some volunteers see the Rizal Center as an opportunity to apply their professional skills in a community setting. For example, Larry, who has handyman skills, volunteered to repair the damaged floors in the auditorium, seeing it as a way to contribute his expertise.
• Cultural Preservation and Education: Volunteers are motivated by the desire to preserve Filipino culture and educate others, especially younger generations. This includes supporting the Pamana library and cultural events that teach about Filipino heritage.
• Community Service and Social Justice: Many volunteers, particularly students, are drawn to the values of Dr. Jose Rizal and the center’s focus on community service, empowerment, and social justice.

Profiles of Dedicated Volunteers

• Larry – Facilities Volunteer: Larry volunteered to repair the damaged floors at the Rizal Center. In his own words, he saw “the potential” in the space and wanted to contribute his handyman skills. While cleaning the broken wood parquet tiles, he found meaning in the dirt between the tiles, which he felt represented “all the people, the many thousands of people who have performed, dined, met, sang, and danced in this auditorium” over decades.
• JJ – Youth Volunteer: JJ was honored during a community event for his dedicated service. As a student volunteer, he helped with various activities at the center and was recognized publicly for his contributions. The center encourages young people like JJ to volunteer, especially during summer months.
• Dino – New Volunteer: Dino, a recent graduate from the Philippines who has been in the US since 2019, was interested in volunteering to connect with his Filipino heritage. With technical skills that could help seniors during their activities, he expressed interest in Wednesday and Saturday volunteer opportunities. His father encouraged this connection to help Dino feel more connected to his Filipino roots.
• Jordan – Community Builder: Jordan discovered the Rizal Center through a book about Filipinos in Chicago and reached out to volunteer. With experience from the Lakeside Pride Music Ensemble in communications, he offered to help with oral history projects, transcribing interviews with older board members, and assisting with communication efforts. He expressed interest in donating his time particularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Kevin – Healthcare Professional: Kevin, a healthcare professional with a long-time residence in Chicago, sought volunteer opportunities that aligned with his career and community interests. He researched the Rizal Center’s website to find suitable volunteer opportunities and expressed interest in health initiatives like the HOPE program.

These volunteers represent the diverse motivations and backgrounds of those who contribute to making the Rizal Center a vibrant community hub that serves Filipino Americans and the broader Chicago community.

Get Involved!

If you’re interested in making a difference and joining our team of dedicated volunteers, we invite you to visit our volunteer information page on our website or email us at volunteer@rizalcenter.org. Your support helps us continue to serve and uplift our community!