Volunteer in Chicago at my guest house

Higher chance of approval: This host has recently approved volunteers and is looking for more applications.
Practice English: 15 travelers recommend this host to practice English
Connect with the locals: 14 travelers recommend this host to have close contact with locals
Accepts couples and pairs of volunteers

Save to Wishlist

Apply Now

What you offer

30h

Hours per week: Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.

Painting & Decorating: Help with painting or decorating the property facilities.

Cleaning: Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.

Housekeeping: Help with changing the bed linens and general housekeeping.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

Learn more

What you get

Days off per week: Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Team Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other people.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Free Tours: We’ll take you on tours and rides around town. For free!

Yoga classes: Take free yoga classes at our place.

Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.

Support: Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.

Verified Host: This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.

WP Safeguard: Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.; Learn more

Learn more

Availability

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Stay at least: 4 weeks

Stay up to: 12 weeks

The Experience

Volunteers help with cleaning guestrooms, kitchen, and bathrooms. There is also 1-2 outdoor projects in the Summer. For example, staining the wood on the ramp or stairs, plus weeding. The work is 10:00am to 3:00pm. We listed 1 day off per week, but aother volunteer can cover an additional day per week. We usually do 1-2 tourist attractions for a volunteer if they choose. Ususally, the Art Institute of Chicago or the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Learn more

Requirements

Intermediate English
Between 30 and 80 years old
Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Learn more

Talk to those who have lived the experience

In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.

You can ask things like:

a) How was your experience with this host?
b) How was your day-to-day routine?
c) How much did you spend on this trip?

Exclusive for members

Connect with those who will also be there

Become a Verified Member and exchange ideas before your trip with other worldpackers who will be volunteering in the same place as you.

Become a member

24 Reviews

4.5

Host & Team

4.5

Hours & Tasks

4.5

Hostel

4.5

Learning & Fun

4.5

How this experience will transform you

15 Practicing English
14 Meeting locals
14 Meeting international travelers
11 Immersing in the local culture
4 Get in touch with nature
4 Developing social awareness

JANE

Brazil

It's so difficult to put into words this experience I had at Mary's house. It was better than I could have imagined. My intention was just to improve my English language and get to know American culture better. I achieved this feat and much more. I've learned about cultures around the world, respect diversity, and make lots of friends. I was supposed to stay here for 3 months, but I postponed it to 4 months. The activities are exactly those shown on Worldpackers. We have enough time to know this beautiful city of Chicago. Thanks Mary! Hope I can see you again! Waiting for you in Brazil!

13 days ago

Kattalina

Colombia

I'm so grateful for the experience. I lived in Mary's house for almost a month, and it was amazing. The volunteer spot is great; you have your own bed, bathroom, and a kitchen with the food that provided for us. She supplies basic things that you can find in the house (oil, salt, eggs, milk, bread, coffee, tea), and she also gives you $35 weekly for groceries to make your breakfast and lunch. My job was gardening, and for me, it was amazing since it was my first experience with this kind of work. I also painted a ramp in the yard and the gate. It was a good time, and I learned new skills.

about 1 month ago

Diana

Mexico

Truly a unique experience! I always felt like if I was home. Mary is an excellent host. She has a remarkable sense of responsibility and leadership. In spite the fact that she's working 24/7, she is always making sure that all the volunteer and guests needs are taken care of. The tasks at the house are really simple and can be done in a very short period of time, leaving you plenty of time to relax before, during and after your shift. the hostel is located in a friendly, quiet neighborhood and is 15 minutes away from Harlem subway station, which takes you directly to downtown Chicago.

7 months ago

Catalina

Chile

My stay was very nice, the place was cozy, the tasks weren't difficult and I had time to know the city and meet friends. I had to work for 4-5 hours and the tasks were keep the house clean, be attentive about guest check-in and check-out, and do laundry sometimes. Also, Mary always needs to know everything so if something change with your stay, tasks, schedule or something else, it's appropriate that you talk to her, the communication and patient is the key to do this volunteer.

8 months ago

Fabio

Brazil

I had an amazing experience at this house. The tasks are not so hard, the house's enviroment is good, Mary cares about the volunteer. The house is not so far from the subway station, you also have the local commerce close. It was my first time with worldpackers and it couldn't be better! I'm very happy and grateful for lived that great experience!

9 months ago

Mary replied

It was really great having you with us. Thank you for all your help. Enjoy the next part of your journey. If you visit Chicago again, I'd be happy to host you.

View all

View all 32 photos

About the host

• Recently Online

Hosted by Mary

Response Rate: This host usually answers to 50% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in 1 day

Want to know more about this host?

We only provide detailed host information and videos to Members

Become a member

More experiences of this host

Volunteer in Chicago! Explore this amazing city!

Reception Cleaning Housekeeping Gardening

Volunteers tin chicago at my guest house

Cleaning Housekeeping Reception Gardening

Academy

How to become an outstanding Worldpacker

Understand how the volunteer experience works, what hosts value in exchange and what it's like to live collaborating with people from all over the world!