Register now for our Virtual Discover Experience.

COVID-19 Update: To ensure a safe experience for all DOOR Network volunteers, DOOR has suspended in-person Discover visits for summer 2020. However, the world needs service-minded youth leaders now more than ever, and we’re committed to providing that education and leadership development through our Virtual Discover Experience.
Learn more and register here.

DOOR’s Chicago Discover experience is based on the theme: “A Seat at the Table” inspired by the themes of the 2016 album by Solange Knowles, namely race, gender and equality. Solange’s artistry offers a young woman’s perspective on the intersectionality of being Black AND feminine in both music and society. The expression “a seat at the table” describes the place for individuals in power to make decisions and exercise their authority. However, that place is a privilege not afforded to everyone. Moreover, age, race, and gender play a big part in who is given a seat at the table and who is excluded. During your time with DOOR Chicago, you will experience service work and reflective conversations that explore how we talk about power and privilege as they influence racial justice, equity, sacred space, empathy, and our faith.

Like all DOOR cities, our program is structured to allow participants to experience different kinds of service at several diverse sites during their visit. Though DOOR is based in the west Chicago neighborhood of East Garfield Park, we work with organizations and congregations as far west as Oak Park, as south as Riverdale, and as far north as Rodgers Park. Each day, your group will work with 2-4 of our more than a dozen partner organizations, including food pantries serving individuals with HIV/AIDS, summer camps in low-income neighborhoods, and domestic violence prevention and intervention agencies.

Overview of City

With 77 unique and culturally diverse neighborhoods, Chicago is a big city with a small city feel. Chicago has a long-standing commitment to activism and community organizing, making it a great place to learn about race, poverty, and other issues of injustice. DOOR Chicago is housed at First Church of the Brethren in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. East Garfield Park is a community full of potential and has a rich history of strong community leaders and activists, including the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who had an office in First Church of the Brethren as he fought for fair housing rights. To provide service opportunities for participants, DOOR Chicago partners with established and well-rooted organizations and churches that have been serving the city for many years .

Your Discover Experience

Discover is DOOR's weekend or weeklong mission trip/service-learning program that includes time for service, learning, and reflection. 

Discover groups stay in East Garfield Park, just off the CTA's Blue Line. Groups learn about the assets of the neighborhood, including the Garfield Park Conservatory, public transportation, grassroots and social justice organizations, community gardens, social service providers, and churches. In addition to service opportunities with a variety of local agencies and churches, Discover participants spend time hearing from local leadership, being involved in experiential hands-on activities, and reflecting on their experiences. 

Service Opportunities

• An urban gardening network throughout the city that allows groups to garden alongside neighborhood stakeholders

• A local church committed to being peacemakers in their neighborhood parks that invites groups to play alongside their neighbors

• An outreach center that provides opportunities for groups to serve in the three shelters of their homeless prevention program: a daycare facility, a free store, and a soup kitchen

What age range of participants can you accommodate?

No younger than 12 years old.  

What are the maximum and minimum sizes of the volunteer groups?

Maximum group size is 50. 

Minimum group size is 8 for summer stay (if no other groups are booked that week). 

Will my group ever be combined with another group? How does that work?

If your group is smaller than 8, there may be a chance it will be combined.

Typically, we only split or combine groups if our service sites have certain minimums or maximums. Our staff will discuss this with you during your registration process.

How many adults do groups need to bring (per number of children)?

Depends! We recommend 1 chaperone for every 7-12 children, but we would prefer to break a group of 24 into 3 groups of 8 as 12 can overwhelm some of our partners. Our staff will advise you more specifically during your registration process. 

Can DOOR accommodate participants on the spectrum, folks with mobility issues, and folks who identify as non-binary?
Is there any type of participant that DOOR can’t accommodate?

DOOR is open to accommodate all participants. 

In the past, we have worked with group leaders to make arrangements and adjustments to our activities. We have many strategies to manage triggers or physical requirements of participants on the spectrum or those with mobility issues. Non-binary and trans people will always have a space of welcome and invitation in Chicago. Please contact the City Director to discuss your specific accommodations needs.

Can we request certain kinds of work sites? 

No.

Are trips available year-round or only seasonally? 

We limit weekend trips in the summer to specific dates. Please contact us for details. 

What is included in the trip cost?

Housing, breakfast all week, lunch all work days, three dinners, evening curriculum, and a speaker.

What is not covered in the trip cost?

Free days, Sunday night dinner, Friday lunch.

 How does DOOR handle transportation during our stay?

If you opt for public transportation, we typically meet groups where they are and provide bus cards. We direct groups on transit. Groups have the option of finding their own transportation, which may be personal or rented vehicles.

Will anyone from DOOR be supervising our group on site? 

Staff will be accompanying groups with the exception of weeks where participant groups exceeds staff.

What about safety? 

We review safety procedures during orientation, but we have not had problems in the past.

If we’re looking to deepen our exploration of the trip’s theme, what would you recommend we do or see while in the city?

The National Museum of Mexican Art, DuSable Museum, a walk through Humboldt Park's Division St, Chinatown, Harold Washington Library, and Pilsen's 18th st. Sightseeing is also a big thing for Chicago participants. We have some very cool neighborhoods to visit as well.

Who is the correct person to contact for additional information?

Nicolette Peñaranda; 312 545 3667; nicolettemarie@doornetwork.org

Contact DOOR Chicago:

chicago@doornetwork.org

312-545-3667