Thank you for your interest in volunteering for GLASA! As a not-for-profit organization that provides year-round sports, clinics, camps and special events for youth, adults and injured military with a primary physical or visual impairment, GLASA relies on the generosity of volunteers to help make the programs and events a success!
Throughout the year, GLASA offers its athletes and participants a variety of programs and special events. Below you will find a listing of programs and special events that are held throughout the year.
Click on the button below to see our current volunteer opportunities and sign up.
*Please adhere to the age and experience guidelines for each sport/event.*
If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, email [email protected].
Featured Special Event(s):
Wheelchair Football Tournament
Twilight 5K Run, Walk and Roll
Date: September 10, 2022
Location: Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest, IL
This annual event is a fun race through the beautiful streets of Lake Forest for both able-bodied and adaptive participants. The Children’s Fun Run kicks off the evening followed by the 5K and a post-party with food, drinks and music. Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles including registration, logistics, course marshals, decoration, food and beverage servers and more. Volunteers must be 14 years or older. No prior experience is necessary, all training will take place on site.
Weekly Programs
Volunteers should have yoga experience and preferably be adults- volunteers will be asked to assist the instructor with set-up, poses, clean-up as well as other tasks.
Goalball is a sport played indoors primarily by blind and visually impaired athletes. Participants compete in teams of three and try to throw a basketball-size ball with bells inside over the opponent’s goal line. Teams alternate throwing or rolling the ball from one end of the playing area to the other. Players use the sound of the bell to judge the position and movement of the ball. If all three players miss the ball and it goes past them or over them and then over the back line, it is considered a goal. Games consist of two 12-minute halves. Due to varying levels of sight among players, all players wear vision blocking goggles to ensure equality among players.
Volunteers will be asked to assist in taping off court prior to the program, fielding balls that may go out of bounds, and help removing tape after the program. Ages 14+. No prior experience is required.
Volunteers should be comfortable around weightlifting/exercise equipment and able to assist participants once provided instruction from the coach (counting reps, sets, changing weights, etc.). Ages 14+
*Volunteers must have the ability to spot at least 100 lbs.*
Power Soccer is a competitive team sport for people with disabilities who use power wheelchairs. The game is played in a gymnasium on a regulation basketball court. Two teams of four players use power chairs equipped with foot guards to attack, defend, and spin-kick a 13-inch soccer ball in an attempt to score goals.
Volunteers will be asked to assist in setting up the equipment prior to the program, fielding balls, and taking down equipment after the program. Ages 14+.
*Volunteers with some soccer experience preferred but not required*
On-Ice Volunteers are needed to help push and/or mentor sled hockey players on ice during practice and/or scrimmage play.
*Volunteers must be at least 14 years old, proficient skaters with a hockey background and have their own skates.*
Volunteers need swim experience for this program – perfect for the swim enthusiast or club team swimmer. Volunteers should be comfortable teaching basic to intermediate swim techniques under the direction of the GLASA swim coach. Ages 14+
*Volunteers must have experience coaching swimming or swimming competitively*
This program is for swimmers who have a physical or visual disability are are able to swim at least 50 meters consecutively, can be COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT while in the water (no volunteer or coach needed in the water) and who are currently or plan to swim with a club or high school in the future. Volunteers are needed to assist as necessary. Ages 14+
*Volunteers must have experience coaching swimming or swimming competitively*
Volunteers are needed to assist the coaches with drills, field balls, one-on-one technique work and play in matches with athletes. Ages 14+.
*Volunteers must have experience playing/competing/coaching tennis*
Volunteers needed to assist with equipment set-up, measuring distances, field equipment, run alongside athletes, and loading up following practice. Volunteers should be comfortable giving instruction and following a lesson plan under the direction of the GLASA track & field coaches. Both wheelchair and ambulatory track & field athletes, youth and adult, will be scheduled throughout the program time. Ages 14+.
*Volunteers must have track, field, and/or running experience to volunteer for this program*
Volunteers will help set up and clean up equipment for the program as well as run drills and play alongside youth athletes under the direction of the GLASA Basketball Coaches. Ages 14+
*Volunteers with experience playing and/or coaching basketball preferred.*
Volunteers will help set up and clean up equipment for the program as well as run drills and play alongside athletes under the direction of the GLASA Football Coaches. Ages 14+
*Volunteers with experience playing and/or coaching football preferred.*
Volunteers will help with minor set-up and assist athletes with teeing up under the direction of the golf coach. Ages 14+
*Volunteers with experience playing or coaching golf required.*
Special Events/Camps
Location: Lake Forest College; Lake Forest, IL
The Sleds Are Coming to Lake Forest College! Join us for an annual Sled Hockey fundraiser where there will be a 5-on-5 game featuring GLASA Falcons Sled Hockey players, raffle prizes, silent auction items, food and games! Volunteers are needed to assist with concessions, selling raffle tickets, and cheering on the GLASA Falcons!
*Volunteers must be at least 14 years old; all training will take place on site.*
Date: TBD
Location: Lincoln-Way North High School; Frankfort, IL
Volunteers will be needed to assist with setting-up, fielding balls, keeping score, selling raffle baskets, selling 50-50 tickets and cleaning up. Any time slot signed up for will have direct contact with athletes.
*Volunteers must be at least 14 years old; all training will take place on site.*
Date: April 23, 2022
Location: Pinstripes – Northbrook, IL
Volunteers are needed to set-up, decorate, organize name tags, assist with auction displays and guest check-in. Volunteers must be 16+. No experience necessary. Two shifts: Noon – 3pm & 3-6pm.
Usually held during the summer, volunteers will help set up and clean up equipment for the program and play along side youth athletes under the direction of the U of I Wheelchair Basketball Coaches. Ages 14+
*Volunteers with experience playing or coaching basketball required.*
Camp Trek is a week-long adaptive sports summer camp for children with physical disabilities and visual impairments. Volunteer counselors will explore a variety of adaptive sports with their assigned camper for the week. This camp is perfect for someone aged 14 and older who is personable, outgoing, loves working with children and enjoys sports.
Date: September 10, 2022
Location: Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest, IL 60031
GLASA will hold it’s annual 5K Twilight Run/Walk/Roll and post-party in Lake Forest! The 5K participants will “run, walk, or wheel” on the scenic 5K course through the streets of Lake Forest. Volunteers will be recruited to assist with logistics, first aid, course marshaling, registration and the post-race party. Check back later for additional details
Online Sign Up: available July 2022
Date: November 2022
Location: St Viator High School; 1213 E Oakton St, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) will host its’ Second Annual Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, the Timmy G Classic, in memoriam of one of GLASA’s longtime wheelchair basketball athletes. Tim was a GLASA athlete from 2009 to 2018, with a presence on the court that will never be forgotten. His passion and never-give-up attitude made a difference to those around him.
Volunteers will be needed to assist with setting-up, keeping score, selling raffle tickets, and cleaning up. Any time slot signed up for will have direct contact with athletes. Volunteers must be 14 years or older.
Date: December 2022
Location: Lake Forest, IL
This event will be for all past and current athletes and their families to enjoy. Volunteers are needed for set-up, assistance with food, activities and clean-up. Ages 14+.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
For further information on Young Professionals activities email [email protected].
GLASA’s internship programs provides career development opportunities for students majoring in Therapeutic Recreation, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Adaptive Sports, Sports Psychology, Non-Profit Management, Development, Marketing and more. Interns can be currently enrolled in a college, be a recent college graduate or be an experienced professional looking to gain exposure to a new career or field. Intern positions vary from part-time (as little as 10 hours/week) up to full time positions for the entire season.
For Recreation Therapy Internship Opportunities: We currently are taking applications for interns that plan to sit for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam. The GLASA TR Internship adheres to the guidelines created by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). GLASA currently has two staff members that are Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists that will oversee all TR Interns. If you are interested in our TR Internship program, please send your resume, cover letter and list of references to Micaela Fedyniak (contact listed below). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
For All Other Internship Opportunities: Including Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Marketing, Sports Psychology, Non-Profit Management, Development and more. If interested in an internship program, please email Micaela Fedyniak (contact listed below) and include your major, internship area you are interested in and length of internship desired.
For internship inquires, please call the office at 847-283-0908 or [email protected].