Get Involved 

Join IL Pathways to Health as a Class Leader!

Are you passionate about empowering others and improving health and confidence? If you want to lead impactful workshops in your community, IL Pathways to Health is seeking enthusiastic individuals like you!

We’d love to have you on board to educate, motivate, and inspire others to lead healthier lives. Explore these opportunities and make a positive impact in your community today!

Take Charge of Your Health: A Volunteer’s Story Hear from long-time volunteer- Valerie!

Ways to Become a Class Leader

Become a Class Leader for Your Organization: If you work with an organization that provides or wants to offer health promotion workshops, consider partnering with us. As an IL Pathways class leader, you'll help enhance your organization's community outreach and impact.

Become a Volunteer Leader with IL Pathways: Interested in volunteering to lead workshops through our agency? Join us as a volunteer class leader with IL Pathways at AgeOptions and make a rewarding difference in the lives of older adults in suburban Cook County.

Why Join Us?

Comprehensive Training: No experience? No problem! We offer hands-on, in-depth training in the IL Pathways to Health programs that resonate with you. You'll gain the skills and confidence needed to lead impactful workshops.

Ongoing Support & Resources: From day one, you’ll have access to all the tools, materials, and guidance necessary to deliver our programs effectively. We're with you every step of the way.

Create Lasting Community Impact: Lead workshops that empower individuals and improve the health and well-being of your community.

What You'll Do

Lead Health Promotion Workshops: Facilitate engaging health promotion workshops in your community.

Inspire & Motivate Participants: Educate and empower participants to take charge of their health goals.

Collaborate with IL Pathways: Partner with us to ensure your workshops are a success and help further IL Pathways to Health’s mission.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Explore our upcoming leader training and volunteer opportunities below and take the first step toward becoming a class leader with IL Pathways to Health.

Join us and make a meaningful impact on the health of your community!

Volunteer Opportunities Available with IL Pathways:

Take Charge Class Leader: Start your application | Take Charge Leader Information Sheet (PDF)

Fit & Stong! Class Leader: Start your application

Take Charge Series

The Take Charge of Your Health program umbrella includes the Chronic and Diabetes Self-Management evidence-based programs originally developed at Stanford University and now managed by the Self-Management Resource Center. These workshops are 2.5 hours long, held once a week for six weeks in community settings such as senior centers, churches, libraries, and hospitals across Cook County. Led by two trained facilitators, these workshops help participants manage their health and stay active. 

Volunteer Facilitator Responsibilities:

• Get trained in Chronic Conditions, Cancer, Diabetes, and Chronic Pain workshops
• Commit to leading at least two workshops per year
• Workshops are available in English and Spanish, both virtually (via Zoom) and in-person in suburban Cook County

Training:

• In-person: 32 hours over 4 days
• Virtual: 32.5 hours over 6 weeks

Fit & Strong Exercise Programs

Fit & Strong! is an award-winning, evidence-based group exercise and education program developed by the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) for adults with osteoarthritis. Designed to reduce joint pain, improve mobility, and build strength, each session includes a 60-minute workout and a 30-minute group discussion, held three times per week for eight weeks. Fitness certification preferred, and experience with evidence-based programs is a plus. Workshops are conducted in-person across Cook County.

Volunteer Facilitator Responsibilities:

• Co-facilitate workshops and prepare materials
• Be punctual, dependable and maintain confidentiality
• Lead at least two workshops per year
• Public speaking skills and ability to follow a manual are essential
• English, Spanish, and Russian speakers needed (Materials provided in English/Spanish)

Training:

• Self-paced online training
• In-person shadowing required before leading a workshop independently 

Explore More Ways to Get Involved with IL Pathways

If your organization is committed to promoting health and well-being, we invite you to partner with us. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on our communities. Contact us today to explore these opportunities and get involved.

Become a Host Site for Workshops

Our host site partners provide a physical location where workshops take place in the community. Host sites are not compensated for hosting a workshop and may be asked to assist with finding and registering participants.

Ideal Locations:

• Libraries
• Churches
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Doctor’s Offices
• Senior Centers
• Recreation Centers

Requirements:

• Provide a consistent space for the workshop duration, designed to accommodate 8-20 adults
• May need to add an extra session day for participant recruitment or paperwork
• Accessible for individuals with disabilities (ADA compliant)
• Equipped with chairs and tables (U-shape preferred for some workshops) and space for snacks to accommodate the group size
• No TV or additional technology required

Commitment:

• Sessions last between 1.5 to 2.5 hours
• Workshops range from 6 to 8 weeks, with some programs running up to 24 sessions

Become a Delivery Partner

We offer a cost-effective contracting solution for organizations looking to provide our health promotion programs at a local, regional, or statewide level. As a delivery partner, your organization enters into a contractual agreement with ILPTH, managing the planning and monitoring of program implementation. Benefits include:

• Access to our statewide workshop registration and reporting system
• Reimbursement for workshops conducted
• Eligibility for inclusion in ILPTH proposals to health plans, hospital systems, and federal grants

What is a Delivery Partner?

A delivery partner coordinates the delivery of our evidence-based programs and is responsible for training facilitators—typically staff or volunteers from your organization.

Current Opportunities:

• Take Charge of Your Health: Chronic Disease and Diabetes Self-Management Programs (licensed through the Self-Management Resource Center)
• Fit & Strong!

If licensing policies or fees present a barrier, contact us to explore how to become a delivery partner under our organization’s license.

Feel free to contact us for more information and to discover how you can get involved.