About the Merit Exchange

The Merit Exchange is the Shambhala Meditation Center of Chicago's newest initiative to cultivate mindfulness in the world through volunteer service.

Through the Merit Exchange, we aim to provide opportunities for the Shambhala community to learn and participate in Engaged Buddhism. With the skills and techniques of mindfulness guiding our path, we volunteer our time and effort at a variety of charity and non-profit organizations around Chicago. Join us today for a powerful volunteering experience that will help enhance your practice, while also contributing to a more peaceful society.

Current volunteering opportunities:

• Chicago Lights Urban Farm

  • Through the collaboration of two non-profits, Chicago Lights and Growing Power, this urban farm offers excellent educational opportunities for kids from low-income areas, teaching them all about farming, from preparing soil to taking it to market. 

• Hospice Care training session through VITAS Innovative Hospice Care

• For anyone who is interested in volunteering in hospice care, VITAS is a hospice care organization that provides a free training session for a variety of different hospice-related activities. 

• Mentoring or tutoring refugees with RefugeeOne

•  RefugeeOne provides a variety of services to refugees, such as helping with housing, education, and adjusting to American life. Volunteers can serve as a mentor to adult refugees, tutor their children, or offer support in a number of other ways.

For more information

Check out the Merit Exchange website:
www.themeritexchange.org

Or get in touch with Ryan Thompson, the project coordinator:
info@themeritexchange.org

Shambhala, Shambhala Meditation Center, and Shambhala Center are registered service marks of Shambhala International (Varjadhatu). Shambhala Training is a registered trademark of Shambhala/Nalanda Foundation.