Metropolitan Chicago Council

The local affiliate of the national HI-USA organization is called the Metropolitan Chicago Council of Hostelling International USA. The Metro Chicago Council has a long history of hostelling in Chicago, from the 1960's filled with downhill skiing and everything outdoors to the new century with the opening of the big beautiful J.Ira & Nicki Harris Family Hostel in 2000. The Council's board of directors supports the educational programs of the hostel through fundraising and close collaboration with the hostel's education staff.

The Council's sailing program, Sail Chicago, was established as a separate nonprofit corporation in 2003. The Council no longer offers sailing but recommends Sail Chicago as an excellent community-based program. Information about Sail Chicago is at www.sailchicago.org

Get your HI-USA membership at the hostel, anytime, any day. The hostel's front desk is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help you with purchasing an HI-USA Membership for your travels, or to answer your questions about hostelling around the world. To buy your membership online, go to: www.hiusa.org

Groupon/G-Team Partners with HI-Chicago

to Support Cultural Kitchen

Tuesday, January 24th through
Thursday, Janaury 26th midnight (CT)

Show some love right now for hostelling, international understanding, and education that creates global citizens among our students. Groupon's G-Team, their philanthropic service, has chosen HI-Chicago's Cultural Kitchen educational program as the featured nonprofit cause this week for its Daily Deal subscribers. You can make a difference in a young student's life by making a donation in any amount starting at only $10.

Please Donate

The G-Team donation page is open! Donations can be made now through Thursday, January 26^th at midnight Central. Follow this link for more information and to make a donation: http://www.groupon.com/deals/gt-hostelling-international-chicago Thank you for your support of our students and congratulations on bringing yourself a healthy dose of good karma.

HI-Chicago receives 100% of the donations which will give students the chance to learn to be global citizens. You can support the Cultural Kitchen educational program in increments of $10, with every $70 providing a student with the opportunity to gain understanding of world cultures, world citizenship, and respect for diversity. HI-Chicago is an Illinois nonprofit and 501(c)(3) qualified organization, therefore your donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Board of Directors

The Council's Board of Directors is charged with supporting the success of the Chicago Hostel. The board's focus is on fundraising, program development, community involvement and enhancing awareness of hostelling in Chicago.

The directors are excited about the positive impact made by our Chicago Hostel locally, nationally and internationally through the delivery of the Hostelling International USA mission:

To help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling.

Directors