Obama Presidential Center Seeks Volunteers for June Opening

The foundation is recruiting 75-100 local ambassadors to help welcome visitors to the new facility.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Obama Foundation is looking for volunteers to help staff the opening of the new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago's Jackson Park. The center is set to officially open to the public on June 19, with an opening ceremony planned for June 18. The foundation has already hired 170 people and is now seeking an additional 75-100 local volunteers to serve as "ambassadors" to interface with the public.

Why it matters

The Obama Presidential Center is a highly anticipated new addition to Chicago's cultural landscape, expected to draw an estimated 600,000 visitors per year. The foundation's outreach for local volunteers signals their commitment to engaging the surrounding community and making the opening a celebratory event for the city.

The details

Valerie Jarrett, the CEO of the Obama Foundation, announced the volunteer opportunity during an address to the City Club of Chicago on Tuesday. Jarrett said the foundation is looking for volunteers to help make the opening "fun and enjoyable for all of the folks who helped bring him this far in his journey and are committed to helping us on the road ahead." The center will feature a presidential museum, auditorium, public library, basketball court, playground, and gardens.

  • The opening ceremony is set for June 18, 2026.
  • The Obama Presidential Center will officially open to the public on June 19, 2026.

The players

Valerie Jarrett

The CEO of the Obama Foundation, who announced the volunteer opportunity.

Barack Obama

The former U.S. president, for whom the presidential center is named and who wants the opening to be "fun and enjoyable" for supporters.

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What they’re saying

“Mostly the president wants it to be fun and enjoyable for all of the folks who helped bring him this far in his journey and are committed to helping us on the road ahead.”

— Valerie Jarrett, CEO, Obama Foundation (abc7chicago.com)

What’s next

The foundation is recruiting 75-100 local volunteers to serve as "ambassadors" during the opening events. Interested Chicagoans can learn more about how to get involved on the Obama Foundation's website.

The takeaway

The opening of the Obama Presidential Center represents an exciting new chapter for Chicago, with the foundation's outreach for local volunteers signaling their commitment to engaging the surrounding community and making the event a true celebration for the city.