Opportunities From: Volunteer Iowa

Camp High Hopes has several hours of mowing to tackle each week. If volunteers help us with lawncare, our staff is then able to put more focus on the needs of our campers and guests. The hope is to have a well groomed lawn that all our guests can enjoy. The challenge sometimes can be mowing when campers/guests are not in sight. The Camp has a zero-turn John Deere mower and a gas powered weed whip. For the safety of our equipment, volunteers should have experience operating this type of equipment. 

Volunteers helping on a more regular basis are subject to a background check for the safety of our campers.

Dubuque County Early Childhood, a nonprofit organization, is seeking board members. The board receives state funding to build community partnerships and programs that serve children age birth to five. Board members work together as leaders and advocates to help address early childhood needs in the area.

At this time, the board is seeking male citizens living in Dubuque County who are interested in appointments to 3-year terms. This is due to Iowa's gender balance law for public boards. However, female citizens also are welcome to apply for future openings. Call 588-1620, email director@dcearlychild.org, or visit www.dcearlychild.org.

The role of this volunteer is to deliver food boxes to clients living in Iowa City and Hills, IA. Each day a new delivery route is created by staff and given to volunteers. Those who sign up to volunteer will drive alone. While the amount of deliveries can vary from day to day, volunteers are welcome to finish out their shift at Pepperwood Plaza if they finish deliveries early. A reliable vehicle, valid driver's license and proof of insurance is required.

Review the following information before arriving at your shift:

Safety, well-being, and access to service are our top priorities. In accordance with local and national COVID-19 precautions, CommUnity has implemented the following safety procedures:

Please DO NOT sign up for a shift if any of the following statements are true for you:

Join our volunteer team! An integral piece of our interdisciplinary team, volunteers provide patient care and support services according to his/her experience and training and in compliance with organization policies. Volunteer areas may include companionship, respite, homemaking duties, running errands, veteran-to-veteran programming, music, community outreach, etc.

We provide our patients with in-home care so that they can remain wherever they are most comfortable (nursing home, assisted living, memory care, etc.) so we are looking for volunteers in the communities that we serve. Our current service area includes Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Polk, Story, and Warren Counties. Share your talents with our patients! Our volunteers report consistently that they find their experiences very gratifying.

Our Volunteer Coordinator and skilled staff members will orient volunteers to work confidently with our patients ensuring a positive volunteer environment. Contact us to see how you can put your skills to use, further enriching the lives of our patients! You may share your gifts in a very flexible timeframe but are typically requested by the patient to occur once each week for at least one hour. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator to discuss this unique opportunity. 

We are looking for someone that speaks Greman! 

Join our volunteer team! An integral piece of our interdisciplinary team, volunteers provide patient care and support services according to his/her experience and training and in compliance with organization policies. Volunteer areas may include companionship, respite, homemaking duties, running errands, veteran-to-veteran programming, music, community outreach, etc.

We provide our patients with in-home care so that they can remain wherever they are most comfortable (nursing home, assisted living, memory care, etc.) so we are looking for volunteers in the communities that we serve. Our current service area includes Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Polk, Story, and Warren Counties. Share your talents with our patients! Our volunteers report consistently that they find their experiences very gratifying.

Our Volunteer Coordinator and skilled staff members will orient volunteers to work confidently with our patients ensuring a positive volunteer environment. Contact us to see how you can put your skills to use, further enriching the lives of our patients! You may share your gifts in a very flexible timeframe but are typically requested by the patient to occur once each week for at least one hour. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator to discuss this unique opportunity.

Amani Community Services is seeking hard working, energetic Maintenance Office Volunteers.

Helpful Skills/Experience:

Days/Hours Volunteer Needed: Work can be Flexible

Volunteer Duties:

We are looking for a few new board members with experience on non-profit boards. Particular strengths would be: passion for addressing homelessness, strategic planning, fundraising, finance. We could particularly use someone with bookkeeping and/or treasurer experience.

Across the Road is a new initiative aimed at connecting community members (like yourself) with our clients electronically in engaging ways to develop relationships and enhance lives during this time of isolation, and potentially beyond.

Trivium Life Services is a non-profit organization devoted to supporting adults in our community who, for various reasons, are unable to live completely on their own. Most have some sort of intellectual or physical disability, or are dealing with serious mental illness or substance abuse.

How it Works:  Picture this – A community member and a client who both love Harry Potter connect once a week for 20-30 minutes to read and discuss the books together via a Teams Meeting or Zoom.  Or, a resident of a local nursing home and a client who both love chess connect with each other to play online, building a friendship and addressing their common need for social interaction. The possibilities are endless! Yoga! Karaoke! Show off your pets! Art tutorial! etc!

Virtual interactions can be a one-time thing, or meet weekly, monthly, etc.

Amani Community Services is currently seeking applicants for our domestic violence and sexual assault crisis line. Volunteers will be part of a rewarding experience providing counseling, victim advocacy, and crisis advocacy. Volunteers answer the crisis line after business hours. Volunteers are required by the state of Iowa to complete a 20-hour online victim counselor training through the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 10-hour online and 10-hour in-person victim counselor training through the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

For questions or to sign up, please contact Sausha at Sausha@amani-cs.org

Overflow is looking for friendly volunteers who love people, to run our register.  Register volunteers have the full support of our staff to help answer questions or step in as needed. Our shifts are in two hour time slots.  Wednesday-Friday 10-6PM and on Saturdays between the hours of 10AM and 4PM.    

We opened our second store- Overflow Thrift Store-Furniture and More in 2020. Because of this, our Register Volunteer needs have increased. Overflow remains committed to providing affordable goods in the Ames area.  Helping out on the register is a great way to help us to do this. We also are blessed with simply wonderful customers and other volunteers.  Please consider joining our team. We'd love to have you be a part of our Overflow family!

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Provide administrative support to the Tanager Place School Based Services program.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

This position is directly accountable to Maggie Hartzler, Freedom Schools Program Administrator & School Based Supervisor. Between 6-8 hours of support each week of the program in needed, but the schedule can be flexible and vary.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

Administrative skills such as filing, typing and organizing are necessary. Must fill out volunteer application and pass background screening.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CHILDREN AND AGENCY:

About NAMI

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.  

What is NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group?

What are the goals of NAMI Connection support groups?

How do I become a NAMI Connection Facilitator?  

The application includes the following information about the jvolunteer requirements for NAMI  Connection Facilitators:   

1. Willingness to undergo all expense paid training 

2. Adhere to fidelity to the NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group model 

2. Commitment to perform weekly support groups for a minimum of one year  

3. Ability to record and provide group participant data as required 

4. Willingness to identify potential new facilitators from their support groups

5. Positive regard for, or personal experience with mutual support  (lived experience with mental illness) 

6. Be or become a member of NAMI Central Iowa 

7. Must be age 21 or older 

About NAMI

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.  

What is NAMI Family Support Group? 

What are the goals of NAMI Family Support Group? 

How do you become a Family Support Group Facilitator? 

1.  You must have a family member living with a mental health condition

2.  Lived experience is key as empathy, understanding and personal experience is needed

3. Must commit to co-hosting the support group at least 1 time per month for 12 months

4. Must complete certification by attending a two-day all expense paid training.  

5.  Must agree to follow the NAMI fidelity guidelines 

The main duties of the gift shop volunteer are to greet guests, answer questions, and process sales.  The hours are Saturday from 10-4 and Sunday from 10-4.  The gift shop volunteer works alone and has a key to open and close the building.  A computer system is used to process sales.  A basic knowledge of the Iowa Arboretum is necessary to answer questions. 

At Overflow, our donors can request a furniture pick-up.  We have a box truck and a driver, but we need someone to assist our driver with moving the furniture into our truck.  The donors will sit the furniture in either their garage or their driveway.  From there it goes loaded onto the truck.  

Then the truck goes to our Overflow Thrift Store-Furniture and More location, where the furniture gets unloaded at our loading dock.  

The volunteer(s) who takes on this challenge can park at our Overflow South location.  The time slot we need filled is from 8:45-11:00 on Monday mornings.  

The Terrace Hill grounds contain historic gardens, which include both vegetable and flower gardens. Planting is done once per year in May, and volunteers are needed throughout the season to weed, deadhead and maintain the gardens. Times and hours vary. Special events may require expanded volunteer help. Volunteers come in for any length shift between 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and must be able to do physical work in the sun.

Background check required.

Stowe Heights Challenge Course (SHCC) is a program of Community Youth Concepts on the East Side of Des Moines open from annually from May to October in 2020. Volunteer projects can be completed as individuals, family groups or other groups beginning in April and including months of operation. Due to the large amount of space and outdoor nature of the projects social distancing can be practiced while volunteering.  There are a variety of projects including landscaping, invasive species removal, general cleanup, painting, building projects at a variety of skill levels and trail creation.  For more information about Stowe Heights and volunteer projects, please contact jane@cyconcepts.org or 515-243-4292.  Please visit the Stowe Heights website to learn more about programming. 

Stowe Heights is a brand new program and as such interested supporters can volunteer in a number of ways including support with technology, website, social media and simply spreading the word about this hidden east side gem. 

Contact our volunteer coordinator to discuss your own talents and we can find a job that will support one or all of our 3 public performances each year. Work an audition check-in table, write a grant, clean up after rehearsals, host a party, make or shop for a prop, there are so many ways you can "Dance behind the scenes" to support the 200 or so volunteer dancers ages 8-adult bring a beautiful production to the stage! 

One acre of land is set aside at the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center each year to grow sweet potatoes and donate them to area food agencies such as the Food Bank of Iowa and DMARC. In addition, apples that would otherwise go to waste can be gleaned from the orchard and donated to Iowans in need. Volunteers are needed to plant, tend and harvest the sweet potatoes and pick and sort apples for donation.

The Wallace House has a small kitchen garden with a mix of perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetables. We're looking for a volunteer to maintain the garden periodically during the spring, summer and fall. This might include planting a few annuals, weeding, watering and deadheading. You set your own schedule.

Musicians needed on a weekly, monthly or occasional basis.  
- Pianist
- Percussion
- Guitar
- Bass Guitar
- Vocalist
- Sound booth 
- Tech team
- Other 

Interview and try-out required.  

Additional rehearsal time in addition to performance time.  

Sunday mornings 8:30-10:30 am and/or Wednesday evenings 6:00-7:00 pm 

We are looking for volunteers who are fluent, or mostly fluent, in both English and Spanish for both our direct and indirect volunteer programs. Individuals who are interested in working directly with our clients must complete Victim Advocate training requirements. No training required for indirect volunteers. 

The Cherokee Regional Medical Center Auxiliary is a group of volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to enhance services and support the mission of Cherokee Regional Medical Center.

They have a long time tradition of providing aid and comfort to the patients of CRMC. Among the many services the Auxiliary provides are:

The CRMC Quilters meet in room 233 at the hospital every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. This team of quilters provides hand-quilting services to the public. Area quilters are always welcome and can contact Annamarie Lickiss at 712.225.5259 for additional information.

The CRMC Auxiliary welcomes new members who share their enthusiasm for helping others by assisting with the many needs and events of CRMC. To join or receive information, please contact Melanie Rice at 712.225.4347.

The Cherokee Regional Medical Center Auxiliary is a group of volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to enhance services and support the mission of Cherokee Regional Medical Center.

They have a long time tradition of providing aid and comfort to the patients of CRMC. Among the many services the Auxiliary provides:

The CRMC Quilters meet in room 233 at the hospital every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. This team of quilters provides hand-quilting services to the public. Area quilters are always welcome and can contact Annamarie Lickiss at 712.225.5259 for additional information.

The Cherokee Regional Medical Center Auxiliary is a group of volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to enhance services and support the mission of Cherokee Regional Medical Center.

They have a long time tradition of providing aid and comfort to the patients of CRMC. Among the many services the Auxiliary provides:

The CRMC Auxiliary welcomes new members who share their enthusiasm for helping others by assisting with the many needs and events of CRMC. To join or receive information, please contact Melanie Rice at 712.225.4347.

The Food Bank at CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank provides supplemental food assistance and emergency financial assistance to about 1,000 local families each week. Volunteers stock shelves, assist clients, and help with administrative tasks.

Find out more and sign up for a shift at bit.ly/pepperwoodpantry

Review the following information before arriving at your shift:

Safety, well-being, and access to service are our top priorities. In accordance with local and national COVID-19 precautions, CommUnity has implemented the following safety procedures:

The Food Bank at CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank provides supplemental food assistance and emergency financial assistance to about 1,000 local families each week. Volunteers stock shelves, assist clients, and help with administrative tasks.

Find out more and sign up for a shift at bit.ly/pepperwoodpantry

Review the following information before arriving at your shift:

Safety, well-being, and access to service are our top priorities. In accordance with local and national COVID-19 precautions, CommUnity has implemented the following safety procedures:

Responsibilities: 

Filing, data entry, donation processing

Training: 

Training and equipment provided

Impact of assignment: 

Volunteering to help with these crucial day-to-day processes allows staff capacity for specialized tasks that require in-depth knowledge and experience.

Benefits to volunteer: 

Gain experience and a good reference for your clerical skills, learn about nonprofit operations, learn new skills if you desire.

Qualifications: 

6 months general clerical experience desired, fluent English, must be 18 or older

Safety Protocols:

COVID-19 protocol include distancing, mandatory masks, sanitizer, ceiling fans, etc.

Purpose/Objective:

The purpose of this position is to facilitate activities that promote literacy, develop the love of reading, and support the public library and the use of its resources .

Key Responsibilities:

If selected for the position, the volunteer would attend monthly Board meetings and serve as an active participant on a subcommittee of the volunteer's choosing. Attend the organization's annual meeting.

Qualifications:

Any adult citizen of the Cedar Valley who is a paid member (no minimum investment specified) in the Friends of the Library organization with a love of reading and learning. The volunteer should have strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. This opportunity is accessible to those with disabilities. We seek to be a diverse board.

Leadership Opportunity:

Volunteers should seek to expand community knowledge of the library and its resources. Volunteers may organize functions that support the library and its programs financially. 

Check out this short video interview with the Friends of Cedar Falls Public Library to learn more about this opportunity!

Without a computer at home, many children enter preschool unfamiliar with the world of technology. As a computer pal volunteer, you can make sure children in Head Start classrooms have a safe and fun introduction to the computer. Teachers will look to you to engage the children in educational games and to make sure that everyone gets their turn! One-on-one and small group work helps children gain the confidence and skills they'll need for a successful start in school. Pre-schoolers will be looking forward to your arrival! Computer Pals should enjoy working with young children 3-4 years old. A Computer Pal should be familiar with basic knowledge of computers. Orientation and individual training is provided.

Everybody’s gotta eat. Why not give back while you eat as a Mealtime Partner with the Drake University Head Start Program. Pick a meal that works best for you, breakfast, lunch, or snack, to eat and socialize with children ages 2-4. Mealtime Partners are energetic, caring volunteers who encourage children to try new foods, while teaching them skills such as pouring, setting the table, and serving food. Eating with a group of three-year-olds is the most fun you’ll have at mealtime without playing with your food.

Who says volunteering has to be a chore? Why not play instead? As a playtime partner, you’ll participate in fun activities while encouraging children ages 2-5 to actively explore the world around them. You’ll help them solve problems, encourage kids to ask questions, and provoke them to use words to describe their ideas and feelings as they play. On top of having a blast, you’ll help our students develop creativity, communication and socialization skills. Playtime Partners can participate at various Head Start and Early Head Start centers throughout the metro area, including Norwalk, Indianola, Ankeny, and Mitchellville. This volunteer should enjoy working with young children and having lots of fun.

When you volunteer, the more you give, the more you get back. As a Graphics Art Assistant for the Drake University Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, this doesn’t just mean a warm, fuzzy feeling. By helping design posters, brochures, and educational information, you’ll develop new material to bolster your portfolio while giving back to an organization that helps youngsters succeed. Lend us your creativity and graphic arts expertise, and we’ll widely circulate your work. So in a very real way, you get what you give-if not more. All you need to get started is a computer, some Graphic Art or design experience, and access to email. Contact us today, and give your creativity a Head Start.

Where else can you shake up the future of the world with a little finger paint? Where else can story time inspire a Pulitzer Prize winner? And how else can you solve the next generation’s biggest problems by helping to put together a jigsaw puzzle? As a classroom volunteer with the Drake University Head Start program, you’ll assist teachers with daily activities in the classroom, but your overall impact could be much more profound. Working with 3-4 year old children on art activities, reading, puzzles, and more is a great way to gain experience in early education, while making a real difference in a child’s life. The Classroom Volunteer should have an interest in working with young children and Head Start staff. Head Start classrooms meet federal performance standards and state licensing standards.

Head Start gives every child an opportunity to succeed, but they can only do so with a strong board of directors. As a Community Representative on the Policy Council, you will work with parents of currently enrolled children to make decisions that will influence program outcomes and activities. Not only will you help shape programming at Drake University Head Start, but you will also provide mentoring and support to these families.

Time Commitment: Monthly meeting on the second Tuesday of each month from 6-8 p.m. Includes light dinner.

Staff Partner: Claudia Murphy

This volunteer will be responsible for monitoring community events for Morral Corral to attend. The different products that the facility offers, needs to be on video. This includes PTSD Therapy, TEAM BLDG, and family activities.  Another responsibility will be to assist with fundraising events and helping out with social media and marketing.

The marketing portion need is to do a power point.  This is so the facility can be seen virtually.  It also would be needed for advertising. 

I would like to have a web sight along with updating the Facebook page.   

When sessions begin, the program coordinator will be responsible for getting equipment set up. This volunteer will ready the classroom area, have a quote of the day (resource provided), and be in contact with Veterans groups like the Amvets, VFW, UNI veterans Affairs department, and our local Veterans Affairs at the Pinecrest Bldg. 

This volunteer would assist in maintaining and screening client information. Also, scheduling the sessions. They would verify applications from clients, and securing all the required documentation from therapists.  This position is dealing with highly confidential information.     

This is a Equine Therapy Facility. The main responsibilities will be focused on taking care of the horses. The horses need to be fed twice a day, seven days a week. The volunteer will be responsible for monitoring the feeding. The horses veterinarian records need to be maintained. When there are no sessions happening or in the colder months, the horses will need interaction, daily.  This can be grooming inside barn and walking out into the woods.  

This is a seasonal Equine Therapy Facility.  For over the winter, snow removal and keeping up with manure is the most important thing.  This position helps with maintenance, cleaning and restocking.  The maintenance portion is to make sure the fencing is secure, rotation of circle pen is done to preserve the grassy areas.  This includes mucking and spreading manure driving the John Deere with a spreader pulled behind. We also get hay periodically during the spring and summer, this needs to be put up in the hay mow.  

This facility is a Seasonal Therapy Facility.  Right now, we are in recruitment mode.  We are looking for new program volunteers for the next session.  This begins when the weather warms up.  This position will maintain current training and recruitment for volunteers. Current training is that all volunteers need to be First Aid Certified.  This can be done on-line, and pass a horse handling course  The coordinator will also be responsible for managing the scheduling of all volunteers. 

Purpose/Objective:

We have two staple events who are looking for more passionate committee members to join the efforts. Community Main Street is also looking to plan a new festival and could use some brilliant minds to help brainstorm.

Key Responsibilities:

We need volunteers are love logistics in planning all the details of the event from volunteer coordination and recruitment to marketing brainstorming. Typically being a part of the committee also means you are all hands on deck for the day of the event as well. 

Qualifications:

Experience with events and coordination of any sort of volunteer/employee is a bonus but we can always train and guide along the way. The number one qualification we are looking for is passion and excitement to be a part of a growing and fun community in the Downtown District.

Leadership Opportunity:

We are in need of leaders to help with creativity as well as leading us up to and through the event. Leadership for all of our committees takes excitement and organization to keep us all on task and ensure that all the events represent not only downtown well but our community.

Check out this short interview video with Community Main Street to learn more about this opportunity!

Purpose: 

To raise awareness and assist with prevention of sexual assault.

Responsibilities: 

To facilitate conversations within the community over various topics in relation to sexual assault.

Training: 

30-hour Victim Counselor Training, provide resources, mentoring, and support.

Impact of assignment: 

To open up conversations within the community to raise awareness about the services of Riverview Center as well as prevent sexual violence from occurring. It will also raise awareness over topics such as sexual assault.

Benefits to volunteer: 

Development in counseling, networking, increase public speaking skills, gain experience in victim services. 

Qualifications: 

For individuals 16 and over. No experience is needed, we will provide training. Qualifications include empathy, communication skills, and patience. Background checks will be required upon completion of the training.

Safety Protocols:

Masks required.

 Floral and Gift Shop

Disclaimer: Our volunteer assignments are on-going, we ask that our volunteers commit to volunteering once a week (2-4 hours) for at least 6 months to ensure a positive impact to our hospital. The volunteer shifts listed are all of the possible shifts for the assignment, please check with Volunteer Services for more information.

NOTICE: Due to COVID-19 we ask that you are able to wear the appropriate PPE and follow proper sanitation guidelines to ensure that we keep our patients, visitors, staff, and volunteers safe. More information will be provided in your specific assignment on what this will entail.

The Cherokee Chamber of Commerce is responsible for the beautiful hanging flower baskets on Main Street in Downtown Cherokee.  We need volunteers throughout the summer (May-September) to water the baskets.  You can volunteer for a whole week, a weekend, or just a day.  Contact Joel at the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce to see what dates are open!  712-225-6414 or director@cherokeeiowachamber.com

The Jones County Volunteer Center & RSVP offers an assisted transportation program for seniors (age 55+) who need rides to non-emergency medical appointments outside of the county. Volunteer drivers arrive at the clients home at a predetermined time, use their personal vehicles to transport the client to their appointment, wait for them there, and transport them back to their home. Volunteer drivers also provide companionship during the transport. You would be educated on other resources available to seniors in Jones County and can share that information as the need arises. The transportation program ensures seniors are able to stay living independently longer, while receiving quality medical care as needed. This volunteer activity requires a complete criminal background and motor vehicle records check. Volunteers must attend necessary orientation and annual training meetings, possess valid Iowa driver's license, Approved Motor Vehicle Records check from the Iowa Department of Transportation, present proof of automobile insurance each renewal period, have access to a safe and roadworthy automobile. You'll also need the ability to relate to older adults with empathy and patience, good listening skills, and potentially the ability to assist clients in and out of the car.  Volunteers in this program do receive mileage reimbursement. This is a great program to be involved with if you are looking for a way to engage with your local community while helping those who need it most.  Call us today for more information!

Travel Unity, a 501(c)(3) focused on increasing diversity in the world of travel, is seeking people ages 13+ to join its Youth Advisory Council. Applicants from all backgrounds and those with disabilities are encouraged to apply!

Youth Advisory Council members will work with one another and Travel Unity's staff, Board, and Advisors on Travel Unity's programs and mission.

Volunteers must be able to work on a team basis, communicate regularly, be proficient with meeting programs (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.), and enjoy the excitement of collaborative output.

This is a great opportunity to work with fellow youth from around the world who care about culture, travel, and inclusion, along with an array of professionals dedicated to creating a more equitable world. For more information, visit https://travelunity.org/TUYAC

Offenders and ex-offenders can be some of the most vulnerable members of our society Current criminal justice systems do not assist individuals to overcome the social and psychological challenges of either incarceration, or positive reentry into family and community life Individuals released from jail or prison often return to their communities with no employment, home, or support system Through a vast network of volunteer mentors and support groups, Catholic Charities? Jail & Prison Ministry program strives to prepare and support ex-offenders as they work toward positive re-entry into family and community life Mentors meet with offenders in prison or jail as well as after their release to provide the needed support to resist relapse into old habits and lifestyles The program helps ex-offenders establish positive relationships, experience healthy social activities, and connect with community resources that can aid in finding work, affordable housing, and meeting basic needs Mentors meet weekly one on one with ex-offenders and help them work to complete goals they have established for successful re-entry into the community Volunteer mentors meet with ex-offenders based on a mutually defined schedule which can include days, evenings, or weekends. Volunteers are needed on an ongoing basis As volunteers are available, and ex-offenders identify themselves the volunteers and ex-offenders are matched together | Volunteers must be 21 years old They must complete an application with Catholic Charities and a background check Volunteers will also ask to attend a 2-hour training session

To facilitate communication between parties who speak two different languages: patient and provider.  To do this by interpreting, translating and re-communicating both verbal and written messages from one language into another. 

Inside each child is the ability to succeed!

Volunteers are needed to assist children and teens in our inpatient programs - Psychiatric Medical Institute for Children (PMIC) and Intermediate Care Facility for Intellectual Disability (ICF/ID) with play activities and quiet time activities.

Programming takes place in a nurturing, home-like setting on the Tanager Place Main Campus and centers around developing social, coping and problem-solving skills. Our goal is to use trauma-informed care components to help youth reach their full potential and build positive, strong relationships so they can return home as soon as possible.

We are looking for individuals with a passion for helping children, and that can commit to meeting on a regular basis.  If you want to make a difference for a child - choose to invest 1 hour a week in a child that wants to learn yet needs a little extra help and encouragement.

Time slots available are: 
Monday-Thursday, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Monday-Thursday, 7:00pm-8:00pm

PMIC:  Children ages 5-17 who have ongoing mental health challenges and safety concerns in the home and/or school setting despite ongoing outpatient services. 

ICF/ID:  Children ages 5-17 who have mild intellectual disabilities and a mental health diagnosis. 

The mission of Tanager Place is to provide children and families with services that inspire, empower, and heal. We help children and families overcome challenges and find mental wellness.  Through a mix of prevention, treatment and outreach, we give families hope and children the tools to be successful

Amani Community Services is currently seeking applicates for our domestic violence and sexual assault crisis line. Volunteers will be apart of a rewarding experience providing counseling, victim advocacy and crisis advocacy. Volunteers answer the crisis line after business hours. Volunteers are required by the state of Iowa to complete a 20-hour online victim counselor training. For questions or to sign up please contact Sausha at Sausha@amani-cs.org

Amani Community Services is looking for individuals or groups to host a hygiene drive. This is a great way to give back to those who are less fortunate within your community.

Hygiene items needed: body wash, bath soap, men's and women's deodorant, tooth brushes and toothpaste, lotion, feminine products, shampoo and conditioner, combs and brushes and wash cloths.

Hygiene products are bagged and given to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Travel Unity, a 501(c)(3) focused on increasing diversity in the world of travel, is seeking people ages 13+ to join its Youth Advisory Council. Applicants from all backgrounds and those with disabilities are encouraged to apply!

Youth Advisory Council members will work with one another and Travel Unity's staff, Board, and Advisors on Travel Unity's programs and mission. 

Volunteers must be able to work on a team basis, communicate regularly, be proficient with meeting programs (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.), and enjoy the excitement of collaborative output.

This is a great opportunity to work with fellow youth from around the world who care about culture, travel, and inclusion, along with an array of professionals dedicated to creating a more equitable world. Express interest below or visit https://travelunity.org/tuyac!

Avalon Hospice is looking for direct care hospice volunteers that are looking to make a difference in the lives of others.  Avalon Hospice supports volunteers and appreciates the important role they play in hospice care.  We also prepare volunteers with specific training and takes no advanced medical training or great commitment. All hospice volunteers are given assigments that best suite their time, skills, and interests. The Direct Care Volunteer serves as an additional support to patients and families dealing with a terminal illness and end-of-life issues. Support is provided in a variety of ways, including the provision of companionship and socialization to patients, or offering respite to stressed caregivers. Direct Care Volunteers may also make tuck in calls to patients and families. All care provided by the Direct Care Volunteer is outlined in the Volunteer Care Plan and agreed upon by the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG).

The Community Support Advocates Board of Directors is seeking candidates for our volunteer Board Director position. Board Directors are elected to a 3 year term. The Board is responsible for

Expectations of Individual Board Members

Each individual Board member is expected to

Join a team of caring volunteers, amateur authors, welcoming writers, jolly jotters and more to become pen pals for Conversations for Life, an initiative of the Dakota County United Methodist Parish to write to area seniors who may be experiencing isolation and loneliness due to COVID-19.

It's a wonderful opportunity to use a short letter, a note or a card to connect with new people and brighten someone's day, week, or month.  It offers the additional benefit of being done in your own home or office.

To become a part of this great cause, respond here or e-mail Susan at seyfeds@yahoo.com. 

In the bin pricing department, our volunteers pull one pre-sorted bin from the shelf and price each item according to the dollar amount on the bin- using a pricing gun.  From there, the items get put out onto our shelves by a Housewares Stocking volunteer.  This is a great way to help support the missions that Overflow Thrift Store supports locally and globally. Thank you for considering!

We have an abundance of clothing that needs to be hung up and tagged-getting it ready to be put out onto the sales floor.  In the clothing hanging department, we have bins of clothing that are already sorted into price categories.  Clothing needs to be hung, then when the rack is full, it needs to be tagged.  We have a colored tag system that coincides with the price of the clothing.  This is a great way to help to support Overflow and our various missions that we support locally and globally.  We need you! Please come join our team-we'd love to have you. 

Donation Sorter volunteers sort incoming donations into different categories.  We have a great new system set up to sort donations at both of our locations. Each sorter has their own department to work in. 

We currently have openings all day Mondays and Saturdays from 10-4 and Tuesday-Friday from 10-6. Let us know if you want to join our donation receiving crew! It's so interesting to see what donations are going to come through our tables.  Items from stores all over the world find their way to Overflow.  Please consider blessing us with your time-we would love to have you!

Would you like to send a thank you note to the health care workers serving our community?

We have been so grateful for the outpouring of love and compassion from our community. We wanted to offer community members the opportunity to express their gratitude and support to the providers and staff at Genesis and UnityPoint Health.  Details to participate are below.

Send a thank you card or love note to the Genesis team at:
Genesis Health System
Attn: The Compassion Card Campaign
1401 W. Central Park Ave.
Davenport, IA 52804

#CompassionCounts #InThisTogether

Thank a Healthcare Hero - UnityPoint Health
Help our Healthcare Heroes feel loved and appreciated by sharing some positive thoughts or words of encouragement. Our UnityPoint Health doctors, nurses and countless other healthcare workers are working tirelessly to make sure people like you have the best care possible. So go ahead, share those positive vibes! We'll take them all and share them with our team. Thank you!

Mail a thank you card to:
Trinity Health Foundation
2701 17th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201

Or share your gratitude online at:
unitypoint.org/quadcities/thank-a-hero

Our shoe department continues to grow! We need regular volunteers who can be trained to sort, process and price shoes.  Some examples of processing are polishing shoes, cleaning shoe white walls and lightly cleaning the bed of sandals.  If you want to volunteer occasionally, the pricing and sizing of shoes always needs to be done and is easy to learn. 

If you have a family-this is a great way to find shoes to purchase for your family at amazing prices-all while helping to support missions locally and globally.

We are looking for clothing sorters Monday-Saturday!

Volunteer Clothing Sorters:

Let us know if you want to join our clothing team today!

Overflow Thrift Store is looking for volunteers to help in our Linens department. The sort of things you might do in Linens, would be sorting incoming donations and restocking items on the sales floor. Linens volunteers work with towels, materials, sheets, comforters and much more. Let us know if you are interested in this opportunity! we'd love to have you!

Overflow Thrift Store is looking for some help 2 hours or more per week in the housewares Department.  Duties would include stocking the store with housewares and straightening and organizing items as needed. The Housewares department is good sized and has quite a few categories but can easily be learned. Housewares includes picture frames, pots and pans, baskets, sporting good, DIY, vases and more.  

We have opened a second location in Ames and both of our locations sell housewares-so volunteers are needed at both locations.  Thank you for considering-volunteering in housewares is a great way to help out and it's also a great way to decorate your own home! Our affordable prices make it easier for our customers to afford and our volunteers can make purchases as well.

We are looking for volunteers to work with the District Court Mediation program in the Small Claims Court system. You will assist landlords and tenants as well as litigants with money claims  to resolve  their issues or differences.

We operate (5) five days a week with morning and afternoon sessions of up to 3.5 hours each. We can be flexible to accommodate your preferences for days and times. 

We  will provide you training with experienced mediators. This is an opportunity to continuously learn and provide a valuable service to the Court, litigating parties and the community. Please contact jseidlin@pcbaonline.org to get started in the most worthwhile opportunity.

The I Am Able IOWA radio program discusses the ability in disability the first and final Saturday of the month on KHOI 89.1 FM.  You can learn more about the radio program at www.iamableiowa.com.  We are seeking volunteers to help engage listeners with the program. This volunteer opportunity can include the following: market research, social media engagement (Twitter, no presence currently) generating ideas for contests and other ways of encouraging participation, finding guests, and other ways to get the word out about the program. 

The I Am Able IOWA radio program produced by the Iowa Able Foundation is seeking a volunteer to assist with confirming details with the guests a week prior to the show and day before the show. This volunteer will also help thank the guests for their appearance. 

This volunteer could also assist with requesting the photograph and bio for each guest to send to the website and social media person to post. This volunteer could also help with recruiting potential guests. 

The I Am Able IOWA radio program produced by the Iowa Able Foundation is looking for volunteers interested in helping write scripts, generate interview questions, write blog postings, write Twitter posts, write FB posts, and other writing projects. 

One of the I Am Able IOWA radio program hosts is a co-author of a children's book with the sales split between an arts organization in Ohio and the I Am Able IOWA radio program.  

We are seeking a volunteer to help with marketing, promoting and selling the children's book.

Be that open heart and extra hand working with children in our inpatient program, assisting with activities and homework in one of our inpatient cottages.

We have a great group of volunteers who test our electronics.  The next step is pricing the electronics. You will be provided with a pricing guide and your own station.  Special items can be looked up on Ebay, then priced according to our special pricing guide. It's actually pretty interesting to see all of the different types of electronics that come through the electronics station! Come join the fun-you will be a huge blessing to our community, to our staff and to the missions that we serve.   

Purpose/Objective: Love Box Leaders come alongside children in foster care, as well as their caretakers, but offering consistent support through intentional giving and building relationships.

Key Responsibilities: Love Box Leaders show up for a Foster family by providing a Love Box for an assigned foster family once per month. Additionally, volunteers work to build an impactful and intentional relationship with children in the home and foster parents. Typically, Love Box Leaders also recruit a group of Love Box members to pitch in money to purchase love box items, write notes, attend the child’s sporting events, and other supportive activities.

Qualifications: Volunteers must be 18 years old, rooted in the community, able to pass a background check, have reliable transportation, a desire to build a relationship with children in foster care, and have a coachable spirit. Volunteer positions are open to people with disabilities.

Objective: 

Responsibilities:

Training: No special training is needed beyond the orientation that will be provided by the Volunteer Coordinator. As mentioned above, clippers and loppers will be provided.

Impact of assignment: Removing the vegetation will make the recreational trails more safe and inviting for trail users. Also, removing the encroaching vegetation will allow the trail to dry more quickly after rains.

Benefits to volunteer: Opportunity to get outdoors on the trails, to appreciate nature and to value the trail network. Learn the various trails, where they go, and how they connect within the trail network. Walking for exercise!

Qualifications: This is manual labor so there are no educational qualifications. Skills include the ability to manipulate a clipper or lopper, ability to walk or otherwise traverse the trail for at least 1 mile (walkers or electric chairs can be used). There is no age requirements nor background check.

Location: Various trails within Cedar Fall, Waterloo, Evansdale, Hudson or George Wyth State Park

Requirements: Bring gloves, wear sturdy shoes for walking, long pants and long sleeves are best for protection.

Safety protocols: Social distancing and mask wearing if more than a single person at a time. 

Milestones Area Agency on Aging has routes available in Scott, Clinton and surrounding communities. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals to home-bound seniors Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Make an older adults day by delivering them a hot, nutritious meal! You can volunteer to deliver meals once a week, once a month, with a friend, with a group or on your own-whatever works for you.

Volunteer requirements include one year of driving experience, valid driver's license, auto insurance and reliable transportation. For more information contact Joni Osborn at 563-484-3108, or josborn@milestonesaaa.org

Background: Iowa Legal Aid seeks applicants to fill AmeriCorps member positions for its regional offices in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Waterloo, subject to funding availability. Iowa Legal Aid provides free, high quality legal education, advice and representation to low-income and elderly Iowans with civil legal problems that most dramatically affect poor and vulnerable Iowans.

Responsibilities: Individual AmeriCorps members will help with various projects that can include: helping seniors, veterans, and low-income Iowans get legal help; enhancing our unified client intake system; increasing outreach to underserved veteran, minority, disabled and immigrant groups; advancing legal self-help education and financial literacy, helping seniors and people with disabilities get services to live independently, recruiting and managing volunteers; improving volunteer management practices; enhancing Iowa Legal Aid’s website; marketing and public relations activities.

Qualifications: We seek applicants who communicate well with individuals and groups, both verbally and in writing. Applicants should also have some or all of the following:

Opening/Closing Date: When filled, with members starting between September 1 - November 30, 2016.

Salary/Benefits: Full-time AmeriCorps members receive a modest living stipend ($12,530 for 11 month, full-time term), student loan forbearance, child care benefit, and can receive an education award of $5,775. Some half-time, quarter-time, and minimum-time positions will also be available.

Applications: Submit letter of application, including geographic preference, resume, and contact information for at least three professional references to:

Gail R. Klearman, Managing Attorney – Iowa Legal Aid

1111 9th Street Suite 230

Des Moines, IA 50314-2527

gklearman@iowalaw.org

515-243-1198 ext 1678 or 1-800-532-1503

TTY/Relay Iowa: 1-800-735-2942

Iowa Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants upon request

Auxiliary aids and services are available in alternative formats

Iowa Legal Aid provides free, high quality legal education, advice and representation to low-income and elderly Iowans with civil legal problems. Disasters occur quite often in Iowa with devastating consequences to those living in its wake. Having an attorney available to address the critical legal needs of those affected by the disaster can make a huge difference in disaster survivors’ ability to recover from the disaster. Iowa Legal Aid is looking to recruit and train volunteer attorneys from around the state now before a disaster strikes. This would allow Iowa Legal Aid and volunteer attorneys to react immediately in the event of a disaster. If you would like a meaningful, dynamic, and professional volunteer opportunity, please consider volunteering with Iowa Legal Aid’s Coordinated Disaster Response Project.

COMMON DISASTER LEGAL PROBLEMS:

Disasters survivors face a wide variety of legal problems. Common areas that volunteers

may be needed are to:

Qualifications:

Training and Support:

Position Location:

Time Commitment:

Position Benefits:

If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact Iowa Legal Aid at 1-800-532-1275.

For more information about Iowa Legal Aid, go to http://www.iowalegalaid.org/ and http://iowalegalaidfoundation.org/

Iowa Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants upon request

Auxiliary aids and services are available in alternative formats

Volunteer language proficiency evaluators at Iowa Legal Aid play an important role in helping low-income Iowans with limited English proficiency (LEP) skills gain access to justice. Language proficiency evaluators will assess the translation and interpretation abilities of prospective volunteer translators and interpreters. In addition, they may also review and provide feedback on the materials translated by Iowa Legal Aid’s volunteer translators. We need volunteers to evaluate for languages of Iowa’s LEP low-income populations, including but not limited to Spanish, Arabic, Bosnian, Somali, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, German, Russian, Swahili and Laotian.

Qualified volunteer applicants will be language professors, translation studies graduate students and translators/interpreters holding certifications from government bodies such as state or federal courts or recognized professional associations such as the ATA, NAJIT, CCHI, NBCMI or RID.

Volunteer language proficiency evaluators may be asked to review materials such as website articles, outreach resources, legal forms or client letters. Based on their availability, volunteer evaluators will be given regular assignments which they can perform remotely.

http://www.iowalegalaid.org/resource/volunteers-wanted-at-iowa-legal-aid

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum is looking for periodic help at the museum for events and for day-to-day operations.

Our needs:

- Day-to-day clerical needs: answering phones, online merchandise orders, cleaning.

- Physical labor: moving and organizing heavy memorabilia in the basement.

- Cataloging: organizing and cataloging memorabilia.

Enjoy the open landscape and spring breezes while sprucing up our 76-acre farm near Swisher by helping us clean up our flower beds for fall/winter.  

Janitorial assistance needed at The Salvation Building.

Monday Nights Brass band teacher needed from 5pm-7pm. 10-17 students. 

We have Youth Fine Arts Night every Monday Night from 5pm-7pm. We need individuals who will teach youth a art project.

Stock shelves in food pantry. Age Requirement: 15+, Must be able to lift 20+ pounds. Must be able to work with minimal supervision.

Avalon Hospice is looking for a Veteran Hospice Volunteer that is willing to make a difference in the lives of other Veterans.  Veteran volunteers are a very valuable part of our care team and at Avalon Hospice we are developing a We Honor Veteran program which would have Veteran-to-Veteran volunteer programs.  The Veteran volunteer program would also make an effor to replace lost medals and awards and would provide emotional support and bereavement counseling. Avalon Hospice supports the volunteers and appreciates the important role they place in hospice care.  We prepare volunteers with specific training and it takes no advanced medical training or great commitment. Some volunteer opportunities include sharing a story, sending a card, listen/read/sing, making gifts for Veterans, run errands or perform light housekeeping for Veterans, administrative office support if needed, make phone calls, and attend community events.

Bereavement care is one of the services that make hospice services unique and aims to enhance the patient’s/family’s dignity and quality of life. Medicare regulations require every hospice to include an organized bereavement program that provides services for at least twelve (12) months after the patient’s death.  Kindred at Home and hospice affiliates provides bereavement support for thirteen (13) months after the patient has passed away. If a family member, friend or caregiver requires additional support beyond the thirteen months, our Bereavement Coordinators and team will work to provide the appropriate support and resources.  Bereavement volunteer is under the direct supervision of the bereavement coordinator (or designee).  The Bereavement Hospice volunteer can help with sending letters to bereaved and calling Bereaved as well. all assignments provided to the bereavement support volunteer must be pre-approved and assigned by the bereavement coordinator (or designee). 

The Vigil Volunteer offers companionship, comfort and presence to patients during the time immediately prior to their death. Support can be provided to patients who have no family to be with them or to provide support and guidance to families and caregivers, helping to relieve the unknown; this may also include staff if the patient resides at a facility. Support is provided in a variety of ways, including being a calm presence, talking and listening to the family/ caregivers, or sharing silence.

The Pet Therapy Volunteer serves as an additional support to patients, families and caregivers by making friendly visits with his/ her certified therapy animal. Visits may occur in the patient’s home or in a professional care setting (subject to the rules of the facility). Both the Volunteer and the certified therapy animal provide comfort, companionship and a welcome distraction from the illness. All care provided by the Pet Therapy Volunteer is outlined in the Volunteer Care Plan and agreed upon by the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG).

Pet: Majority of animals serving in this capacity will be a dog. The dog MUST be certified/ registered by an American kennel Club (AKC) recognized therapy dog organization. Other certified/ registered therapy animals will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. 

The Reiki Volunteer serves as an additional support to patients, families and caregivers by performing
Reiki to facilitate the body’s “relaxation response”. Provision of Reiki may promote a reduction in
anxiety, muscle tension, or pain, and can promote wellness and a greater sense of well‐being. The Reiki
volunteer may only perform Reiki to the head, neck, shoulders, arms and below the groin. Visits may
occur in the patient’s home or in a professional care setting. All care provided by the Reiki Volunteer is
outlined in the Volunteer Care Plan and agreed upon by the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG).

* Must be certifed as a level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 (Master) Reiki Practitioner and have at least 1 year of active, certified experience* 

Pillar of Cedar Valley is looking for volunteers to write letters to their residents. Click the black RESPOND button to the right of the screen if you are interested. You will be contacted by someone from Pillar of Cedar Valley to be paired with one of their residents to correspond with. This would be a great opportunity for families to write encouraging cards for seniors during this time. Below are some ideas

Purpose: To assist the Membership and Healthy Living department in executing our programs for adults with disabilities.

Responsibilities:

Training: Training, resources, mentor-ship, education, experience

Impact of assignment: 

OUR CULTURE:
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.
Project EXPAND is literally about expanding this ideology to an undeserved population, disabled adults. Our program introduces wellness activities and education to the clients of our group agencies. Soon, we hope to grow this program for any and all adults within our community that live with a disability and would like to explore our Healthy Living programs and services.

Benefits to volunteer: 

Qualifications: 

Purpose: To engage with students after school through purposeful programming to build achievement, belonging and relationships.

Responsibilities:

Training: We will work with any volunteer who would like to offer a program and needs supplies to complete.

Impact of assignment: 

By offering our program participants meaningful programming, we are boosting the value of our care and engage a stronger realtionship with the youth of our community.

Benefits to volunteer: 

Qualifications: 

Safety Protocols:

Provided during Volunteer training.

Purpose: To engaging in meaningful relationships with student by engaging in Reading, Relationship Building Activities, and/or Homework Lab

Responsibilities:

Training: Resources for support will be provided as well as Volunteer training.

Impact of assignment: 

We strive to create meaningful relationships with the students in our afterschool program. Mentors are an intrigual part in creating and more-over maintaining those relationships.

Benefits to volunteer: 

Qualifications: 

Safety Protocols:

Will be discussed during our Volunteer training.