Opportunities From: Volunteer Iowa

Are you entertaining? Share your gift with us! We are looking for individual or group volunteers to entertain us with music, dance, a magic act, a comedy routine, being a clown, making balloon animals, doing face painting or anything entertaining!  Daytime and evening opportunities available as arranged.  Families and groups are welcome. Volunteers under 18 must stay within sight of a rec aide or be accompanied by an adult.

Assist a resident in organizing their closet by removing clothes that are out of season, do not fit, are worn out or stained, need mending, etc. Organize remaining clothing neatly in closet. Turn in other clothing items to volunteer coordinator or assigned staff. Communicate to volunteer coordinator any clothing shortages or needs. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome daily with flexible times as arranged.

Assist a recreation aide with a small group of residents in working with ceramics. Assist in bringing residents in wheelchairs to the activity. Assist with setup and cleanup. Residents may have limited abilities or special needs. No previous experience in ceramics needed. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome at scheduled activity times.

Help keep bulletin boards updated and attractive with current seasonal or holiday backgrounds. Materials provided. Opportunities exist daily with flexible times. Volunteers age 16 and up are welcome.

Accompany and assist residents attending appointments in the community. Meet a resident at their appointment site. Assist them into the building and with check in. Keep them company while waiting for the appointment and afterwards until transportation arrives. Volunteers will not accompany residents into the exam room and will not be utilized to relay medical information.  Assistance is needed on weekday days.

    Assist recreation staff with bingo.  Help rec aides bring residents in wheelchairs to the community room and back to their living area afterwards.  Assist residents playing bingo- with marking cards and with choosing prizes.  Bingo is played once a month on weekday mornings.  Volunteers between the ages of 13 and 17 must stay within sight of staff or be accompanied by another adult. 

    Help recreation staff give adults with special needs the opportunity to go shopping, out to eat, on picnics, fishing or attending community events, etc.  Assist recreation staff with crafts, other activities or special events.  The ability to push a wheelchair is helpful but not necessary. 

   Provide baked goods or treats on arranged dates for special events or fundraisers.  You choose how often you help, what you make and the quantities that you wish to donate.  Most times arrangements can be made to pick up baked goods if you have no transportation.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Monroe, Wapello, and Jefferson Counties is seeking individuals to serve on the RSVP Advisory Council for Monroe and Wapello Counties. The RSVP Advisory Council for Monroe and Wapello Counties provides support and guidance to RSVP activities specifically in the Monroe and Wapello counties.

The council will consist of approximately 7 to 15 community members who are passionate about the community and are versed in a wide range of key areas including, but not limited to, community service and volunteerism, human and social needs of the community, public relations, and programming.

The council should both reflect the demographics of the program’s service area and of the RSVP age demographic (persons aged 55 and older). Unlike a board of directors, the advisory council is not a legal governing body of the RSVP program. Rather, the council uses its expertise to guide the program and assist in its success. 

Heartland Humane Society is a no-kill shelter. We have many cats at our shelter. These cats need care and social interaction. Volunteers play with, groom, and provide care for the cats and kittens. Positive social interaction is important for the cats' overall health.

Heartland Humane Society is a no-kill shelter. We have over 100 dogs at our shelter. These dogs need care and social interaction. Volunteers walk the dogs, bathe them, and play with them. Positive social interaction is important for the dogs' overall health.

Great opportunity for anyone who loves helping others! Our Agency is looking for volunteer advocates whom are willing to be the first to respond to crisis situations. As an on-call trained advocate the volunteer will be able to assist survivors of domestic violence during police interviews, accompany survivors to a hospital if necessary, provide survivors with counseling, crisis intervention services, information, and referrals soon after a crisis.

This could be a perfect opportunity for college students to earn experience and/or do their internship at our agency.

Training will be provided free of cost!

Candidates most complete a 30 hrs training that will be provided by our agency free of cost. Candidates most be able to pass background checks. Bilingual/Multilingual candidates are encouraged to participate. Candidates most be willing to maintain the most strict confidentiality and adhere to the Code of Ethics as required by Iowa Law.

An opportunity for volunteers to organize activities within the community to create awareness on different issues affecting our community. This opportunity involves organizing displays, presentations, and diverse events. Some travel may be required.

We are looking for a volunteer who is very energetic and creative to plan and coordinate fundraising activities and/or events within our community. Ability to interact with diverse population, communication skills a plus. Some travel may be required.

Volunteer will be required to complete the Advocacy Training that is provided free of cost by our agency. The volunteer will provide direct services to clients that are undergoing court processes or are involve somehow in the Judicial System. This includes but not limited to accompany clients to trials, depositions, assisting client to fill out restraining order forms, etc. This is a great opportunity for interns!

Volunteer will be required to complete the Advocacy Training that is provided free of cost by our agency.

Rural Domestic Abuse Program is committed to serve survivors of domestic abuse, if you are passionate about helping others in need, this is a great opportunity for you to make a difference!

Candidates interested in this opportunity are required to complete 30 hrs worth of training that is provided by our agency free of cost and pass a background check. Individuals are required to adhere to the most strict confidentiality, and code of ethics requirements as required by Iowa Laws.

This is a great opportunity to assist survivors during and after a crisis situation. Duties include, but are not limited to assist clients by providing crisis intervention services, information, referrals, an responding to crisis calls.

We are looking for individuals with a passion for the cause and a desire to learn.

College and University students are encourage to participate

Region 5 of Iowa: Appanoose, Davis, Jasper, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Poweshiek, Wapello, and Wayne Counties.

Many non-direct care opportunities are present for volunteers at the Child Care Center including: reading to children, sanitizing toys, cleaning windows, grounds keeping, laundry, and many other "housekeeping" tasks. The Center follows the Ottumwa Community School District calendar and is therefore, closed on certain holidays, including Spring Break and Christmas Break. The Center is also not open during the summer months when school is not in session.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Volunteers must also be able to sign a volunteer waiver indicating they are free of communicable diseases and have no criminal or child abuse record.

Helping with various clean-up activities, including window washing, lawn care, and various facility improvements. Working with and organizing events with youth.

Volunteers must pass child abuse and criminal records checks, as well as attend Volunteer Orientation.

The American Gothic House Center has several gardens full of perennial flowers, most of which are native prairie flowers. Volunteer gardeners help maintain the flower beds by weeding and removing dead buds and plants.

The residents at Good Samaritan Society Ottumwa need you and your talents. As you share your love with others, there will be mutual rewards. Many of our volunteers say that they receive much more than they give- and they give a lot!

Volunteer opportunities are endless, and your talents, no matter what they might be, are always welcomed.

Volunteer opportunities include: 

We require criminal background check. We also require application form to be filled out. Orientation to volunteer positions include history and mission of the Good Samaritan Society, Resident Bill of Rights, the importance of confidentiality and the protection of vulnerable adults, communication with elderly residents, policies and procedures for volunteers, infection control, safety and emergency procedures and specific training for the assigned volunteer position.

Persons under the age of 18 must also have a signed parental/guardian consent form.

Iowa Resource for International Service (IRIS), a 501(c)3 organization located in downtown Ames, works with the U.S. Department of State to implement the Youth Exchange & Study (YES) Program in Iowa. YES participants are high school students (age 15-18) from Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The students have won scholarships from the U.S. State Department to build leadership skills, gain an understanding and appreciation for community service, and share their cultures with Americans. In return, these students take back a love for America - and specifically, Iowa - dispelling misconceptions about our country and culture in their home countries.

Host families are needed for one semester or full school year commitments. Students live as a member of your family - chores, meals, church, activities, and other family expectations. Families receive a small stipend to offset school and activity registration and fees, and students are provided with monthly stipends to cover some of their personal costs. Our students are required to get involved in activities, do monthly community service, and integrate fully as a part of your family, high school, and community.

For more information about hosting with IRIS, visit www.iris-center.org/yes-program.

Iowa Resource for International Service (IRIS) is constantly in search of individuals and families throughout Story County to act as short term host families for our international guests. Once a year, IRIS has adults from Eastern Europe who come to Iowa to attend professional development programs for about three weeks. Area host families can act as a home-away-from-home for our participants as they develop skills in Iowa to take back home. Host families need only a bedroom for their guests and a hospitable attitude - sharing meals and taking guests about on your daily lives is enough to show international participants what a snapshot of life is like here in Iowa.