VSA | Volunteer opportunities

Volunteer Services Agency, a United Way Agency, is a local resource for volunteer recruitment, placement and management for people of all ages in the Mahoning Valley. It sponsors three programs: Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which helps people 55 and older use their life experience skills in their communities; Volunteer Service to Seniors, which provides assistance and companionship to the elderly living independently in their homes; and the Volunteer Center, which helps people of all ages connect with local nonprofit agencies that need volunteer assistance. Call (330) 782-5877, or visit the VSA at 5500 Market St., Suite 106, Boardman between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
SHORT-TERM OPPORTUNITIES
American Red Cross Disaster Services: Volunteers needed to removed mold from basements from last summer's flooding.Eastern Regional Kidney Foundation: Booth sitters are needed to pass out information at the annual Health-O-Rama on March 5-6 at the Southern Park Mall, Boardman.Junior Achievement: People needed to help with JA Bowl-a-thon on Feb. 21 at Wedgewood Lanes, Austintown, and Feb. 28 at Crest Lanes, Warren.YMCA: Volunteers needed the third week of each month to help with newsletter mailings.Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): People needed to help those with special needs prepare basic tax returns, answer telephone inquiries, or serve as contact persons. Training provided. The VITA program runs through April 15.
CAN YOU HELP?
Volunteer help also is needed for these agencies:
At-home Hospice/Forum Health: People needed to assist the families of the ill and also do light office work.Big Brothers/Big Sisters: Adults, especially men, needed to serve as mentors for children 7 to 15.Catholic Charities: Volunteers needed to assist senior citizens who live in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties by doing errands, providing visits and doing shopping.Central Day Care: Classroom aides are needed to help with story time, lunch and restroom duty.Citizen Corps: People will be trained to respond and provide backup service during local emergencies and disasters. The Citizen Corps is part of the nation's Homeland Security effort.Help Hotline Crisis Center: Volunteers are trained to do telephone crisis intervention and provide information and referrals. Classes are held Saturdays through March 13.Mahoning River Education Project: People are needed to help with field trips and hands-on activities with middle-school pupils.Neighborhood Ministries: Volunteers needed to serve as assistants to instructors providing tutoring for children in kindergarten through sixth grade.Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic: People are needed to greet clients and prepare paperwork.OhioReads: Tutors are needed once a week to help pupils with their reading skills in kindergarten through fourth grades.RSVP: People 55 and older are asked to share their life skills with their community through various volunteer opportunities.Sojourner House: A community education volunteer is needed to educate the public about the consequences of domestic violence.United Way: People needed to assist with fund raising, public relations, evaluating programs and services, and general clerical work.Volunteer Service to Seniors: Volunteers needed to assist the elderly with grocery shopping, running errands and making visits.