HELPING HANDS | Volunteering

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
Alzheimer's Association/Memory Walk: Walkers and assistants are needed for this event Saturday at the Canfield Fairgrounds.CROP Walk: Volunteers are wanted to walk or be an assistant for the event next Sunday.Easter Seals/ Walk With Me: This will be at Boardman Park on Oct. 30 and volunteers are wanted to walk or be helpers.Girard Multi-Generational Center: Drivers are wanted for the third Saturday of each month to transport residents to the center for lunch. Salvation Army: Volunteers are needed to help with the Clothing Give Away on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Volunteers are also needed for the Christmas Assistance Program registration that runs from Oct. 12-16.
LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES
American Red Cross Disaster Services: Volunteers are needed to help with flood-related problems and provide assistance.Camp Fire USA: Volunteers are wanted to share their talents, skills and interests with children by becoming a leader.Children's Museum of Youngstown: There will be training in October for anyone interested in becoming a docent.Citizen Corp: Wanted are people who are interested in becoming responders to emergencies and disasters in the community. Training is provided.Elder Care: Needs volunteers to assist with activities and outing at the adult day-care center in Austintown.Family Service Agency: Caring people are needed for the Guardianship Program, which assists senior citizens.Goodwill Industries: Persons are needed to help screen children for amblyopia. The program runs from September-April and training is provided.Help Hotline Crisis Center: Training will begin Monday for people interested in learning how to provide telephone reassurance and crisis intervention.Junior Achievement: Volunteers are needed to teach the free enterprise system by visiting classrooms five to 10 times a year. Training, lesson plans and materials are provided.Needle's Eye: Tutors are needed for the after-school program, which begins this month and runs through May. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. North Side Citizen's Coalition: People are needed to teach financial literacy classes. The course runs from Wednesday through Jan. 15, and will be held on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays.Ronald McDonald House: Volunteers are needed for guest registration, yard maintenance, housekeeping and clerical work.Ohio Reads/ Stadium Drive School: Volunteers are needed for this tutoring program which is Monday-Thursday from 2:15-2:45 p.m. Training is provided.RSVP: People who are 55 years and older are asked to get involved in their community and volunteer. Also looking for a "Lead Volunteer" who would recruit and organize others.Volunteer Services To Seniors: Volunteers are needed to help senior citizens by providing such things as grocery shopping, transportation and friendly visits.
CAN YOU HELP?
Volunteer help also is needed for these agencies:
American Red Cross (Blood services): People needed to assist with registration and serving refreshments to donors. Some standing and moving required.Goodwill Industries: Book sorter needed. Some standing required and will accommodate weekday hours.Head Start Programs: Weekday volunteers needed to assist teacher with pre-reading activities, hand-washing, snacks and free play.Hope House: People needed in a variety of areas to assist in a child-friendly environment for supervised visitation. Tasks may include child care, clerical support and cleaning rooms.Mahoning County Chemical Dependency Program: People are needed for the program's Project Safe activity. Volunteers will assist in the afternoons the children of recovering chemically dependent women in programs aimed at building self-esteem, confidence and relationship management skills. Orientation is provided.Marian Living Center: People needed to call bingo, play bridge, paint nails, assist in the gift shop and with parties for senior citizens.
Neighborhood Ministries: Volunteers needed to assist with after-school programs for children in kindergarten through sixth grade.Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic: A greeter is needed for four hours in the mornings or evenings any weekday to prepare paperwork for intake and admission. This person must be pleasant, assertive and able to deal with a variety of personalities.