HELPING HANDS Volunteering

Volunteer Services Agency Inc., a United Way Agency, is the local resource for volunteer recruitment, placemen, and management for people of all ages and abilities in the Mahoning Valley. Helping Hands is a monthly column that serves to communicate the impact that volunteering can have on our community. To express interest in one of the opportunities below, contact VSA at (330) 782-5877, or visit www.volunteerservicesagency.org. and click on the blue button for 1-800-Volunteer.org

OPPORTUNITIES:

Make a Difference Day: In 2007 Ohio has led the nation in the total number of projects planned for the eighth consecutive year. Let’s Keep Ohio First! This year, Make a Difference Day will be Saturday, Oct. 25. Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October and is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Everyone can participate. SA is your local partner for project information, technical assistance and as a volunteer center; you can serve as an excellent resource for Make A Difference Day projects. You may serve as a referring agency or join with other community or civic groups. You can focus on a single issue or several for Make A Difference Day.

You can do an individual, personal project or family effort. You can be included in, or lead an effort with an organization, club or civic group where you already belong. You can be a student or teacher who wants to get involved.

You can get involved by helping an established volunteer organization for a large event. You can start an effort and get your employer or co-workers involved. Need an idea? How about doing a food drive of non-perishable items in your neighborhood, church or workplace!

Volunteer phone surveyors needed: Do you like to talk to people about their opinions? The Mahoning County Senior Levy Committee is looking for volunteers to call individuals throughout Mahoning County to survey people about the needs of residents related to aging services. Shifts are available during the day, evenings and weekends at sites in Youngstown, Boardman and Canfield. Volunteers must be at least age 18, have a high level of maturity and a clear and audible telephone voice.

Youngstown Hearing & Speech: Assist Deaf Youth Coordinator with Deaf Youth Learning and Enrichment Club. Assist with recreational activities, field trips and general club activities.

Mahoning and Trumbull Counties Ohio Citizen Corps: Help in Disaster. Have you ever felt the desire to respond to a disaster but weren’t sure how to get involved or if you had the right skills to help? If so, we are offering you the opportunity to learn the skills to help in a disaster and put them to use in a Volunteer Reception Center (VRC). A VRC is a command center established in times of disaster to receive, orient and dispatch volunteers to the places where they are needed the most. As a VRC volunteer, you will receive extensive training and hands-on experience through regularly scheduled exercises in the tri-county area. Additionally, VRC volunteers will be called upon to train and organize other volunteers. Stop wondering if you have the skills. Know that you are prepared to be called to action. Interested people should contact VSA today at (330) 782-5877. Individuals 55 and older should ask for Corrie Adams.

Ohio Citizen Corps Disaster Preparedness Train the Trainer Offered: This training exposes potential volunteers to what should be done to assist the community in being prepared and responsive in the event of natural and man-made disasters such as severe weather and flooding, power outages, terrorist activities and more. You’ll also learn how to shelter-in-place, make a “go kit” and plan for Senior Citizens, children, people with special needs and even pets. At the end of the training you will be given a packet with everything you’ll need to give this training to others. The training will take approximately an hour and a half and be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 in the Park Vista Community Room, 1216 Fifth Ave., Youngstown. To attend, please RSVP to Gretchen at (330) 540-0081 no later than Wednesday. Are you 55 and older? RSVP needs your leadership skills to assist with Ohio Citizen Corps.

Youth Project Mentors: High school students who are ready to take the next step in their civic lives are invited to participate in youth project mentor training with Volunteer Services Agency Inc. Participants will participate in fun, interactive learning exchanges with peers from other schools that will provide the skills and resources necessary to plan, coordinate and lead community service projects. Training sessions are held from 4:15 to 6 p.m. every other Monday at a central location. Candidates may be recommended by parents or teachers or self-register. Now is the time to get involved, be empowered and make a real difference in your community. Interested people should contact Corrie Adams today at (330) 782-5877.

United Way of Trumbull County: Help our community help those in need. Assist United Way in its annual fund-raising appeal. Contact current supporters about this year’s campaign and assist them with their employee campaigns. Work with United Way staff and key volunteers. Meet new people and learn more about our community and its network of human service providers. You will be recognized and appreciated.

Salvation Army Kettle Campaign: Get your hands and hearts ready to help the Salvation Army Kettle Drive beginning mid-November; those famous red kettles need volunteers to spend two to four hours helping to raise needed funds to support increased demand for food and emergency assistance. This is a great opportunity for families, groups and organizations. Call VSA today to schedule your shifts. Help is especially needed in Boardman, Canfield, Austintown and Poland. Shifts run in two-hour increments from 10 to 6 p.m. Monday–Saturday.

Are you looking for a unique leadership opportunity? VSA, as part of its Non-Profit Development series will again be offering Board Training and Development for Non-Profits beginning in January. The sessions will be held at the Park Vista Gathering Room from 9 a.m. to noon on these Saturdays: Jan. 10 and 24, Feb. 7 and 21, March 7 and 21. This comprehensive training is designed for people who have no previous governance experience, or those who would like to update knowledge and skills. Each session is directed by two to three community leaders with extensive knowledge of the nonprofit sector. If you’d like more information, please call VSA.

VITA Tax preparers: Do you like numbers and interacting with people? Become a VITA Volunteer! The VITA Program offers free tax help to low-to-moderate income (generally, $40,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Certified volunteers receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations. Training will be held in January for the start of the 2009 tax season. This is a great way to help people while building your skills! Call VSA today if you’d like to become a VITA volunteer.