Hands-on volunteering opportunities

HANDS ON

Volunteering

HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley, a United Way Agency, is the local resource for volunteer recruitment, placement and management for people in the Mahoning Valley. It’s at Youngstown State University on the second floor of the Williamson School of Business in the Center for Non-profit Excellence. HandsOn is a monthly column that serves to communicate the impact that volunteering can have on our area. To express interest in one of these opportunities, contact HOVN at (330) 782-5877 or visit our new Web site at www.HOVN.org.

OPPORTUNITIES:

April 19 – 25 is National Volunteer Week! The theme for National Volunteer Week is “Celebrating People in Action.” The 2009 National Volunteer Week will include several significant recognition events celebrating leaders in the field of service around the Mahoning Valley. Join HandsOn Volunteer network April 22 as we honor individuals who have been nominated for the HandsOn Volunteer Award. For details, call HOVN.

Summer of Service Adult Team Leaders: HOVN will introduce a new concept in youth service this summer that will engage teens and adults from Mahoning and Trumbull counties in weeklong, team-based service projects. If you are 21 or older and have some experience working with young people or leading a team, we need you. Adult team leaders will coordinate and work alongside a group of eight to 10 Youth Volunteer Corps students as they work on a high-impact service project at a local nonprofit organization. This is a great opportunity for parents, coaches, retirees and college students. All team leaders will receive appropriate orientation, training and materials. Contact Corrie at (330) 782-5877.

Bags of Hope and Love Project: The Western Reserve Building and Trade Council, local national honor societies, the Coalition of Churches and local labor unions in Mahoning and Trumbull counties ask you to help those in need in our community by donating items for personal-care packages. Items will go to food pantries, homeless shelters, drop-in centers and other nonprofit organizations providing basic human needs. Donations requested: travel-size shampoo, deodorant, bars of soap, toothbrush/paste, hair brush/comb, sunscreen, lip balm, bandages, antibiotic ointment, hand towels, warm socks, feminine products, rain ponchos and zip-top storage bags. Items can be dropped off at the United Way, 255 Watt St., Youngstown, through April 15.

Global Youth Service Day, April 25: Youth in grades nine through 12 from around the Valley are invited to register and participate in this annual day of service. Each group registering needs to have one or two adult leaders to provide supervision and transportation. More information can be accessed on the HOVN Web site, or by calling HOVN or Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way at (330) 746-8494.

A How-To Guide to Volunteering: HOVN will have orientation sessions for individuals who want to volunteer, but don’t know where and how to begin. Topics will include identifying skills, talents and areas of interest; long-term or one-day volunteering; and the application process. For more information or to attend the April 21 session at Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church in Youngstown, contact Anita at (330) 782-5877. To attend the April 22 session at the Girard Multi-Generational Center at 9 a.m., contact Kristen at (330) 393-4254 or (330) 540-0102 by April 13.

Call to artists: HOVN invites you to exhibit your artwork in the “We Are the Change” Exhibition at the Art Outreach Gallery, Eastwood Mall, Niles. The exhibition will run from June 12 through Sept. 6. The “We Are the Change” Exhibition is a collaborative effort of the Art Outreach Gallery and HOVN with the common goal of sharing the stories of local volunteers with the community through various media. For information on how to get involved, contact Corrie at HOVN.

Habitat for Humanity Mahoning County: Home construction volunteers are needed between now and April 25. Shifts available are 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 4 p.m. You may come to either or both shifts. For information or to register, visit the HOVN Web site or call HOVN.

Big Brother/Big Sister: If you have a willingness to share your time and a desire to positively impact the life of a young person, consider becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister to a young person. Being a Big does not require any special skills, and the hours are flexible. Bigs are asked to commit to one year of service meeting with their litter brother or sister at least twice a month. To get started, call HOVN.

Ohio Citizen Corps Training: Ohio Citizen Corps engages citizens in hometown preparedness through public education and training. The mission is to establish a pool of volunteers who will supplement first responders in the event of a disaster. Current training opportunities include Citizen Corps, Volunteer Reception Center/Medical Reception Center and disaster preparedness for special needs, community preparedness, pet safety in disaster, preparedness for children and preparedness for businesses. To get involved, contact Gretchen Brown at (330) 540-0081 or Amber Arditi at (330) 501-1019.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio: Volunteer program facilitator needed to present new programs to Girl Scout troops. Course outlines and materials are provided. The courses run six weeks and volunteer hours are flexible. For information, contact Kristen at kgallagher@hovn.org or (330) 540-0102.

Farmer Casey’s Ranch: The Purple Cat is a creative day program for adults with disabilities. Its primary focus is on teaching daily-living skills, fostering independence and providing a creative environment for our individuals to reach their personal goals. The Purple Cat is seeking individuals and groups who are willing to teach individuals with disabilities about gardening, soap making and canning at Farmer Casey’s Ranch in Coitsville. Contact HOVN.