HANDS ON

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 of all ages and abilities in the Valley located at Youngstown State University, second floor of the Williamson School of Business in the Center for Non-profit Excellence, and its main office, 5500 Market St., Suite 106, Boardman. HandsOn 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 HOVN at 330-782-5877 or Trumbull County at 330-393-4254 or visit our website at www.HOVN.org

OPPORTUNITIES

Youth Volunteer Corps Team Leaders: Adults 18 and older are invited to attend an informational session on what it takes to be a Youth Volunteer Corps team leader. Team leaders work alongside small groups of young people on service projects in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. Volunteer from 4 to 6 hours each month. Sessions will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 24 and 9 a.m. Aug. 28 at HandsOn Volunteer Network, 5500 Market St., Suite 106. Each session will last one hour. RSVP by Aug. 19 to cadams@hovn.org or call 330-782-5877.

Buddy Walk of the Valley: The Buddy Walk is the largest fundraising event for the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley. It is a one-mile walk that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. It will be Aug. 14 at the Shops at Boardman Park. Volunteers are needed to help with registration, parking, refreshments, tables, activity areas and set-up and tear-down. Visit the Buddy Walk website for more information, or call 330-726-3728.

Call to Action Volunteer: HandsOn seeks a volunteer with personal-communication skills and computer skills for its A Call to Action initiative. The program is designed to raise awareness of services to reduce poverty in Ohio. The volunteer, who should be older than 18, will assist staff members with outreach efforts by setting up information tables, communicating with nonprofit staff and clergy during outreach events, making follow-up phone calls and entering data. The volunteer should be willing to serve on an as-needed basis (about 5-10 hours per month) until June 2011. Call Kristy Boyles or Kelly Noyes at 330-782-5877 for more information.

Clerical Assistance at Veteran’s Outreach: This position requires clerical ability both on the computer and by hand entering data to logs. Some knowledge of computers is helpful. Clear, legible handwriting, organizational skills and a pleasant and compassionate nature both over the phone and in person are a must. Ability to maintain confidentiality also is a must. The Veteran’s Outreach is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The position would start out one day per week and may advance to three days depending on ability and the needs of the organization. Anyone interested in the position should contact Kelly Noyes at 330-782-5877.

Help Stuff the Bus: Now through Aug. 15 you can help the United Way Stuff the Bus by collecting and donating new school supplies for children in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Mercer counties. Donations can be dropped off at Great Clips locations in Hermitage, Pa.; Canfield; Boardman; Liberty; Cortland and Niles. For additional information, visit www.ymvunitedway.org.

Reading Buddies: HandsOn is seeking volunteers who are 55 and older who want to be part of an innovative new tutoring program in the Youngstown city schools. Reading Buddies spend one-on-one time with students in first, second and third grades, helping them improve reading and comprehension skills. Reading Buddies work flexible schedules during the school day at Kirkmere, Paul C. Bunn, McGuffey, Williamson or Taft Elementary schools. An informational session will be Sept. 15 at HandsOn. Contact Corrie at 330-782-5877 or cadams@hovn.org for more information or to reserve a spot.