Volunteer opportunities

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 Mahoning Valley located at Youngstown State University, second floor of the Williamson School of Business in the Center for Non-profit Excellence at its main office, 5500 Market St., Suite 106, Boardman. Hands On is a monthly column that shows volunteer opportunities. To express interest, contact HOVN at 330-782-5877 or Trumbull County 330-393-4254 or visit our website at www.HOVN.org

OPPORTUNITIES

Monthly meet and greet: 4 to 7 p.m. at the HOVN offices, 5500 Market St., Boardman. Reminder that April 10-16 is National Volunteer Week, which encourages people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities.

The Big Tap In: If you are 21 or older, we need your help at the Big Tap In. Mandatory training will take place. Call the office for more information.

Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program: Become a trained resource for seniors who have questions about Medicare and Medicaid. A free 20-hour volunteer training will take place April 13, 20, 27 and June 1 for people interested in assisting seniors to understand their benefits. An OSHIIP volunteer educates, counsels and advocates for beneficiaries. The trainings will be at Shepherd of the Valley, Niles, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mahoning County Financial Stability Partnership: Welcome and register participants attending the Family Financial Fair. Give away door-prize and refreshment tickets, collect meal tickets as attendees enter the refreshment line, or distribute children’s activities/gifts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 30 at Choffin Career and Technical Center, 200 E. Wood St., Youngstown. Hosted by the Mahoning County Financial Stability Partnership, the program includes sessions on personal financial management, getting ready for home ownership and improving your credit score.

YSU Career Center: Volunteer at the YSU Career Services Spring 2011 Career Expo on April 12. Volunteer shifts available to assist at registration tables for employers, 7:45 to 10 a.m., and students, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. One-hour shifts or more available.

YSU Graduate Employment Phone Campaign: Volunteers follow up on a previously mailed survey, calling and asking grads seven questions about how they are doing and what types of jobs they have. Shifts are 5:50 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and April 11 through April 14.

Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation: YNDC seeks 10 or more volunteers to assist in scheduled garden workdays, block projects, house-boarding events and other special neighborhood projects. The events are scheduled one to two times per month with a time commitment of five hours.

The Camelot Center: Volunteers needed to help with stall cleaning and general barn and grounds maintenance. Volunteers also needed to walk alongside and guide the horses while those with special needs are riding during their sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Fundraising assistants also are needed to assist the staff and board with their upcoming fundraisers. For those 16 and older.

Girard Multi-Generational Center: The center’s decorating committee assists the center’s staff with decorating for the monthly social events, special events and holidays. Center assistant will assist the center staff with the social events, creating crafts, and/or assistance with computers.

Ohio Veterans VISTA Project: Americorps VISTA positions open with the Ohio Veterans Project. Assist veterans in the community with accessing the services and benefits they need. By serving through VISTA, volunteers gain new skills, friends and experiences and get the satisfaction that comes from helping others. To find out more, go to americorps.gov and search for VISTA or call Gretchen at 330-782-5877.

Youth Volunteer Corps: Volunteer leaders are needed for the Youth Volunteer Corps Summer of Service. Volunteer for up to eight projects that will engage students age 13-18 in service opportunities. For more information, call Gretchen at 330-782-5877.

Someplace Safe Donation Center Organizer: Volunteer to organize new and current donations as they come in. Donations include clothing, cleaning supplies and household items. Volunteers need to have good organizational skills and be able to lift 25 pounds.