HANDSON Volunteering opportunities in the Mahoning Valley

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. It is located at Youngstown State University, second floor of the Williamson School of Business Administration in the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Its main office is at 5500 Market St., Suite 106, Boardman.

HandsOn is a monthly column that serves to communicate volunteer opportunities in our community. To express interest in one of the opportunities below, contact HOVN at 330-782-5877 or in Trumbull County at 330-393-4254 or visit its website at www.HOVN.org

OPPORTUNITIES

Summer Festival of the Arts: SFA seeks volunteers to assist artists, performers and the general public. Shifts available are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. next Sunday. Opportunities for artist registration and setup, Festival of Nations setup or tear-down, Children’s Art Fest, Information Booth, artist booth sitting and help at performance sites. Volunteers get brief orientation, free T-shirt, beverages during shift. Minimum age 14.

Eastern Ohio P-16 Partnership for Education: Leading Forward is a mentorship program designed to transform the lives of students and get them ready for college. Five mentors are needed to support students in achieving academic success and preparing them for the transition from high school to college. Mentors must possess a college degree and be available two hours per week on Saturday from September to May.

Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry: Mentors and guest presenters needed. Summer-camp mentors needed to assist staff in activities and field trips from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. one to four days per week. Mentors also are needed for one to two hours for presentations. Mentors and guest speakers are welcome to present on information relating to their particular skills and interests. Requirements include a high school diploma and ability to work with children.

Caf setup and/or aide: If you love helping children and have a knack for decorating, volunteers are needed for the caf . Help set up and decorate the learning centers and/or assist with children as they perform activities. Requirements include physical ability to decorate and a high school diploma. Setup is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the third Friday of every month and/or Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for activities.

Muscular Dystrophy Association: Seeks volunteers to “put in jail” for an hour, 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. Aug. 24. Get friends, family, volunteers, co-workers to bail you out with a donation. Call Leslie Dutton at 330-983-5253.

YWCA of Youngstown: Needs volunteers to help beautify their new building at 25 W. Rayen Ave. Volunteers needed to wash interior glass panels, plant flowers and landscape around the building. These are a short-term opportunities with a completion date by the end of July. The YWCA will provide free parking in its lot.

Mahoning County Senior Fair: Takes place Aug. 6. Shifts are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Austintown. The fair is an outdoor event with free admission, food and activities for county seniors. Volunteers are needed for information/admission gates, food/beverage distribution, bingo tent, parking and traffic control, entertainment and prize distribution, assist in vendor display or general grounds. Contact Marlene Braunlich at 330-782-5877.

Northside Hospital Gift Shop of the Women’s Board of Youngstown: Gift shop clerk/cashier needed. The volunteer will make transactions, price merchandise, and tidy merchandise displays. Three- to four-hour shifts weekly or biweekly. Must have good math skills.

Making Kids Count: Seeks a volunteer coordinator with good interpersonal skills and leadership abilities needed to recruit, promote, and maintain a group of volunteers and assist during Volunteer Days one to two times per month. Time commitment is four to six hours per month. Making Kids Count focuses on the individual needs of children and their families. It partners with various local nonprofit organizations to serve, support and enrich the lives of those in need.

RSVP Reading Buddies: RSVP is orienting new volunteers to the Reading Buddies program in the Youngstown City Schools for the 2011-12 school year. Volunteers need to possess patience and understanding as well as commit to regular schedule of working with elementary-school students in helping them develop strong reading and comprehension skills.

Join RSVP: If you are 55 or older, we want you for service opportunities working with feeding people, disaster services and training and veterans’ issues. Call or email Marlene Braunlich at 330-782-5877 or mbraunlich@hovn.org

Youth Volunteer Corps Summer of Service: There are still projects to be done, and new opportunities are being added to the schedule. Students 13 to 18 can participate in one or up to eight meaningful and rewarding service opportunities in the Valley. Adult leaders also are needed for each project to model teamwork and positive behaviors. For more information on how you can become involved, call Gretchen at 330-782-5877 or email her at gbrown@hovn.org

Projects Scheduled for this year: OH WOW! July 14-16; Disaster Preparedness, July 28-29; Mahoning County Sheriff’s Senior Services Program, Aug. 6; Neighborhood Ministries, Aug. 22-24; Grow Youngstown, date to be announced; Canfield Fair.

Someplace Safe office help: Assist with various office duties, such as sorting donations, preparing copies, stuffing newsletters, fundraising and small handyman jobs.

American Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley: Learn what it takes to assist fire and flood victims in Trumbull and Mahoning counties with the Red Cross. Training is free.

Aquatic Instructors: Assist the Red Cross with its aquatic programs that include swimming and lifeguard instruction.

Receptionist: Volunteer needed to answer and direct incoming phone calls at Warren Red Cross office. Days and times are flexible to meet your needs.