volunteering | Opportunities to serve

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 and its main office, 5500 Market St., Suite 110, Boardman. Hands On 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 330-393-4254 or visit the website at www.HOVN.org.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOVN Board Leadership Institute: The HOVN Board Development Institute empowers individuals by providing comprehensive knowledge and the opportunity to test their skills through interaction with community professionals. Join us March 10 and 24 for this intensive training. For information, call 330-782-5877.

Access Health Mahoning Valley: Needs a seasoned professional with two to four hours to offer several times a week to field calls, provide information and assist in directing people seeking services.

GenerationOn Youth Volunteers: Join in on Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.’s work days the first and third Saturdays of each month.

Mahoning County Financial Stability Partnership: Ongoing opportunities to provide year-round financial- education seminars, guidance and mentoring support to people who want to increase their knowledge of management of personal finances. Volunteers will be pre-screened and must be willing to take the HandsOn Lead Volunteer Training.

Austintown Senior Center: Do you have a talent, skill or hobby to share with senior citizens? Suggested topics of interest include sessions on genealogy, basic computing and internet use (or serve at the computer lab help desk), financial management and health and wellness. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Marlene Braunlich, 330-782-5877.

Lead Volunteers: Must be an organized people-person, start with administrative support and move to interviewing and outreach responsibilities. Opportunities available to use your interests in the fields of education/tutoring, disaster preparedness, veterans assistance, food security and Phone Buddy for Seniors programs. Email mbraunlich@hovn.org or call Marlene at 330-782-5877.

Meals on Wheels Drivers: Deliver meals to home-bound seniors. Routes operate throughout Mahoning County, mornings, Monday through Friday. Pick up prepared and packaged food from John Knox Presbyterian Church, 1806 Market St., Youngstown, and deliver using your car.

Junior Achievement of the Mahoning Valley: Classroom presenter volunteers are needed to present prepared Junior Achievement lessons in the Girard City Schools. Four volunteers are needed for the fourth-grade lesson. Six volunteers are needed for the second-grade lesson. Training provided for each grade.

FUNdraising Volunteers: Several local nonprofits are requesting volunteers who can serve as co-chairmen or co-chairwomen or participate as committee members to their fundraising events. Call if interested.

Compass Family Services: Are you handy with information technology? If so, Compass Family Services on the South Side of Youngstown can use help with updating electronic files, updating software and general system cleaning. You would work under the direction of the company’s IT person and must have a demonstrated knowledge of working in networked systems.

Shepherd of the Valley, multiple locations, wellness motivator: Invite residents to pre-planned exercise classes for both the mind and body. Bring residents to the area where the activity is taking place, and then assist them in getting back to their room/apartment. Participate in the activities with the residents.

Shepherd of the Valley, crafter: Help residents complete crafts. Make and present a craft to a small group of elderly adults to complete.

Shepherd of the Valley, personal decorator: Help residents decorate the inside of their room or apartment as well as the inside or outside of entrance door.

Shepherd of the Valley, online communications specialist: Invite residents to participate in Internet communication programs, and teach them how to use software programs such as Skype, Facebook and email.

Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation Opportunities: YNDC is looking for volunteers to assist in block projects, house-boarding events and other special neighborhood projects in Youngstown. There are one to two events each month to choose from. YNDC also is seeking lead volunteer event coordinators to assist staff with set up, execution and clean up of neighborhood workdays and special events. If you have good organizational skills, are an effective communicator and have reliable transportation YNDC can use your talent to transform neighborhoods.

Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry: Volunteer driver/deliverer of donated bread every Friday morning for 1 Ω to 3 hours. Arrive at the Canfield Giant Eagle between 8 and 9 a.m. Load personal vehicle with donated bread and baked goods from the back delivering area of the store. Drive bread to Casa Madre, and help bring in what is needed. Deliver the balance of the items to Homeless Solutions in Youngstown. Requirements: Clean driving record, proof of insurance, own a dependable vehicle and have a friendly and positive demeanor. A cellphone would be beneficial.