HANDSON

HANDSON

Volunteering

HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley, engaging 21st-century volunteers to improve civic health and social conditions by reaching out to volunteers to raise awareness and inspire them to make a difference; providing people with access to projects and other opportunities to learn new skills and engage in work to improve their communities; and mobilizing people to use their time, talent, money and voice to create community change. The office is located at 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. For trending opportunities, like us on Facebook by searching for HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley. Contact HandsOn Volunteer Network by calling 330-782-5877 or emailing info@HOVN.org about the following opportunities:

OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer income-tax assistance: Tax season is approaching and HandsOn is searching for volunteer tax assistants. Volunteers will help moderate- to low-income individuals, families and seniors file their income tax returns. This is an IRS-sponsored program in which volunteers will receive training to become certified. Volunteers are also needed to serve as greeters at several sites around the community, and individuals who are fluent in Spanish are needed to serve as interpreters. The Volunteer Protection Act protects volunteers from personal liability while acting within the scope of their responsibilities. Requirements include basic computer skills, valid ID, 20-hour training course and certification test and availability for scheduled hours January through April. An accounting or financial background is useful but not required. Locations are available at many Mahoning County sites. Volunteers need to be 18 years of age and older and have transportation to report to designated tax sites. For more information on becoming a VITA Volunteer contact Addonnus Harden, aharden@hovn.org or at 330-782-5877.

Gift Wrappers: Help the Jewish Community Center raise funds for the wonderful programming at the JCC. Volunteers are needed from Dec. 17 through Dec. 24 at the Southern Park Mall to wrap gifts for donations to the organization. The following shifts are available in two- to three-hour increments: Noon to 3 p.m., 3 to 6 p.m., and 6 to 9 p.m. Call HandsOn at 330-782-5877 or email us at info@hovn.org.

Nonprofit board members: Nonprofit partners of HOVN are considering new candidates for their boards. If a volunteer is interested in learning more about what directors do to support a nonprofit, call HandsOn. The educational opportunities and open seats with organizations will be explored for any interested parties. Also, if any organizations are looking for board members, send board position descriptions to info@HOVN.org.

Girard MultiGenerational Center Tech Wizard: The Girard MultiGenerational Center is in search of volunteer(s) to teach the basics of operation for iPads, iPhones and smart phones, tablets and e-Readers to its members. The classes will be offered once a week.

Girard MultiGenerational Center Holiday Cheer: The Girard MultiGenerational Center is in need of volunteers to help it decorate for the upcoming winter holidays. Beginning Monday, trees will be going up, and the decorations will be brought out of storage to prepare for the free Holiday Family Fun Night on Dec. 19.

Girard MultiGenerational Center Family Fun Night: Volunteers are needed for the Center’s Family Fun Night on Dec. 19. Assistance will be needed for the crafts, story-time and an indoor snowball fight offered for children at the event.

“Write On!” for Martin Luther King Day: On Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20, HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley will be challenging the community to collect school supplies for children in need during our 3rd Annual WriteOn! School Supply Drive. HandsOn research has found that the children, schools and social-service organizations that received school supplies at the beginning of the school year now need to replenish those supplies. Those wishing to offer assistance can donate school supplies like pens, pencils, crayons, glue sticks or markers, paper, folders and notebooks. Monetary donations through Hands-On Volunteer Network can also be made to purchase supplies. Donations collected will be sorted, tallied and distributed to Mahoning Valley schools and organizations serving children. Supplies may be dropped off at the HOVN office the week of Jan. 13 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. For information or questions about this project, contact Kristen Gallagher at kgallagher@hovn.org, 330-782-5877 or 330-540-0102.

Project Feed Our Valley: With changes in federal programs, more people will need the help of the community to put food in hungry bellies. There are several ways you can help, and HOVN can work with you to develop a project.

Tutoring: HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley works with several school systems and has several tutoring opportunities that may be of interest. Members of National Honor Society, math whizzes, engineering majors, parents or grandparents are especially sought for their particular talents to offer children extra help with their eduction. Helping students to understand critical academic information and becoming confident in that knowledge helps them to succeed in most other areas of their lives. Contact Addonnus Harden via email at aharden@hovn.org or via phone at 330-782-5877, HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley.

United Way Youngstown and Mahoning County Database Detail Technician: A volunteer will research names in an old database and then update them in a new database, and they will look up names in phone books, add missing information, delete names not found and enter data into a computer. Three hours a week will be needed until the database is complete.

Home for Good Receptionist: Home for Good, a community initiative that falls under the auspices of ACTION, is in need of a receptionist. The re-entry program and referral service center for offenders returning to society needs the receptionist for the new office that opened Tuesday. The volunteer(s) would be responsible for answering phones, running copies and other tasks. Home for Good is in downtown Youngstown.

Project MORE Tutors: Project MORE (Mentoring in Ohio for Reading Excellence) is a volunteer reading/mentoring project to benefit students with disabilities or those who are not on track. Volunteers will work in their own community to help students gain the skills and confidence they need to increase their individual reading levels. Volunteers will work with students for one to four, 30-minute, one-on-one sessions. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. HandsOn is the direct volunteer connector for Project More of Ohio. Contact Addonnus Harden for information.

Ohio Benefit Bank mobile volunteers in Trumbull County: HOVN, in cooperation with Ohio Benefit Bank and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, needs understanding, compassionate and nonjudgmental volunteers to assist people in the community with accessing programs that will help strengthen families. Training, orientation and support to volunteers who become OBB Mobile Volunteers is provided. The opportunity is appropriate for those 18 and older who are looking for careers in the Social Service Fields. Those who can go online to shop, pay bills or check email have the basic computer skills needed to be an OBB counselor. Openings exist throughout Mahoning and Trumbull counties. For more information, email aharden@hovn.org or call Addonnus at 330-782-5877.

United Methodist Community Center Veteran’s Lunch Prep/Server: Volunteers are needed to assist the UMCC staff with preparing and serving lunch at their weekly Veteran’s Lunch and Learn. Each Wednesday, veterans can enjoy a hot lunch and learn about services available to them in the community as well as share some social time with other veterans.

Veterans Outreach: The Veterans Outreach Center in Struthers is looking for assistance with website development and veterans benefits assistants. For more information contact Addonnus Harden at aharden@hovn.org or by calling 330-782-5877.

Kettle Bells in Mahoning and Trumbull counties: Help the Salvation Army ring the bell for its annual fundraiser. Shifts vary with locations.

Event Volunteers: Many of the nonprofit partners of HandsOn need event volunteers for projects and fundraisers. Those open to new experiences and flexible with their assignments during an event or project are sought. Call 330-782-5877 or email info@HOVN.org.

College Student Volunteers: HandsOn can assist college students who have volunteer service hours required for coursework by connecting them to nonprofit organizations who will work with any schedule and focus. YSU students can visit the HandsOn office in the Williamson College of Business or call 330-782-5877. HOVN also offers connectivity through their website when volunteers log in and register to use the online database.

Meals on Wheels/Trumbull Mobile Meals: Drivers are needed for all routes. This opportunity is appropriate for families, teams, businesses, retired couples and students who are majoring in the social services, nursing or medical fields.

AGE Corp.: The Austintown Generational Enrichment Corp. exists to enrich the lives of community members by providing warm and caring places for recreation, entertainment, camaraderie and education. AGE is looking for volunteers to help with the public relations, computer instruction, website management and newsletter development.

Community Legal Aid Services client assistant: A volunteer is needed to assist clients with preparation of civil-protection orders for domestic-violence victims.

Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley: Many volunteer opportunities are available to support the mission of the Red Cross, providing relief to victims of disaster and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Sweats for Serenity: Help Compass Family and Community Services and Sojourner House make the lives of the clients they serve more comfortable. Donate new sweat pants and shirts to the Rape Crisis program. Donations of new undergarments are also appreciated.