Volunteering

Volunteering

HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley engages 21st-century volunteers to improve civic health and social conditions by reaching out to raise awareness and inspire them to make a difference. It provides people with access to projects and other opportunities to learn new skills and engage in work to improve their communities and mobilizes people to use their time, talent, money and voice to create community change. The office is at 5500 Market St., Suite 110, Boardman. HandsOn 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

HandsOn Volunteer Network survey: HOVN is celebrating 30 years of serving the community, and the anniversary year has been dedicated to growth and planning for the organization. HOVN is asking community members to take a survey that will assist the organization in determining our future goals and plans. Visit www.HOVN.org and find a link for the survey on the right-hand side of the home page under “Upcoming Events.” Click the green word, “HERE,” and the survey will begin. HOVN values each participant’s input.

Volunteer income-tax assistance: VITA offers free tax help to eligible individuals and families in Trumbull and Mahoning counties who make $52,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own basic tax return. Volunteers are needed to prepare basic income-tax returns; volunteers will receive IRS training and be asked to serve between two and four hours per week or month, depending on their schedule, to file tax returns. For information about volunteer registration and training to become a VITA volunteer, contact Addonnus Harden at aharden@hovn.org or by calling 330-782-5877.

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. McGuffey Elementary is a station of volunteers with Project MORE. 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. Hands-On is the direct volunteer connector for Project More of Ohio. Contact Addonnus Harden for information at 330-782-5877.

Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) volunteers: Those who have a background in a helping profession, prior volunteer experience or knowledge in navigating difficult Web pages are needed for an Affordable Healthcare Act project at HOVN. HandsOn is a certified ACA organization and is receiving an increasing number of calls for assistance in enrolling in to health care plans. HOVN needs to increase its number of volunteers who can either assist at the HOVN offices or be placed at a partner organization. The training is free and will be done at HOVN offices.

Nonprofit board/committee members: Each month, HOVN will feature organizations that have requested either board members (voting) or people willing to serve on a committee (nonvoting). Interested volunteers are urged to register on the HOVN website, log into their account and search for the featured organization; online, there will be a complete position description and qualifications needed so a participant can review the position, express interest or ask questions of the organization and thus determine their level of commitment. Accounts are created on the HOVN website by clicking the blue “Volunteer!” tab and then “Sign-up/Registration.” February’s organization will be the Rich Center for Autism.

Lead with Experience: The skills and experience of volunteers 55 and older are valued resources to local nonprofits in issue areas. Interested volunteers in this age group should consider serving by tutoring children, helping with disasters, tax preparation, or providing application assistance through the Ohio Benefit Bank or the marketplace for health care options. Contact HOVN to get involved at 330-782-5877.

Save-A-Life Smoke Alarm Initiative (SALSA): Smoke-alarm installers are needed for the SALSA (Save A Life Smoke Alarm) program to install detectors in homes that were not able to be done on MLK Day. Installation team(s) may choose a day and time that fits their schedule. Residents will be notified of scheduled time for their installation. Contact Kristen Gallagher at 330-782-5877 or kgallagher@HOVN.org.

Girard Multi Generational Center tech wizard: The Girard Multi Generational Center is in need of a tech wizard who can tutor guests of the center on computers and technology. A background check and orientation will be required. The volunteer will teach members how to use computers, iPads, iPhones, tablets and e-readers. The time commitment is flexible, about once a week. The volunteer will help people learn to keep in contact with families who are away and also improve the quality of life by helping them to keep updated with technology. To volunteer, contact Jude Signonello at 330-545-6596.

Ronald McDonald House of Charities of the Mahoning Valley and Western Pa. 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.

Ohio Benefit Bank counselor at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library: An Ohio Benefit Bank counselor volunteer will use computer-program prompts to interview clients, input application information, print forms and give directions for applications that require mailing. The position requires a minimum one shift per week at three to four hours a shift, with appointments taking approximately one hour each. Volunteers must be computer and Internet literate, able to work independently, be organized, detail-oriented, dependable, respectful of confidentiality, able to carry laptop and portable printer, and be phone- and email-accessible. The volunteer will complete a one-day, six-hour OBB training session.

Mahoning County Youngstown Community Action Partnership (MYCAP) financial-literacy volunteers: Volunteers are needed at MYCAP to coordinate educational financial-literacy training classes to a diverse population of participants. Helpful skills for a volunteer would be a background in banking or finance field, and a familiarity with principles of adult learning, teaching experience and knowledge of financial literacy. Training is provided to empower a diverse population to become more knowledgeable and successful in money management, therefore improving or meeting their household needs.

Steel museum book cataloging: The Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor, also known as the Steel Museum, in Youngstown needs assistance in book cataloging. A recent donation to the museum included approximately 800 books, and they need to be entered into the online catalog. The museum has no one on staff with the credentials and training for the task.

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. 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 is the re-entry program and referral service center for offenders returning to society. It needs the receptionist for its new offices. The volunteer(s) would be responsible for answering phones, running copies and other tasks. Home for Good is in downtown Youngstown, at 20 Federal Place (the former Phar-Mor Centre).

OBB 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 information, call Addonnus Harden at 330-782-5877 or by email aharden@hovn.org.

United Methodist Community Center veterans’ lunch prep/server: Volunteers are needed to assist the UMCC staff with preparing and serving lunch at their weekly Veterans’ 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 Harden at aharden@hovn.org or by calling 330-782-5877.