Volunteering | Opportunities available

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 at 5500 Market St., Suite 110, Boardman. HandsOn is a monthly column that serves to communicate the impact that volunteering can have on the community. For trending opportunities, like us on Facebook by searching for HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley. Contact the network by calling 330-782-5877 or emailing info@HOVN.org about these opportunities:

OPPORTUNITIES

National Senior Corps Week: Each year, elected officials and community leaders spotlight the impact of Senior Corps volunteers during Senior Corps Week, celebrated this year May 19-23. HOVN sponsors the RSVP Lead with Experience program of Mahoning and Trumbull counties, a program that shows how individuals can apply skills and wisdom acquired throughout life to make a positive difference in the lives of others. RSVP volunteers 55 and older choose how and where they want to serve, how much time they want to give and whether to share their own skills with others or develop new ones.

Special Olympics Ohio Area 11 volunteers: Volunteers are needed for the 45th annual Special Olympics Invitational Track and Field Meet at Austintown Fitch High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14. Volunteers will direct athletes, measure distances and times, help and encourage them to do their best at each event. Volunteers also will escort athletes to and from the awards area.

Down Syndrome Association of the Valley iCan Shine Bike Camp volunteers: iCan Shine Bike Camp, a weeklong bike riding camp for persons with disabilities will take place June 16-20. Volunteers are needed each day to help camp participants learn to independently ride a two-wheel bike. There will be five sessions each day beginning at 8:30 a.m. and finishing 4:50 p.m. Sessions are approximately 90 minutes. Volunteers may choose the session(s) they are available for each day.

Foster Parent Association of Mahoning County Walk, Stroll & Roll for Foster Care: The Foster Parent Association of the Mahoning Valley will have a Walk/Run in downtown Youngstown from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers are needed to assist with set up and tear down, registration and activities. Volunteers with special talents also are needed for entertainment at the event.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers School Day game volunteers: The Scrappers will host a school-day game for area students Friday, with the first pitch at 11 a.m. The organization is expecting approximately 4,000 students. Volunteers are needed to assist with stadium preparation, concessions, passing out lunches and escorting students to seating areas and back to their buses after the game. Volunteers will need to be at the stadium at 8 a.m.

Choffin Aquaponics: The Aquaponics program at Choffin is seeking volunteers with levels of skills and experience that involve plumbing, construction, curriculum development and facilities operations for the 2014-15 school year. Throughout the summer, volunteers will be constructing parts of the systems and maintaining the day-to-day operations of the facility. This program is designed to use water that is pumped from fish tanks to provide water and nutrients to a variety of plants growing in water containers rather than soil. This opportunity is appropriate for science majors, retired systems engineers, architects, retired teachers and those who can assist in a project for kids that will develop skills that can be used right out of high school. Volunteers needed and their responsibilities will include: Facilities assistant to feed fish, clean aquariums, tanks and filters, maintain the floors through sweeping and mopping; systems maintenance assistant to analyze water systems and maintain pump systems; communications specialist to write and edit materials to be used in the classroom and for the marketing campaign; illustrators to draw cells and other scientific organisms for classroom presentations, marketing materials and online library; and a revenue-development specialist to research grant opportunities and identify outside researchers who could use the facility. HandsOn Volunteer Network is managing the volunteer program, and all volunteers are required to go through HandsOn.

American Red Cross receptionist: American Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley is in need of a volunteer receptionist who is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers will answer phones and direct calls, handle incoming and outgoing mail and assist staff when needed. The new Red Cross office is in Liberty.

Hospice of the Valley Hospice House volunteer: Volunteers are needed to provide support and companionship to patients and their families before and after the patient’s death through visits while the patient is in Hospice House. All volunteers must complete the training program as required.

Additional Hospice of the Valley Hospice House volunteers: Clerical volunteers are needed to assist personnel with copying, filing, inventory, phone calls and scheduling at the front desk; volunteers are needed to assist with signature events by securing auction items, selling raffle tickets, setting up and tearing down event venues, gift-wrapping and other tasks; process all mass mailings for the agency and other tasks.

Hospice of the Valley Hospice House certified companion volunteer: Volunteer must have a valid driver’s license and insurance and complete the training program. Volunteers provide support and companionship to patients and their families before and after the patient’s death through visits and telephone contacts.

Autism Speaks Walk for Autism: A volunteer is needed to assist the Walk for Autism committee in reaching its goals by assisting in various tasks. Volunteer committees will address the core elements of the walk: Top teams, top walker, corporate development, logistics and publicity.

OBB tax counselors: HandsOn trains volunteer Ohio Benefit Bank counselors to assist people in accessing benefits that can help them maintain their households. Mahoning or Trumbull county residents are needed 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 Ohio Benefit Bank counselor. Openings exist in both counties. For information, call Addonnus Harden at 330-782-5877 or by email aharden@hovn.org.

Paisley House assistance: Paisley House is an assisted-living facility that needs volunteers for a variety of tasks. This may include helping residents host parties, exercise, be entertained, complete crafts, learn new skills and go on outings. A resident dog needs walked, brushed and bathed, and there is a courtyard garden that needs maintaining.

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 can get started with the program now to prepare to help tutor in the new school year. McGuffey Elementary is a station of volunteers with Project MORE. Volunteers will work in their own community and work with students for one to four, 30-minute, one-on-one sessions. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Contact Harden for information at 330-782-5877.

Affordable Care Act volunteers: Although the ACA’s first deadline has passed for enrolling, many people are getting ready for the next deadline and need assistance navigating the system. HandsOn is in need to boost its volunteer ranks for ACA inquiries. Those who have a background in a helping profession, prior volunteer experience or knowledge in navigating difficult Web pages are needed for an Affordable Care Act project at HOVN. The training is free and will be done at HOVN offices. Call 330-782-5877.

Math tutors: Volunteers who have about 30 minutes a week to help a student, can help students to understand critical academic information and help them gain confidence in knowledge that helps them to succeed in most other areas of their lives. If tutoring is of interest, or if there are other community issues you would like to help impact, HOVN offers many other volunteer opportunities that promote leadership in the Valley. Contact Harden via email at aharden@hovn.org or by calling 330-782-5877.

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 determine their level of commitment. Accounts are created on the HOVN website by clicking the blue “Volunteer!” tab and then “Sign-up/Registration.” HOVN will focus on the Rich Center for Autism and the Northeast Ohio Area Health Education Center.

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.

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. Volunteers can work from home.

MYCAP financial-literacy volunteers: Volunteers are needed at Mahoning County-Youngstown Community Action Partnership to coordinate educational financial-literacy training classes to a diverse population of participants. Volunteers with a background in banking, finance-related field and familiarity with principles of adult learning, teaching experience and knowledge of financial literacy are ideal. Training is provided.

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