Volunteer Corner - June 30, 2009

If your agency wants to be highlighted in the Volunteer Corner, please email a paragraph describing your organization, volunteer needs and contact information to vac@hscct.org

Norwalk Housing Authority needs a Volunteer Coordinator for Learning and Scholarship Programs  to do the following:  Research opportunities to attend private schools and enrichment programs that will benefit children and youth. Meet with families at conveniently located Norwalk Housing Authority central office to discuss abilities, talents, and interests of youth once or twice per week. Match youth with opportunities. Write up descriptions of opportunities for distribution to parents. Develop ideas for video and/or PowerPoint presentations. Will include some public speaking at briefing events and at Learning Centers to present possibilities for talented youth. Organize seminars about college life for middle and high school students and their parents. Meet Norwalk Housing Authority college scholarship winners as their award checks are presented to them. Contact and follow up with winners as they meet the challenges of going to school (most are the first in their families to attend). Interview parents and youth by telephone and e-mail, write brief stories summarizing the progress of these youth as they move successfully toward graduation. Arrange receptions once or twice per year for past and present scholarship winners to share their successes and talk about college life.  (10-15 hrs /week. Flexible schedule. Most work can be done from home by telephone and computer).  Please submit resume to Executive Secretary, Norwalk Housing Authority,  Reference: “Opportunities Coordinator.” By mail: 24 ½ Monroe Street, P.O. Box 508, Norwalk, CT 06856-0508 By fax: 203-838-6535.  On the web: You may also be able to post your resume for this volunteer position in the “Career” section at: http://www.norwalkha.org

The American Cancer Society is looking for Road to Recovery volunteers to drive cancer patients to and from medical treatment facilities, providing a friendly, supportive and reliable presence for patients who are unable to drive themselves.  Volunteers must be 18 years or older, with a car, good driving record and daytime availability to help cancer patients keep their treatment appointments. For information on these and other volunteer opportunities, please call (800) 889-3340 (press option 3) or (203) 563-0740.

The American Red Cross Mid-Fairfield County Chapter is looking for Blood Services volunteers to work at community and corporate blood drives in Norwalk, Westport, Wilton and Weston. Volunteers are also needed for the blood donation site in Norwalk (Norwalk/Westport line). Volunteers are in charge of registering donors, assisting donor aides, providing drinks and food at refreshment station and observing donors for reactions after they donate blood.  Volunteer Information Sessions are held at various times throughout the month in both the Norwalk office at 596  Westport  Ave. and at the Bridgeport office at 158  Brooklawn Ave.  The schedule of sessions and registration information is posted on www.mfcarc.org.  Registration is required for the sessions. High school students and adult volunteers are welcome. Call (203) 683-4264 for more information.

Christian Community Action, Norwalk is in need of volunteers to help with daily food distribution from our food pantry in South Norwalk. The pantry is open from 9:30 am to 12 Noon, Monday through Friday and one Saturday each month. Volunteers arrive a bit early to be sure the shelves are stocked and then greet clients and collect and bag the food that they will be taking home to their families. Volunteers also take care of food donations as they come in and help placing these items on the pantry shelves.  We also have an ongoing need for furniture movers. Also, to pick up used furniture from donors and deliver it to the CCA storage room or directly to clients. This can be a one time volunteer opportunity or ongoing. To volunteer for any of these activities, call CCA at (203) 899-2485. We also encourage groups and families to volunteer.

Circle of Friends is a volunteer organization, established by Beth Israel Synagogue in Norwalk, that reaches out to children, teenagers and adults with special needs and involves them in a full spectrum of cultural and social experiences.  Every week teenage volunteers (training provided) visit participating children and teens in their homes, offering friendship and sharing activities. On Sundays, once a month throughout the school year, teenage volunteers and their special friends spend two wonderful hours together, enjoying a wide variety of activities in music, art, sports and story time. Professional teachers and therapists lead the activities.  Once a month on Wednesday evening volunteers join in to socialize and enjoy music, dance, art, snack and special activities with adults with disabilities.  Adult volunteers also participate in The Circle of Friends Programs.  You may volunteer once a week or once a month. Please call (203) 866-0534 for more information.

The Connecticut Hospice patients and their families are in need of volunteers to provide care and support.  As a CT Hospice Volunteer, you can fill your hours (weekdays, evenings or weekends) by assisting in an administrative capacity or offering direct care as a friendly visitor, bereavement care, help in the arts or meet transportation needs.  For more information, please contact Director of Volunteer Services at (800) 8- HOSPICE (467-7423), ext 510.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) needs volunteers for their one week overnight camp program August 16th through 22nd for children affected by neuromuscular diseases.  The MDA summer camp, which is located in Spring Valley, NY, serves children ages 6 through 17 who live in the tri-state area and have been diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease. Camp is a magical place offering a wide range of activities specially designed for children who have limited mobility or use wheelchairs. Volunteers are needed to assist campers in activities by meeting their physical and emotional needs in a manner consistent with MDA standards and to help carry out a program of adapted water and recreational activities designed to be enjoyable and safe. MDA offers this camp experience to campers at no cost to their family.  Camp Counselor orientation is provided at no cost!  Anyone 18 or older may inquire with questions, interest or to receive an application.  Call: (914) 345-5062 or Fax: (914) 345-5845 or email Gloria English at genglish@mdausa.org

Become an Interfaith Housing Association (IHA) volunteer.  You can become a mentor for a woman in the WIN program or bring your family to cook and serve dinner at the Community Kitchen. The need is even greater in the summer months.  Encourage your high school student to work with the Bacharach Community staff babysitting children or become a babysitter yourself.  Maintain the gardens at one of IHA’s 10 buildings. Spring or fall cleanup is a great project for a scout troop or sports team.  Organize a food drive at your office or civic group to help supply the Food Pantry.  IHA will benefit from any level of commitment you can give.  Call (203) 226-3426 ext. 14 to find out how you can help.    

Christian Summer Camp in New Preston, CT needs a Registered Nurse or LPN from July 19th - August 9th.  Can do one or more weeks. The camp also needs a Certified Lifeguard, 20 years of age or older.  Can leave weekends on Friday night at 9 p.m. and return Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., if required.  For more information, call Patty at (203) 515-7634 or e-mail pacword@optonline.net to discuss stipend.

The Rowayton Arts Center (RAC) at 145 Rowayton Avenue is seeking adult volunteers to cover the RAC Gallery from 12:00-2:30 p.m. and 2:30-5:00 p.m. on alternating Saturdays.  These volunteers greet visitors, provide information and assist with sales.  RAC also needs volunteers to help with seasonal housekeeping chores. Founded in 1960, RAC is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to exhibit the work of creative people in the area, offer classes for artists of all levels, serve as a community cultural center and create an environment for the exchange of arts-related ideas. For more information call Gale Parsons, the RAC gallery director, at (203) 866-2744.

PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Society) is a nonprofit organization that rescues homeless dogs and cats and places them in permanent homes. PAWS is only able to extend its hands to so many pets in need because of the tireless effort and dedication of its volunteers. There is always SO much to be done - whether it is snuggling a shy kitten, walking a dog, fundraising or doing those dirty jobs like laundry & cleaning kennels. It all has to get done and it has to get done every day without fail.  Please Note: Due to insurance restrictions, PAWS currently cannot have volunteers under 18 years of age work directly with the animals. However, there are lots of other ways that you can still help - everything from collecting food donations, to hanging flyers to holding a bake sale.  The first step in becoming a volunteer is to come to the shelter for an orientation.  Orientations are held by appointment only. If you would like to schedule an orientation, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (203) 750-9572 x 120 or via email at lisad@pawsct.org. Upon acceptance, training dates will be assigned with the appropriate program coordinator. Most volunteer positions require a minimum commitment of 8 hours per month.    

The Human Services Council needs a volunteer to help with programming its Access database.  Hours and days are flexible.  Please call Betty Brink, Office Manager, (203) 849-1111.

Still Not Sure What To Do?  Call The Voluntary Action Center Of Mid-Fairfield (VAC) at 849-1111 or e-mail mmangone@hscct.org if you have any questions or would like to come in for an interview to learn about the opportunities including those mentioned above.  For more information on VAC, volunteer opportunities or any of our programs, visit our web site at www.communityplanning.org/hscvac. VAC is a program of The Human Services Council of Mid-Fairfield, an agency of the United Way of Norwalk & Wilton and the United Way of Westport-Weston and an affiliate of The Points of Light Foundation.