United Way of Northwest Vermont – Volunteer Connection Listings
Week of October 16, 2017
By Sue Alenick, United Way Volunteer Columnist
LEND A HAND. VOLUNTEER – United Way of Northwest Vermont’s mobile-friendly Volunteer Connection connects you to hundreds of local volunteer needs. Search by age, date, county, interests or causes that are important to you. Stay connected to community needs. Go to www.unitedwaynwvt.galaxydigital.com or contact us at volctr@unitedwaynwvt.org or 860-1677.
A TAXING TIME – United Way of Northwest Vermont offers free tax assistance for low-wage workers at workplaces through their Working Bridges Mobile Tax Preparer program. Volunteer tax preparers prepare electronic tax returns that enable working Vermonters receive the Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits they are entitled to. Training in classrooms or online is provided, and shifts of at least 4 hours a week from February through early April are available. Background check required. Contact Connie Beal at 881-4218 or email connie@unitedwaynwvt.org.
IN SUPPORT OF FAMILIES – The Janet S. Munt Family Room is in need of volunteers to fill a number of important positions: Family Play volunteers – to introduce arts & crafts projects, engage in tutoring of ESL students, help prepare meals for families and children. From 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays. Support New American Families volunteers – provide support for children whose parents are attending English Language classes on Tuesday and Thursdaymornings by engaging in play in a developmentally appropriate environment. Preschool Lunch Chefs – prepare preschool lunches 3 mornings a week during the school year from provided recipes. 2-3 hours a day on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays. Strong Families volunteers to support a parent education for parents with preschool children and to support children’s play. Background check required and training provided for these positions. Garden Work Day volunteers – to help put their community gardens to bed for the winter, clean and organize tools and supplies, and repair broken structures. Contact Emily Merrill at 862-2121 or email Emily@thefamilyroomvt.org.
FOOD SHELF – Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf needs volunteers to fill vital positions: Homebound Delivery Volunteer – to collect groceries and deliver them on a specific route in Burlington. Thursdays mornings for about an hour and a half. Food Truck Volunteers – to help prepare meals to be served at the Wednesday (in Milton) and Thursday (in South Burlington), 4-7 p.m. at Community Truck Stops. Distribution Volunteers – to help clients receive groceries, stock coolers and bins, and maintain cleanliness. Shifts on Monday–Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Contact Anisa Potvin at 658-7939 ext. 24 or email apotvin@cvoeo.org.
ON THE FARM – Vermont Youth Conservation Corps is seeking volunteers to help harvest the last of their crops at their beautiful Richmond farm, clean vegetables, and finish up projects in the fields and barns. They are particularly looking for volunteers on November 14 and 15 to pack veggies for their last fall Health Care Share delivery of the season. Contact Emma Homans at 434-3969, Ext. 211, or email volunteer@vycc.org.
A WARMING EXPERIENCE – Community Health Centers of Burlington needs volunteers to serve at its Winter Warming Shelter. Volunteers help get guests settled, assist with meal service, provide music, arts, conversation to enrich clients’ lives, and help keep the space clean and ordered. Contact Maggie Merriam at mmerriam@chch.org.
MENTOR! MENTOR! – Crossroads Youth Mentorship Program offers one-to-one mentoring relationships to local New American youth between the ages of 13 and 20. Mentors are needed to provide academic support and consistent friendship to help these young people develop to their full potential and make responsible decisions. Volunteers are invited to attend the Fall Mentor Training on November 18 and 19. Contact Melanie Whitham at melaniewhitham@hotmail.com before October 23 or Catherine Cadden at tembacatherine@gmail.com after October 23.
Megan Bridges. 861-7822 or megan@unitedwaynwvt.org