United Way of Northwest Vermont – Volunteer Connection Listings
Week of January 22, 2018
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.
FAMILY PLAY – The Janet S. Munt Family Room invited volunteers to share the fun in the popular, diverse and energetic drop-in Family Play program. Volunteers and help facilitate play with parents and children, introduce arts & crafts projects, tutor ESL students, help with general cleaning, or use their culinary skills to prepare a meal. Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings. Contact Emily Merrill at 862-2121 or email Emily@thefamilyroomvt.org.
TEENLINE – Essex CHIPS TeenLine is a pilot program that connects youth and their parents/guardians with resources via phone, text, social media or in person. Resources address needs such as food, shelter, health care, transportation, employment, counseling, recreation, and substance abuse prevention. Volunteers handle calls, enter and maintain a caller database, research and provide referrals, and attend occasional training and meetings. Contact Aubrey Robinson at 878-6982, Ext. 107 or email aubrey@essexchips.org.
ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN – Prevent Child Abuse Vermont needs volunteers to help advocate for children in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. Training is provided, and no experience is needed. About 6-10 hours a month per child is required. Contact Mary Fletcher Stanley at 309-2515 or email mstanley@pcavt.org.
BOOKMOBILE – Franklin Grand Isle Bookmobile has need of volunteers with one free morning a month to travel with the Bookmobile to preschools, child care providers and individual families who cannot regularly access a public library. Bring story time, activities, resources, songs and laughter to some wonderful kids! There is also need for an office assistant to learn how to make new books check-out ready, help manage renewals, check books out and back in again, and help create a scrapbook of Bookmobile memories. Background check required. Contact Deb Grennon at 868-5077 or email fgibookmobile@yahoo.com.
ON THE RUN – RunVermont is staging its 2018 half-marathon on April 14th and is looking for volunteers who are not running to share their time and talents in many different volunteer opportunities. Volunteers receive complimentary food and drink tickets and a gift. Contact Chuck Spear at 863-8412 or email volunteer@runvermont.org.
IN THE KITCHEN – Ronald McDonald House Charities of Burlington needs volunteers to use their cooking and baking skills to make cookies, prepare a dessert or plan and prepare a dinner meal for guest families. Volunteers may bring their ingredients and work in the house’s large, well-equipped kitchen. Time slots are typically between 10 a.m. and Noon and 2-5 p.m. Contact Deanna Cameron at 862-4943 or email Deanna@rmhcvt.org.
HOTLINE – Steps to End Domestic Violence is seeking volunteers for their 24/7 Hotline. Tasks range from providing advocacy and support to helping individuals find housing. This is an excellent opportunity for an independent, empathetic person interested in direct service. Training provided. Background check required. Contact Morgan Wagner at 658-3131, Ext. 1068 or email morgan@stepsvt.org.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE – Franklin Grand Isle Restorative Justice Center needs volunteers to serve two hours a month on Restorative Panels in Swanton, Richford and St. Albans. Work as part of a team at regular monthly meeting with 2-4 panel members to apply the principles of Restorative Justice. A volunteer is also needed as a member of the St. Albans’ Circle of Support and Accountability (COSA) team which meets weekly to support returning to the community and managing everyday living. To learn more, contact Chloe Viner Collins at 752-2094 or email chloe@fgirjc.org.
Megan Bridges, 861-7822 or megan@unitedwaynwvt.org