December 2, 2019
By Sue Alenick, United Way Volunteer Columnist
CRITICAL NEED FOR CHILD ADVOCATES IN FRANKLIN COUNTY– Guardian ad Litem Program is recruiting volunteers in Franklin County to make a difference in a child’s life. Guardians visit monthly with the child, collect collateral information to relevant to the important factors and people in the child’s life, represent to a Judge what he or she feels is in the child’s best interest, explain the court process to the child, and consult with the child’s attorney. Contact Janice Santiago at 527-4029 or email janice.santiago@vermont.gov.
PACK IT UP – Salvation Farms is looking for volunteers to handle bulk quantities of produce to prepare it for distribution through the charitable food system by cleaning, quality-assessing and packing it. Volunteers should be prepared to be on their feet a majority of the time and should be okay with getting a little wet/dirty. To sign up, visit https://unitedwaynwvt.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=443909
SERVE ON MLK DAY – Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity is seeking groups of volunteers to serve with them on Martin Luther King Day, January 20th 2020. Volunteers 18 years of age and older can help out at a build site in Burlington from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Others, age 16 and older, can serve a 4-hour shift in the store to help raise money to build more homes in Chittenden County. Contact Allison DeVoe at 318-7533 or email adevoe@vermonthabitat.org.
MENTOR! MENTOR! – Milton Community Youth Coalition is looking for volunteers, age 21 and above, to serve as Mentors to help increase young people’s connection to the community, create positive relationships with role models, and help young people become successful, healthy adults. They are specifically in need of mentors for youth in grades 3-5 in one-on-one community based relationship. Contact Amy Spector at 893-1009 or email aspector@miltonyouth.org.
THE BUTTERFLIES ARE BACK! – ECHO’s live Butterfly Exhibit is returning in February, 2020, and ECHO is looking for volunteers to serve as “Flight Attendants” to engage the public on all things butterfly. Training is provided so volunteers will understand the exhibit space, basic species information, and how to work with guests and butterflies to insure a positive experience for all. Volunteers are asked to commit to one 2-hour shifts a week in addition to training and orientation sessions. Contact Phoebe Townsend at 864-1848, Ext. 116, or email ptownsend@echovermont.org.
IN THE BAG – City of Winooski is in need of volunteers for its TREX Program to ensure the continued success of their plastic bag collection program. Volunteers will collect, weigh and deliver bags as well as encourage the community to be more aware of plastic use. Contact Olivia Miller at 734-1836, Ext. 12, or email volunteer@winooskivt.gov.
HELPING YOUTH – Burlington Community Justice Center’s Youth Substance Abuse Safety Program (YSASP) holds young people accountable for underage drinking and possession of marijuana and educates them about the consequences and risks of substances. They are looking for a volunteer to help collect information for new cases, schedule intake meetings, check-in with youth, families and providers, and close out cases with the Vermont Judicial Bureau and Police Departments. Training and support provided. Contact Rachel Jolly at 865-7185 or email rjolly@burlingtonvt.gov.
Megan Bridges
Community Impact Coordinator
United Way of Northwest Vermont
(802) 861-7822 / (802) 864-7401 (fax)
Get connected to volunteering:
VOLUNTEER CONNECTION https://unitedwaynwvt.galaxydigital.com/