Find Community Engagement Opportunities
The following list of opportunities are not directly coordinated by the CSLC. Please be sure to sign up with the listed contact person.
The views and opinions represented by these organizations are not affiliated with Grand Valley State University.
August 2018
KaBOOM! Plaground Build
Community Partner
Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
Opportunity Type
Event
Event Date
August 23, 2018 from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Deadline
August 22, 2018
Contact
Dia Noble
dia@friendsofgrparks.org
616-288-7209
Duties of Volunteer
Duties will include but not limited to, concrete mixing, equipment assembly, etc.
Audio/Visual Volunteer
Community Partner
National Science Institute
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
August 31, 2018
Contact
Elizabeth Stack
elizabeth.stack@thegeekgroup.org
616-375-0501
Duties of Volunteer
Main duties are assisting in various levels of production of educational videos for a local, non-profit science institute. Applicants are generally placed within areas of most interest/skill, but are given opportunities to work with and learn new tasks they may not have much experience with as well. We are looking for people interested in roles such as camera op, editor, graphic designer, or animator.
October 2018
Bark in the Dark
Community Partner
Humane Society of West Michigan
Opportunity Type
Event
Event Date
October 6, 2018 from 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Deadline
October 4, 2018
Contact
Megan Ellinger
mellinger@hswestmi.org
616-791-8089
Duties of Volunteer
Various volunteer positions and shift times, ranging from registration to route guides, food station to glow station, and set up to tear down.
ArtPrize Education Assistant
Community Partner
ArtPrize
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
October 7, 2018
Contact
Lauren Froman
volunteer@artprize.org
616-446-4671
Duties of Volunteer
As an Education Assistant, you'll help facilitate fun art-making activities during family and school events as well as in our drop-in space located at Rosa Parks Circle.
ArtPrize Wayfinding
Community Partner
ArtPrize
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
October 7, 2018
Contact
Lauren Froman
volunteer@artprize.org
616-446-4671
Duties of Volunteer
Serve as an ArtPrize ambassador of downtown Grand Rapids. You'll be equipped with maps and resources, and assigned to a specific location in the ArtPrize District where you'll welcome visitors, provide directions, answer questions and promote activities and venues in your area. As a Wayfinder, you must be willing and able to be on your feet for three-hour shifts.
Volunteer CleanUp Event at Greenwood Cemetery
Community Partner
Friends of Greenwood Cemetery
Opportunity Type
Event
Event Date
October 27, 2018 from 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Deadline
October 22, 2018
Contact
Beanca Zwarensteyn
Beancazwarensteyn@gmail.com
616-364-4545
Duties of Volunteer
Volunteers will be divided into two groups. One group will be doing general cleanup and a second group will be straightening small headstone monuments. There will be a brief instruction orientation on site day of event at 9:30 a.m.
YouTube Video Description Writing
Community Partner
National Science Institute
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
October 31, 2018
Contact
Lis Bokt
helpme@thegeekgroup.org
616-466-4335
Duties of Volunteer
We need a volunteer to write up video descriptions for our YouTube channel videos.
November 2018
Volunteers for campaign to end partisan Gerrymandering in Michigan
Community Partner
Voters Not Politicians
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
November 6, 2018
Contact
John Carlson
cyberjohn007@comcast.net
616-550-7217
Duties of Volunteer
Voters Not Politicians (VNP) is a grassroots, nonpartisan organization which is currently circulating petitions to place a constitutional amendment on the 11/6/18 Michigan ballot to end the practice of partisan Gerrymandering. More information is available at votersnotpoliticians.com.
Volunteer opportunities include collecting petition signatures, doing outreach to individuals and organizations, and being part of VNP's education and fundraising efforts.
Volunteers will be needed continuously through November 6, 2018.
December 2018
Free Store Volunteer
Community Partner
In The Image
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
December 1, 2018
Contact
Audrey Fleming
afleming@intheimage.org
616-456-6150
Duties of Volunteer
Customer service for our clients in our Free Store, we serve 5,000 households in Kent County
Stocking the Free store between shopping rounds to ensure each shopping session has the best opportunities
Help sorting donations at our back door to ensure the best quality of items are put on our store floor
Enjoy Helping Others
Community Partner
Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM)
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
December 31, 2018
Contact
Diane K
dianek@fromlowell.org
616-897-8260
Duties of Volunteer
Do you enjoy helping others? Are you passionate about providing assistance? Have people told you that you'd make a great Social Worker or are you studying to become one? Then we need YOU!
Flat River Outreach Ministries provides information and assistance services to those living in the Lowell area school district. We rely on volunteers in all of our programs (and our Thrift Store) and are looking for more people to help in our Connections Department. These people answer the phones, take messages and work with our Social Worker to connect people to community resources.
Checkout Volunteer
Community Partner
Community Food Club of Greater Grand Rapids
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
December 31, 2018
Contact
Kendra Valkema
kendra.valkema@communityfoodclubgr.org
616-288-5550
Duties of Volunteer
Checkout Volunteers use the Food Club's user-friendly computer system to ring up Members' groceries. They assist Members with bagging groceries and and tracking point balances. Checkout volunteers are key to providing a true grocery store shopping experience at the Food Club. Checkout volunteers are not responsible for handling any money.
Sorting and Stocking Help needed
Community Partner
Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM)
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
December 31, 2018
Contact
Diane K
dianek@fromlowell.org
616-897-8260
Duties of Volunteer
Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM) is looking for help in our Treasures Thrift Shop sorting and stocking donations of gently used items for re-sale.
FROM relies on volunteers in all our programs including our Treasures Thrift Shop which provides over 40% of the finances to run our community programs.
Volunteers are needed during weekday afternoons and morning, afternoon and evenings on the weekends.
All volunteers receive a discount in the Thrift Store after volunteering at least 10 hours.
Like to Clean? We Need You!
Community Partner
Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM)
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
December 31, 2018
Contact
Diane K
dianek@fromlowell.org
616-897-8260
Duties of Volunteer
Do you like cleaning? Are you a clean freak? We need you! We are looking for volunteers who enjoy cleaning. The FROM building is huge and can always use volunteers to help keep the building clean.
Variety of shifts available during business hours.
Evening Cashiers
Community Partner
Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM)
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
December 31, 2018
Contact
Diane K
dianek@fromlowell.org
616-897-8260
Duties of Volunteer
Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM) in Lowell is looking cashier in our Treasures Thrift Shop from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
All volunteers receive a discount in the Thrift Shop after 10 hours of service.
Treasures Thrift Shop is a volunteer run thrift store. All proceeds support our mission of helping our Lowell neighbors in need.
Stocking Food Pantry- Monday Afternoons
Community Partner
Flat River Outreach Ministries (FROM)
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
December 31, 2018
Contact
Diane K
dianek@fromlowell.org
616-897-8260
Duties of Volunteer
We are in need of someone who can help stock shelves and pack bags for quarterly food distribution in our Client Choice Food Pantry.
The volunteer would work Monday afternoons between 2:00 and 4:30 p.m.
Our Food Pantry helps families that live within the Lowell School District. Residents can sign up anytime during regular Pantry hours by bringing a current ID and proof of each household member. Individuals are then able to shop in the pantry one time each month to help stretch the budget and supplement household needs. We are also a USDA site for monthly Senior Food Commodities and Quarterly Food Commodities.
All volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation. Contact us for more details and dates/times of upcoming orientations.
All Flat River Outreach Ministries volunteers receive a discount in our Treasures Thrift Shop after 10 hours of service.
January 2019
Life Enrichment and Wellness
Community Partner
Samaritas: Senior Living Services
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
January 1, 2019
Contact
Anna Blanchard
ablan@samaritas.org
616-284-5705
Duties of Volunteer
Social engagement in a senior living community and/or a continuing care community. Some of the opportunities would be: Sharing interests in music or art by assisting or teaching an academy class, working with our activity/wellness department with support of life enriching activities such as exercise and brain fitness or community outings.
August 2019
Hospice Volunteer
Community Partner
Heartland Hospice
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
August 1, 2019
Contact
Linda Titus
linda.titus@hcr-manorcare.com
616-956-0636
Duties of Volunteer
Our volunteers at Heartland help us provide companionship to our patients. Volunteers help enrich the lives of our patients by providing a friendly visit to lift the patient's spirits. The can also help by staying with the patients so family members can get a much needed rest or run errands. Our volunteers make their own hours.