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.
May 2018
Teacher
Community Partner
Comprenew
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
May 31, 2018
Contact
Tyler Sajdak
TSajdak@comprenew.org
616-451-4400
Duties of Volunteer
The duties of this service opportunity are to teach and facilitate a computer training program for low income adults. The commitment would be for 3 hours a week, split between two classes, for 5 weeks. The courses are all online, so all we need the volunteer to do is be there to start the class and answer any questions that may arise from the students. A stipend will be offered to those who teach a set of 10 classes.
June 2018
Friendly Visitor
Community Partner
Spectrum Health at Home - Visiting Nurse Association
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
June 1, 2018
Contact
Sondra Lienesch
sondra.lienesch@spectrumhealth.org
616-486-3956
Duties of Volunteer
Volunteers visit senior clients in their homes who are home bound or isolated from their community due to health issues or lack of resources.
August 2018
Tutoring/Mentoring
Community Partner
Allendale Public Schools
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
August 1, 2018
Contact
Rhonda Wilson
wilsonrho@apsfalcons.net
616-892-5570
Duties of Volunteer
You give me one hour a week and I will pair you with a student in need. I can work with any schedule and we do free criminal background checks. Imagine making a young person's week better with your time. We are close to campus!
Thrift Store Volunteer
Community Partner
Bethany Christian Services
Opportunity Type
On Going
Deadline
August 25, 2018
Contact
Juliana Ludema
jludema@bethany.org
616-254-7777
Duties of Volunteer
At Bethany, we believe every child deserves a loving family that's where they thrive best. As a volunteer at our thrift store, whether you're pricing clothing, setting up displays or interacting with customers, you can know your contribution, however small it seems, will enable the store to run smoothly.
Our store, in turn, enables Bethany to provide quality social services--from adoption to foster care to refugee resettlement--to children and families in the Grand Rapids area. Last year, people like you made it possible for Bethany to resettle 276 refugees in GR and give 644 infants a loving home.
Together, we can equip families to be the answer for children in need.
Each day we are open from 10:00 - 7:00, except on Saturday, when we close at 5:00, and need volunteers at any of those times, particularly Thursdays and Fridays.
We are open to groups of six or fewer and appreciate one-time volunteers or those willing to make a longer-term commitment.
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.