Home Sweet Home film making opportunity!

Home Sweet Home Ministries is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year. We want to produce a video that will consist of interviews with past clients, volunteers, donors, employees, and board members, sharing their experience of Home Sweet Home. We are looking for someone to volunteer time to help us film and produce this video. It will need to be completed by October 2012.

Contact Mary Ann Pullin at mpullin@hshministries.org or 309-828-7356, ext. 216 to learn more about this creative service possibility.

The Immigration Project

"In Bloomington this summer? Volunteer at the Immigration Project!"

Consider volunteering with the Citizenship Team at the Immigration Project!

The Immigration Project is a not-for-profit legal immigration services agency here in Bloomington. We have an urgent need for volunteers for our Citizenship Team. These individuals will be assisting legal permanent residents (those with 'green cards') take the final step to becoming a United States Citizen by helping them with the application process and forms.

We are looking for individuals who can commit to volunteer 8 hours or more per month through the summer. Volunteers need to be computer literate and available during normal business hours. After that - we are very flexible! Fluency in Spanish or French is a plus but not a must!  Visit our website and contact us at 829-8703.

JUNE OPPORTUNITIES

Become a PATH Hotline Volunteer

Adult volunteers are needed to answer phones on the 24- hour hotline. Volunteering your time on the hotline offers a rewarding experience and a great opportunity to give back to your community.  A complete training program and professional back-up is provided. Our training program teaches you everything you need to know, including communication techniques and community resources. The next 8-week training class begins June 14th. If interested, the volunteer application is available on-line at www.pathcrisis.org. Classroom training meets on Thursdays from 6 to 9 pm. Questions? Call Jared at 834-0541.

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Summer Camp

MDA Summer Camp is truly an amazing experience where we focus on abilities not disabilities. It is a week where everyone's different, nobody's perfect, and they are all capable of doing what all of the other kids are doing, which is not usually the case in their day-to-day lives. This is a unique experience for people to work first hand with kids with neuromuscular disease and help care for them for the week. In some forms of muscular dystrophy only males are affected. We have more male campers who attend camp and in turn need more male volunteers than female. We are always looking for responsible men in the community that are willing to donate their time to help others. The program is held at Timber Pointe in Hudson, IL, a few miles outside of B-N.

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES

After School Club

Western Avenue Community Center's After School Club provides a safe and sound program for approximately 30 to 35 elementary school age children. The program meets: Monday through Thursday from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. during the school year. Volunteers needed to assist with homework, reading, computer lab, gym and playground times, games and parties. Children love that special one-on-one attention.

All youth volunteers are required to complete orientation and pass a background check.

The Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal

The Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal has many different volunteer opportunities for IWU individuals and groups.  These include:

• Power Hour - come and help our members with homework
• Facilitate a program - we currently need volunteers to help with our 4-H Club, Torch Club, SMART Girls, Teen Club, Boys & Girls Book Club, guitar class, & our Choir.
• Just come and play - our Games Room is always open for our members. Come and play a game with a child!

There is a weekly Volunteer Orientation that must be attended before one can start volunteering.

Note:  To be able to volunteer here, everyone needs to complete a background check through DCFS. Once approved, volunteers may come whenever their schedule allows them to come.

Children's Home + Aid

Scott Early Learning Center

The Scott Early Learning Center serves children 6 weeks to 5 years, providing child-centered and family-focused programming with low child to staff ratios. It uses Creative Curriculum®  to enhance the physical, emotional, and cognitive growth of children through play and hands-on experiences. Social skills, self-control, and emotional development are just as important as reading and math readiness in successfully preparing each child for school. Monthly field trips reaffirm topics covered in the classrooms.

The center strives to keep parents involved through “family nights” and ongoing communication between classroom staff and parents.

Food Pantry Volunteers Needed

Food Pantry operating hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to unload food items, stock shelves, prepare grocery orders, and client sign in registration.  Organizational and individual non-perishable food donations are much needed and appreciated. Must complete orientation and background check.

Website: http://www.westernavenuecc.org

Hispanic Outreach Volunteer Opportunities

Bilingual fluent in Spanish/English volunteers are needed in our Hispanic Outreach Department at Western Avenue Community Center. Volunteers will assist Hispanic families with interpretation, translation, and other needs. Volunteers will need to complete an interview, orientation, and background check.

Website: http://www.westernavenuecc.org

Junior Achievement

JA has programs for kids K – 12 grade to help them learn how to manage money. JA does this by teaching financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship skills using interactive materials. We use community volunteers to teach the programs to the kids and equip the volunteers with everything they need to do so – it all comes in a kit. In just 5-7 sessions of 30 – 45 minutes each, a volunteer can teach an entire JA program to a class of students!

Top 10 Benefits for IWU Students Leading the Junior Achievement Classroom Experience!

1. IWU can leverage JA to promote team-building among the student population and within student organizations.
2. Volunteer time commitment is only 5 to 7 sessions of less than one hour each – that’s less than 7 hours for the entire school year!
3. The hours are flexible – volunteers work with the teacher for a time that works with their schedule.
4. Volunteers can strengthen the application of their classroom knowledge (e.g. business, finance and education majors) while experiencing something not a part of their normal routine.
5. Those leading a JA class will become more knowledgeable about educational issues.
6. Develop, grow and inspire future workforce and business leaders; foster more educated consumers.
7. Give back to the community; create meaningful relationships within the educational and business community as well as personal relationships.
8. Volunteers experience the contentment of acting on their values and beliefs.
9. Those who lead a Junior Achievement class strengthen their public speaking and presentation skills.
10. Capitalize on public relations and brand awareness for IWU. This could include passing out novelty items to the students and ultimately shared with the parents.

To learn more about Volunteering in the Classroom, click here. Students can attend a no obligation Info Session facilitated by a JA staff member. Those attending the 45 minute session and would like to volunteer will leave confident on the JA-provided materials, as well as the age group they choose..

Lawrence Irvin Neighborhood Center Basketball Program

Basketball leagues and open gym provide opportunities for life skills teaching, and personal support to help participants stay in school and achieve personal goals. Volunteer Opportunities include: Tutoring and coaching grade school through high school youth.  All volunteers are required to complete an Application and Background Check.

Website: http://www.westernavenuecc.org

Recycling Furniture for Families

RFF provides clean, gently used furniture and household items to hundreds of families per year across Bloomington-Normal. Volunteer individually or as a group on a regular or one-time basis.  Opportunities include office and warehouse work, cleaning and delivery. 

ReStore — Habitat for Humanity’s Discount Home Center

Individual and group volunteers are needed for all different kinds of work, on a regular and/or one-time basis.  Volunteer opportunities include:  Driver, Loader, Cashier, Processor, or the “role you invent”!  This is a great way for RSOs, dorm groups, and Sororities and Fraternities to volunteer as groups in our community.   

Senior Citizen Program

The Senior Program currently has over 100 active participants. Volunteers are welcome to help with special events, seasonal parties, dance lessons, monthly bingo, decorations, kitchen help, cooking, and clean up. Entertainment such as bands, and musicians are a nice attraction to evening events. All volunteers must complete orientation and background check. Website: http://www.westernavenuecc.org

Smart Sprouts After School Mentoring Program

The Smart Sprouts program (part of YWCA-Mclean County) provides volunteers an opportunity to work with elementary students one-on-one and in small group settings during the after school hours of 3:30 – 5:00pm. Volunteers are able to participate as little as an hour a week, or as many as 5 hours per week, based upon your schedule. The Smart Sprouts program is held at 19 different schools (including schools close to IWU’s campus) throughout the Bloomington-Normal area. On-site coordinators also provide you any assistance you may need, and professional curriculum guides have been created to help you with your mentoring experience as well.

Note:  Volunteers must attend a mandatory mentoring training annually. All volunteers must also complete a physical, get a TB skin test and complete a fingerprinted background check to satisfy DCFS regulations.

STAR Adult Literacy Program

The STAR Adult Literacy Program is in need of volunteers to tutor adults who are learning to read or who are learning English as a second language.  Volunteers are needed for tutoring in morning, afternoon, and evening classes.  Tutors are expected to volunteer at least one 2 ½ - 3 hour class session each week in a classroom under the supervision of a certified teacher. 

SEPTEMBER OPPORTUNITIES

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Bloomington/ Normal will host its second Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday, September 8th, 2012 at State Farm Corporate South. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available to help with this event such as:
- Monitoring the race course and giving directions to walkers/ runners
- Passing out and organizing food for racers
- Setting up and tearing down equipment for the event
- Handing out freebies and information to racers

We need all types of talented people and will work with your availability. Every minute you spend helping gives another minute of hope to those affected by breast cancer.  Follow the link above to learn more about how to sign up as a volunteer.