07/20/2017
Winter 2018 Volunteer Opportunities
- Share This Story
IMPACT! Volunteers: Check out these winter volunteer opportunities just for you.
Advocacy
COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE – CASA OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY
Represent the best interests of an abused, neglected, and/or dependent child. You will take part in judicial proceedings, working alongside attorneys and social workers.
Requirements: Interview and background check, thirty (30) hours of volunteer training, twelve (12) hours per month, average length per case is two (2) years.
GUARDIAN - ADULT GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES
Enhance the quality of life for community members who can no longer make major life decisions themselves. Serve as an advocate on their behalf for medical treatment, health benefits, housing, and personal affairs. Make monthly client visits.
Education and Literacy
Requirements: Five (5) hour training program, interview, background check, and three (3) references.
ASSISTANT LITERACY OR SOCCER COACH - AMERICA SCORES
Become an assistant “coach” for this after-school youth development program in our Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). Help kids in grades 1-8 improve their literacy skills. Program runs four (4) days per week over ten (10) weeks. Choose a day and time that fits your schedule.
Requirements: Interview, volunteer orientation, background check. Must commit to one (1) – four (4) hours per week for a ten (10) week afterschool program during the school year.
DOCENT – MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
Volunteer to carry out the mission of The Maltz Museum to build bridges of tolerance and understanding with other religions, cultures and ethnic backgrounds by leading students or adult tours for the museum’s Permanent Collections.
Requirements: Interview, volunteer orientation and training.
CLEVELAND JEWISH ARCHIVES - WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Cleveland Jewish Archives is the community’s local Jewish history resource and is located at the Western Reserve Historical Society. Volunteers will assist in scanning important historical photos and slides.
Requirements: Interview, one (1) hour volunteer orientation
CREATIVE WRITING COACH – LAKE ERIE INK (LEI)
Be a coach for youth at Lake Erie Ink that provides creative expression opportunities and academic support where youth discover their voices and share their ideas and inspire each other. Volunteers help provide academic support and encouragement in the afterschool program and creative writing workshops.
Requirements: Interview, One (1) hour volunteer orientation and background check.
PUBLIC EDUCATION INITIATIVE (PEI) TUTOR - JEWISH FEDERATION
Volunteers are tutors and mentors to students from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) who come from predominately low-income families who are less likely to begin their schooling with basic literacy skills. Tutoring sessions take place at one (1) of eight (8) schools.
Health and Wellness
Requirements: Interview, volunteer orientation, background check. Must commit to one (1) hour per week during the school year.
LEGACY WRITER - HOSPICE OF THE WESTERN RESERVE
Be matched with a hospice patient and capture their legacy using an electronic tool to document important milestones and events throughout their life. This legacy will be stored and told to loved ones, friends and subsequent generations for years to come.
Requirements: Interview, background test, TB Test and sixteen (16) hours of training.
MEDICARE COUNSELOR - OHIO SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION PROGRAM
Learn the Medicare basics– Part A, B, C, D, and Med Sups– in addition to programs that help low income community members by providing resources and guidance to help others in our community. Ideally new volunteers are matched up with veteran volunteers.
Requirements: Twenty-two (22) hour face-to-face training, or ten (10) hour online training, interview, and background check. Note: Volunteers cannot be licensed insurance agents or affiliated with an insurance company/claims filing service/ financial planning service.
PRESCHOOL VISION SCREENER - CLEVELAND SIGHT CENTER
Become certified to provide vision screening for children ages three (3) – five (5) in the morning or afternoon during the school year at preschools in Cleveland.
Mentoring
Requirements: Volunteer orientation plus a three (3) hour training program. Must provide own transportation and commit to three (3) – four (4) hours per month.
BUSINESS MENTOR – SCORE
SCORE is a national organization run by volunteers that provides entrepreneurs with the tools they need to run a successful business. Volunteers assist in the creation of business plans, goals and action items and are a resource for challenges along the way on an on-going basis.
Requirements: Interview and volunteer orientation.
BUSINESS PLAN COACH - YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED (YOU)
Business Plan Coaches provide one-on-one mentoring to E CITY students as they turn class lessons into their own small business concept/venture. Students will subsequently present a finished business plan to a panel of judges for the opportunity to win seed money for their small business venture.
Requirements: Interview and background check.
MOCK INTERVIEW COACH - YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED (YOU)
Meet with students at area high schools to practice interview techniques, discuss job readiness issues, and provide feedback leading to a successful job interview.
Requirements: One (1) hour training program, availability during school hours, two (2) hours per interview session.
RESUME BUILDING COACH - YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED (YOU)
Assist high school students in critical thinking of their work experience, transferrable skills, and how to make their resumes as marketable as possible at the beginning of the school year.
Requirements: Interview and background check, one (1) hour training program, availability during school hours, one (1)-two (2) hours per resume building session.
CONVERSATION PARTNERS - ELS (ENGLISH LANGUAGE SERVICES)
ELS is a premier English language provider for international students for US colleges and universities. The goal of Conversation Partners is to allow students the ability to develop their conversational skills in a relaxed setting, while giving the volunteer the chance to learn more about a different culture and perspective.
Requirements: Attend a one (1) hour volunteer orientation. One or more volunteers may choose to meet with one or two students at a time to provide for more conversation.
MOCK INTERVIEWER - TOWARDS EMPLOYMENT
Empower vulnerable populations achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through employment. Mentor them as they improve interview skills in preparation for the job search process. Hours are flexible based on the volunteer’s schedule.
Poverty
Requirements: Interview and background check, one (1) hour training program, availability during school hours, one (1)-two (2) hours per resume building session.
CHILDCARE VOLUNTEER – PROVIDENCE HOUSE
The Providence House is a crisis nursery committed to child abuse prevention and family preservation in the Cleveland area. Volunteers provide support to childcare staff through direct work with the children and through completion of meal prep, light cleaning tasks and laundry.
Pro Bono
Requirements: Interview, extensive volunteer training, documentation per state licensing requirements. Commit to weekly shift of two (2) or three (3) hours.
ACCOUNTANT//FINANCIAL PLANNER/ REALTOR/ – FORWARD FOCUS PROGRAM OF JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION
Work directly with JFSA clients who are struggling to rebuild their financial lives or family situations. Advise on financial matters, employment opportunities and housing rental options. Most assignments can be complete within one (1) to two (2) visits, two (2) to three (3) times per year.
Requirements: Most assignments would be completed within 1-2 visits, 2-3 times per year. Must complete appropriate paperwork, including three (3) references.
ATTORNEY – LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND
IMPACT! has partnered with the Legal Aid Society to offer three (3) Brief Advice and Referral Clinics per year primarily geared for Jewish community members. These neighborhood clinics take place at a synagogue in Beachwood on Sunday mornings for two (2) hours. The commitment is limited to assisting with advice or direction. CLE (Continuing Legal Education) credit is available. Attorneys will be covered by Legal Aid’s malpractice insurance.
Special Needs
Requirements: Legal Aid Society application, interview, current Ohio license.
AUDIO DESCRIBER – CLEVELAND SIGHT CENTER
Using a headset provided, describe the costumes, actions, and sets in a theatre production, movie, speech or other public venue for those with vision loss. Dates and times vary on an as needed basis.
Requirements: Interview, volunteer orientation, two (2) additional hours of training and background check.
AUTISM ADVOCATE – MILESTONES AUTISM RESOURCES
Milestones’ mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Be an Ambassador at outreach events around Northeast Ohio. Help educate event attendees about the services Milestones has to offer and distribute free valuable information.
Requirements*: Interview and volunteer orientation
*Please note: Milestones does not provide direct services to individuals with autism.
RIDING CLASS SIDEWALKER - FIELDSTONE FARM THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER
Fieldstone Farm offers programs designed by professionals to foster personal growth and individual achievement for people with disabilities.
Requirements: Interview, Two (2) hour volunteer orientation, minimum commitment is 1 ½ hour per week for Twelve (12) weeks
TAX AIDE – AARP
Help low-income elderly community members fill out tax returns that may lead to a tax refund at the Maple Heights Senior Center. This opportunity takes place between December – April.
Requirements: Must be computer literate, take a week-long workshop (in person or online) and test, commit to one (1) or two (2) days a week during prime tax season.
Winter volunteer opportunities that do not require training:
Education and Literacy
INVENTORY/SORT/PACK/DELIVERY - KIDS BOOK BANK
Since February, 2016 the Kids Book Bank has distributed 301,765 amazing children's books through more than 200 partner organizations – and it’s Little Free Libraries. Volunteers are needed to sort, pack and deliver books.
Requirements: Interview, One (1) hour volunteer orientation.
Health and Wellness
EXERCISE COACH/CLIENT LIAISON
Become an exercise coach and assist in One (1) hr. exercise classes, or become a client liaison to manage and direct all aspects of the agency’s introductions and orientations.
Requirements: Interview and orientation. Three (3) hr. time slots available.
SORT/PACK/INVENTORY - MEDWISH
MedWish offers individuals and groups the opportunity to make a difference. Sort and pack up medical supplies to support healthcare providers around the world.
Requirements: Interview and orientation. No advance training required.
Hunger
SORT & PACK/COMMUNITY KITCHEN - GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK
Organize and pack up nonperishable food that is later distributed to local food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. Prepare hot meals in the “Community Kitchen” that are distributed at local agencies for children at-risk for hunger.
Requirements: Submit online application form, no training required.
Poverty
SORT AND PACK - SHOES & CLOTHES FOR KIDS (SC4K)
Shoes and Clothes for Kids provide a unique service for income-eligible families in Greater Cleveland by distributing new shoes, clothing, and items for infants and youth. Help inventory, sort and pack items into boxes for distribution.
Requirements: Submit an online application form followed by an interview.
STOCK SHELVES AND SORT - CLEVELAND CHESED CENTER
The Cleveland Chesed Center ensures that individuals and families in the Jewish community are provided the basic necessities they need, including food, household supplies, furniture and clothing. Help stock shelves and assist with the sorting and organizing of clothing.
Requirements: Interview and volunteer orientation.
