Off Campus Volunteer Opportunities

Program:

Program Description:

September 28th and October 12th 

Vinegar Flats Community Farm is a project of St. Margaret’s Shelter, a program of Catholic Charities of Spokane. Fostering personal, community and ecological well-being through the Inland Northwest, the Vinegar Flats Community Farm transforms our local food system by cultivating food justice. They are dedicated to making produce available to members of our community living on a low income. They are looking for as many volunteers as possible to help out on September 28^th, 10:00am-12:00pm and Saturday October 12^th from 10:00am-12:00pm. Volunteers would be working in the garden harvesting, weeding, transplanting, and doing other projects as necessary. Vinegar Flats also needs volunteers on weekday mornings from April-October from 9:30am-1:00pm. Students who are interested should contact Katie Snyder at vinegarflats.volunteer@gmail.com.

There are approximately 1,400 children in Spokane County who are charged with minor criminal offenses each year. The Neighborhood Accountability Board or Diversion Program provides an alternative to the formal court system for first and second-time offenders, and insures that children are held accountable for their actions. They are in need of volunteers to work in teems of two, to meet with children and their parents after reading the police report, to determine a fair disposition for offenses like shoplifting, possession of alcohol and malicious mischief. Volunteers must be 21 years of age, have good communication skills, the ability to be an objective team member, and be willing to make a much-needed investment in their community. The next training will be October 21, 2013. Please contact Susan Cairy at (509)477-2469. 

Tenants Union of Washington State is an organization in Spokane who’s mission is to create housing justice through empowerment, outreach, leadership development, organizing and advocacy. The TU embraces the values of equality, hope, tenant leadership, dignity, direct action, civic courage, racial and economic justice and self-determination in our work. The TU is in need of one to three student-intern organizers to establish and maintain the TU, as well as provide support to on-going campaigns to preserve the Section 8 project based housing for very low-income individuals and families. Students who are interested should contact Terri Anderson at (509)464-7620 or terria@tenantsunion.org

The Arc of Spokane is an organization that works to promote independence and choice and enhance the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc is in need of up to 15 volunteers any time between Monday - Friday 8:30 to 4:00pm who are caring, patient individuals who would like to engage with The Arc’s members. They are in need of students to volunteer in many different areas. Including computer literacy volunteers to assist members in their Center for Digital Literacy. Volunteers to assist in different recreational activities, either in the community center or out in the community. Volunteer drivers to assist in community engagement outings one or two days a week, with current drivers license and car insurance. This is a truly rewarding opportunity and the members that come to The Arc truly enjoy the interaction that comes from the staff and volunteers. Students who are interested should contact Cinda Martin at (509) 789-8788 or cmartin@arc-spokane.org. 

Hub Sports Center

Hub Sports Center is looking for two to four volunteers Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-6 PM.  Hub Sports center works to thread together the faith, business, sports, education, and government communities to promote a safe environment, life skills, and secure future. To bring together ordinary people with diverse backgrounds empowered by God, working to provide a positive impact on youth and the community. They are looking for volunteers to work with their afterschool program for middle school students where we have study time, PE time and enrichments. Volunteers would be under the direction of the program manager. They will help with homework, play games and keep the program running smoothly. Students who are interested should contact Phil Camplin at (509) 927-0602 or phil@hubsportscenter.org. 

Spokane Public Schools is seeking to increase participation in extracurricular activities relating to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The goal is to increase interest in long-term education and employment opportunities in STEM fields, especially for groups who are underrepresented in STEM disciplines. The Spokane Public Schools are looking for volunteers to help with mentoring students ranging from Kindergarten to High School in afterschool activities including robotics teams, programming club, and science club. The time commitment for this volunteer opportunity will likely be one to two hours per week but varies depending on school placement. If you are interested in helping please contact Caleb Ellefson at (509) 521-1086 or CalebE@spokaneschools.org. 

The March of Dimes is an Organization that works to help improve the health of all babies, by preventing premature birth, birth defects, and infant mortality. The Spokane office is in need of one volunteer to help with office support duties including tying databases, helping with mailings, as well as creating documents. The hours for volunteering are varied, and all work can be done from a home computer. For more information on this volunteer opportunity please contact Darah Heinemann at (509)3281920 or dheinemann@marchofdimes.com.

The Center for Justice is in need of 4 volunteers. The Center for Justice is a legal advocacy organization that works for social and environmental justice. If you are interested in working in a law firm that changes people's lives every day please send your resume to Danette Lanet at dlanet@cforjustice.org for an interview. Volunteers must be able to commit to 20 hours of work each week in the summer and at least 10 hours each week during the year. Work hours are flexible! For more information please visit their website at cforjustice.org or contact Danette Lanet at (509) 835-5211. 

Pine Meadow Farm Center is looking for 1-15 volunteers to help with manual labor as well as organizational work at their 32-acre teaching farm located very near the cities of Spokane and Cheney. Volunteers interested in farmwork would help plant a variety of herb and vegetable seed, prepare beds, plant crops, do construction projects, fencing jobs, equipment maintenance, etc Volunteers can also take home produce from the farm! If you are more interested in office volunteering there is plenty of work for that as well! If you are interested in volunteering at Pine Meadow Farm Center please contact Chrys Ostrander at (509)217-2687 or zone1@pinemeadowfarm.org

Spokane Country Regional Animal Protection Services (SCRAPS) is looking for up to 25 volunteers to help with different tasks around the facility. SCRAPS is an organization that works to build a more humane community, protect public safety and ensure animal welfare through compassionate, responsive, and professional enforcement of laws and public policy. Tasks that the volunteers would be involve in is dog and/or cat socialization; marketing and fundraising; customer service; special events; educational outreach; adoption counseling; help setting up a small retail operation. If you are interested, please check website (www.spokanecounty.org/scraps) for dates of volunteer orientations. For questions and further information please contact Francine Moniz at fmoniz@spokanecounty.org or 509-477-2769.

Volunteers are needing for a variety of activities supporting families and poor in eastern Washington. This includes one-on-one coaching in cooking, cleaning and hygiene, children's activities such as reading, crafts, and big brother/sister, tutoring, and teaching basic computer skills and other life skills.  Interested students should contact Lynnetta Lewis at 509-324-9161 or llewis@ccspokane.org .

Looking for an executive assistant to help with the many details. Interested students should contact Jon Louis at 509-290-0002 or jlouis@treeofsharing.org .

Volunteers are needed for the Spokane Public Market.  Market hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM and Sunday from 11:00AM to 5:00PM.  Students who are interested should contact Becky Cresswell at 509-464-0987 or beckyscresswell@gmail.com .

Volunteers needed Monday through Friday 2:30-7 pm to help out with program areas. Volunteers can find out more at the orientation meetings held every first and third Wednesday of the month. Interested students should contact Gabrielle Ward at 509-536-8152 or gward@bgcspokanecounty.org .

Volunteers are needed to participate in the organization's program, "Community Friends," that matches people in the Spokane community with persons isolated because of symptoms of mental illness. This includes meeting with individuals 3-4 times per month for social contact.  A computer literate volunteer is also needed to assist individuals with re-booting computers, loading software, and trouble-shooting.  Students who are interest should contact Marian Beaumier at 509-483-0428 or marianfletcherbeaumier@hotmail.com .

Volunteers are needed to assist a Gonzaga grad teaching 5th grad in inner-city Chicago. Over Skype, Volunteers would converse with the students and answering questions about what it's like being a college student and listening to the students describe their lives and growing up in Chicago.  The time commitment would be no more than 3 hours per month. Interested students should contact Linsey Rose Robinson at 312-857-4311 or lrrobinson3@cps.edu . 

Volunteers may work in the retail or processing/production areas of the facility. Individuals will handle a variety of donated goods, pricing, taggin and/or on the sales floor stocking. Also, may assist in cleaning out dressing rooms and restocking clothing racks and other items. Volunteers are needed Sundays through Saturdays 9 AM to 9 PM. Interested students should contact Diana Smith at 509-838-4246 5442 or dianas@giin.org .

Volunteers are needed to help identify needs of families taking part in a 3-6 month residential drug and alcohol treatment program designed for mothers and their children.  This includes, but is not limited to, meeting with mothers to determine aftercare planning needs and connecting them with housing, mental health care, transportation and material support; creating a database of resources; and developing a comprehensive resource guide. Interested students should contact Mary DuCHene at 509-624-1244, ex. 227 or marydnhcc@gmail.com .

Volunteers Drivers provide a daily check on the well-being of our meal recipients, helping to obtain timely assistance in the case of a medical emergency. Many times, our volunteer is the only human contact the client has on a daily basis. 250 volunteers donate their time, gas, and compassion. We also operate 14 senior lunch programs where seniors who are not homebound can come together and share a nutritious meal and socialization. Contact Holly Chilinski at 509-924-6976 or HollyC@valleymow.com .

AVID is a 4 year curricular college prep class designed to help prepare students who are typically the minority in 4 year colleges for success in college. Volunteers will facilitate study groups of 5-7 students who are working on critical thinking questions for any of their classes in attempts to better understand their courses. Service is needed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:10-9:10 a.m. Contact Mary Hansen at 509-228-5286 or mhansen@cvsd.org.

Learn and understand the importance of knowing about past experiences and life stories of the residents, volunteer in enrichment programming or work on Meaningful Moments. For more information contact Colleen Messling at 509-590-6336 or cmessling@comcast.net.

SNAP works to connect and provide access to resources which create opportunities for low income people. Volunteers are needed to help with weekly food deliveries every Tuesday every Tuesday at 9:00 am(unloading the truck and organizing food). For those willing to make a more consistent commitment, volunteers are also needed to distribute food to neighborhood residents during operating hours. Shifts occur on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 am-11:00 am and  and on Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm. For more information contact Cara Kowalski at 509-487-1114 est. 236 or kowalski@snapwa.org . 

Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest

MAPS (Mentoring After-school Program for Success) connects caring role models with youth who face risks. Volunteer in a fun and safe environment for youth and mentors while building friendships. Participate on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 3:00-4:00 with students from Holmes and Roosevelt Elementary schools. Contact Joy Jones at 509-344-0169 or at joyj@giin.org.

Junior Achievement educates students K-12th grade in financial literacy. From 9:00am - 2:30pm on Monday-Friday teach Junior Achievement curriculum in the classroom. All curriculum materials are provided by JA. Training takes approximately 1.5 hours. Training can occur at GU. Volunteers can team-teach or teach solo. There are 5 lessons, taking approx. 45 minutes. For more information contact Melissa McNabb at melissa@jaspokane.org or at 509-624-7114.

Senior Action Network of Eastern Washington consists Spokane County and surrounding area businesses dedicated to enhancing the lives of seniors through business development and services. SAN members meet monthly for educational speakers, networking opportunities and senior community service. SAN may potentially sponsor events such as Annual Caregiver's Recognition Dinner, Yard Clean-up, Education Events and more.  SAN is in need of several volunteers to help create/maintain a website. If you are interested contact mendy.neff@familyhomecare.org or at 509-294-5248.

SAN is a new organization with the purpose of enhancing the lives of senior citizens and to volunteer goods, services or labor toward a senior related charitable cause. SAN is in search of law students to help apply for non profit status 501c3. For more information contact Mendy Neff at 509-209-1466 or mendy.neff@familyhomecare.org.

There is an ongoing need for volunteers at KYRS. Positions range from assisting with local news production to event set up and administrative/office support. Please help us continue our efforts to bring Spokane an alternative perspective to mainstream media and radio. Contact us at volunteercoordinator@kyrs.org or 509-209-2428 if you have any talents or skills that may benefit KYRS in fulfilling its mission.

Opportunities to volunteer in the southern region of Honduras are available! The Central American Relief Efforts organize alternative break trips (spring/winter/summer breaks) for college students looking to help in the form of humanitarian aid. Trips include light construction/painting at schools and medical clinics; and medical missions performing eye screening, dental hygiene and medical care to the poorest rural communities.  If you are interested look at www.carelief.org. Contact Marc at Mentzerms1@gmail.com or 717-341-5551 for more information.

Hope for a New Tomorrow provides volunteer mentors to support participants in work release facilities as they transition into the community. A 3 hour  initial training, a monthly on-going training to assist you and your mentee, and a background check is required. This is a year long commitment to help provide guidance and be an influence for someone.  For more information contact Anna Gonzales at 509-344-0161 or HNT@giin.org.

Become a Story Time volunteer for schools in Spokane, Spokane Valley & surrounding areas. Volunteers choose a weekly, bimonthly or monthly schedule for a full school year. Three hour training and background check required. Contact Shana Faulkner at 206-461-0123 or sfaulkner@pageahead.org.

Team members are needed for faith formation programs with children, youth, and adults. Creative talents (music, dance, drama) and recreational experience welcome! Most activities take place on campus, learn ministry skills and grow in faith. Program times vary depending on day (Sundays, Wednesdays, etc). To find more information contact Sr. Marianne Therese SNJM at 509-313-7006 or smtwilk@juno.com.

 The Women's Opportunity Center aims to assist women in increasing confidence in finding and keeping work. Services include providing basis computer classes, financial education, personal development opportunities, resume, cover letter and interview preparation assistance. Volunteers are needed for 1-8 hour shifts between 9:00am-5:00pm Monday-Thursday to sort donations, assist at Our Sister's Closet, a boutique of free second-hand treasures, staffing the 12 station computer lab, and various others tasks. For more information contact Kari Sulenes at 509-789-9307 or karis@ywcaspokane.org.

Swinging Monkeys Child Care is in need of teacher assistants. Volunteers will create an age appropriate curriculum and teach the lessons. Coordinator is willing to pay for all necessary certificates or classes needed to be a teacher's assistant. Volunteer hours are flexible, occurring Monday-Friday 6:30am to 5:30pm. If you are interested contact Alysia Kaufman at 509-474-0794 or alysiakitty@yahoo.com.

The SPEAR program is a day camp for kids ages 4-18 years old. Each day, they do different fun activities with the kids such as picnics in the park, swimming, face painting, and much more. They meet with the kids on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesdays from 9am-1pm. They are looking for volunteers who want to have fun and make a positive impact on these kids. It really is an incredible opportunity, and if you are interested, please contact Sheryl Kruger at kruger5919@comcast.net or 509-768-3717. They are located on the corner of Magnolia and Pacific (so very close to Gonzaga's campus).