Volunteer Needs From: United Way of Portage County Volunteer Center

Special handcrafted keepsakes made from personal clothing and/or possessions of a hospice patient provided by loved ones.

PORTAGE COUNTY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES HAS CRITICAL NEED FOR FOSTER FAMILIES:
 
Health & Human Services has between 95-100 Portage County children & youth placed in foster homes, more than ever before, due to safety issues in their family.  The need for more residents of Portage County to consider becoming Foster Parents, for local children, has never been higher.  Foster children range in age from newborns to youth approaching age 18.  Currently, the majority of children in foster homes are under age 10.  Homes for sibling groups, of 2 – 4 children, as well as homes for kids within their current school districts are needed.  Individuals and couples interested in more information about the process of becoming Foster Parents are encouraged to contact Danita Docka at Portage County Health & Human Services….(715)-345-5913 or via email at dockad@co.portage.wi.us.

We are looking for someone to assist in developing a logo for our elementary school.

Support the Mission Delivery staff in all aspects of the wish granting experience, with an emphasis on special activities and volunteer programs. Will also include general office duties.

The Portage County Hoarding Task Force works with people age 60 and over to ensure in-home safety and mobility while respecting the individual's self-determination and personal needs. The Hoarding Task Force was founded in 2017 to meet the need for awareness and treatment of hoarding disorder in Portage County. We are an interdisciplinary group of professionals, students, county residents, and volunteers who seek to care for the mental health concerns of older people in our community.

Hoarding is a mental health issue, so it is important that our volunteers be open to learning more about mental health and be respectful and supportive during the recovery process of the people we serve. We can also work around volunteer schedules, so you can tell us what times of the week or month work best for you. If you want to improve mental health and quality of life for elders in our community, feel free to send us an email or give us a call to help with our cleanups!

Purpose: The position of the Day Services Volunteer serves to enhance the ability of Day Services to keep our clients engaged in a variety of activities, supporting the organization’s mission to empower people with disabilities to achieve their work and life goals. The Day Services Volunteer is a representative of ODC and shares our vision and values when serving as a volunteer.

Location: 41 Parks Ridge Dr, Stevens Point, WI 54481

Key Responsibilities:

Responsible to: Rob Waters, Day Services Coordinator

Time Commitment: Flexible, to be determined between volunteer and supervisor

Qualifications:

Support: General training for all volunteers is provided by the Senior Director of Program Services.  Position specific training will be provided by the Day Services Coordinator. In addition, the Senior Director of Program Services will be available for questions and assistance.

Dress Code: Casual

Purpose: The position of the Day Services Music Volunteer serves to enhance the ability of Day Services to keep our clients engaged in a variety of activities such as music, supporting the organization’s mission to empower people with disabilities to achieve their work and life goals. The Day Services Music Volunteer is a representative of ODC and shares our vision and values when serving as a volunteer.

Location: 41 Parks Ridge Dr, Stevens Point, WI 54481

Key Responsibilities:

Responsible to: Rob Waters, Day Services Coordinator

Time Commitment: Flexible, to be determined between volunteer and supervisor

Qualifications:

Support: General training for all volunteers is provided by the Senior Director of Program Services.  Position specific training will be provided by the Days Services Coordinator. In addition, the Senior Director of Program Services will be available for questions and assistance.

Dress Code: Casual

Purpose: The position of the Day Services Pet Therapy Volunteer serves to enhance the ability of Day Services to keep our clients engaged in a variety of activities such as pet therapy, supporting the organization’s mission to empower people with disabilities to achieve their work and life goals. The Day Services Pet Therapy Volunteer is a representative of ODC and shares our vision and values when serving as a volunteer.

Location: 41 Parks Ridge Dr, Stevens Point, WI 54481

Key Responsibilities:

Responsible to: Rob Waters, Day Services Coordinator

Time Commitment: Flexible, to be determined between volunteer and supervisor

Qualifications:

Support: General training for all volunteers is provided by the Senior Director of Program Services.  Position specific training will be provided by the Day Services Coordinator. In addition, the Senior Director of Program Services will be available for questions and assistance.

Dress Code: Casual

Purpose: The position of the Day Services Art Volunteer serves to enhance the ability of Day Services to keep our clients engaged in a variety of activities such as art, supporting the organization’s mission to empower people with disabilities to achieve their work and life goals. The Day Services Art Volunteer is a representative of ODC and shares our vision and values when serving as a volunteer.

Location: 41 Parks Ridge Dr, Stevens Point, WI 54481

Key Responsibilities:

Responsible to: Rob Waters, Day Services Coordinator

Time Commitment: Flexible, to be determined between volunteer and supervisor

Qualifications:

Support: General training for all volunteers is provided by the Senior Director of Program Services.  Position specific training will be provided by the Day Services Coordinator. In addition, they are available for questions and assistance.

Dress Code: Casual

First Choice is seeking volunteer individuals with active LPN or RN licensure to provide pregnancy tests, accurate pregnancy education for women and couples seeking resources, as well as teach classes including labor and delivery, breastfeeding, post-partum health, and an overview of CPR/first aid. Hours of operation are between 10am - 5pm Monday- Thursday. Volunteers will be fully trained as advocates and are asked to provide a minimum of five hours of volunteer services per week. 

Volunteer advocates are the heart and soul of First Choice Pregnancy Resource Center. Advocates are trained to provide resources and educate clients who are in need of services. Advocates provide pregnancy tests, options education, teach HOPE (Hands on Parenting Education) classes, and provide community resources and referrals. Advocates will need to fill out a volunteer application, receive a background check, and be fully trained before providing services. If you are interested in volunteer advocacy, call 715-345-0280 or email Stephanie at stephanie@firstchoiceprc.org.

We need two volunteers to fill the leadership positions at our STEM Scouts Lab at PJ Jacobs Junior High and Amherst Middle School. The volunteers would be responsible for leading 5-15 youth in fun, hands on projects that allow them to explore science, technology, engineering, and math. This is a coed program for kids in grades 6-8. The lab meets once a week for 90 minutes from December-May. The PJ Jacobs Junior High lab meets on Thursdays from 6-7:30 pm and the Amherst Middle School Lab meets from 3:30-5 pm on Tuesdays. At least one volunteer has to be 21 years of age. We provide training, a specific curriculum to follow that is written at the national level of the BSA, and all of the supplies are sent to you in the mail. We will be there to help the leaders through the first meeting. The sponsor of the lab is Wildcard Corporation so the volunteers will have short term assistance from STEM Professionals and opportunities for field trips. We have kids all signed up and a place to meet we just need an enthusiastic leader in order to bring this great program to the kids. Please let me know if you are interested as soon as possible.  

The Family Crisis Center is in need of an individual or a volunteer group to provide a "kid friendly" meal on Monday nights for youth who attend our support groups that are designed to help victims understand domestic violence and facilitate healing.  The Family Crisis Center is currently providing this service to 15 to 20 youth during our Monday night support groups.  We are asking that meals be delivered to the Family Crisis Center around 5:00 pm-5:30 pm.  

If interested in providing a meal for youth who have been affected by violence, please contact the Family Crisis Center's Volunteer Coordinator, Melissa Marcoux, at 715-343-7126 or mmarcoux@capmail.org for more details.  

SAVS (Sexual Assault Victims Services) is a service program that uses staff and trained volunteers to provide accompaniment, information and support to anyone victimized by sexual violence and their families. Volunteers serve as advocates who respond during non-office hours and on weekends. Volunteers are available to be present with victims during medical examinations, police reporting and during judicial proceedings - all depending on the needs and choices of the victim. The calls are occasional yet a trained volunteer who is able to connect with the victim at a critical time is important in our community. The Family Crisis Center receives the calls and makes the connection with the volunteer advocate who returns the call and offers support. Reminding a victim that they are not alone is possible because ...no SAVS provider is ever alone.

Volunteers must be 18 years old, have access to an insured vehicle, commit to one year of service, successfully complete 20 hours of training and attend monthly in-service/support meetings. The ability to maintain confidentiality is a must. Successful candidates are good listeners and able to be non-judgmental and empathetic in supporting individuals victimized by sexual assault.

If you are interested in becoming a SAVS Volunteer Advocate, please complete the application process on the CAP Service, INC. website https://capservices.org/how-to-help/volunteer/

If you have any questions please contact the Family Crisis Center's Volunteer Coordinator, Melissa Marcoux, at 715-343-7126 or mmarcoux@capmail.org for more information.

The new Children’s Engagement Council (CEC)'s purpose is to work with the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Foundation staff to foster and promote efforts to engage the community in support of the Community Services programs serving children and families in Stevens Point and Portage County by making our organization a primary recipient of their time, energy and philanthropy.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

The duties of the Children's Engagement Council members go well beyond attending and participating in quarterly meetings. Your contribution to the success of Children’s begins with leading and supporting philanthropy.

Give and introduce

As a Council member, one of your vital commitments is to give at a meaningful level to you and to identify and support requests from others who are able to give at that same level.

Volunteer
Children’s Hospital Community Services events are critical to both our fundraising and advocacy work and your participation is an important factor in the success. Your presence lends notability and prestige to the occasion, and fosters broad community support for the work of our program
teams.

Engage
Council members are our advocates and our ambassadors. You have the unique potential to inspire and influence on behalf of our community services team and the children and families we serve. Through prospecting, hosting and event participation, CEC members create awareness of
our mission and our challenges and give others a chance to make life-changing contributions. Even a simple note of appreciation or thank you call on our behalf sends ripples across the community, inspiring goodwill that pays dividends.

Please reach out if you would like to learn more about the opportunity!

A recruitment effort has begun to establish a list of individuals who may be interested in becoming a volunteer guardian of person and/or estate.  Volunteer guardians are needed in Portage County for people who have been declared incompetent and cannot make their own health and/or financial decisions.

Wish Granters act as liaisons between wish children and the Make-A-Wish® office. A wish granter meets with the wish child and his or her family to plan their one special wish.

As a Wish Granter you will aid the Mission Delivery staff in meeting with wish families, collecting detailed information about the child's wish and family information, planning the wish presentation day and more. It takes a special volunteer to become a Wish Granter, so training is involved. Additionally, we do screen all applicants for this position.

Being a Wish Granter is a very rewarding and sometimes humbling experience. We are in need of wish granters in your county of Wisconsin. Wish Granters work with the local wish kids in the area they reside. If you are interested in this opportunity or have any questions please email jparulski@wisconsin.wish.org

Our Senior Living Community is looking for individuals who are interested in volunteering hours helping with activities and events at our community.  Are you interested in visiting the community with your pet, sharing a musical talent, reading, playing cards, sharing stories, we encourage you to let us know. Please contact us if you are interested in this rewarding volunteer opportunity. Become a part of our team today!  Contact us at 715-343-7376.

First Choice is looking for male mentors and advocates to provide services to male clients. Volunteer expectations will include completing advocate training and having at least five available hours a week during operating hours. First Choice is also looking for a male to help re-design the "Fatherhood Program and Mentorship Program."

The most important qualification for our volunteers is the ability to communicate and work with a diverse population of clients.  Our program targets both the low income and elderly population.  It also helps to have basic computer skills – nothing fancy.  We will volunteers on the skills they need to prepare simple tax returns and they will work with another volunteer in preparing the returns.  Volunteers need to be able to attend three days of tax training along with some self-study coursework.  Finally, they need to have times open on at least one of the days we prepare the returns – Thursday and Friday at the Lincoln Center and Saturday at the library.

We need volunteers for three training days in January.  The actual tax preparation takes place during the months of Feb, March and half of April on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The prospective volunteer does not need to be at every day or week that we do taxes.

Call Mike at (715) 344-4496 for more information!

Volunteer Board Members make up the Board of Directors for First Choice Pregnancy Resource Center. Board of Directors meet monthly at pre-arranged times to discuss budget and finances, goals, and general organization topics. Interested in becoming a Board Member? Email Cindy at cindy@firstchoiceprc.org. She will then provide you with the Board Membership Application. 

Ministry We Honor Veterans Hospice Volunteer

Ministry Hospice is seeking Veterans that would visit the homes of patients that are Veterans themselves to celebrate and honor their service.  Every Veteran receiving hospice care will receive a lapel pin, a patriotic lap quilt, and a framed certificate of appreciation.

Hospice provides free, extensive training for all volunteers.  Please contact Susan for more information at 715.204.3443 or susan.barrett@ahah.net. 

Position Summary
Attends board meetings and provides input to discussion and decisions.  Promotes and supports Meals on Wheels services and participates in special events and fund raising.

Job Description

Term

Board meets four times  per year (March, June, September, December) at Noon.

Memory bears are beautifully handmade stuffed animals constructed from the personal clothing of patients served by Ministry Home Care-Hospice.   The keepsakes are designed to bring the surviving family members closer to the memory of their loved one.  The Ministry Hospice Memory Bear program is in its seventh year and you can be part of our expansion program to the Stevens Point and Wausau areas! 

If you love to sew and want to be part of a wonderful group of volunteers who support each other in this project, please contact Susan Barrett at 715.204.3443 or susan.barrett@ahah.net.

We do provide training for volunteers involved with Memory Bears. You will become part of the wonderful Ministry Hospice team, yet sew at home when you have time.  Through your efforts, you will help to assist our patients and families on their hospice journey. Funds received from bears directly support those patients that are under-insured or uninsured.

Share the Warmth of Hospice

Help bring comfort and care to those walking their final journey by wrapping them in a hand-made quilt or fleece blanket. This makes a great youth service project!  This is an on-going project for Ministry Hospice, with our highest needs in the fall and winter months.  All ages. 

Susan Barrett – 715.204.3443 or susan.barrett@ahah.net

Ministry Hospice Volunteer

Hold a Hand – Change a Life.  Highly trained volunteers assist with end-of-life needs of Hospice patients and their families.  On-going volunteer opportunities include direct patient interaction, bereavement, office work, fundraising events, and community education. Minimum age: 18

Next training: February 2017

Susan Barrett – 715.204.3443 or susan.barrett@ahah.net

Ministry Hospice Pet Therapy Volunteer

Highly trained volunteers with certified therapy pets provide emotional support and comfort through therapeutic interactions with pets.  For patients living in facilities, pet visitation may be used to enhance positive physical, cognitive, emotional and social interactions, as well as to help normalize the environment and reduce stress.

Prior to handler and pet being accepted as a volunteer team, the handler will participate in and successfully complete the standard volunteer training program. The pet must meet all health requirements, and dogs must be certified through Therapy Dogs International (TDI) or a similar organization using the same criteria for certification. Minimum age: 18

Next training: February 2017

Susan Barrett – 715.204.3443 or susan.barrett@ahah.net

Ministry Hospice Music Volunteer

Play a Song – Change a Life.  Highly trained volunteers assist with end-of-life needs of Hospice patients and their families using their musical talents and abilities.  We encourage anyone interested in bringing joy and comfort, and have the ability to play an instrument and/or sing, to consider becoming a hospice music volunteer!  

All music volunteers are required to participate in and successfully complete the standard volunteer training program.  Our next training: February 2017.

Susan Barrett – 715.204.3443 or susan.barrett@ahah.net

Willow Brooke Point Senior Living is seeking volunteers for our activity department. These activities range from calling bingo and painting nails to playing a simple game of cards with our residents. If there is a talent that is wished to be shared with us, we are always willing to have them.

CAP Early Childhood Development

Our Head Start classes and families do have a few needs:

Examples of allowable donations

Examples of donations that would benefit families

Another on-going need is for gas cards.  We would want to make sure that these can only be used for purchasing gas and ‘not’ other items at the gas station.  We often ask parents to volunteer and come to parent events however often they cannot come due to a "no gas" issue. 

Mary Naylor
Assistant Director CAP Services, Inc.
Early Childhood Development
715-343-7532

SMP volunteers are concerned citizens (often retired professionals) who empower seniors to prevent healthcare fraud through outreach and education. SMP volunteers make presentations to groups and/or distribute materials at community events to educate Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and professionals how to prevent, detect, and report healthcare fraud.

Most volunteers commit between 2-5 hours each month to the SMP program. Generally, volunteer duties fall into one of the following two categories: speaking to Medicare beneficiaries about fraud OR working an SMP table (answering questions about SMP, disseminating brochures about Medicare fraud) at a senior-related health fair. Additionally, some SMP volunteers help write press releases, help with office administration, and assist other SMP volunteers in scheduling their presentations.

All SMP volunteers must complete the SMP Foundations Training before beginning to volunteer with the project. Additionally, supplementary training is available to SMP volunteers on an on-going basis.

Grow Team

Immediate Locations: Victory Gardens, Stevens Point & Maple Ridge Tanglewood Assisted Living Gardens, Plover.

Description: Our “Grow” Team handles the hands-on garden work including, but not limited to beginning & caring for plant starts, planting, harvesting, weeding, watering, and basically maintaining the Giving Gardens beds in Portage County.

Hours: Somewhat flexible, but may require more/non-traditional hours during the planting and harvest seasons

Qualifications/Skills Required:  Members of the “Grow” Team will be expected to be able to participate in moderate physical activity including walking, standing, digging, stooping, bending, sitting, and/or reaching, lifting, pushing and/or pulling of moderate weights up to 75 lbs.