I met with the Foundation for Enhancing Communities last Friday and, well – that’s probably not the route I’ll be going with this.
The Foundation for Enhancing Communities requires that potential programs go through a little vetting process to ensure their cause is worthy, and that part I’m not particularly worried about. However, they also ask for around $700+ to start up and more than that per year to keep the program going.
This is starting out small, so to me, that’s a little ridiculous.
What’s the game plan now? I’ll probably just get Volunteers of Central PA going on my own without outside help (though I will likely fish around for an unofficial sponsor or two). Keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks. Should be fun. :)
For a long while, I’ve been interested in forming an organization with a mission to both promote volunteerism in Central Pennsylvania as well as connect other organizations with willing volunteers. I decided on a name a few weeks ago: Volunteers of Central Pennsylvania. Sure, it isn’t the most creative name in the world, but it gets the message across.
The logo is a work in progress.
On the volunteer side of things, I’ve been working to build a volunteer database from the ground up. I’ve started by contacting local churches – I believe that to be a pretty receptive audience to this type of thing. As you can imagine, there are a LOT of churches in the area. I haven’t even made it out of Harrisburg yet. Those I’ve heard back from have expressed a lot of interest and have asked to be kept up to speed. I’ve also been in touch with a few nonprofit organizations in the area. They also see this as something that could be beneficial to them in terms of helping them connect with volunteers who are behind their causes. As I contact more groups and organizations, I can only see the support getting stronger.
On the back end, I’ve been debating with myself just how I want this thing to run. I’ve considered putting together a board, incorporating as a nonprofit – the whole shebang. I’ve also considered having Volunteers of Central PA run as a sponsored program under another nonprofit. I truly believe that this can fill a gaping need, but until I know that this bird has wings, that is the route I’m exploring. I’m meeting with The Foundation for Enhancing Communities on Friday, April 3 to explore that option with them.
That is where everything stands at the moment. I’ve had a lot of help so far, particularly from my mother (Loysville Youth Development Center) and my grandmother (Hospice of Central Pennsylvania) who have either pulled some strings to get me in contact with some people or have helped me out on the knowledge side of things. If you’re interested in helping in any way, shape or form, I definitely will not turn you down. You can get in touch with me via email (shawnfarner AT gmail DOT com) or by phone (717-503-9358).
Thanks for stopping by! More news on the way, for sure.
“Hello! I’m looking for places to volunteer my time! I’m semi-new to the area, and I was very active in my community where I used to live. I don’t know much about this area yet, so I don’t know where to start looking! Any information would be helpful =)” Email comm-hfwzb-1075616581@craigslist.org. [source]
To be included on the roundup, email shawnfarner[at]gmail[dot]com.
“HI I am a Millersville student and my public relations class is doing a campaign on Celebrate Life Christian Church on Oregon Pike just past the Sheetz off of RT 30. If you could help me out by visiting and filling out my short questionairre I would very much appreciate it. This Sat evening at 6 or Sunday at 9:30 are the services. Thank you!” Email: comm-rtcwm-1069431847@craigslist.org [source]
To be included on the roundup, email shawnfarner[at]gmail[dot]com.
“Are you active in your community? Show off what makes it special to our international students and make friendships from across the world that can last a lifetime. Forte International host summer camps for middle and high school students from China across the country. We need camp coordinators in the Harrisburg area to help us:
- Find host families for students to stay with for 2 weeks
- Organize group activities for the students
- Ensure students have transportation
Coordinators receive a $300 stipend for each student they have at the camps. If you host the maximum of 60 students, you could make up to $18,000. More importantly, you will give our students and yourself a once in a lifetime chance to make lasting global friendships.
For more information contact Claudia at 1-888-893-6783 or email claudia@forteintl.com” [source]
To be included on the service roundup, email shawnfarner[at]gmail[dot]com.
“Salem Orphanage Home was founded in 1992 by Pastor John. It is based in Kisumu which is the third largest city in Kenya. Kisumu has a population of approximately 300,000 and is located on Lake Victoria almost on the Ugandan border. In Kisumu, there are many orphans who, without help, would have no future. Salem Orphanage is a home to about 130 orphans who lost their parents (usually to AIDS) and street children from the slums. There are primarily boys, due to the “preference” for girls as household labor help, and the difficulty for boys to stay at home if their mother marries someone other than their father. At Salem they are loved and cared for well, but the need is still so great.Volunteer work: Volunteers’ major duties include:
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of the Home to ensure efficient performance of the organization operation
• Cooking for the children, washing the children’s clothes and counseling
• Teaching the children sports, drama and theatre
• Farming and making “jikos” (cooking pots)
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday. The number of hours will be decided by the Home management.
Special requirements: The Orphanage requires volunteers with counseling and teaching skills; preferably teachers in Math, English or Science and teachers for early childhood education and nursery schooling. However, we have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the Orphanage. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.
Language: English
Duration of the project: The program will run for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 6 months. The program is running throughout the year.
Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.
“Tri-County Association for the Blind is looking for volunteers to help transport some of our local senior citizens, who are blind or visually impaired, to and from doctor appointments. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact Stephanie Hastings at (717) 238-2531 for additional information.” [source]
“About Boot Camps With A Purpose
SPONSORED BY ELITE PERSONAL TRAINING
Boot Camps With a Purpose is an Incorporated non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising money for worthy charities and causes.
What does a Boot Camp With A Purpose workout Include? Weight Training Running and Walking, Circuit Training, Core Conditioning, Ab Training, Kickboxing, Calisthenics, Plyometrics, and more…
Who attends these Boot Camps? – Everyone. Take it at your own pace. Every age, fitness level, size and shape. Most camps have multiple volunteer trainers to give you individual attention.
I am hosting for the Central Pennsyvania area on behalf of the Childrens Miracle Network. I am in need of volunteers to train and volunteers who would like to assist in promotioning. The camp will be 6 weeks long, 1 hour for every Saturday. Our main focus is conditioning and endurance training. I am looking for experienced coaches, atheletes, trainers to assist me in giving our participants a good, beneficial work out! Please check out both websites for Boot Camps with a Purpose and for the Childrens Miracle Network below.
“Volunteer Fire Fighters Needed, and there are also non firefighting duties that need taken care of also. GO TO www.swatarafire.com for application.” [source]
“Spay Neuter Assistance Program is looking for Public Relations help to promote the importance of spaying and neutering as well as what our organization does. ” Email comm-8hwp7-1062246591@craigslist.org. [source]
Volunteer opportunities needed:
“I am trying to change careers and would be willing to work for free in order to learn some accounting/bookkeeeping skills. Working on a business degree. Lancaster city area preferred. Serious inquiries only.” Email comm-pt37b-1062759403@craigslist.org. [source]
To be included on the service roundup, email shawnfarner[at]gmail[dot]com.
Lancaster Helpline, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, is seeking out new volunteers. From the post: “Volunteers will be trained Monday and Thursday evenings beginning April 6, 2009 and ending May 14, 2009. After completion of traning you will have the skills necessary to help callers who use our Helpline as a support when they are facing various problems ranging from loss of job, health concerns, family issues, suicide prevention, etc. We need volunteers that are able to commit to just 8 hours a month on the phones. This is a vital service for Lancaster and is a rewarding volunteer experience. Please call 509-7711 or email contactlancastertraining@yahoo.com for more information.”
To be included on the service roundup, email shawnfarner[at]gmail[dot]com.
Just one today, straight off the minimalist miracle that is craigslist:
Help yourself – and others — make sense of Medicare
Medicare is often complicated – but you can help make it easier to understand for yourself, your family, your faith congregation – and the York community.
Applications are now being accepted from people who want to become trained APPRISE volunteers, helping others enroll in Medicare, find the best plans and sort out coverage issues.
The APPRISE program, run by the county’s Agency on Aging, is partnering with the Staying Connected (www.stayingconnectedyork.org) program to seek more volunteers, particularly from the area’s faith communities . Congregation members may be able to do counseling at their houses of worship, as well as at other sites.
Volunteers can be of any age but should be willing to learn, patient, good listeners, and like working with others. They need to be able to devote at least eight hours a month to APPRISE. Basic computer skills are suggested, but not required.
After training, you’ll come away not only able to help your family and friends, but more confident in your own Medicare choices – now or in the future.
To learn more, come to a free coffee and bagels chat with APPRISE staff and volunteers:
• from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 2935 Kingston Road, this Saturday, March 7.
• from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2009, at the York County Council of Churches, 595 W. Market St., York.
To sign up call 843-5011 and ask for Deena If you or someone you know is having Medicare issues, APPRISE counselors can be reached at 771-9008.
For information on volunteering with Staying Connected, which uses volunteers to provide transportation, errand-running, friendly visiting or other services for seniors, call 843-5011.
To be included on the service roundup, email shawnfarner[at]gmail[dot]com.
It appears that Life Unchained, the organization that was looking to start a Lancaster chapter, has found someone interested in taking the helm. The group is now looking for new members interested in volunteering, participating in fundraisers and socializing. If you’d like to learn more, email Tiffany at Tnickers@sovereignbank.com.
This one comes straight out of craigslist – “I am going in April to a poorer province of Thailand for a year to volunteer as a teacher of English to secondary school students. I am working through a non-profit group to do this. Although I am volunteering my time and service, over five thousands of dollars in fees are required. The fees will go toward field support, placement, insurance, training, and so on. This is legit: when you help lighten my financial load a bit by donating, the money will go directly to a 501c(3) organization on my behalf. Thus, your donation will be a tax-deductible contribution, notwithstandig your particular tax situation. Every dollar helps! E-mail me if you’d like to help me and the Thai children, and I will send details on how to make your contribution. Thank you.” To help April out, email her at metaqanda@yahoo.com.
If you’d like to be included on the Service Roundup, email shawnfarner[at]gmail[dot]com.
