Needs From: United Way of Portage County

Connect Your Neighbors With Local Volunteering Options – Right from Home!

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Community Compass is a crowdsourced platform that connects volunteers with their community and each other. We’re building a national directory of nonprofit organizations, mutual aid and grassroots networks, service clubs, and more. Because volunteer groups come in all shapes and sizes, our Community Pages include smaller, less formal organizations alongside established nonprofits.

We’re looking for enthusiastic contributors (like you!) to help us update and enrich Community Pages and Organization Pages on Community Compass. With some research and your curiosity, you can help your neighbors quickly find nearby nonprofits, mutual aid groups, service clubs and more – making it simpler than ever for everyone to make a local impact.

Community Compass contributors have already helped us identify over 3,600 ways to volunteer in more than 380 communities in the US!

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Be a Contributor: Conduct quick, simple online research to identify active service clubs, mutual aid groups, and upcoming volunteer events in your community.

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Growth opportunities: Volunteers can explore deeper involvement through our Ambassador program.

Ready to help your community thrive? Join us today and make volunteering easier for everyone.

We provide Hospice Services to Residents at home and in facilities, throughout Portage, Summit, Stark, and Medina Counties. Our volunteers have opportunities to serve in many capacities: - Administrative Volunteers assist with administrative needs in our office, including filing, photocopying, assembling information packets, assistance with mailings, making phone calls, etc. - Direct Care Volunteers visit our patients in their homes or in nursing facilities, providing companionship, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families. They may provide respite care, and may also make “tuck-In calls” to our patients on a regular basis, particularly prior to weekends or holidays, to ensure that they have adequate supplies, in an effort to avoid any emergencies. - Bereavement Volunteers are advised by the Bereavement Coordinator and serve as an additional support to the bereavement program, which provides services to grieving families and caregivers during the 13-month period following the death of the hospice patient. Support by the volunteer may include assistance with administrative tasks (such as standard mailings), assistance with a Bereavement Support Group and/or assistance with the Annual Memorial Service. These volunteers must undergo some additional training.

We provide Hospice Services to Residents at home and in facilities, throughout Portage, Summit, Stark, and Medina Counties. Our volunteers have opportunities to serve in many capacities: - Administrative Volunteers assist with administrative needs in our office, including filing, photocopying, assembling information packets, assistance with mailings, making phone calls, etc. - Direct Care Volunteers visit our patients in their homes or in nursing facilities, providing companionship, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families. They may provide respite care, and may also make “tuck-In calls” to our patients on a regular basis, particularly prior to weekends or holidays, to ensure that they have adequate supplies, in an effort to avoid any emergencies. - Bereavement Volunteers are advised by the Bereavement Coordinator and serve as an additional support to the bereavement program, which provides services to grieving families and caregivers during the 13-month period following the death of the hospice patient. Support by the volunteer may include assistance with administrative tasks (such as standard mailings), assistance with a Bereavement Support Group and/or assistance with the Annual Memorial Service. These volunteers must undergo some additional training.

We provide Hospice Services to Residents at home and in facilities, throughout Portage, Summit, Stark, and Medina Counties. Our volunteers have opportunities to serve in many capacities: - Administrative Volunteers assist with administrative needs in our office, including filing, photocopying, assembling information packets, assistance with mailings, making phone calls, etc. - Direct Care Volunteers visit our patients in their homes or in nursing facilities, providing companionship, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families. They may provide respite care, and may also make “tuck-In calls” to our patients on a regular basis, particularly prior to weekends or holidays, to ensure that they have adequate supplies, in an effort to avoid any emergencies. - Bereavement Volunteers are advised by the Bereavement Coordinator and serve as an additional support to the bereavement program, which provides services to grieving families and caregivers during the 13-month period following the death of the hospice patient. Support by the volunteer may include assistance with administrative tasks (such as standard mailings), assistance with a Bereavement Support Group and/or assistance with the Annual Memorial Service. These volunteers must undergo some additional training.

We provide Hospice Services to Residents at home and in facilities, throughout Portage, Summit, Stark, and Medina Counties. Our volunteers have opportunities to serve in many capacities: - Administrative Volunteers assist with administrative needs in our office, including filing, photocopying, assembling information packets, assistance with mailings, making phone calls, etc. - Direct Care Volunteers visit our patients in their homes or in nursing facilities, providing companionship, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families. They may provide respite care, and may also make “tuck-In calls” to our patients on a regular basis, particularly prior to weekends or holidays, to ensure that they have adequate supplies, in an effort to avoid any emergencies. - Bereavement Volunteers are advised by the Bereavement Coordinator and serve as an additional support to the bereavement program, which provides services to grieving families and caregivers during the 13-month period following the death of the hospice patient. Support by the volunteer may include assistance with administrative tasks (such as standard mailings), assistance with a Bereavement Support Group and/or assistance with the Annual Memorial Service. These volunteers must undergo some additional training.

We provide Hospice Services to Residents at home and in facilities, throughout Portage, Summit, Stark, and Medina Counties. Our volunteers have opportunities to serve in many capacities: - Administrative Volunteers assist with administrative needs in our office, including filing, photocopying, assembling information packets, assistance with mailings, making phone calls, etc. - Direct Care Volunteers visit our patients in their homes or in nursing facilities, providing companionship, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families. They may provide respite care, and may also make “tuck-In calls” to our patients on a regular basis, particularly prior to weekends or holidays, to ensure that they have adequate supplies, in an effort to avoid any emergencies. - Bereavement Volunteers are advised by the Bereavement Coordinator and serve as an additional support to the bereavement program, which provides services to grieving families and caregivers during the 13-month period following the death of the hospice patient. Support by the volunteer may include assistance with administrative tasks (such as standard mailings), assistance with a Bereavement Support Group and/or assistance with the Annual Memorial Service. These volunteers must undergo some additional training.

We provide Hospice Services to Residents at home and in facilities, throughout Portage, Summit, Stark, and Medina Counties. Our volunteers have opportunities to serve in many capacities: - Administrative Volunteers assist with administrative needs in our office, including filing, photocopying, assembling information packets, assistance with mailings, making phone calls, etc. - Direct Care Volunteers visit our patients in their homes or in nursing facilities, providing companionship, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families. They may provide respite care, and may also make “tuck-In calls” to our patients on a regular basis, particularly prior to weekends or holidays, to ensure that they have adequate supplies, in an effort to avoid any emergencies. - Bereavement Volunteers are advised by the Bereavement Coordinator and serve as an additional support to the bereavement program, which provides services to grieving families and caregivers during the 13-month period following the death of the hospice patient. Support by the volunteer may include assistance with administrative tasks (such as standard mailings), assistance with a Bereavement Support Group and/or assistance with the Annual Memorial Service. These volunteers must undergo some additional training.

We provide Hospice Services to Residents at home and in facilities, throughout Portage, Summit, Stark, and Medina Counties. Our volunteers have opportunities to serve in many capacities: - Administrative Volunteers assist with administrative needs in our office, including filing, photocopying, assembling information packets, assistance with mailings, making phone calls, etc. - Direct Care Volunteers visit our patients in their homes or in nursing facilities, providing companionship, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families. They may provide respite care, and may also make “tuck-In calls” to our patients on a regular basis, particularly prior to weekends or holidays, to ensure that they have adequate supplies, in an effort to avoid any emergencies. - Bereavement Volunteers are advised by the Bereavement Coordinator and serve as an additional support to the bereavement program, which provides services to grieving families and caregivers during the 13-month period following the death of the hospice patient. Support by the volunteer may include assistance with administrative tasks (such as standard mailings), assistance with a Bereavement Support Group and/or assistance with the Annual Memorial Service. These volunteers must undergo some additional training.

Tasks include answering phones, preparing documents, helping with mailings, and other miscellaneous tasks as needed. No prior office experience is needed and we will train.

We are looking for extra office help from:

     9-1pm on Monday

     9-1pm and 1-4pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

We need people willing to commit to a 4- or 5-hour shift to monitor our guests while they are in the building. Monitors will answer the office phone, distribute bed linens, make coffee, run the dishwasher, light cleaning as needed, open tote rooms for guests to obtain their personal items, and other miscellaneous tasks. Depending on the shift hours, bed linens may also need to be laundered.

Our monitors are people willing to help the less fortunate in non-judgmental ways. We provide professional social services when requested so you do not need to be a counselor or professional social worker in order to volunteer. We do train and we are flexible with scheduling.

These are our current shifts that need additional people:

     4:00pm-9:00pm     Tuesdays

     4:00pm-9:00pm     Fridays

     4:00pm-9:00pm     Saturdays

     4:00pm-9:00pm     Sundays

     5:00am-9:00am      Monday, Wednesday, Friday

We can also use people who cannot commit to a regular schedule but would be willing to fill in when someone cannot fill in on their regular shift due to illness or vacation time. 

Let us know which day works into your schedule, and we can set up a tour at your earliest convenience!

We are searching for volunteers who are willing to deep clean our facility in the kitchen, dorms, bathrooms, common areas and the laundry room.

Single volunteers or groups are welcomed. We are looking for volunteers to do a 1-to-1.5-hour shift between the hours of:

     9am-3pm on Monday - Friday

Times are flexible based on your schedule. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you are interested!

ig Brothers Big Sisters is seeking volunteers to help prep and paint our Program Manager’s office. This office serves as a central space where we host staff, meet with board members, welcome supporters, and hold site visits with funders. It is also a place where we connect with the youth and families we serve. Creating a clean, updated, and calming environment helps us make a strong and positive first impression.

What this project will do for Big Brothers Big Sisters: A freshly painted office will create a welcoming, professional space for everyone who walks through our doors. It shows pride in our work and respect for the youth, families, and community partners we serve. This simple update will also boost staff morale by creating an environment that feels cared for, positive, and ready for meaningful connection.

Project details: Volunteers will assist with prepping and painting one office space.

We are looking for volunteers who would like to commit a few hours weekly to help out at the United Way office with various clerical needs.

Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio is always looking for passionate, caring, volunteers to support our programs in Portage County. We are always looking for individuals interested in taking on a coaching role at a local school. Your time and energy can make a meaningful difference in the lives of local girls!

Volunteering with Girls on the Run is a chance to help inspire confidence, build connection, and create a space where every girl feels seen, valued, and strong. *No running experience is required* - just a commitment to showing up with encouragement, positivity, and an open heart.

Interested in learning more or ready to get involved? Reach out to Abigail Minnick at abigail.minnick@girlsontherun.org. You can also visit www.gotrneo.org to explore current volunteer opportunities and see which sites are actively seeking coaches.

Join us in creating a joyful, supportive, community where every girl can thrive.

County Clothing needs volunteers on Tuesday evenings (5pm-7pm). We are looking for individuals to assist with:

Time: 5:00–7:00 PM

We are looking for compassionate, caring individuals 55 and older to serve as Foster Grandparents in structured settings such as schools, libraries, day cares, etc.

Foster Grandparents provide mentorship to at risk children through activities such as reading, fine motor activities, small groups, and more.  

Eligible Foster Grandparents may receive a small, non-taxable stipend that does not affect other benefits such as SNAP benefits, subsidized housing, social security, etc.  Foster Grandparents also enjoy mileage or public transportation reimbursement, paid holidays, 40 hours of benefit time every three months, paid training, and more.  

Volunteers needed for the first Wednesday of each month for the Red Shield Food Pantry.  Located in the parking lot at 800 E Summit St Kent, OH 44242 (Corner of E. Summit St. & Horning Rd.).

Please review and sign up for dates (see below).

We are in need of a volunteer who can dedicate their time scanning client files into the computer. This volunteer will need to have confidentiality training and sign an agreement as to protect our clients confidentiality. 

Tending UW Table

We partner with Kent State University staff and students who volunteer to create and assemble literacy kits that are distributed to local Kindergarten and Pre-K students.  Click HERE to learn more about this program and see past Literacy Kits

Kent Distribution - 1st Wednesday of each month from 9am - 10:30 am.  Location:  1972 East Summit St., Kent, 44240, across from the Kent Christian Life Center.

The Salvation Army's Red Sheild Food Pantry has a monthly distribution location in Windham where they are in great need of volunteers for each of the dates listed below.  Volunteers must be able to lift boxes of food and place in vehicles.

Windham Distribution - 4th Tuesday of each month 9:00am - 10:30 am.  Location: 9005 Wilverne Dr., Windham, OH 44288

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, evidence-based, 8-week educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. Family is something different for everyone; and we at NAMI Portage want to recognize that. We want to embrace different definitions of family. NAMI-trained volunteer leaders who have lived experience as family members of a person with a mental illness teach about mental health diagnoses/symptoms, current therapies/treatments, communication strategies, coping skills, and self-care.

We are looking for someone with lived experience as a family member/caregiver of someone living with a mental health condition to teach our Family-to-Family course.

Peer-to-Peer is an eight-session educational program for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves, their diagnosis, and their recovery. NAMI-trained volunteer leaders with lived experience provide a safe, confidential space where participants learn about setting goals, mental health treatment options, how to strengthen personal relationships and partner with healthcare providers, and stress management/self-care.

We are looking for a peer, living with a mental health condition, to teach our 8-week course. 

CONNECTION support groups are peer led support groups open to all adults that have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. These support groups are 90-minutes; and are led by NAMI-trained individuals. These groups are a safe space to share one’s coping strategies, learn from each other’s experiences, and offer acceptance and understanding.

We are looking for an individual with lived experience as someone living with a mental health condition to facilitate a support group for fellow peers.

Family support groups are volunteer led groups for family members and loved ones of someone that has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Family is something different for everyone; and we at NAMI Portage want to recognize that. We want to embrace different definitions of family. Each group is 90-minutes; and led by NAMI-trained volunteers. These groups are a safe place to share one’s coping strategies, learn from each other’s experiences, and offer acceptance and understanding.

We are looking for volunteers with lived experience as a family member and/or caregiver of someone living with a mental health condition to facilitate a support group for other family members/caregivers.

United Way is in need of a volunteer that is available to come in a couple hours a week to help out with some Administrative/Clerical duties.  If you have a few extra hours a week and would like to give back to your community, this is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.  For questions email me at maureeng@uwportage.org or just sign up and I will contact you to schedule a time that works for you.

1.  Respond to this need if you are a Board Member and/or Committee Member

2.  Add Hours under this need for all board/committee meetings you attend along with any UWPC events that you attend as a board/committee member.

For questions, please email maureeng@uwportage.org

Would you like to help promote the love of reading?  Volunteer to build the next Big Red Bookshelf and help bring the love of reading to children in Portage County.  Click HERE for a complete set of building plans and material list.  NOTE: the paint should be Sherwin Williams Real Red #SW6868.

A community-based match meets in the community. Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekends, and others get together with their Littles on weekday evenings. Each match is unique and develops a schedule that works for them. Community-based mentoring relationships involve one-on-one outings and activities, doing things the Big and Little enjoy together, like taking a walk in the park, going to museums, going to an event hosted by the local BBBS affiliate, listening to music, hanging out, and talking. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters staff member interviews, screen, and trains volunteers.

A Site-Based Plus match meets at a designated site and in the community. Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekends, and others get together with their Littles on weekday evenings. Each match is unique and develops a schedule that works for them. Site-Based Plus mentoring relationships involve one-on-one outings and activities, doing things the Big and Little enjoy together, like taking a walk in the park, going to museums, attending an event hosted by the local BBBS affiliate, listening to music, hanging out, and talking. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters staff member interviews, screen, and trains volunteers.

Volunteers will meet their Little at the King Kennedy Community Center to participate in activities that a Youth Outreach Worker facilitates. Volunteers also have the opportunity to spend additional time with their Little going out in the community. 

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.  CASA volunteers are highly trained community advocates who are appointed by the court to cases of child abuse and neglect.  As officers of the court they act as the eyes and ears of the court.  CASA volunteers meet with the children assigned to their case and independently gather information from others who are involved in the child's life.  The CASA volunteer then reports back to the court about the status of the case and makes recommendations regarding the best interest of the child.  

A CASA volunteer meets with the child a minimum of once per month.  You help identify and locate resources in the community to meet the child's needs.  You attend all court hearings and other meetings about the case and the children and are the voice of the child in court.  All CASA volunteers maintain a professional level of confidentiality.   

The volunteer position includes the following:

- Greeting clients to the food pantry
- Checking identification
- Checking eligibility and information in Pantry Tracker database
- Basic Data entry in Pantry Tracker database
- Distribution of Food boxes

- Also assists in filling food boxes with available product
- Sometimes checking in donations and food orders as well

Pantry operates weekly, Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30am to 3:30pm
Confidentiality and ability to work well with other staff, volunteers and clients is required.

From time to time we are in need of volunteers to help deliver Literacy Kits to local Portage County Schools, Big Red Bookshelves and/or Big Red Bookshelf books to locations within Portage County.  To learn about our Literacy Kit program, click HERE

The dimensions of the bookshelves are 40” H x 36” W x 12” D.  Each bookshelf will be delivered with 3-4 boxes of books.  To learn about our Big Red Bookshelf program, click HERE

Coordinate your efforts with your co-workers, family, neighbors or community groups to conduct a book drive. Donated books will be used to create new bookshelves and re-stock existing locations. 

The Big Red Bookshelf project places bright red bookshelves, stocked with new or gently-used books appropriate for children ages birth - 3rd grade, in the community where families with young children visit. These books have been donated by community members. Children are invited to take a book home to keep and share!

As we receive gently used and new donated children's books for our Big Red Bookshelf program these books need to be sorted by reading level and packed in boxes for distribution to keep the bookshelves located throughout Portage County full.  This is done in the United Way office in Ravenna.

Fill food boxes and hand them out to families in need at both locations Ravenna and Windham 

The Center of Hope is in need of pantry office volunteer to answer the phones and schedule appointments. The schedule for pantry office volunteers is Monday: 9am - 12pm and/or Monday - Friday: 1pm - 3pm. 

We are looking for candidates who would like to volunteer with the Portage Senior Center. Training will be provided. The volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to: 

Person need to up keep bathrooms and floors including sweeping, mopping, & Vacuuming.  

Help pack boxes of food, collect pertinent information, and place food into client vehicles.