Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Volunteer Opportunity
Few things are as gratifying and worthwhile as channeling your energy into a good cause. Finding the right opportunity that’s in alignment with the causes you care deeply about and that matches your time availability can require some research. Luckily, there are local organizations that specialize in this area and are aware of current volunteer opportunities.
Where to Begin
RSVP hosts frequent information sessions throughout the tri-county area that highlight important community needs to expose those interested in volunteering to a variety of opportunities. At these sessions, staff from RSVP present the various programs, the commitments and requirements involved, locations of sites, training and clearances. “After the presentations, attendees ask about the programs or opportunities they have an interest in” said Jacqui Baxter Rollins, RSVP’s Director of Programs. “Then we can focus on the individual and whether the role is a good fit for them.”
What Motivates You?
Before attending a session, you may want to consider what’s appealing to you and whether there’s a specific cause that’s important to you. Do you prefer working in a group, individually or even remotely? Do you like working at a desk or outdoors? Do you want to apply your skills or try something completely new? The goal is to find the right opportunity for you. One that you will commit to and incorporate into your life and one that gives back to you as much as you will give with your time.
RSVP’s Community Links program partners with nearly 200 local nonprofit agencies who are searching for dedicated volunteers to help serve the public. Agencies and activities include food pantries, Meals-on-Wheels, thrift shops, social services agencies, museums and historic sites, veteran support, mentoring, income tax preparation for low-income residents, senior centers, domestic violence hotlines and more.
Local Agencies and the Volunteer Experience
The Open Link located in Pennsburg provides a variety of services for community residents. They are committed to food and nutrition through Meals on Wheels, a community food pantry and community lunches as well as providing adult education, transportation to medical appointments, employment and financial counseling and health and wellness programs.
RSVP volunteer Wes O’Brien has been helping at the Open Link for five years. A retired computer systems analyst, Wes was looking for a tutoring role after retirement and started with their HSE program. Wes relayed “I started out tutoring students in math and now I attend two times each week to help students study for the certification test. About three years ago I attended a graduation ceremony. It was very rewarding seeing the joy on their faces. There were some people in their 60s who finally had the time to pursue their goal of getting their high school diploma.”
Kelly Chandler, Communications Manager at the Open Link said “Volunteers like Wes are a vital part of what we do. Wes in particular helps with both Meals on Wheels and tutoring HSE students. With his computer background and desire to serve others, he’s a huge asset to us! We’d love to have a hundred more like him.”
The Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli runs a food closet that is open four times per month as well as providing holiday meal baskets. Charlene Fitzwater, the Food Closet Director said “We serve between 50 and 60 households who pick up food each week for over 270 individuals in their households. While they wait their turn, we provide refreshments and a friendly environment.” RSVP volunteer Jane McGowan runs the produce team, she said “We receive fresh produce from the Chester County Food Bank as well as donations from several local corporations like SaintGobain, QVC and Bryn Mawr Rehab who have gardens on their properties. Food insecurity has always been one of my causes and I’m happy that I can make a small difference to local families.”
Senior Community Services runs Chester Senior Center, Friendship Circle in Darby, Good Neighbor in Sharon Hill and Schoolhouse Center in Folsom. Through the activities and programs available at these centers, SCS provides meaningful living for older adults through services and programs in the home and community. One of the key programs helping seniors is Aging at Home. Residents who are 60+ and reside in Greater Lansdowne or Ridley can pay a $35 annual membership fee to have access to rides to medical or other appointments, grocery shopping, handyman services and contractor referrals. Corporate groups take on yard clean-up and garden prepping for seniors no longer able to do the work themselves.
Christine Helmandollar, Aging at Home Program Manager said “Volunteers are key factors to help seniors remain in their homes. Without volunteers, our programs and services wouldn’t exist. Volunteers are the key to community living. We currently have 350 Aging at Home members and are always searching for volunteers to help staff this program or others at our centers.
The Aging at Home program will be holding a training session on September 26. For information contact SCS at 484-496-2149.
“There are so many meaningful and valued ways to volunteer,” said Karen Strauss, RSVP’s Community Links program coordinator. “We can place a volunteer right in their own community in a position that suits their availability and schedule. There are so many local nonprofit organizations looking for a volunteer who can dedicate a few hours here and there and make a lasting impact on their neighbors. The Community Links program alone has 297 volunteers who donated 46,000+ hours last year.”
RSVP volunteers also mentor at-risk youth, help adults improve their literacy skills and veterans to advance their education, drive homebound seniors to medical appointments, read to Head Start preschoolers, tutor elementary school students, tutor high school students in math via an online program, present their STEM careers to disadvantaged students as well as many other opportunities. To learn more visit www.rsvpmc.org or contact Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer123@rsvpmc.org or 610834-1040, x.123.