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Manchester

NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: CATCH Healthy Habits!

Obesity rates for children have tripled in the last 30 years, and double for adults 50+, putting the health of our communities at risk.

Through CATCH Healthy Habits, you can be part of the solution! CATCH brings children and adults age 50+ together to learn good eating and physical activity habits for a lifetime.

We have lots of ways you can help combat obesity in your community:

  • Work with children in grades K to 5 to lead fun, active games, share healthy snacks and learn about good food choices. Sessions meet weekly for an hour and training is provided.
  • Support the team on site or behind the scenes. Prepare snacks, transport game equipment or provide office support. Watch the kids in action and collect data to measure results.

TRANSPORTATION VOLUNTEERS:

  • The CareGivers: Need people to join a caring team to provide transportation to and from medical appointments or for shopping trips. Volunteer time would be approximately three hours per week
  • The American Cancer Society: The Road to Recovery program is looking for drivers to drive cancer patients to and from their treatment and back. Treatments can last anywhere from 15 min to 3 hours at treatment centers in Manchester, Hooksett, Derry, Lebanon and Boston. Drivers use their own cars can pick the areas they wish to drive for. A DMV check is required plus a one hour orientation.
  • The New Hampshire Association for the Blind: Looking for volunteer drivers to take clients to appointments, grocery shopping, or family functions. Most destinations will be within the geographic area of the client. Criminal Background, and DMV check required,
  • Veterans Administration Medical Center: drivers needed to take patients in government vehicles to appointments.  Valid drivers license and proof of insurance needed.  Must be in good physical condition. Required training is provided.
  • Meals on Wheels: Bring food and friendship to your homebound neighbors. In just one afternoon a week (10:30am-12:30pm) you can make a REAL difference! Opportunities available across Hillsborough County. Training is provided.

LITERACY AND EDUCATION VOLUNTEERS:

  • Families in Transition: Families In Transition is looking for volunteers in their youth programs. Preschool: Looking for a classroom aide to work with children 3yrs to 5yrs. The position is flexible. The hours for preschool are M-F 9:30pm-2:00pm and you can choose a day(s) and time(s) that fit your schedule. Afterschool: M-F 3:15pm-5:15pm. Help with homework and then with the afternoon’s activity. Once again very flexible.
  • The Boys and Girls Club of Manchester: Looking for readers for their K-2 students. The position is available Monday-Friday during afterschool hours. (3:00pm-6:00pm) You can choose the day and time you wish to volunteer.
  • Head Start Program: Looking for volunteers to read to children from 3-6 years old in their classrooms (once a week, bi-weekly, monthly) – flexible days and times. Also someone to play an instrument and sing with the children (3-5 year olds) for a 30 minute time frame. Once a week, every other week, or once a month. Days and times flexible.
  • Manchester City Library: Learn to Read program. One-on-one pairing to teach an adult to read. Part of ProLiteracy America Programs. Orientation and 16 hour training required (2 Sat in a row, 8:30-4:30) 6 mo to 1 yr commitment required. Tutoring done at Manchester City Library and also West Side Community Library.
  • English for New Americans: tutors needed for one on one and classroom support. Day time and evening hours available.

HUNGER AND NUTRITION VOLUNTEERS:

  • New Horizons for New Hampshire: the New Horizon’s Soup Kitchen needs volunteers to help prepare and serve the 200+ meals that are served daily. Their opportunities are:
    • Soup Kitchen Meal Preparation: Help prepare dinner for Soup Kitchen guests.  Any hours between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. are appreciated.  Dinner is not just soup.  A full meal with salad and dessert is served daily.
    • Soup Kitchen Meal Serving:  Teams or groups of people are needed to serve dinner each evening.  This is a great way for coworkers to get together and do something to help our community.  A senior meal is served at 3:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.  The main meal is 4:30 p.m. daily. The volunteer commitment is serving dinner followed by helping to clean the kitchen and yes, dishes.
    • Food Pantry Food Sorting: A great number of items are donated to New Horizons on a daily basis.  Volunteers are needed to sort, put away and put together bags of food for distribution to the families and individuals who rely upon the Food Pantry.  Various hours during the week are available.
    • Food Pantry Food Distribution: The Food Pantry distributes food on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. as well as on Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Volunteer responsibilities are to help distribute food items to clients, helping them get items to their cars, and helping to clean up when pantry distribution is over.
  • NH Food Bank: Volunteers need to sort and pack food for distribution. Also looking for individuals and/or organizations to host food drives.
  • Salvation Army: Kids Café Volunteers are needed to serve warm evening meals to children four nights a week. Year round program
  • Girls, Inc.: Café Lauren in Manchester, our evening dinner program is looking for: Attendance monitors, dining room monitors, dairy queen/king (ice cream server),servers, dishwasher, prep and back-up person
  • Meals on Wheels: Help make a difference in the lives of your neighbors! St. Joseph Community Services is looking for volunteers to help serve meals at our community dining locations in Hillsborough County.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS:

  • More Than Wheels – Volunteer Intake Assistant. More Than Wheels  is a non profit organization that helps people attain financial stability and reliable transportation. By joining us you can get experience with intake and administrative duties or use the experience you already have while contributing to an organization that helps people gain financial stability. Volunteers will answer phones and direct calls; make calls confirming client appointments; send letters to clients to keep them informed of their status. The volunteer commitment is 6 hours per week. A working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Google Calendar and ability to communicate effectively is desired.
  • SNHS Workplace Success Program – Filing Clerk: Maintain accurate files for classroom and Work Experience program file cabinets. Sort Orientation folders according to guidelines such as content, purpose, user criteria. File in alphabetical, chronological, or numerical order for program and clients. Close out files making sure all documents are in their proper section. Clean out files and make certain all material has been filed correctly. Occasional pulling of files for site supervisors and facilitator. 4 hour per week time commitment.
  • Families in Transition: Needs a receptionist to answer a multi-line phone   system and handle customer service calls for the thrift store. Hours would be 12-5 and days available are Monday through Thursday. Training will be provided.
  • Granite State Ambassadors: Meet and greet visitors to New Hampshire at    the airport and locations in Hillsborough County and at special events. Requires 4 hours of training through 7 modules. Specialized training as well. To keep GSA status, must continue to be an active ambassador.
  • Manchester City Hall Info Booth: Welcome visitors to City Hall and direct them to departments and meetings. Flexible shifts Monday-Fridays during City Hall hours.
  • Palace Theater: Ushers needed. One time orientation required. Initially paired up with veteran usher. Commitment of 3 performances in a three to four month period. Dress requirement: black & white.
  • Income Tax Preparation Help: AARP is in need of tax aides from January to April for approximately 4 hours per week, any day other than Sunday. Training provided.
  • Child Advocate: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Needs volunteers to work with social workers, attorneys, and families to be advocates in court for abused/neglected children. Great flexibility in schedule required. Fair amount of driving involved (to & from visits with children, court, etc.). Thorough screening of volunteer done, 40 hour pre-service training, long-term commitment (typically 24 months per case).
  • Thrift Store: Family Outfitters of Families in Transition is always looking for people to sort and put away donations at their Second Street shop. Flexible hours M-F. Some lifting and hanging of clothes required.
  • Maintenance and Home Repairs: The FixIt Program needs volunteers needed to do minor home repairs including carpentry, plumbing, and general handyman jobs. Flexible hours M-F. Must have trade experience.
  • The Elliot Hospital: The Hospital and The Elliot at River’s Edge have a wide variety of needs. Volunteer services include mail room, crafts, clerical, information desk, gift shop, lunch cart, patient support, patient transport, departments such as radiology, urology, on call services, etc.
  • Upreach Therapeutic Riding Center: Sidewalker – Directly interact and participates with the student, providing various support (physical, emotional, reinforcing directions), and assisting with skills as needed throughout the session. Sidewalkers are responsible for walking/jogging beside the student to insure safety. A minimum commitment of one hour per week is required for the six-week term. Sidewalkers must attend a volunteer training before participating in a session. (Hours available are Monday-Thursday 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM) Leader – Responsible for walking/jogging with and guiding the horse during the session, assisting the participant as needed for safety. The amount of support given varies, depending on the student’s skill level and goals. A minimum commitment of one hour per week is required for the six-week term. Leaders must attend a volunteer training before participating in a session and are encouraged to attend a horse handling clinic. (Hours available are Monday-Thursday 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM)
  • Easter Seals Programs: Individual program volunteers who assist in such programs as our Alzheimer’s Day Program or our Child Development Center, or who help out in our administrative offices.
  • Knitters: Put your time and talent to those less fortunate. Knitters are needed to make hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, afghans, and chemo hats which will be given to the needy at schools, soup kitchens, shelters, hospitals, and nursing homes. Stay in the comfort of your own home and knit. Drop the finished products off at our office or we will gladly pick them up from you. We usually have a supply of yarn to give out as well.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:

  • Medicare Counseling: Service Link is in need of SHIP (State Health Ins Assistance Program) counselors for one-on-one counseling and community outreach for people on Medicare who are interested in Medigap, Medicare Savings Plan, and Medicare Part D. 3 day training required.
  • Crisis Line Advocate: YWCA Crisis Service: volunteer for the 24-hour crisis line. 38 hour volunteer training required, plus attends four volunteer support group meetings per year and commit to one year of volunteer service. Must be open-minded, non-judgmental, and able to work with diverse populations, and possess sensitivity and understanding to the issues of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking.
  • Thresholds and Decisions: Taught at the Hillsborough County Dept of Corrections ~ 12 week critical thinking and decision making program for soon-to-be-released inmates. 5 hour training required.
  • Nursing Homes: Nursing homes have a need for friendly visitors, help with crafts and games, taking residents outside in good weather, assisting the staff in taking residents in a van for field trips. (Contact the RSVP office for a listing of local nursing homes).
  • Hospice Support: Local hospice agencies are looking for caring individuals to provide companionship to their nursing home patients. This is a rewarding one-on-one experience and only 1 – 2 hours per week is required. Training provided. Hospice agencies include Beacon Hospice and Palliative Care, SolAmor Hospice, and Visiting Nurses Association
  • Friendly Visitors: Nursing homes need friendly visitors for 1-on-1 in rooms or at activities. Flexible days and hours. (Contact the RSVP office for a list of local nursing homes).
  • Seniors Count/Neighbors Care One-on-one friendly visits to frail, isolated seniors in their own home. Light housekeeping, errands, and friendship. Flexible days and hours.
  • NH Association for the Blind is looking for people to visit clients who are visually impaired or blind. Provide social interaction, read mail, a magazine or newspaper article, take a walk, and help with some organizing. Help write cards and letters, or play modified board games and cards.
  • The American Red Cross: The American Red Cross has regionalized their offices to Concord, but they are still looking for good volunteers to serve in many capacities. The Concord/North Office Area services the counties of Merrimack, Belknap, Carroll, Coos, parts of northern Hillsborough and greater Manchester is seeking to expand its volunteer workforce. Become trained in disaster relief, emergency services, blood services or help out in their administrative offices.Be part of the solution and reach out to those in need in your own community.

ANIMAL SERVICE VOLUNTEERS:

  • Upreach Therapeutic Riding Center: Barn Help – Assist in the barn with the daily care of our horses. Tasks include feeding, turning out, cleaning stalls, and other miscellaneous barn tasks. (mornings, 7 days a week) Experience with horses desired, but will train the right person.
  • Friends of the Manchester Animal Shelter: Needs help with cage cleaning, laundry, and kitchen help. Dog walkers and cat socializers wanted as well.  Volunteers needed to go to the Pet Smart store to give out information about the shelter and answer questions on Adoption Days. You must be 18 years old to volunteer at the shelter! Orientation required
  • Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire: Morning cat cage cleaners: All mornings from 9-11am. WEEKENDS ARE A HUGE NEED! Pet Smart Concord and Nashua locations are in need of cat caretakers.  Mornings or evenings. Morning Dog Kennel Cleaners Monday through Friday 8:30am. Small Animal Cleaners- Any mornings in Bedford NH Greeters- Excellent social skills needed to greet, answer phones, and work with the general public. Off-site events such as adoption days at Petco or PetSmart, information booths at fairs, or other events. Shelter Closers- 2 hours before close most nights of the week. Orientation required.

MISCELLEANEOUS OPPORTUNITIES:

  • On-Call Volunteers: RSVP on call volunteers are notified when there is a special event, mailing, or other community need. These positions usually last for 1-2 days and require anywhere from 2-5 hours per day. Some examples of these opportunities are: Mailings: The Moore Center, The Manchester Community Music School, and Southern New Hampshire Services Fuel Assistance. One Time Events: The Manchester Marathon, Daffodil Days, Walk for Hunger, Alzheimer’s Walk, Seniors Count Symposium, disaster drills. Packet assembly: Manchester Public Schools dental packets and kits, Daffodil Day Kits.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lyn Collins, Program Coordinator

RSVP Manchester Office
1915 Front Street, Box 111
Manchester, NH 03102
Tel: 603-634-1169
E-mail: lcollins@snhs.org