The Volunteer Center matches individuals who want to serve or give back to their community with the opportunities to do just that.

Our office is in contact with a number of community based non-profits, social service agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, environmental programs, museums, tutoring programs, community centers, libraries, and special projects to help those in need.

These programs give use brief job descriptions indicating the task to be preformed and the skill set a person should possess.

When a perspective volunteer contacts the Volunteer Center, we get information about their interest and special skills and talents and availability. Information is then processed and possible matches are then given to the perspective volunteer. 

Our volunteers span the generations. The RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) boasts over 550 active volunteers. These are individuals over the age of 55. These volunteers are placed at more than 35 different non-profits throughout Wyandotte County.

Last year they gave almost 25,000 hours of service to this community. That translates to a financial impact of $500,000.00; a real asset to struggling non-profits. In addition, young people are contributing significantly to make a difference in their community through volunteering.

Statistics from the Corporation for National and Community Service show that in Kansas  35 percent of teens volunteer annually. This is about 10% higher than the national average. Kansas young people do want to improve the world in which they live.

Groups from churches, civic clubs, and companies use volunteering as way to build team work and to share their resources with the larger community. Efforts are currently under way to plan the 16th Annual United Way Day of Caring.

This year the event will be Saturday June 5, 2010. This is a community wide project to mobilize volunteers to help meet community needs.

In 2009 over 3,000 volunteers worked on over 180  projects through out the Metro area. The financial impact of that one day of community service is just over $244,000.00.

People volunteer for a variety of reasons. Some want to share a special talent or skill that they may have. Other volunteers choose a specific opportunity so they might learn something new and broaden their own horizons.

Passion for a cause motivates others to volunteer. There are those individuals who volunteer because they want to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

The majority of people volunteer because they were asked. So, today I ask you to consider being a volunteer. If you need some help finding that “just right” opportunity call Diane at the United Way of Wyandotte County Volunteer Center at 913-371-3674 or contact me through our web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org.

Did you know that in the Wyandotte County community there are over 800 non-profit organizations?

These organizations include large agencies with paid staff and small organizations with total volunteer staff. Each of these non-profits provides a needed service to our community.

There are several common threads that tie these organizations together.  These “non-profits” are established with a mission that focuses on improving the local community.

This may be by providing direct services to individuals in need; for example, feed the hungry, shelter victims of domestic violence, tutor or mentor a young person; preserve natural resource through recycling programs, care for abandon pets,  preserve history, or enhance the arts in our local community to name just a few.

The term, “non-profit” means that these organizations use their resources to fulfill their mission through direct services or program development. Another critical thread that binds these organizations together is that they are governed by a volunteer board. The board varies in size and duties.

Some boards require that members be financial contributors well as provide governance and oversight. 
Other boards expect members to provide the governance and make policy decisions but also to be a working board.

This may mean being involved in various aspects of fulfilling the mission of the organization; like helping with a fund raising event, grant writing, marketing, or painting an office to name a few things.

In our community, these agencies, large and small, need good volunteer board members. They need board members that are passionate for their cause and willing to give of their time and talents.

They need volunteer board members who are willing to take leadership and help make the Wyandotte County community a better place to live and work.

If you are interested in serving on a board for one of the many non-profits in our community, please contact me at 913-371-3674 or through our web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org.

Volunteers are so important when disaster strikes. In this article I have shared information about two disaster related volunteer opportunities available.

The first involves help in sending supplies to Haiti, still in recovery from the devastating earthquake that hit January 12, 2010. 

The second volunteer opportunity is to help first responders by being the “victim” of a disaster.

This Friday February 26 and Saturday, February 27 there is a unique volunteer opportunity for you and your family.

The Salvation Army is organizing volunteers to package one million; yes I said one million meals to be sent to the earthquake survivors in Haiti.

These meals include rice, soy protein, freezer dried vegetables and a blend of 21 vitamins. The meals are especially designed to the support the immune system of children who suffer from severe malnutrition and hunger.

The cost of each meal is 30 cents. The event will take place at the American Royal, Governor’s Expo. This is an excellent volunteer opportunity for a family volunteer experience.

You can call Betsy at 816-968-0374 or go to www.salarmy-mokan.org for more information.

The Medical Reserve Corps of Greater Kansas City and the Kansas City University of Medicine and Bioscience are sponsoring an Advanced Disaster Life Support Course for first responders and medical personnel in and around this area.

This course will be a two day course, the second day of the course volunteers are needed to be “victims” of the disaster. You do not need prior experience or training. You just need the time and willingness to help.

As a “victim” you will be made-up with moulage which is a term to describe the special make-up used to create the appearance of realistic wounds.

On the day of the simulated disaster, volunteer victims will be instructed on the scenario for the particular disaster and be told what their specific injuries are.

The date the volunteer victims are needed is March 10, a Wednesday between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided to volunteers.

This is an opportunity to help your community be ready to respond to disaster, For more information on how you can volunteer please contact Charles at 816-701-8334.

Do you remember walking to school as a child? Picking up colorful leaves in the fall, smelling the flowers in the spring, and waving to the neighbor sitting on his front porch? Those were interesting walks.

Breathing in the fresh air, walking and skipping all the way to school.

Today many children lack the opportunity that some of us took for granted. Now you have the opportunity to help children enjoy the experience of walking to school. Bridging the Gap is starting a program in Kansas City, Kan., called the Walking School Bus.

This program helps to keep our air clean since fewer vehicles will be on the road. It promotes walking as a healthy alternative form of transportation. Walking can help to combat childhood obesity, a growing issue with school age children.

Of course there are benefits to you as the volunteer. You get your exercise; you get satisfaction knowing you helped make the trip to and from school safe and enjoyable.

The Walking School Bus will be offered at Banneker, M.E. Pearson, and Quindaro in Kansas City, Kansas. On your assigned “walk” day, you will walk the designated route (typically a ½ mile to a mile) at the designated times. Before school the time would be 8 – 8:30 a.m. and after-school usually 3:30 - 4 p.m.

During your walk you will meet children at designated “walk stops” and then deliver them safely to home or school. A kick-off is planned for March 31, with a Spring Walk to School Day.

If you are interested please contact Katharina at 816-561-1061, ext. 131 or at katharina@bridgingthegap.org.

All volunteers are subject to background checks. Prior to the kick-off all volunteers will attend an training about pedestrian safety and rules and regulations of the program.

I hope you are all staying warm and safe as winter settles on our community. There are various ways that we can get that warm feeling and not all require us to turn up the thermostat or to put on an extra blanket. On way to have that warm glow is to say “yes” and volunteer for one of a number of service agencies in our community.

Associated Youth Services is currently seeking Academy tutor volunteers to tutor junior high and high school students in a variety of subjects, especially reading and math.  Volunteers must be proficient in high school math and reading. 

The volunteer must be 18 years of age or older and be a high school graduate or have a GED. This is a great opportunity to help an area young person find a measure of success. For more information or to volunteer please contact Karen at 913-831-2820 or at krohrer@aysusa.org.

Communities in Schools is recruiting volunteers to help in after school programs for 3 hours on Wednesday afternoons. Volunteers serve as mentors, tutors, engage in arts, crafts, music, and recreation with students.

Minimum age for a volunteer is 17 years old. Volunteers are subject to a background check and all volunteers receive orientation and training. If you want to volunteer or get more information on this opportunity please contact Dola at 913-6274352 or at dwilliams@ciskck.org.

St Paul’s Episcopal Church is opening a thrift store with the intent that the proceeds will help fund other community service ministries of the church. They would like to recruit a volunteer to coordinate the Thrift Store. Duties include preparing the identified space for the shop. Recruit, train and supervise volunteers to accept and sort donations and stock the thrift store and to handle sales, accounting and general maintenance of the space.

It is anticipated that the thrift store will be open when the pantry is open, Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. If you want more information on this volunteer opportunity please contact Rev. Reed at 913-321-3535.

With the cold and bad weather don’t forget your neighbor next door or across street or even an older relative who lives alone. A friendly phone call just to check and see that they are alright takes only minutes. During severe weather sometimes the home delivered meals can’t get through. Can you make an extra plate to share?

When you pick-up your paper how about taking their paper up to them. If you go the grocery store, call that neighbor or older relative and see if you can pick up a few items for them. Sometimes in bad weather even getting the mail can be difficult for an older adult. How much time would it take you to help them get their mail or to clear the porch and walk of snow and ice so they can venture out to the mailbox? What about trash, can you take their trash to the curb when you take your own out? Has that neighbor or older adult run out of their medication?

Are you going the drug store?  Remember to be a good neighbor and spread the warmth of a friendly smile during these cold days of winter. For additional volunteer opportunities contact me at dhentges@unitedway-wyco.org. or at 913-371-3674.

In 1969, just a mere 40 years ago, RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) entered the national arena as a part of the Older American Act. Our legislators in Washington DC had seen the success of a small program started in Staten Island based on the premise that older adults even though retired or working limited hours still had much to contribute to their communities.

It was in 1977 that RSVP was started in Kansas City, Kansas under the sponsorship of the United Way of Wyandotte County. Today RSVP continues to the serve our community. Currently there are over 550 seniors enrolled in RSVP. They volunteer at 36 non-profit settings in Wyandotte County.

The settings include but are not limited to hospitals, schools, libraries, food pantries, museums, and sewing groups. Volunteers serve on boards, tutor children, edit newsletters, answer the phone, greet clients, make quilts, read to children, and educate museum goers among other things. This volunteer work is valued at over $500,000.00. That is quiet a contribution to this community.

How can you be part of this energetic group and contribute in a meaningful way to the community? You can enroll in RSVP, a program of the United Way of Wyandotte County. The catch is that you must be at least 55 years of age. RSVP values the knowledge and experience of the more mature.

The benefits of becoming an RSVP member include an informative quarterly newsletter, updates on volunteer opportunities, limited mileage reimbursement, an invitation to the annual appreciation lunch, quarterly coffees where members can meet one another and share experiences, and the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a difference in your community.

In addition, RSVP conducts the Senior Leadership Enhancement Initiative. This is an eight week course to educate those over 55 about their community and about the needs in the community. Classes are small to enhance the opportunity to interact with presenters and each other.

A highlight of the program is the opportunity to provide service to the community as a group. This year the class helped the Salvation Army prepare for the Angel Tree program. The eight week program ends in a graduation event for enrollees and their families.

If you want to find out more about how you can enroll in RSVP, please contact Betty at 913-371-3674 or at bewell@unitedway-wyco.org.

There are numerous studies that show the positive benefits of volunteering. The community benefits because a problem has been dealt with.

Maybe a neighborhood has been rid of trash or an after school program organized for the children in the area. Volunteers have been found to have improved mental and physical when they volunteer on a regular basis. Relationships are developed and new skills are learned.

Today I wanted to tell you about an opportunity that offers multiple benefits to you the volunteer and ultimately benefits to the local community.

You can get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors, meet new people, and help low income families develop an additional source of income and provide food for themselves. You can learn how to garden using state of the art organic techniques. These techniques minimize effort and maximize results.

An urban community garden has taken shape in the northeast area around 5th and Quindaro. Project partners include the US Department of Agriculture, KC Center for Urban Agriculture, Oak Grove and Walnut Boulevard Neighborhoods.

These are solid experienced partner agencies. The success of the community garden however rests on the shoulders of hard working volunteers.

One volunteer, Paul Grahovac, has stepped up to the plate to organize Grahavoc’s Army of Volunteers. This volunteer, corporate attorney by day, has volunteered with Heartland Habitat for three years.

Now he is ready with your help to support the on going effort in the northeast area to cultivate a successful program. Paul and his army of volunteers will gather each Saturday at Faith Lutheran Church at 530 Quindaro.

Volunteers should arrive at 8am and plan to work until noon or up until 4 p.m. if time allows. The program comes to life using the best techniques in organic gardening.

If you are interested in joining this army of volunteers, please contact Paul at 913-660-4692 or at grahavoc8@gmail.com.

You can also check out Paul’s web site at hhtp://sites.google.com/site/grahavocsarmyofvolunteers/.

Story and photo courtesy of Susan Enloe

During the annual United Way Campaign which ended in November, staff and
students of the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools pledged or donated a
total of $115,591.00.

A traveling trophy is earned by the building that raises the most money per capita.

This year, the trophy was awarded to the Instructional Arts Resource Center (IARC). Dottie Novak, United Way Campaign Chairperson at IARC, and Jean Ney, Coordinator of Fine Arts and Physical Education, accepted the trophy at the meeting of the Board of Education on Tuesday evening, January 26.  

Accepting, Novak said that the campaign is not about winning a trophy, but about helping our community… the students, parents and grandparents.  

She spoke about how the traveling music, art, and physical education teachers who work out of IARC see the needs of our students, as well as the good that is done by United Way every day.

“We are the lucky ones, we have jobs, warm homes and clothes, abundant food.  At United Way time, I don’t have to threaten or bribe to encourage giving, they just do it!”

Top 3 Per Capita Giving District Winners by building level:

Elementary Schools:

1.    Maurice Holman Academy at $79.79 per capita giving with $1,516.00
2.    T.A. Edison at $78.59 per capita giving with $2,673.00
3.    Stony Point South at $65.74 per capita giving with $2,301.00

Middle Schools:

1.    West at $67.89 per capita giving with $3,734.00
2.    Argentine at $53.50 per capita giving with $3,731.00
3.    Rosedale at $51.54 per capita giving with  $2,301.00

High Schools:

1.    Wyandotte at $33.26 per capita giving with $4,656.00
2.    J.C. Harmon at $16.63 per capita giving with $2,428.00
3.    Sumner Academy at $12.31 per capita giving with $1,169.00

Preschool:

1. Morse Early Childhood Center at $53.68 per capita with $1,968.00
2. Frances Willard Early Childhood Center at $42.50 per capita with $680.00
3. Kansas City, Kansas Early Childhood Center (Formerly Education Center Preschool) at $31.70 per capita with $1,395.00

District Offices:

1. Integrated Arts Resource Center at $168.24 per capita with $2,860.00
2. Central Office and Education Center (top floor) at $153.70 per capita giving with $20,289.00
3. Juvenile Detention Center at $106.25 per capita giving with $1,700.00

PICTURED: Dottie Novak and Jean Ney.

Wyandotte County will receive over $111,000 in federal funding to assist the homeless and near homeless in 2010.

The funds will be provided under the National Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

The selection was made by a national board chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and representatives from organizations such as The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Catholic CHarities, United Jewish Communities, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States and the United Way.

Agencies can apply for funding locally by contacting Cynthia Tooley of the United Way of Wyandotte County at (913) 371-3674 or by email at ctooley@unitedway-wyco.org.

Cross-Lines Community Outreach is a social service agency that has served our community for over 45 years. Their mission is to provide people affected by poverty with basic services and opportunities that encourage self-confidence and self-sufficiency. They are able to fulfill their mission with the help of dedicated volunteers.

Volunteers help in a variety of ways. Currently Cross-Lines is looking for volunteers to help deliver commodities to seniors in two local high rises. Commodities distribution happens every month. It will take only a few hours of your time, the schedule is flexible. This would be a great opportunity for an individual or small group maybe your bible study group or card club.

Do you have 5-8 friends who could join you to prepare and serve breakfast on Saturday morning, February 27th, 2010? The hours you are needed are 7am to 10:30am. Help those in need start the day off right with a good breakfast, the most important meal of the day.

Other opportunities for volunteers include help with the newsletter, work in the thrift store, help sack the commodities to be distributed, prepare and serve lunch in the Community Annex, make sack lunches for the working poor to name a few.
Cross-Lines organizes a number of special events throughout the year that are successful because of volunteers.

These events include the Spring Plant sale, a Prom Clothes Drive, School Supplies Distribution and A Christmas Store. These events are powered by volunteers.

If you would like to volunteer with Cross-Lines, please contact Amber at 913-281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org.

In an earlier article I started to talk about the rights and responsibilities of a volunteer. Today, I would like to continue to discuss this important area.

Volunteers have the right to supervision and guidance while doing community service. Some agencies have annual volunteer evaluations similar to employee evaluations.

The responsibility the volunteer is to be open to and accepting of this supervision and guidance. Remember these people need for you to do the job and to do it correctly. You are responsible for being open to the evaluation process, for communicating any problems, difficulties or issues that you encounter as a volunteer.

In a volunteer friendly environment, volunteers have the responsibility to express opinions and suggestions about how their job might be done better. They have right to be heard with respect and an open mind. Volunteers are often the source of new ideas, maybe a fund raising event or a more streamline way of doing the same old thing. Volunteers have the right to show initiative and leadership. The absence of a paycheck doesn’t diminish the person’s creativity and previous experiences.

The volunteer has the right to be treated as a co-worker with the respect and dignity implied. Like the paid staff, the volunteer is at the agency to help the staff work towards the agency goals and live the agency mission.

The responsibilities then of the volunteer include to follow agency policy and procedure and to show respect to other volunteers and staff at the agency.

The volunteer has the right to be trusted with agency information necessary to carry out their work. The responsibility that parallels this right is the responsibility to maintain confidentiality.

This means safeguarding the privacy of the agency and the clients its serve and the staff (paid or unpaid) the volunteer works with.

The volunteer has the right to be recognized for the service they give. A simple thank you from the volunteer manager or the toothless smile of an eight year old boy can be a great reward. Above all, the volunteer has the right to know that the job they did made a difference in one little part of our community.
 

The definition of a volunteer can be summed up by saying that a volunteer is someone who performs a job without the benefit of pay. Working at a job unpaid does not imply a lack of structure or polices or that the job is unimportant. On the contrary, volunteers are vital for the success of non-profits.

Successful volunteer programs have established polices and procedures. Volunteers do have certain rights and expectations when they do graciously give their time. We all know that along with rights there are responsibilities. Today I wanted to talk about some of those rights and those responsibilities.

Every volunteer has the right to be given a task or job that is satisfying and challenging and that meets your interests and needs. It is the responsibility then of the volunteer to be honest about your talents, your strengths, your abilities, and above all about your available time.

This is important because the agency relies on volunteers to help them fulfill their mission and meet their goals in the most cost efficient way. It is OK for the volunteer to say “NO”, especially if you are not qualified or have the right skill set for the job or that you really have more than enough things to do.

Every volunteer has the right to be trained for their volunteer job and to participate in an orientation to the job and to the mission, goals, activities and policies of the agency they are serving. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to cooperate fully in this training and orientation.

There are usually a set of policies specific to volunteers. Even though you are a volunteer, a stack of documents may need to be completed and signed. Some agencies, especially those working with children or frail elderly may require background checks. 

There are some volunteer assignments that will require some type of criminal background check and some that may even require a health screening. References are often requested. Volunteer applications are pretty standard as are volunteer job interviews. Other things to keep in mind during your training and orientation are what I call housekeeping issues.

Do you know where you are to park, what entrance do you use, where do you hang your coat and keep your purse, where do you get supplies, where do you put your brown-bag lunch, where do you eat,  and who do you communicate with if there is a problem or an issue?

It is so important to know who you communicate to when you need to be absent. Volunteers get sick and sometimes even go on vacation. Plan ahead for vacations or time off just like you do with your employer. In a future article I will continue  this discussion.

For the pass few weeks I have been sharing information about volunteer opportunities related to the holidays. Let’s not forget that volunteers are needed year round by the non-profit social service agencies in our community.

Food pantries are busy places throughout the year, especially in a down economy. Food pantries can use the help of volunteers in a variety of ways. Help is needed in the actual pantry to keep the shelves stocked and in order.

Every food pantry needs to maintain accountability so that means paperwork and thus clerical volunteers are appreciated. Someone must answer the phone and greet clients, a job often staffed by a volunteer.

Volunteers can also help organize food drives at work, church, at club meetings or many just in your family.

Remember to keep food donations simple and include easy-to-prepare items. Canned fruits, vegetables and canned tuna, salmon and chicken are always a good option. Fruit juices and breakfast cereals (hot and cold) are nutritious.

Who doesn’t appreciate a hot bowl of soup on a cold day? Donations of canned soup are appreciated. Don’t forget to include a box a crackers. Peanut butter is definitely a staple in my pantry and a good source of protein.

What about a bag of pasta and a can of pasta sauce? Kids love those canned spaghetti dishes like Spaghetti O’s. Boxed meals like Hamburger or Tuna Helper make a nice addition to a pantry. Packaged rice and potato dishes are always good. Flour, sugar, evaporated milk, salt, and pepper are staples that most kitchens can use. Babies are part of our families. Contributions of baby food and canned formula are always welcome.

 Local food pantries include Catholic Community Services (913-621-1504), Cross-Lines (913-281-3388), Metro Lutheran Ministry (913-342-8333), Mount Carmel (913-621-4111), Economic Opportunity Foundation sponsors two pantries; Northside CAP (913-371-0848) and Southside CAP (913-321-7418), Salvation Army (913-232-5400) and Southern Baptist Ministries (913-620-5777).

Some local churches host food pantries on certain days. If you’re church has one then you have one more option for your volunteer time or your food drive.

You can always contact me at 913-371-3674 or through our web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org for more information on how you can help your community.

If you are looking for something to do the next few weeks you might consider volunteering for Heartland Habitat. It is the perfect way to celebrate the season of giving by giving of your time.

The end result is that a family will have a place to call home. Habitat needs construction crews. Projects are available December 17th through Saturday December 19 and then on December 22 and December 23rd.

You don’t have to have experience in the construction field. Volunteers will receive on-the-job training. This is a great opportunity for a group of family or friends or just you.

You learn while volunteering.  Construction volunteers must be 16 years of age. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Vanessa at 913-342-3047 or at vanessa@heartlandhabitat.org.

If you are not the construction type you might want to consider volunteering at the Habitat ReStore. Here donated building supplies, paint, cabinets, light fixtures, plumbing supplies etc. are available for you and me to purchase for our home renovation projects.
 
The money from the sales goes to help fund the actual building of the houses. Volunteers help sort donated items, keep the shelves stocked and help customers to their cars. If this is something you might like to do give Gina a call at 913-596-6597 or email her at gina@heartlandhabitat.org.
 
Check out www.unitedway-wyco.org to find other opportunities to volunteer.

It is not too late to do something special for those in need during this holiday season. When you are out shopping check out the angel tree and take an angel off.

There you will find out what a child in our community needs for Christmas. All you have to do is purchase the gift. The Angel Tree program is under the direction of the Salvation Army. Angels must be selected  by December 11, 2009.

Cross-Lines Community Outreach is hosting a Christmas store for their clients. They need volunteers starting on Monday, December 14, to take down the shelves, racks, tables and chairs from this event.

This project will take a few days to complete If you are interested in helping please contact Amber at 913-281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org.

The American Red Cross, the Wyandotte County Chapter has changed the date of their mailing sorting for Holiday Mail for the Heroes. They will sort Saturday, Dec. 19th, 11am to 2pm at their offices at 1600 Washington Blvd.

If you want to help with this holiday project contact Jennifer at 913-321-6314.

For other holiday opportunities check our web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org.