Volunteer work?

cmkuno

Does anyone do any regular volunteer work?  I'm thinking I'd like to do something but not sure what.  I'd love to hear what kinds of volunteer work you've tried, what you liked about it and what you didn't.  Also any tips on where to find volunteer opportunities?  Ann Arbor prints some in the paper, but I'm sure there are others out there.

lawyerlindsay

I'm sad to say that I haven't done any volunteer work in forever. However, when I was in college I was the head of Grand Valley's Habitat for Humanity chapter.  I loved work with HFH because you get see the good work you are doing and meet the homeowners, so you get that instant gratification that you don't get in a lot of other volunteer work.  (kinda selfish, but true)  I knew absolutely NOTHING about working on houses prior to HFH, and I don't really now, but they are willing to train/help you, and don't give you something that they know you can't handle.  I absolutely loved it.  I am sure that you could find a local chapter through their website.

dsacre

I used to volunteer fairly regularly with the Midwest Aids Prevention Project (MAPP).  They are in Ferndale and the mayor there used to run it (it was before he was mayor, so I'm not sure if he still does). They did a lot of fun events like pub crawls in Ferndale/Royal Oak and a Blues Fest. I was a volunteer that attended those events raising awareness and collecting donations.  It looks like their site doesn't exist any more, but here is their info.  If you'd like a contact, I can get you that. 429 Livernois, Ferndale MI 48220 Phone: (248) 545-1435

I also used to volunteer with the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Yikes, both are "used to"!  I guess I should get back at it

 Here is a good site as well: http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/index.jsp?l=Michigan%2C+USA&k=&_kk=michigan%20volunteer&_kt=3b5361a1-b4c1-4166-bf12-8612f1f33932&gclid=CJ7dzKKovZ0CFSUMDQodtUP7hw

 

Kirss

One summer a friend and I volunteered at the Salvation Army. We took in the clothes and hung them up. it was fun with a friend.

kzoomaggie

What kind of volunteer work are you interested in doing? Working with kids? animals? any particular cause you're interested in working for?  I was the president of a large service organization in Ann Arbor while I was at U of M and I have contacts with a lot of different organizations that are always looking for volunteers in Ann Arbor.  Let me know what you're interested in and I'll see if I have any contact info!

botanicalbliss

I volunteer regularly at the Humane Society of Huron Valley as a dog-walker.  They have a bunch of opportunities - everything from cat cuddling and dog walking to postering, making phone calls, helping with events, you name it!  They are a really great shelter, too - voted best large shelter in Michigan.  They also have the best save rate of every animal shelter in Michigan - around 80% while places more well funded like the Michigan Humane Society have around a 20% save rate.  It's an amazing place with amazing people!

Also, if you like plants and getting your hands dirty, U of M Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum offers a TON of opportunities.  

If you're more into helping people, I know there are a ton of soup kitchens and food organizations around.  I'm just not familiar with them. 

vw2181

I don't know if this is quite what you meant, but I'm heavily involved in volunteering with the Miss America Organization.  We work with the contestants on anything from interview skills, to honing their talents, to each of their individual platforms.  It's nice because with each new titleholder, we usually get a new community service topic and volunteer opportunities within her specific chosen area.

cmkuno

kzoomaggie:

What kind of volunteer work are you interested in doing? Working with kids? animals? any particular cause you're interested in working for?  I was the president of a large service organization in Ann Arbor while I was at U of M and I have contacts with a lot of different organizations that are always looking for volunteers in Ann Arbor.  Let me know what you're interested in and I'll see if I have any contact info!

All good questions, and I've been trying to sort this out for myself.  I'm open to doing pretty much whatever, but it does need to be in the evenings or on weekends. 

I think working directly with people, especially younger people, interests me the most.  I always wanted to be a Big Sister or mentor a child through some other program, but most want a commitment of a year or more.  There's a good chance we're moving away in 10 months, so I don't know if that will work out.  But if you know of other opportunities to work directly with kids or teens, I think that would be a good fit for me.  I actually got trained to be a CASA while I was a student, but now that I work during the day, I don't think I could do that.

kzoomaggie

cmkuno:

kzoomaggie:

What kind of volunteer work are you interested in doing? Working with kids? animals? any particular cause you're interested in working for?  I was the president of a large service organization in Ann Arbor while I was at U of M and I have contacts with a lot of different organizations that are always looking for volunteers in Ann Arbor.  Let me know what you're interested in and I'll see if I have any contact info!

All good questions, and I've been trying to sort this out for myself.  I'm open to doing pretty much whatever, but it does need to be in the evenings or on weekends. 

I think working directly with people, especially younger people, interests me the most.  I always wanted to be a Big Sister or mentor a child through some other program, but most want a commitment of a year or more.  There's a good chance we're moving away in 10 months, so I don't know if that will work out.  But if you know of other opportunities to work directly with kids or teens, I think that would be a good fit for me.  I actually got trained to be a CASA while I was a student, but now that I work during the day, I don't think I could do that.

So there is an organization that is called The Neutral Zone that is a teen center in Ann Arbor.  They provide a bunch different after school programs for kids.  They focus a lot on developing personal growth through the arts and leadership programs.  It might be something you would be interested in doing, and they are located right downtown next to the Comerica bank building on Washington and 5th, so it would be something you could do right after work.  Check them out, they are always looking for volunteers!

http://www.neutral-zone.org/

abbeylynne06

I have no experience with them, but SOS Community Services runs several programs for young people that are faced with homelessness.  http://soscs.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=23