2012 Volunteer Fair

Sponsored by the Office of Community and Government Relations and the United Way of Central Massachusetts.

We look forward to seeing you at the Third Annual Volunteer Fair. Below is a list of participating organizations with their descriptions and volunteer needs. We hope you find it useful as you consider your options for volunteering. 

Third Annual Volunteer Fair 
UMass Chan – New and Old School Lobbies (Main Campus)
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester - our mission is to create simple, decent homes in our communities by working in continuing partnership with people in need who are committed and able to become homeowners. To learn about ways to volunteer in your area visit http://www.habitat.org/cd/local/ or contact a volunteer coordinator at 508.799.9259.

Central Mass Agency on Aging -our mission is to enhance the quality of life for area seniors and their caregivers, provide leadership, information and resources, coordination of services and advocacy. We offer volunteer opportunities in:

• Information & Referral-(Internet Research, Casework, Update Resource Database)
• Lending Library services-(Research hot elder or caregiver trends)
• Planning-(Research Projects, Data Management, Crunching numbers)
• Administration-(Public Policy)
• Reception-(Answering telephones, Bulk Mailings)
• Fundraising-(Work on a Public Relations event)

Visit http://www.seniorconnection.org/pdf/volunteer_intern_app.pdf

The Guild of St. Agnes– our mission is to provide families with quality, affordable early childhood education programs in a safe, nurturing environment. Volunteers are needed in the classroom, by being a reader, conducting a holiday gift drive, book drive, doing arts and crafts with the children, or sponsoring a birthday party. Visit http://www.guildofstagnes.org/Volunteer.html

Worcester Housing Authority– we offer residents a clean, safe and well-maintained living environment in which to live and raise their families. Visit http://www.worcester-housing.com/contact.html

Horizons for Homeless Children– our mission is to enrich the lives of every homeless preschool child in Massachusetts and beyond. Learn more about volunteering with homeless children in shelters as a Play Space Activity Leader or other opportunities. Visit http://www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org/How_To_Help.asp

Y.O.U. Inc. – Youth Opportunities Upheld, Inc. is a leading child welfare and behavorial health organization that provides youth and families with opportunities to fulfill their potential and build a brighter future. Y.O.U. Inc. offers a variety of volunteer opportunities as well as undergraduate and graduate internships working with children, teens and young adults. Visit http://www.youinc.org/Intern/Internship.htm

American Heart Association – Our mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. If interested in volunteering for the Central Mass Heart Walk in May. If interested in joining one of the UMass teams or volunteering, visit http://heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=487021

American Cancer Society - The American Cancer Society is the health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. There are a variety of ways you can get involved, and any needed training is provided. Whether it’s giving a cancer patient a ride to chemotherapy, putting together a team for Relay For Life®, or sending an email to family and friends about our cancer screening guidelines, there are multiple ways you can get involved in the Society’s lifesaving mission. Visit http://www.cancer.org/Involved/Volunteer/index

Army of Saints, Inc. - Army of Saints, Inc. is an organization that networks driven adults and youth throughout MA to conduct inner-city self-defense classes, seminars and after-school programs to curb drugs, violence and gang activity. Team leaders are always looking for members whom feel they qualify to meet the criteria of our organization. The greatest gift is being able to give back to our youth, empowering them to change the lives of themselves and others through their choices and actions. Visit http://www.armyofsaints.org/

YWCA of Central Mass - The YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organization in the world. If you want to participate in our programs, volunteer, or simply wish to support our mission, organization and activities, we welcome your membership. Visit http://www.ywcacentralmass.org/vision

Elder Services of Worcester Area Inc.- mission is to help elders, younger disabled individuals, and their families obtain essential services so that elders can remain at home with dignity and independence for as long as possible. If you have a few hours of time to spare and would like to make a difference in the life of a frail and/or isolated elder consider becoming involved in our Senior Companion Program. Visit http://www.eswa.org/about_us/join_us/volunteer/default.cfm

StandUp For Kids - The mission of StandUp For Kids is to help homeless and street kids. We carry out our mission through our volunteers who go to the streets in order to find, stabilize and otherwise help homeless and street kids improve their lives. Visit http://www.standupforkids.org/worcester/

The CASA Project - The CASA Project, a member of the National CASA Association, recruits, screens, and trains community volunteers to become Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), also known as Guardians ad Litem (GAL). Appointed by judges to help on the most heart-breaking cases in the foster care system, CASAs help abused and neglected children navigate the Worcester County Juvenile Courts, one child or sibling group at a time. Visit http://www.casaworcestercounty.org/volunteer.aspx

Greater Worcester Land Trust – was created to purchase, hold, advocate for, preserve or transfer critical open space parcels in the Greater Worcester area. The Greater Worcester Land Trust established a Volunteer Conservation Corps in 2001. Volunteers have blazed trails, GPSed resources, constructed signage, maintained habitat projects, improved public amenities, and made record of the uses and flora and fauna of the Trust's conservation lands. This group of volunteers has expanded and so have the opportunities. We invite you to join our corps – we can always use more hands. http://gwlt.org Contact person – Mary Caulway at mary@gwlt.org

Conquering Diseases Program - Accelerating research and conquering diseases are among the highest priorities of the UMass research community. To help investigators bring their advances to patients faster, the Conquering Disease Clinical Research Center was established. The Center provides assistance to researchers and access to three support systems:

• Blood Sampleslinked via MiCARD to de-identified clinical information and stored in our Biorepository
• Secure Databaselinked via MiCARD to names of volunteers interested in participating in clinical trials
• Community Resource Area - a comfortable, central location that can be used to share information with patients and families about clinical trials and how to participate.

For more information on the Conquering Diseases Program, contact joanne.meisner@umassmed.edu , call 508-856-2556.

City of Worcester - All residents are urged to volunteer their services to one of the local government agencies of the city of Worcester as a member of the board or commission.

Volunteer needs: There are vacancies on a number of boards including: planning board, historical commission, license commission, affirmative action committee. For more information and to see more vacancies please visit http://www.worcesterma.gov/boards-commissions

Family Services of Central Massachusetts - Helping families through child care resources, counseling services, employee assistance program, home care and elder services, and senior companion program. For volunteers, send us some ideas of what you would like to do. We do many things, so you might be surprised at how many ways you can find to contribute. www.fscm.org . Contact Brenda Nagle-Packard at bpackard@fscm.org.

Latino Education Institute (LEI) - LEI was founded to provide outcome based development programs in education, literacy, leadership, civic engagement, and health. http://www.worcester.edu/LEI/default.aspx. For volunteer opportunities, please contact Christina Foley at Christina.foley@worcester.edu.

Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Cares - This is the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences’ community service committee. They host and participate in many events that benefit our local community. They need help running and organizing some of their great events including: Thanksgiving Day Food Drive, Valentine’s Day Blood Drive, educational outreach and mentoring, science fair judging, and more www.gsbscares.org . Contact Carina Clingman at carina.clingman@umassmed.edu.

Alzheimer’s Association -The Alzheimer's Association is the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research. The association can use help in the following areas: galas & fundraisers, walk to end Alzheimer’s, office help, speaking engagements, helpline support calls, and more http://www.alz.org/. Please contact Christine Brown at christine.brown@alz.org.

National MS Society - The National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now—to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. You can help in the following areas: Do it yourself fundraising, Walk MS, Bike MS, host and organize events to raise awareness, and more. Please visit http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx. Contact Sandra Baldi at Sandra.baldi@nmss.org.

Special Educations Surrogate Parent Program - Our mission is to ensure that every child in state custody receives the educational supports he or she needs to succeed. We strive to meet this goal by recruiting volunteers from across the state, and providing them with the training and support they need to be effective Special Education Surrogate Parents. Special Education Surrogate Parents (SESPs) volunteer to make education decisions for students whose parents are unable to do so http://fcsn.org/rtsc/. Contact Elaine Arsenault at earsenault@fcsn.org.

American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts - A humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. www.redcrosscwm.org. Volunteer needs include drivers, administrative support, disaster response, military support, and more. Contact Sue Swanberg at swanbergs@usa.redcross.org.

Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook - Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Volunteer opportunities include: shrubland restoration, visitor services, trail maintenance, trail guides, sanctuary volunteers, and more. http://www.massaudubon.org/. Contact Kristin Steinmetz at ksteinmetz@massaudubon.org.

Holy Trinity Hospice - Holy Trinity Hospice is a Medicare certified Hospice program operated by the Eastern Orthodox Management Corporation providing compassionate care for people of all faiths and cultures http://www.holytrinityhospice.org/home. For volunteer opportunities contact Abby Witherell at abbywitherell@holytrinityhospice.org.

Community Harvest Project - Community Harvest Project brings together volunteers to grow healthy vegetables on their farms which are donated for hunger relief. Volunteer opportunities include: planting, weeding, harvesting and more http://www.community-harvest.org/vol.shtml. Contact Paul Grady at volunteer@community-harvest.org,

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. Volunteer opportunities include: CF walk, planning an event, fundraising, and more www.cff.org. Contact Mackenzie Koch at mkoch@cff.org.

Regional Environmental Council (REC) - REC is a grassroots environmental justice organization dedicated to building health, sustainable, and just communities in Worcester and beyond. Volunteer opportunities include office support, farm work, raising awareness, and more http://www.recworcester.org/work-at-rec/volunteering/. Contact Terra Oliveira at communicate@recworcester.org.

Easter Seals - Easter Seals services help people of all ages with all kinds of disabilities -- individuals disabled through illness, accident or aging, as well as people born with disabilities. Easter Seals serves people at more than 100 sites in communities all over Massachusetts, including Technical and Training Centers in Boston, Worcester and New Bedford. The goal of all Easter Seals services is to help people live as full and independent lives as possible, right in their own communities. If interested in volunteering, visit http://ma.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=MADR_volunteering or email jbusha@eastersealsma.org

Global Nurse Initiative – Global Nurse Initiative is a nonprofit organization established in 2009. We help co-ordinate medical professionals with volunteer opportunities in the US and abroad. We also organize our own medical trips in co-ordination with other non-profits to Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and India. Our goal is to improve the life of those living in impoverished areas through regular medical care and health education. http://www.globalnurseinitiative.org/ 

Worcester Free Clinics -The Worcester Free Clinic Coalition (http://www.worcesterfreeclinics.org/) is in need of licensed physicians and nurses as well as administrative volunteers. For member physicians, UMass Medical Group is extending insurance/liability coverage for this volunteer activity. We are a group of free medical programs in the greater Worcester area providing free medical care to uninsured and underserved populations. We share resources and expertise to meet our common goal of providing quality healthcare to those in greater Worcester who are facing barriers to accessing healthcare through established means. We also endeavor to educate and connect uninsured patients with health insurance options that may be available to them. Each site is staffed by volunteer physicians, nurses and community volunteers. Additionally, students from UMass Chan Medical School and Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing volunteer under supervision at many of the locations.

***For more information on volunteer opportunities in your area
please contact your local United Way www.liveunited.org. ***