Opportunities From: United Way of Kaw Valley

Due to our high levels of certification, it is important for us to keep certain communal areas tidy. Kitchens, breakrooms, and other spaces need to be cleaned regularly. Recycling needs to be taken out, counters need to be wiped down, and floors need to be swept. None of the spaces get very dirty, but the cleaning needs to be frequent, so this is a volunteer opportunity that would involve doing a quick tidying throughout our spaces on a weekly basis.

Because we provide confidential services a volunteer would need to take a virtual HIPAA training and fill out some paperwork.

The Growing Together Community Garden located on the south end of our building at 200 Maine street needs periodic care. Watering, weeding, and plant identification are all necessary. If you're interested in helping out, let us know, and we'll put you in contact with our garden overseer to get you set up to become a part of Growing Together.

Host a food & fund drive in your neighborhood, place of business, school or community organization. Food & fund drives are great fun, especially when friendly competition between participants is encouraged! Contact us at fighthunger@harvesters.org.

Don’t have room for a food drive barrel or have time to make a special trip to the grocery store? Host a virtual food drive for your workplace or organization! It’s a convenient, hassle-free, 24/7 way to help Harvesters with the click of a mouse! Go to www.harvesters.org and click on "Give Food" to download our step-by-step guides and "how to" kits. 

Healthy Family Meal Kits provide all the necessary ingredients for an easy, complete nutritious meal for children and families in need in our community. Each box includes enough ingredients to make 8 servings, as well as a recipe card.  

How It Works: 
The Family Meal Box program has two components:  a food or fund drive followed by a volunteer activity. 

Food/Fund Drive: 
Each box needs to include all of the items for one recipe listed below for the box to be complete. Collecting items in bulk or asking several volunteers to purchase food in bulk after collecting monetary donations works very well for this drive.    

Volunteer Activity: 
At the end of your food drive, coordinate with Harvesters to receive boxes, recipe cards, stickers.   Then, your volunteers will spend a few hours packing the individual boxes so they can be easily transported back to our facility for distribution.  

Need community service hours?
For every complete meal kit donated, you will receive 1 volunteer hour!*

Each month, Harvesters distributes nearly 5,000 CSFP food boxes to food-insecure seniors. These boxes include shelf-stable items like cereal, pasta, canned vegetables, and juice.

We need your help to make these deliveries extra special! Create a cheerful, handmade card with an upbeat message to include in each box. This is an all-ages activity, and handwriting from kids is absolutely welcome—just make sure it’s legible and take time to make each card unique.

Your Mission

Getting Started

Quantity & Service Hours

Any number of cards is welcome! Great for individuals or groups—office teams, schools, service organizations, and more. Service Credit: 1 hour for every 10 handmade cards completed, limited to 4 hours (40 cards) per month. Please note:

Where to Send Completed Cards

Mail or drop off Monday–Friday, 8 AM–3:30 PM:

Harvesters Kansas Distribution Center

Attn: Community Engagement Team

1220 Timberedge Road

Lawrence, KS 66049

Include your first & last name, email, and phone number so we can log your service hours.

Assist in the Booktique along with staff and volunteers regarding sales and merchandising.  Position requires customer service and cash register experience and a background check.

If you are looking for a fun and easy volunteer opportunity look no further!

Arts Connect is seeking a special individual or small team to assist around the gallery during the First Friday Art Walk and other open hours.

This role would include greeting visitors to the gallery, overseeing the gallery when open to the public, do some set up and clean up when needed and answer general questions. For the "regular" hours of Noon-3p on Fridays, you would be holding the gallery open so that visitors can see the artwork on display. On First Friday, we are usually quite busy and so on those nights, you'd serve as an extra set of hands.

This same volunteer(s) may be called upon when needed to assist in hanging and arranging for exhibits being installed into the gallery space. Ability to lift, reach and climb a step ladder is often needed for this task. However, please do not hesitate to inquire if you have physical limitations, we encourage all to participate and will be accepting multiple inquiries for all opportunities.

Volunteer(s) for this position must be:

Reliable

Friendly

Trustworthy

Flexible

Able to work independently and as part of a team

Interested in the Arts

Ability to sit/stand/move around the gallery for extended period.

This is a fun and helpful way to help support the arts in Topeka and Shawnee Co.! If you think this sounds like a good fit for you we invite you to contact us for more information.

Behavioral Health Mentor

Center for Supportive Communities

August 2026 – May 2027

The Center for Supportive Communities (CSC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Lawrence, Kansas, is accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year.

The Behavioral Health Mentor position is focused on providing direct one-on-one support to K-12 students and their families. Members will gain supervised experience working with children, families, and schools; develop valuable professional skills; and build meaningful connections with community leaders.

Note. Applicants may explore options for earning course credit for their service by consulting a faculty member or enrolling in relevant coursework.

Position Contact

info@supportivecommunities.org

Position Title

Behavioral Health Mentor

Position Dates

August 2026 – May 2027

Time Requirements

5, 10, 15, or 20 hours each week Position Location Douglas County, KS (Lawrence, Eudora, Baldwin City, and Perry)

Position Responsibilities

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Application Process

We organize monthly Support Groups on the 4th Monday of every month from 6:00-8:00 PM in Topeka. These Support Groups include childcare. Our childcare team needs many dedicated hands to maintain a low volunteer-to-child ratio.

You can volunteer for one day or multiple, whichever works for you!

We organize monthly Support Groups on the 3rd Monday of every month from 6:00-8:00 PM in Topeka. These Support Groups include childcare. Our childcare team needs many dedicated hands to maintain a low volunteer-to-child ratio.

You can volunteer for one day or multiple, whichever works for you!

We organize monthly Support Groups on the 2nd Monday of every month from 6:00-8:00 PM in Lawrence. These Support Groups include childcare. Our childcare team needs many dedicated hands to maintain a low volunteer-to-child ratio.

You can volunteer for one day or multiple, whichever works for you!

We organize monthly Caregiver Nights Out on the 2nd Friday of every month from 5:30-8:00 PM. This event includes childcare. Our childcare team needs many dedicated hands to maintain a low volunteer-to-child ratio.

You can volunteer for one day or multiple, whichever works for you!

Need volunteers to assist in preparing activities or even just coming once a month for a craft or music

1-800-Children phone counselor which answers the 24-hour helpline by listening carefully, offering problem-solving ideas and referring callers to community resources that are best suited for their needs.  Phone line is transferred to your phone during your shift. Flexible shifts and training provided.  You must be 21+ for this opportunity.

Road To Recovery is an American Cancer Society program designed to help improve the quality of life and reduce barriers to care for cancer patients undergoing active treatment by transporting them to and from cancer-related treatment appointments.

The Road To Recovery Volunteer driver can help provide people with transportation to and from their cancer-related treatment appointments. Drivers donate their time and the use of their personal vehicles to help ensure that people with cancer get the treatments they need. Volunteer drivers are also there to show support and provide information and resource referrals coordinated through the American Cancer Society.

Responsibilities include:

Volunteer Driver Qualifications:

LINK is always looking for volunteer groups to help serve lunch at LINK. If you have a group of 10-12 people who would like to volunteer for a meal service, we'd love to have you sign up for one of our "OPEN" days which you can find on our calendar here:  https://www.linklawrence.org/serving-calendar_quicklook/

If you are looking for individual volunteer opportunities, please email us at linksince1985@gmail.com

Schedule:  Daily M-F 9-2

Volunteer Responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

The Food Pantry Assistant supports the daily operations of the food pantry by assisting with inventory management, food distribution, client service, and maintaining a clean and organized environment. This role is essential to ensuring clients receive food assistance in a respectful, efficient, and compassionate manner.

Responsibilities:

Assist with receiving, inspecting, and organizing food donations and deliveries

Stock and rotate pantry shelves to ensure product freshness and accessibility

Prepare food boxes or bags for distribution based on client needs and guidelines

Greet and assist clients, providing courteous and respectful service

Maintain cleanliness and organization of pantry areas, including storage and public spaces

Follow food safety guidelines and organizational procedures

SparkWheel at Prairie Park Elementary is looking for volunteers to serve as lunch buddy/mentors.

Volunteers must pass a background check and commit to coming in each week during the semester outside of KU breaks.

This is a WEEKLY commitment - ONE day each week Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. 

Time periods are:

For more information and to apply for this volunteer opportunity please contact Stacie Jackson at stacie.jackson@sparkwheel.org.

Applications to volunteer for the 2025-2026 school year will be accepted through March 1, 2026.

SparkWheel at Prairie Park Elementary is looking for volunteers to tutor elementary-aged students weekly.

Volunteers must pass a background check and commit to coming in each week during the semester outside of KU breaks.

This is a WEEKLY commitment - ONE day each week on Tuesday or Wednesday. Tuesday sessions are from 3:05-4:00 and Wednesday sessions are from 1:35-2:30. Spaces are limited and new inquiries will be accepted until March 1, 2026.

For more information and to apply for this volunteer opportunity please contact Stacie Jackson at stacie.jackson@sparkwheel.org.

Why Volunteer With Us?

By joining our team, you will help residents access critical legal resources, contributing to a more informed and empowered community. We deeply value your dedication and strive to provide a supportive environment that fosters both personal growth and community impact.

Self-Help Center (SHC)

The SHC’s mission is to provide free information, tools, and resources to pro se litigants (those individuals who represent themselves and handle their legal issues without an attorney to represent them; also called “self-represented litigants” or “SRLs”).

Self-Help Center volunteers commit to at least two hours per week in the center. Onboarding as a SHC volunteer is done through a combination of online training and on-the-job immersion assisting SRLs. Volunteers provide neutral, accurate and reliable information through professional conduct. Volunteers do not provide legal advice but provide resource information to customers needing elevated legal support. Volunteering in the SHC is great for individuals who enjoy taking a proactive, engaged approach to helping people during potentially high-stress encounters.

Volunteers will be located in the SHC within the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, with frequent contact and interaction with members of the public and court staff.

Volunteering at the SHC is perfect for those interested in the law generally, are considering a profession in the law, or are otherwise committed to access to justice.

Help direct patients and family members to the correct location they need to go.  This includes helping look up patient room numbers for family members

Requirements

* Minimal walking 1 out of 5 shoes

* Some computer/phone knowledge

* Must complete application found on website Volunteer | The University of Kansas St. Francis Campus (kutopeka.com)

Assists the priest in administering the elements of Holy Communion, the consecrated bread and wine. 

Are you looking for a volunteer position that is responsible and rewarding? Do you like learning new things?

Provide free, unbiased and confidential Medicare counseling for Medicare beneficiaries. The goal is to educate and assist the public in making informed decisions about their health care options. Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) counselors are trained to assist with Medicare coverage explanation, enrollment assistance and questions.

Our volunteers work as little as 2 hours a week up to 6 hours. You can join our other SHICK Medicare counseling volunteers and we'll provide your training and always provide support!

Volunteer applications can be submitted from our website at www.dgcoks.gov/src

The Lawrence St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee runs Lawrence's largest and most fun parade. But the committee is about so much more than just the parade. We hold 10+/- events each year, crown an annual queen or king, and work with businesses from across the area to raise money for annually chosen beneficiaries.

The 2026 Beneficiaries are: Lawrence Farmer's Market and Lawrence Youth Football.

Of course, all of that is true, but no committee has more fun working hard to raise nearly than $100,000 yearly. Our events, everything from Irish Road Bowling to our 5K/10K race, are well attended and surrounded with the energy of Lawrence.

We need people with so many skill sets and abilities. We need those who can volunteer a little or a lot. We love help from those who both want to help broadly and those who see that they can help us fulfill a singular need. Join us and make some new friends knowing that your fun will also be supporting one of Lawrence's amazing children's charities. 

We have so many volunteer opportunities from donation acquisitions and tracking, live and silent item webpage development, party planning, registration at the event, to setup and breakdown! This is our biggest and funnest fundraiser of the year! And we do it all for the kids!

This year's Charity Auction is the evening of Friday, February 20, at Maceli's Banquet Hall in downtown Lawrence, Kansas. The 3 months leading up to the auction is a busy time of gathering, organizing, and prepping for the big night! It takes a large group to make it a magical night and raise much needed funds for local children's charities. We need you!

For more info on how you can get involved, email info@lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com or visit our website: https://lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com/

All proceeds go to our 2026 Beneficiaries: Lawrence Farmer's Market and Lawrence Youth Football.

Emergency Management Volunteers help people prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. Douglas County Emergency Management (DCEM) offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. So whether you love the weather, are an amateur radio operator, or just want to be better prepared and help before, during and after disasters DCEM has four distinct ways to serve your community.

If you are interested in volunteering with Emergency Management, please visit our website to download an application. https://dgcoks.gov/em/volunteer

Being a Block Talk Host means helping create a stronger, safer, and more connected neighborhood. Hosts serve as the friendly point of contact on their block—welcoming new neighbors, sharing resources, and helping people stay informed about what’s happening in their area. They don’t run the neighborhood; they simply help bring people together, making it easier for everyone to look out for one another.

Hosts help organize simple meet-ups, check in with neighbors who might need support, and connect people to resources, opportunities, and each other. Most importantly, they help grow a culture of care, communication, and community where everyone has a place and everyone belongs.

Duties include supporting our facilities tech with property and building maintenance. Must be able to lift 25+ pounds, stand for long periods at a time, and understand general maintenance. 

Connect with your neighbors and make a visible difference in the lives of local families! By giving just  a few hours a week, you’ll help provide nutritious food, household staples, and a welcoming smile to those who visit the our community pantry.

For more information call our office at (785) 842-0729, email Isaac at isaac@ballardcenter.org, or visit our website at https://ballardcenter.org/volunteer/

Pantry volunteer responsibilities include:

Our pantry operates from 9:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday. We would be happy to work around your work/school schedule to find the perfect fit!

708 Elm St, Lawrence, KS 66044

Join us in making a difference in our community.

You can help by :

Your support can bring joy and nourishment to those in need. Contact us today to get involved!

Seeking volunteers for 2-3 hours on Mondays between 8:30 am-12 pm (noon). Must have a driver's license, vehicle, and auto insurance. 

Position Overview:

Do you believe that everyone deserves to get their groceries in a dignified way? Just Food is looking for a warm, helpful and efficient individual to regularly serve as a weekly Delivery Driver to our homebound population. This position is responsible for picking up grocery orders at Just Food and delivering them to a predetermined route. Delivery Drivers ensure access to quality food if transportation is found to be a major barrier for households.

Just Food believes in a community led approach to addressing hunger and its root causes. There is no one face of hunger and we strive for our volunteer base to represent that truth. Through shared experiences and compassion, with dignity and without judgment, volunteers serve as ambassadors on behalf of Just Food staff, connecting the community to services that increase access to healthy foods, reduce barriers to health and well-being, and cultivate self-sufficiency.

Job Duties:

Pickup pre-assembled delivery kits and route sheet from Just Food

General knowledge of navigating Lawrence and Douglas County

Responsible for delivering to specified location 

Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Community Access Manager or Volunteer Manager

Requirements:

Availability Mondays sometime between 8:30 - Noon

Must possess valid driver's license, personal vehicle & auto insurance 

Dependability, service attitude, and strong organizational skills

Training & Supervision:

Must attend volunteer orientation, and complete confidentiality & liability waiver

Complete on-the-job training

Training/supervision conducted by Sourcing & Production Manager, Impact Director and/or Volunteer Manager

Time Commitment:

2-3 hour time commitment on Mondays between 8:30-Noon.

To sign up, visit www.justfoodks.org/volunteer, or for more information, email volunteer@justfoodks.org or production@justfoodks.org.

Seeking volunteers for minimum 2-3 hours per week between Tuesday 9 am-6 pm, Wednesday 9 am-3 pm, and Thursday 9 am-6 pm. 

Position Overview:

Are you an organized and efficient cook, ready to give back to your community? Just Food is looking for an adaptable, organized team player to help perform a variety of cooking and food repackaging tasks in our commercial kitchen. This position works under the direct supervision of the Sourcing & Production Manager and is responsible for helping create ready-to-eat and deli item selections, packaging and organizing the finished product, ensuring proper food handling practices and ultimately preparing these items to be distributed within the Just Food Pantry.

Just Food believes in a community led approach to addressing hunger and its root causes. There is no one face of hunger and we strive for our volunteer base to represent that truth. Through shared experiences and compassion, with dignity and without judgment, volunteers serve as ambassadors on behalf of Just Food staff, connecting the community to services that increase access to healthy foods, reduce barriers to health and well-being, and cultivate self-sufficiency.

Job Duties:

Help maintain a clean, well-organized, and safe kitchen environment

Basic produce prep and knife skills

Create a menu of ready-to-eat meals and sandwiches and pack in to-go containers

Perform portion control and minimize waste to keep cost within forecasted range

Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Sourcing & Production Manager

Requirements:

Ability to work in both team and solo environments

Ability to lift and/or move heavy items; frequent lifting and bending, and use of back; long periods of standing (exceptions for ADA-compliance)

Dependability, service attitude, and strong organizational skills

Wear closed-toed shoes

Training & Supervision:

Must attend volunteer orientation, and complete confidentiality & liability waiver

Complete on-the-job training

Training/supervision conducted by Sourcing & Production Manager, Impact Director and/or Volunteer Manager

Time Commitment:

Minimum 2-3 hour time commitment; open hours Tuesday - Thursday.

To sign up, visit www.justfoodks.org/volunteer, or for more information, email volunteer@justfoodks.org or production@justfoodks.org.

Seeking volunteers for regular, recurring 3 hour shifts for warehouse work during Just Food operating hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9 am-6 pm, Wednesdays & Fridays 9 am-3 pm.

Position Overview:

Are you an organized and efficient worker, ready to give back to your community? Just Food is looking for an efficient, adaptable, organized team player to help perform a variety of manual tasks in our warehouse and shopping market. This position is responsible for sorting and organizing food items, keeping the pantry stocked, ensuring proper food handling practices and facilitating a safe, comfortable grocery shopping experience. This position will interact with clients and must be able to multitask while remaining helpful and calm under pressure. 

Just Food believes in a community led approach to addressing hunger and its root causes. There is no one face of hunger and we strive for our volunteer base to represent that truth. Through shared experiences and compassion, with dignity and without judgment, volunteers serve as ambassadors on behalf of Just Food staff, connecting the community to services that increase access to healthy foods, reduce barriers to health and well-being, and cultivate self-sufficiency.

Job Duties:

Help maintain a clean, well-organized, and safe arrangement and storage of food items in the food bank warehouse

Store products in appropriate areas

Receive donated food; weigh and record receipt of food, sort and eliminate food items unfit for distribution to clients 

Regularly stock pantry shelves to ensure quality selection of food for clients

Requirements:

Ability to work in team environment

Ability to lift and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds consistently; frequent lifting and bending and use of back; long periods of standing

Dependability, service attitude, and strong organizational skills

Training & Supervision:

Must attend volunteer orientation, and complete confidentiality & liability waiver

Complete on-the-job training

Training/supervision conducted by warehouse staff and/or Volunteer Manager

Time Commitment:

3-hour shifts available 9am-6pm Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am-3pm Wednesdays & Fridays

To sign up, visit www.justfoodks.org/volunteer, or for more information, email volunteer@justfoodks.org.

Seeking volunteers for regular, recurring 3 hour shifts for check out during Just Food operating hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9 am-6 pm, Wednesdays & Fridays 9 am-3 pm.

Position Overview: 

Do you believe that everyone deserves to get their groceries in a dignified way? Just Food is looking for a warm, helpful and efficient individual to regularly serve as Checkout Attendant in our shopping market. This frontline position is responsible for helping shoppers finish up their shopping trip, counting up food points used, ensuring appropriate distribution of food based on household size, and facilitating a safe, comfortable grocery shopping experience. This position will interact with all shoppers and must be able to multitask while remaining calm under pressure. 

Just Food believes in a community led approach to addressing hunger and its root causes. There is no one face of hunger and we strive for our volunteer base to represent that truth. Through collective experiences and compassion, with dignity and without judgment, volunteers serve as ambassadors on behalf of Just Food staff, connecting the community to services that increase access to healthy foods, reduce barriers to health and well-being, and cultivate self-sufficiency.

Job Duties:

Welcome and assist all shoppers coming into the pantry

Help shoppers understand how to navigate and operate within the market

Count up points and bag/box per client's preference; help carryout as needed

Requirements:

Have a professional appearance and friendly attitude

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to lift 20-30 pounds and stand on your feet for extended periods

Training & Supervision:

Must attend volunteer orientation & complete confidentiality & liability waiver

Training/supervision conducted by Pantry Manager, Volunteer Manager or Warehouse staff

Time Commitment:

3-hour shifts: 9am-6pm Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am-3pm Wednesdays & Fridays. Must be able to commit to the same regular shift each week. 

To sign up, visit www.justfoodks.org/volunteer, or for more information, email volunteer@justfoodks.org.

Seeking volunteers for regular, recurring 3 hour shifts for check in during Just Food operating hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9 am-6 pm, Wednesdays & Fridays 9 am-3 pm.

Position Overview: 

Do you have the gift of gab and want to use it to help others? Just Food is looking for a warm, welcoming, organized individual to regularly serve as Check-in Attendant in our pantry. This frontline position is responsible for registering and screening shoppers, ensuring accuracy of computer records, and facilitating a safe, comfortable grocery shopping experience. This frontline position will interact with all shoppers and must be able to multitask while remaining calm under pressure. 

Just Food believes in a community led approach to addressing hunger and its root causes. There is no one face of hunger and we strive for our volunteer base to represent that truth. Through collective experiences and compassion, with dignity and without judgment, volunteers serve as ambassadors on behalf of Just Food staff, connecting the community to services that increase access to healthy foods, reduce barriers to health and well-being, and cultivate self-sufficiency.

Job Duties:

Welcome and assist all folks coming into the pantry

Help shoppers understand how to navigate and operate within shopping area

Register any new shoppers, ensure complete and accurate information

Light data entry and computer usage as well as photocopying

Requirements:

Must be punctual and dependable; ability to commit to minimum 3-hour shift

Must present a semi-professional appearance and friendly attitude

Strong communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills

Comfortable on the computer & data entry

Training & Supervision:

Must attend volunteer orientation & complete confidentiality & liability waiver

Complete Link2Feed (software) training

Training/supervision conducted by Pantry Manager and/or Volunteer Manager

Time Commitment:

3-hour shifts: 9am-6pm Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9am-3pm Wednesdays & Fridays. Must be able to commit to the same regular shift each week. 

To sign up, visit www.justfoodks.org/volunteer, or for more information, email volunteer@justfoodks.org.

Join our Truck to Shelf Team and be part of the essential crew that keeps our pantry shelves stocked and our operations running smoothly!

As a member of this team, you’ll help with:

Unloading deliveries from the truck

Opening and sorting boxes of goods

Stocking shelves with care and accuracy

Organizing and storing excess inventory in our backroom or storage areas

This is a hands-on, active role that’s perfect for volunteers who enjoy working behind the scenes and don’t mind a bit of lifting, sorting, and teamwork. You’ll play a crucial role in making sure everything is ready and accessible for the people we serve.

As a Heart & Cart Pantry Volunteer, you are part of the frontline hospitality team: the welcoming face and helping hands of our pantry experience. You’ll interact directly with guests, assist them through the shopping process, and help make their visit respectful, efficient, and caring. Your presence helps shape not just what guests take home, but how they feel as they leave.

Greet guests warmly as they arrive and check them in

Guide guests through the shopping process, answer questions, and help them locate items

Bag groceries, load or carry items to guests’ vehicles (as needed)

Maintain shopping area: tidy shelves, restock as needed, check for dated/expired items

Assist with crowd flow or line management during busy periods

Clean up stations, clear debris or stray packaging, and help keep the space orderly

Collaborate with other volunteers and staff to ensure guest needs are met efficiently

Report low stock or maintenance issues to staff

Uphold a welcoming, dignified, and nonjudgmental environment

Friendly, compassionate, and guest‑oriented attitude

Comfortable interacting with diverse individuals and demonstrating respect

Ability to lift moderate weight (boxes or grocery bags) safely

Willingness to stand, walk, bend, and assist throughout shift

Good communicator and active listener

Flexibility, teamwork, and adaptability in a dynamic environment

Reliable and punctual

SIGN UP DIRECTLY ON OUR WEBSITE!

https://senttopeka.churchcenter.com/people/forms/763140

Thank you for donating a meal for our guests at the Lawrence Community Shelter! All meal donations must be scheduled and approved in advance. Meal donations must be prepared in a safe-certified or similarly regulated kitchen for quality assurance. Homemade donations are NOT accepted. However, you can volunteer to cook in the shelter kitchen instead.

Please reach out to schedule your meal donation. You will receive instructions for preparing meals, the number of servings, and noting common allergens.

Care Cupboard Volunteers will provide excellent and compassionate customer service for shoppers in our food pantry located on the north side of Heartland Community Health Center.  Service duties include: greeting shoppers, data entry, assisting shoppers, sacking groceries; as well as some light cleaning and stocking of the pantry. 

Volunteers will serve independently in support of our mission to help those in need of care. Comfort with computer entry is important and experience serving a diverse population (some with potentially special needs) is crucial. 

The Care Cupboard at Heartland Community Health Center is a satellite of Just Food.

Assist seniors to get where they need to go inside of Douglas County!  The Senior Resource Center (SRC) provides door-to-door transportation service Monday-Friday 7am-4pm in SRC's wheelchair accessible vehicles.

SRC seeks volunteer drivers for our Senior Wheels transportation programs in Eudora and Baldwin City.  Must be 21 years of age or older, have a valid driver's license, a clean driving record, and be able to pass a background check. No specialized driving experience or CDL is required!

We seek friendly, engaged individuals who love to work and communicate with the public, staff, and other volunteers. You will enjoy a flexible, fun environment where your work is greatly appreciated. Familiar with smart phone applications or willingness to learn is required. Must be able to stand-by assist seniors who have mobility challenges, as well as secure mobility devices in the vehicles. Knowledge of Lawrence and Douglas County streets and highways is very helpful.

Training is provided. We ask for a minimum of a 6-month commitment.Contact Heidi Briery for additional information.

Volunteer applications can be submitted from our website at www.dgcoks.gov/src

So many tasks require computer skills and internet access these days. Many of our older friends and neighbors simply haven't had the digital experience they find they now need!

Tech Help Tuesday is SRC's weekly in-person, drop-in tech support to help seniors troubleshoot and get the most out of their technology and devices.  Seniors drop-in for assistance (no appointments), and SRC volunteers help them with their phones, tablets, and laptops as needed. 

No special training is needed, but you should be able to help with setting up accounts and passwords, multi-factor log-ins, installing apps and other general troubleshooting and digital problem solving.  Many of our Tech Help volunteers are college students and others digital natives. 

Tuesdays, 2pm - 3:30pm.  Sign up to help just once or for many sessions!

For more information including how to sign-up, contact Kim Luce.

Volunteer applications can be submitted from our website at www.dgcoks.gov/src

Seniors, especially those who don't have family nearby, can struggle to complete odds and ends around their home. Sometimes those odds and ends are significant needs, such as moving furniture or boxes, packing to move into a nursing facility, or discarding old items. Sometimes it's something smaller, such as organizing and de-cluttering.

If you are interested in being on an on-call list (but no obligation) as someone we can contact when a need arises, please join this group of volunteers!  If you have a friend, partner, or team you like to work with, please let us know. Many hands make light work!

An SRC employee will contact you via email when a senior requests assistance. You will be provided a description of the specific assistance required. If you are available and interested, you can respond to the specific request. If you decline that specific request, you could be contacted for future requests. Occasionally, there is need for a pick-up truck! Keep this in mind if you have access to one and may be able to fill a special need.

Note: if you volunteer for a project that involves entering a senior's home without a SRC staff member present, we will ask you to complete a simple criminal background check first.

For more information, contact Doug Wendel.

Volunteer applications can be submitted from our website at www.dgcoks.gov/src 

Occasionally the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County receives requests from seniors who needs assistance with work in their yard. These requests are most common in the spring (to clean up after the winter) and in the fall (to help with leaves). 

If you are interested in being on an on-call list (but no obligation) as someone -- or a group -- who could be contacted when a need arises, please join this group of volunteers!  Volunteers will be contacted via email by an SRC employee when a senior requests assistance. You will be provided a description of the specific assistance required. If you are available and interested, you will be given a chance to respond to the specific request. If you decline that specific request, you could be contacted for future requests.

For more information, contact Doug Wendel.

Volunteer applications can be submitted from our website at www.dgcoks.gov/src

Preparing snow routes for pedestrian traffic

Safe Winter Walkways is a partnership program that supports the City's Strategic Plan Outcome of Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods

Brought your bike to fix it or work on it? This is your place to check in!

Don't have a bike you need to fix right now, but you'd like to help others work on their bikes or you are coming down to learn and better yourself and the community by building some bike knowledge! Sign up today!

Seeking volunteers to help out in the sensory garden.  We have regular garden shared work times on Thursdays (March to October) from 9:30 to 11:30.  Once a volunteer completes the application https://reader.ku.edu/volunteer-application as well as out orientation, volunteers can select hours that work for them to weed, water, sweep, trim and enjoying.  Hours are flexible, folks with some gardening background helpful; tasks include physical labor and exposure to the outdoors while weeding, planting, sweeping, trimming and enjoying the garden.  Complete a volunteer application at reader.ku.edu and you will get an email regarding volunteer orientation.

The concept of a sensory garden is unique: to provide an outdoor environment that stimulates a variety of senses, making the garden particularly accessible to individuals with visual impairments and other disabilities.

Plantings include those that are very fragrant or have interesting textures. Plants are labeled with special markers that identify the plant in Braille and in print.

When you stroll through the Audio-Reader Sensory Garden, you are encouraged to explore the garden with your fingers, your nose, and your ears — to touch, feel, smell and listen. This is a hands-on garden and visitors are encouraged to use several of their senses in order to enjoy all of the delights that the garden has to offer.

Children, adults, and seniors — sighted and sight-impaired — revel in the opportunity to experience this unique garden. In order to activate the fragrance of a plant, you may need to gently rub the leaf between your fingers. This also allows you to experience the unique texture of each plant. Wind chimes, a bubbling rock fountain, song birds, the chiming of the nearby Campanile, and even the sound of the KU marching band wafting from the nearby football stadium provide wonderful sounds to enjoy. Take a moment to sit on one of the garden benches and enjoy the distinctive sounds of the garden.

Braided Haven Mentor Program recruits and trains  a diverse group of individuals who are open and affirming, patient, kind, willing to give of themselves, and their time. Mentors engage with mentees to strengthen the relationship, but more importantly help build confidence and offer motivation.  We desire people who are open to fostering an environment for creativity, peace, hope, growth, and sense of family and ongoing support.

All mentoring provided is curated based on the needs of the mentee. One on One mentoring is offered for those who are interested and will participate in the Mentor/Mentee Matching process to assure the needs of the mentee for the greatest outcome, Youth entering the Braided Haven mentoring program will have access to a team of individuals to create a continuum of care for the mentee. 

Mentor/Mentee time should consist of the following but not limited to career development, academic support, and socialization. Whether it is a team or one on one session Mentors are encouraged to set goals within relationships to measure progress and to measure outcomes.

Mentees should expect to learn how to have healthy interactions and relationships. Participants should anticipate weekly visits, engage in goal setting and planning on how Mentor/Mentee time is spent. 

Mentors are expected to prepare youth for adulthood and young adults acclimatize into society with as much support as possible by providing practical tools and guidance to help achieve their individual dreams and goals.

Mentors are expected to support youth and young adults to cognitively process what it is to be LGBTQIA+ and how they're viewed in the society in which they live and empower them to engage their communities in a healthy and responsible way. 

Mentors will also be on-call for emergencies such as suicide prevention, or in response to a police call as a result of a violent incident.

Judges appoint CASA volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court and other settings. Responsibilities may include:

*Gather information: Review documents and records, interview the children, family members, and professionals in their lives.

* Document findings and appear in court: Provide written reports at court hearings. Advocate for the child’s best interests and provide testimony when
necessary.

* Help the child understand the court proceedings.

* Seek cooperative solutions among individuals and organizations involved in the children’s lives.

* Ensure that the children and their family are receiving appropriate services and advocate for those that are not immediately available.

* Bring concerns about the child’s health, education, mental health, etc. to the appropriate professionals.

Requirements:

This volunteer position includes someone that can do basic clerical needs such as typing, filing organizing, and anything requiring me by the executive Director to help her with her paperwork. The grant researching part of this volunteer Position includes looking for grants to help nonprofits and any grants available.

Provide daycare during parent groups!

Tentatively we have the following needs at a variety of locations in Topeka: Mondays 5:30-8:00PM, and the 3rd Tuesday of every month 5:30-8:00PM, and other days/times as needed. 

To apply please visit:  https://www.kcsl.org/how_options.aspx and click 'Apply Now.'

LINK (Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen) is looking to fill its Weekday Coordinator position. The Weekday Coordinator is responsible for helping LINK's volunteer serving groups serve free meals at LINK on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (and other weekday holidays when the Salvation Army is not serving a meal) to anyone in the Lawrence community. While the meal is served during those times, the Weekday Coordinator is on site at LINK from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m to help prepare the kitchen, assist the serving group with getting the meal read to serve, greet and interact with LINK's guests, clean up the dining room and kitchen after the meal with the assistance of volunteers, and other duties that arise. The Weekday Coordinator also is responsible for preparing the meal on days when no volunteer serving group has signed up to volunteer. This is a perfect opportunity for a retired person, someone looking to get experience working with marginalized populations, someone who wants to learn about working in and running a kitchen, or someone looking for an opportunity that really matters and makes a different in people's lives.  If you are interested in learning more about this position, please contact Amy Carlson at 785-691-7940. 

Seeking someone to help create marketing materials for social media, website, and outreach.