Needs From: United Way Muscatine County

bagging, stocking, sorting of food during Tuesday pantry hours

A VITA intake volunteer is a person who helps clients get started in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax preparation services to eligible individuals.

All Volunteers receive FREE training by the IRS

What a VITA Intake Volunteer Does

The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman coordinates a volunteer ombudsman program, and we are actively seeking volunteers throughout the state of Iowa!  After completing initial certification training, a volunteer ombudsman in our program will make regular visits to an assigned long-term care facility to help serve as a voice for residents, talking with them about their rights, empowering them, and providing advocacy.

Our volunteers are asked to spend a minimum of 3 hours per month in their assigned facility, complete monthly reports, work with long-term care ombudsman staff at the local and state levels, and complete annual continuing education to remain certified. 

Visits to facilities are generally unannounced and can be made at any time, any day generally between the hours of 8am-8pm. For a volunteer who may wish to make an impact but not wish/be able to make visits to facilities, there are more administrative volunteer opportunities available on an individualized basis.

If you have a passion for helping other people, especially those most vulnerable in our state, feel free to contact us for an application!  866-236-1430 or sltco@hhs.iowa.gov

We are looking for volunteers to help with math and spelling homework at our afterschool program from 4:00-5:00 M-F. A great opportunity for a small group to volunteer together each Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. To get started email niki@flickingerlearning.org or call 563-288-9000. Follow us on Facebook at Flickinger Learning! www.flickingerlearningcenter.org

Interested in gaining silver cord hours? Come read books, help with STEM activities, and play Sumdog math games with our kids ages K-6th. We would love to have you! Our program runs M-F 3:15-5:15 email niki@flickingerlearning.org or call 563-288-9000 to get started. Other ways to pick up Silver Cord hours at FLC: cleaning, shelving books, entering books in Excel, help with fundraisers like Bingo or Trivia. Follow us on Facebook at Flickinger Learning to see what we do!

United Way is looking for volunteers to read once a month to a pre-school classroom. 

United Way Muscatine's Educate United Affinity group is looking for Reading Mentors for McKinley Elementary School. Reading Mentors will go to the school one time per week during a 30-Min reading block and work kids on small group basis. The children will rotate so volunteers will see all or a good portion of the kids in their assigned class each time. The Reading Mentors will read to the children and have the children read to them. Reading Mentors can bring an age-appropriate book or use one the school has. Volunteers are needed during the following times.

Monday-Friday options are available:

Kindergarten 1:55-2:25

First Grade 1:25-1:50

Second Grade 8:45-9:10

Third Grade 8:45-9:10

United Way Muscatine's Educate United Affinity group is looking for Reading Mentors for Grant Elementary School. Reading Mentors will go to the school one time per week during a 30-Min reading block and work kids on small group basis. The children will rotate so volunteers will see all or a good portion of the kids in their assigned class each time. The Reading Mentors will read to the children and have the children read to them. Reading Mentors can bring an age-appropriate book or use one the school has. Volunteers are needed during the following times.

Monday-Friday options are available:

Kindergarten 12:50-1:20

First Grade 1:35-2:05

Second Grade 2:00-2:25

Third Grade 10:45-11:10

United Way Muscatine's Educate United Affinity group is looking for Reading Mentors for Jefferson Elementary School. Reading Mentors will go to the school one time per week during a 30-Min reading block and work kids on small group basis. The children will rotate so volunteers will see all or a good portion of the kids in their assigned class each time. The Reading Mentors will read to the children and have the children read to them. Reading Mentors can bring an age-appropriate book or use one the school has. Volunteers are needed during the following times.

Monday-Friday options are available:

Kindergarten 12:10-12:40

First Grade 9:15-9:45

Second Grade 9:45-10:10

Third Grade 8:45-9:15

United Way Muscatine's Educate United Affinity group is looking for Reading Mentors for Madison Elementary School. Reading Mentors will go to the school one time per week during a 30-Min reading block and work kids on small group basis. The children will rotate so volunteers will see all or a good portion of the kids in their assigned class each time. The Reading Mentors will read to the children and have the children read to them. Reading Mentors can bring an age-appropriate book or use one the school has. Volunteers are needed during the following times.

Monday-Friday options are available:

Kindergarten 10:30-11:00

First Grade 9:30-10:00

Second Grade 12:20-12:45

We constantly receive donations, and they are placed in closets but sometimes do not get sorted through due to time constrictions.  We are looking for an individual or individuals who are willing to come in 1-3 hrs per week to sort through them and reorganize the closets as needed.

Volunteer will greet guests as they come in, answer phones, hand out hygiene products and monitor the building to ensure safety.  If a safety issue comes up volunteer can deescalate the situation verbally if they feel safe if not staff or  MPD can be called.  

Guests are constantly coming and going from our shelter.  We need help getting the rooms cleaned up and prepped for the next guest.  This includes bagging up belongings and storing them or bagging all items and taking them to the dumpster; sweeping, mopping, cleaning the refrigerator, disinfecting all areas and getting bedding items & hygiene products placed in room.  Depending on the condition of the room it may take 1-3 hrs.

We're always in need of volunteers to take some friendly pooches for a stroll! If you'd like to volunteer, please fill out the waiver, using the link below.   Once you have been contacted by our volunteer coordinator, informing your application has been approved, you are welcome to visit our shelter at 1510 Grandview Avenue, Suite 1, seven days a week from 1:30-3:30. Take a half hour walk or more, up to a two hour walk- the choice is yours!

There'll be happy wagging tails waiting to greet you!

https://new.shelterluv.com/form/volunteer/ITAV/45266-volunteer-application

Setup & Breakdown Crew: • Help with unloading and setting up tables, tents, and signs. • Ensure everything is securely placed. • Assist vendors in packing up at closing.

Greeter & Information Helper: • Welcome customers and provide directions. • Answer questions about vendors and products. • Manage lost-and-found and customer concerns.

Volunteer Roles:

Greeter & Information Helper: • Welcome customers and provide directions. • Answer questions about vendors and products. • Manage lost-and-found and customer concerns.

Setup & Breakdown Crew: • Help with unloading and setting up tables, tents, and signs. • Ensure everything is securely placed. • Assist vendors in packing up at closing.

Sustainability Monitor: • Manage waste disposal and recycling. • Educate visitors on sustainable market practices.

Special Events Assistant: • Support live music, kids’ activities, and cooking demos. • Engage the community with interactive experiences.

Volunteer as a Front Desk Receptionist on Wednesdays at the Family Resources Muscatine Office located at 801 Oregon St, Muscatine, IA.

Volunteers will Receive office visitors and answer phones in the morning from 9:00AM - 12:00PM or in the afternoon from 1:00PM -3:00PM.

An online course you can do from home to prepare for this volunteer service is free and available at: 

https://icadv.talentlms.com/plus/login

Choose this need or Contact Bob S. at 563-468-2317.

"Please Respond to this need"

Description

Are you passionate about working with Survivors of abuse? Attend this required training in order to volunteer in Survivor Services crisis response to Survivors of abuse. 

This Iowa based training allows you to serve only  for Muscatine, Clinton and the St. Ambrose Campus Response SAAT. 20 hours of training are online and 16 hour are virtual via Zoom to total 36 hours. 

The training will be offered again in February of 2024.

There is no cost for this training if you are volunteering at Family Resources. A volunteer application, background check, and a minimum of volunteering is required. 

The cost of this professional training for non-volunteers is $50.00 for the course. 

"Respond" to find out more about this volunteer opportunity.

Caring for Iowans in their final stages of life is a difficult task, but it is also meaningful beyond words. Care Initiatives Hospice volunteers undergo truly life-changing experiences when they help a patient and their family through a deeply personal and difficult time. We could not provide the important care that we do without the dedication and support of our compassionate volunteers. We have short-term and long-term opportunities available and are able to work around your schedule. Friendly visiting may include holding a hand, reading to patients, listening to a story, listening to music, playing games, or just sitting with a patient. We serve patients in facilities and in their own homes. We follow CDC guidelines and make sure our volunteers are aware of any positive COVID-19 cases.

Volunteers can help with a wide variety of tasks including: Friendly home or care center visits; sharing stories, listening to music, reading to patients or writing letters.   Volunteers can help with caregiver relief, or caregiver socialization.  Spiritual needs can be addressed by volunteers by reading scripture or listening to hymns and praying with a client.  Hours and activities are flexible and work into YOUR schedule.

Become part of an amazing team of individuals helping those who are facing end of life in your community!  Orientation is provided and a background screening is required.  Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

www.Compassus.com/volunteers to apply for a volunteer position or give me a call:  928-899-8546

Jill Venden

Volunteer Coordinator

Jill.Venden@Compassus.com

Volunteering is fun! Being a Big Brother or Sister is simple and rewarding.  It is as easy as showing your new Little Brother or Sister how to play a favorite computer game, bake an apple pie or reading the funnies together.  We’ve learned that being someone special to a child doesn’t take much more than that. But the impact is huge—for both of you!

Big Brothers Needed! Though Big Brothers Big Sisters is always looking for volunteers from all walks of life, right now there is a greater need for men.  Being a Big Brother is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. As a Big Brother, you get to be a kid again for an hour a week while you give a kid the invaluable gift of your friendship. Of the boys waiting for a Big Brother right now, there’s one wanting to play video games, shoot hoops, or just hang out with someone just like you!

We are looking for a few individuals to add to our delivery routes and our food rescue program. Delivery routes typically take 30-45 mins in total. Food rescue will be Thursday mornings and take roughly 30-45 mins. 

If disaster strikes in Muscatine County and individuals and families find themselves in need of a safe place to stay, you will provide them shelter, food and most importantly, comfort through the crisis until they can get back home or start rebuilding.  The Red Cross offers extensive free training and support to make sure you are ready to help in a time of need.  If the disaster is larger, we will send more helpers to work alongside with you! People who are fully qualified to volunteer in local shelters can also choose to deploy to larger national disasters if they're interested.  All travel expenses are covered by the American Red Cross.  

The Red Cross currently requires all volunteers who will be performing in-person work to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.  Shelters are always operated in person. 

The location?  The nearest local partner in Muscatine who has generously offered their church, school, or other facility as an emergency shelter.  It may even be where you worship or where your kids go to school.  

To learn more or get started on your application and training, please contact Connie at 309-207-5266 or email connie.dudgeon@redcross.org.  

The American Red Cross responds to home fires across the country every day, and we have responded to multiple fires in Muscatine County in the last six months.  When a tragic home fire happens, the fire department is the first responder:  they come to deal with the fire.  They are there to save your life and try to save your home.  The American Red Cross and our local partners are the second responders:  we respond to YOU.  We are there to comfort you, make sure you have a safe place to sleep, get you through the immediate crisis and then we continue to provide ongoing resources and aid as you rebuild your life.  The local home fire response team, also called the Disaster Action Team, is made up of 2-3 local volunteers who respond to the call when a fire is reported to the Red Cross.  This could happen at any time.  We provide free online training and support and we have a network of other volunteers to help each other.  The more volunteers are available in Muscatine County, the faster we can respond to a local family in need.  

If you are caring, compassionate, and action-oriented, this is a great volunteer opportunity for you!  You will be the best thing that happens on the worst day of a neighbor's life.  They'll never forget that you showed up to provide help and hope.   

The Red Cross currently requires all volunteers who perform in-person tasks to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.  Our home fire responders show up in person.  However, there are some important support roles that can be performed virtually from your home phone and computer, and we are always grateful for our virtual volunteers too.  So whatever your own vaccination status, if you want to help, let us know!  We'd love to have you join us. 

If you are interested in learning more or ready to apply, please contact Connie at 309-207-5266 or email connie.dudgeon@redcross.org. 

Court Appointed Special Advocates are trained and qualified community advocates to serve as an effective voice in court for abused and neglected children, strengthening efforts to ensure that each child is living in a safe, permanent and nurturing home.  CASA are required to see the child every 30 days.  

Milestones Area Agency on Aging has routes available in Muscatine and surrounding communities. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals to home-bound seniors Monday through Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Make an older adults day by delivering them a hot, nutritious meal! You can volunteer to deliver meals once a week, once a month, with a friend, with a group or on your own-whatever works for you.

Volunteer requirements include one year of driving experience, valid driver's license, auto insurance and reliable transportation. For more information contact Heather Whittemore at 563-260-9921, or hwhittemore@milestonesaaa.org

Food Rescue of Muscatine is looking for volunteers to help pick up food from grocery stores and restaurants and deliver it a pantry to be given to those who are in need.  This opportunity can be once a week, on call basis.  Each route takes about an hour.