AGE APPROPRIATE YOUTH VOLUNTEER IDEAS

These projects are also appropriate for teenagers.

AGES 1 - 4

• Play with other children.
• Visit a nursing home with other family members.
• Partner with an older family member to read books at the library or community center.
• Help deliver meals prepared for the homebound or hungry.

AGES 5 - 7

• Sort bags of food at food bank.
• Work in a community garden, i.e., till soil, plant bulbs or maintain a family garden.
• Bake sweets and deliver them to a place where they will be enjoyed.
• Enjoy a fundraising walk.
• Make sandwiches for the homeless.
• Harvest vegetables.
• Give a puppet show to shelter children.

AGES 8 - 10

• Help set tables and serve food at a soup kitchen.
• Share family volunteer experiences at community events or in newsletters.
• Collect clothing or school supplies for those in need.
• If you have a pet, volunteer to take it for a visit to an adult day care center.
• Paint local schools or non-profit agencies.
• Walk dogs at the animal shelter.

AGES 11 - 12

• Mentor young children through a family-to-family mentoring program.
• Suggest and choose family volunteer activities with other family members.
• Call other friends’ families to become family volunteers.
• Encourage family volunteering or civic activities in the classroom.
• Join a gleaning project, i.e., pick fruit or vegetables at local farms.

All can participate at some level

• Hug seniors in rest homes.
• Clean up beaches or parks. Beautify neighborhoods.
• Provide foster home for pets.
• Raise money to buy books for literacy program.
• Create cards for residents in nursing homes.

Call 272-2087 to volunteer!

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Update

• Phelps Youth Pavilion needs volunteers for Family Fun Days on July 5. Volunteers are needed in the art room working on the make and take activities and to help staff with upkeep tasks throughout the Pavilion. Shifts are 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.


• The Waterloo and Cedar Falls Jaycees 2012 Fireworks Festival will be held Friday July 6th and Saturday July 7th at the National Cattle Congress Grounds. Volunteers are needed to assist with parking (shifts include 4:30-6 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m. and 7:30-9:00 p.m.), selling glow-sticks (8:15-9:30 p.m.), and clean up (11:30 - ?). Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.


• The IronKids team relies on a dedicated group of volunteers to help assist with everything from race operations, packet pick-up/registration, to venue tear-down after the race has come to a close. For this event, (teams, clubs, non-profit organizations) are recruited, as well as individuals to join the IronKids family in Waterloo to provide a wonderful race weekend experience on July 6th and 7th for each of the athletes.  Shifts of varying times exist. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.


• Volunteers age 21 and over are needed for the first annual Stem & Stein: Food, Beer and Wine Fest on Saturday, July 14 from 2:00-11:00 p.m. at the new RiverLoop Amphitheatre. Volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs including: dinner and beer servers, ID check/wristbands, setup and tear down, gate security and stage help.


Volunteer by calling 272-2087.

Luncheon Event at New Aldaya (Lutheran Home)

Tom Hagarty is assisting the NewAldaya Lifescapes (formerly--The Cedar Falls Lutheran Home) Mission Fund by grilling Hamburgers, Hot Dogs or Brats on Friday, June 29 from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

You are invited to stop at the new Main Street addition, purchase a lunch at a modest price and help out this great cause. TIPS will be gratefully accepted!

Tom will be competing in the "Celebrity Grillers" Fund-raiser. Judging for the title of "Master Griller" will be based on who is the biggest fund-raiser including sales and "TIPS"!

Please find time to come out, enjoy Tom’s grilling techniques, eat lunch and help out this worthwhile cause!

At the time of this email Tom has contracted with a special guest singer/DJ to help provide entertainment while you have lunch.

If you have never been to NewAldaya this would be an excellent chance to visit their new addition.

Plan to attend and bring your friends!

A Billion + Change

A Billion + Change, a national campaign to mobilize billions of dollars of pro bono and skills-based service.

Learn more: www.abillionpluschange.org

Join A Billion + Change Linkedin Group
This is a group where businesses, HR and CSR officers, and those interested in philanthropy and corporate social responsibility can network, share ideas, information, success stories and best practices about skills-based volunteering.

To get nvolved in skills-based service call the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at 272-2087.

Volunteer Recognition

Since volunteer recognition is a such an important part of successful volunteer management, the ICVS wants to help support Iowa organizations in their efforts to recognize their volunteers.  Visit the Volunteer Management section of our website for more information about recognition as a best practice, or read below for examples of volunteer awards offered by the ICVS and others.

 

State Volunteer Recognition Programs

The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service coordinates the State of Iowa’s two most prestigious volunteer recognition programs: the Governor’s Volunteer Awards (established in 1982), and the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame (established in 1986).  Whenever new information and nomination forms are released for either program, an announcement will be added to www.volunteeriowa.org. 
We invite you to get the latest news and announcements by joining the “Volunteer Iowa” e-news list.  Get started by clicking the “Register” button at www.iowalifechanging.com.  If you have questions not answered here, contact the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service at icvs@iowa.gov or 1.800.308.5987. 

 

Governor’s Volunteer Awards

http://www.volunteeriowa.org/awards/
Typically, Governor’s Volunteer Awards are given to every person or group that is nominated.  We rely on the people submitting the names to let us know these people are deserving of this honor.  Several hundred awards are presented each year during regional recognition ceremonies.
Nominations are coordinated by state government agencies, the Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, and the Iowa League of Cities, since there is a small handling fee for each nomination.  A few examples:

• All schools in the state may submit nominations, but those must come through and be approved by the Iowa Department of Education, which covers the fee.
• Each of the following types of organizations must include a check for the handling fee with their nomination forms:
  • Iowa nonprofit organizations may submit nominations through the Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center
  • City governments may submit nominations through the Iowa League of Cities
  • Branches of federal government agencies operating in Iowa may submit nominations through the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service
  • Nomination forms are available in early February each year.

 

Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame

Anyone can submit a nomination for the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame, which come directly to the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service.  There is no handling fee.  This program is extremely competitive — sort of like the “Oscars” for volunteers — and only a few honorees are selected each year.  A review panel comprised of several of our commissioners evaluates and scores each nomination to help determine which Iowa individuals or groups will be recognized.
Being inducted into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame is the most prestigious state-level honor volunteers can receive; the people selected are those who have forever changed their community, the state, the nation, or the world with their volunteer service and action.  Names of inductees are engraved on a special plaque on permanent display in the State Historical Museum and a special recognition ceremony is held in the State Capitol each year.
Nomination materials are available each autumn.
2012 Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame Materials [PDF form: 1.2MB] or [MS Word: 689k]

 

Other Recognition Ideas

Celebrate National Volunteer Week — normally the third week of April.  National Volunteer Week is a call to action for Americans to volunteer and a week to inspire by example.  Created by executive order of President Richard Nixon in 1974, this week signaled a recommitment to creating a culture of service in America.  Millions of Americans volunteer this week and demonstrate the positive community impact that engaged individuals, families, businesses and organizations create year-round.
Daily Point of Light Awards — The program was established by the administration of former President George H.W. Bush as part of “A movement to engage all individuals, families, businesses, groups and organizations in America to solve community problems.”  Between 1989 and 1993, President Bush distributed 1,020 Daily Point of Light Awards during his presidency, placing volunteer service at the top of its agenda.  He continues to sign all of the awards today.
Presidential Service Awards — The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve.  The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for Youth Volunteerism — The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States' largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service.  The program was created in 1995 by Prudential in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to honor middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state, and national level.

Doing Good Together

 Jenny Friedman is the Executive Director of Doing Good Together, a family oriented newsletter that focuses on strengthening kids and communities through volunteerism. The following comes from the June edition.

Whether you've got five minutes or five hours, toddlers or teens, make room on your calendar to give back this summer. It'll feel as good as a dip in the pool, and you'll be teaching your children important lessons about compassion, kindness and community involvement. 

Make a Difference.....

Here are a few ideas for a summer sprinkled with giving.

1. Take a Stand Host a lemonade stand and raise money for your family's favorite charity. Boldly decorate a sign with your cause - big enough for passersby to see - and watch the quarters flow in. Maybe the group you're supporting has brochures you can hand out, too. For recipes and more ideas, visit the Sunkist website.

2. Card Caring Turn those artistic urges into urgently needed goodwill by making greeting cards. Troll through your art supplies to create some cheery missives, then deliver your handiwork to sick children (or adults) at a nearby hospital or a lonely neighbor - anyone who needs some cheering up. Other grateful recipients can be found through Hugs and Hope.

3. Hoopla for Moola Throw a backyard carnival to raise money for a favorite cause. Offer simple games, prizes, a ticket booth, and face painting. Have hot dogs available on the grill, or be really sweet and rent a cotton candy machine. Other creative ideas can be found at the MDA Carnivals website.

4. Getting Down to Basics Get in the habit of picking up a few extra groceries when you shop, and drop them in a designated (and even decorated!) box in your kitchen. Together, deliver the box to your local food shelf every month or so. Designate another box for a nearby family shelter. Toss in any gently used clothes or toys that are ready for a new home, or new socks or underwear when you find them on sale. Routine donations feel great and keep everyone thinking about others.

5. Meals on Wheels Want to break up your summer routine? Take an hour or two to deliver a noontime meal to homebound people. Kids love to help carry the lunch and ring the doorbell. And your volunteer efforts will help our elderly and isolated neighbors to continue living in the homes they love. 

Visit Meals on Wheels Association of America to find a program near you. 

6. Elder Hospitable Socializing with our elders does children a world of good - and you're guaranteed some great stories. Drop by a nearby nursing home, but first call the volunteer coordinator to find out the best time. Come bearing homemade treats, handmade cards or small gifts (sun catchers, paper flowers, etc.) to share. Or take your favorite books to read together.

7. Kindness Kits Practice counting and organizing skills by assembling kits for those in need. Church World Service will store your kits until needed by disaster victims or people who need continuing aid. Choose the school kit, hygiene kit, baby care kit or emergency clean-up kit; the Church World Service website explains what to include in each.

8. Simply Cereal With food shelf supplies low, homeless shelters almost always need cereal-and your children will surely want to help. Any cereal your friends and family want to contribute is welcome-colorful, low-fat, childhood favorites, heart-healthy. See how many boxes you can collect. Folks in shelters need to start off their day with breakfast, and your donations can help save the shelter budget. To find a shelter in your area, dial 211 (available in most areas) or check with your local

United Way.

9. Smiles of a Summer Day If the weather isn't cooperating, settle in for an afternoon of coloring. Color A Smile collects crayon drawings from schoolchildren, and then distributes them to nursing homes, Meals on Wheels programs, and individuals across the country. The goal is to make people smile. Your child may even get a mention on the Color A Smile "thank you" page.

10. Oh Rubbish Why not tidy the outdoors as part of your daily summer routine? 

Keep plastic bags and plastic gloves in your backpack or tote so that you can pick up trash whenever you're out walking. A fun option: make it a rule to throw away five pieces of trash before your little ones can let loose on the jungle gym.

Talk About It.....

Summer can offer some quiet time for conversation and contemplation - even if it's in the car of the way to soccer practice. Here are some questions from our friends at 

Talk About Giving that will help you make the most of those opportunities to connect about what matters.

• If you could only help one person, whom would you help and why?
• If you had $10 and you had to give it away, to whom would you give it?
• If were to live on less money, what could we do without?
• Name one way that you are willing to help a friend or neighbor this week?

Learn About It.....

Talk about Giving is an initiative developed by the Central Carolina Community Foundation to encourage multi-generational conversation about philanthropy. The Talk About Giving game offers 52 cards with open-ended conversations starters. Visit their website to find one meaningful question each week to spark a conversation with your children.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Update

• Phelps Youth Pavilion needs volunteers for Family Fun Days on July 5. Volunteers are needed in the art room working on the make and take activities and to help staff with upkeep tasks throughout the Pavilion. Shifts are 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• The Waterloo and Cedar Falls Jaycees 2012 Fireworks Festival will be held Friday July 6th and Saturday July 7th at the National Cattle Congress Grounds. Volunteers are needed to assist with parking (shifts include 4:30-6 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m. and 7:30-9:00 p.m.), selling glow-sticks (8:15-9:30 p.m.), and clean up (11:30 - ?). Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• Volunteers age 21 and over are needed for the first annual Stem & Stein: Food, Beer and Wine Fest on Saturday, July 14 from 2:00-11:00 p.m. at the new RiverLoop Amphitheatre. Volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs including: dinner and beer servers, ID check/wristbands, setup and tear down, gate security and stage help.

• The Grout Museum District needs Exhibit Space Monitors. Volunteers age 16 and over will walk through the Grout Museum and Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum and assist people as needed on Saturdays between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Call 272-2087 to volunteer.

RiverLoop Grand Opening Celebration

Celebrate with the Waterloo Center for the Arts as we inaugurate our stunning new outdoor RiverLoop Amphitheatre, Arts Mall and Mark’s Splash Park with a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, June 29 and a summer arts festival and grand opening celebration on Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1.

Join us on Friday, June 29 for the Grand Opening dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony of the new RiverLoop Amphitheatre, Arts Mall and Mark’s Splash Park. The Kingdom Regiment Drill Team will perform at 11:00am followed by dedication speeches from Mayor Buck Clark, Former Mayor Tim Hurley, Dan Watters representing Waterloo Development Corp, and Cathy Young on behalf of the Young Family. A ribbon cutting performed by the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber Ambassadors will conclude Friday’s celebration ceremony.

A 2-day RiverLoop Arts Festival and Grand Opening celebration is planned for Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1. The festival will feature original art for sale from over 30 Iowan artists and kids activities from 10:00am-6:00pm on Saturday and 10:00am-4:00pm on Sunday. Enjoy live music & performances with food & beverages available for purchase until 10:00pm on Saturday and 4:00pm on Sunday. The event is free of charge and will be held rain or shine.

The Waterloo Center for the Arts works in partnership with the community to build a stronger appreciation for the arts and to provide cultural experiences for people of all ages. For more information about the WCA or the RiverLoop Arts Festival and Grand Opening, call (319) 291-4490 or visit www.waterloocenterforthearts.org.

Does Your Nonprofit Appeal to the 'New' Volunteers?

Is your nonprofit in touch with the "new" volunteers? The ones who are both young and older, who want to volunteer as a family, who want to change the world, who look for ways to use their skills, who want to use the newest tools to do that work and to communicate about it?
 
A recent report on volunteerism in Canada, Joanne Fritz from About.com, revealed surprising discomfort among volunteers. An article in the Vancouver Sun provides an overview of that study and what it suggests volunteer coordinators might do to make volunteering more attractive.
In short the study revealed that:

• Nearly two-thirds of surveyed volunteers reported at least one "negative experience" when trying to do good for their community.
• Many volunteers felt their skills weren't being adequately used. Others were discouraged by organizational politics and a lack of support, or felt their efforts weren't making a difference.
• There are considerable gaps between what Canadians are looking for in a volunteer experience and what in fact organizations are offering as volunteer opportunities,
• Families surveyed suggested there simply aren't enough opportunities to volunteer together.
• The young and tech-savvy often feel discriminated against because of their age.
• Young people are also concerned because many volunteer opportunities are only available during business hours, while they are in school. In addition, transportation to and from volunteer positions can be problematic, especially for the young.
• Volunteer jobs are often administrative in nature, lacking real responsibility, and provide little sense of actually making a difference.
• Volunteer tasks are many times not connected to the volunteer's interests and skills.
• Organizations should get to know their volunteers better, offer flexible opportunities, and be more sensitive to sex, culture, language and age differences. Recognition of where volunteers are in their life stage is important as is the ability to modify volunteer roles as volunteers move from one life stage to another.
• There is a need for more online volunteer opportunities and for volunteer coordinators to follow up with volunteers to let them know how their support has helped.

Although the study surveyed Canadian volunteers, there is little doubt in my mind that the results would be similar in the US. Although we enjoy a very high level of volunteerism in this country, we can only wonder how much better those experiences could be for both volunteers and organizations with the proper care, creativity, and dedication to providing meaningful experiences for volunteers.


To learn more about volunteering call 272-2087.

Hurry! Don't miss the opportunity for your Big Idea to win a $5,000 grant. The Contest closes on June 22nd!

ENTER THE 4^th ANNUAL CLIFFORD BE BIG IN YOUR COMMUNITY CONTEST before it's too late!  Remember it only takes a little to BE BIG! 

BE BIG™ is a multiyear campaign that invites everyone, big and small, to take action and raise awareness for how Clifford's BIG Ideas (Share, Be Kind, Help Others, Be a Good Friend, Play Fair, Have Respect, Be Truthful, Believe in Yourself, Work Together and Be Responsible) can make the world a better place.

As part of the BE BIG campaign, the contest will award $10,000 in community grants* to the BIGGEST ideas that best demonstrate Clifford's BIG Ideas! 

 

Scholastic and HandsOn Network will work with the winners to bring their Big Ideas to life!  Everyone is invited --parents, kids, teachers or community leaders  -- to submit their ideas now through June 22, 2012.

 

For contest entry forms and official rules visit www.scholastic.com/cliffordbebig/contest

 

BIG Awards!

 

*One grand prize winning BIG Idea will be honored with a $5,000 community grant to bring their BIG Idea to life. In addition, $5,000 in community grants of $1,000 each will be awarded to five (5) first place winning ideas.  

Give Your Dad the Gift of Volunteering this Father’s Day

Give your dad the gift of volunteering this Father’s Day! This Sunday is Father’s Day, and what better way to spend time with your father than by volunteering with your dad! Here are 5 ways to volunteer with your dad on father’s day!

1. Celebrate Father’s Day by volunteering with your kids at a community garden. This is a great way to spend the day outdoors doing community service while bonding with your friends & family. Volunteers will plant seeds, turn compost, and dig in the dirt.  Remember to bring all your banana peels, apple cores, any rotting lettuce you forgot was in the refrigerator, tops of carrots or peppers that you cut from your dinner preparations and coffee grounds from your breakfast to also help feed the compost system.
   
2. Celebrate all the fathers in your community by delivering donuts! That’s right, donuts are the ultimate comfort food and a pleasant way to say thank you to all the dads in your neighborhood. I’m pretty sure they’ll love this simple treat this father’s day.
   
3. Looking for a way to have fun and do good at the same time? Do a Father’s Day 5K and 10K race. Volunteer opportunities include: Registration, Split Timers – calling out times to runners as they pass by your assigned mile marker, Water Stop – fill cups of water, hand to runners, clap and cheer, clean up dropped cups after race, be race course marshalls by providing clear directions to keep runners on course, clap and cheer. At the finish line, you and your father can decorate, keep runners moving across the finish line, clap and cheer! Or you all can volunteer at the refreshment table by setting up food and drinks at the finish line for runners.
   
4. Volunteer at a sports event! Many organizations are throwing Father’s Day fundraisers in the form of sports tournaments and events. Whether it’s a softball tournament, golf tournament, baseball tournament, etc, volunteer opportunities include, help with decorations, distributing materials, providing decorations, or simply donating money to the organization and participating in the actual event. Volunteering at sporting events is a fun way to spend time with your father on his special day!
   
5. Do something out of the ordinary! This father’s day, volunteer to just do something out of the ordinary to spend quality time with your dad to remind your dad that he is special to you and your family!

The VCCV has many volunteer opportunities listed on www.vccv.org.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Update

• The Cedar Valley Volunteer Emergency Club needs Food Stand Vendors to sell popcorn, peanuts, sno-cones, and ice tea at the Sturgis Falls Festival on June 22 – 24 from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.  Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

     

• Country View needs volunteers to serve as a Fisherman's Friend to take 1-2 adult residents with special needs fishing. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome daily with flexible times as arranged.

• The Department of Human Services needs volunteers age 18 and over Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with flexible shifts to assist with filing, copying, answering phones, and other duties assigned.

• Exceptional Persons, Inc. needs Activity Volunteers for the Adult Day Program helping adults with disabilities with a variety of activities in an Adult Day Care (Games, crafts, puzzles, etc). Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Call 272-2087 to volunteer.

In the Spotlight - Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging

Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging coordinates services for persons who are aged 60 and over to allow them to remain in their home and to maintain the independence they desire utilizing available funds to serve the most persons possible.

Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging coordinates services for individuals to help them maintain the independence they desire. Services we provide include options counseling, case management, meal programs, caregiver support, respite services, consumer protection, evidence based health programs, and advocacy. HVAAA serves the following counties in Iowa: Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Grundy, Hardin, Marshall, Poweshiek, and Tama.

Volunteers are needed to deliver meals, provide clerical help, serve as transit drivers, or work on the new pilot money management program.

To volunteer, call 272-2087.

Foster/Adoptive Family Appreciation Picnic

Foster/Adoptive Family Appreciation Picnic 

Black Hawk Park, Cedar Falls

2410 W. Lone Tree Road

Riverview Shelter House

June 24, 2012

4 - 6 p.m.

RSVP by June 15th

How many are people will be attending?

Contact Dianna Seedorff, IFAPA Peer Liaison

888-622-4521 or seedorff_ifapa@hotmail.com

Bring a friend who may be interested in becoming a foster parent.

Grand Door Prize: Overnight stay at The Isle Casino and Hotel!

Fun… Games… Food… Beverages

Service Learning Year End Summary

Twenty five diverse classrooms in the Cedar Valley were impacted by service learning this school year and more than 5,000 students participated in and heard the message regarding service. The demographics of the classrooms ranged from preschool age to university graduates and the type of classes varied from special needs to talented and gifted programs.

Because the service learning model requires that the students determine the strengths and needs of a community, learning is inherent in every stage of the process. Additional learning happens when the students determine the community need they wish to address.

A fifth grade class at Poyner Elementary School learned about hunger and homelessness when representatives from the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and the Salvation Army spoke to their class. They crafted a project, collected money for the Food Bank, and served lunch at the Salvation Army. This is a wonderful example of authentic learning.

A talented and gifted class at Orchard Hill Elementary designed a Bullying Awareness Day at the school. They researched facts, found videos on YouTube, crafted an original game about bullying, and presented each student at the school with an anti-bullying wristband. A West High School class also selected bullying as their community concern. They wrote, acted and recorded a short video about cyber-bullying. They addressed the Waterloo School Board and showed the video to the board members and the public. The video will be used next year at West High School.

Members of a class at Cedar Falls Alternative High choose synthetic drug abuse as their topic. They researched and planned a power point presentation which they showed to local legislators.

A number of classes chose animal abuse as a focus and planned a variety of projects varying from making pet blankets to producing brochures on proper pet care. A Don Bosco class presented an educational program on pet care to elementary students.

Other projects included addressing the needs of the environment, literacy, and improving the safety and beauty of a neighborhood. Students in the Cedar Valley demonstrated sensitivity to the needs in the community and a dedication to make the world a better place.

The VCCV is already looking forward to impacting the students of the Cedar Valley this fall!

Call 272-2087 for more information.

Parent Partner Open House

Join us for an open house and appreciation event!

Parent Partners matches families currently involved in the child welfare system with a parent mentor who was previously involved in the child welfare system to help families achieve their goals. Stop by to learn more about how this program strengthens families and listen to current Parent Partners share their personal stories of success.

Saturday, June 16 • 2 – 5 p.m.

LSI’s Bremwood Campus, Spiritual Life Center

106 16th St. S.W., Waverly

Parent Partners will speak at 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00 and 4:30. Please RSVP by June 8 (requested, but not necessary) to Diane Hackert at 319.233.3579 ext. 33



Weekly Volunteer Opportunity Update

• The Cedar Valley Volunteer Emergency Club needs Food Stand Vendors to sell popcorn, peanuts, sno-cones, and ice tea at the Sturgis Falls Festival on June 22 – 24 from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.  Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

                   

• The Green Iowa team at Cedar Rapids, along with Linn County Conservation will be hosting a river clean-up along one section of the Wapsipinicon River. Volunteers will meet at Pinicon Ridge Watercraft Concession at 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, June 16^th. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• The Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens need Community Engagement Volunteers to assist in special events. Volunteers will attend a one-hour new volunteer session, where you will have the opportunity to tour the grounds and learn more about volunteering. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

• Cedar Valley Hospice is looking for dedicated and compassionate volunteers to help as Koala Volunteers. Volunteers act as Quincy or Katie Koala or their friend to support children who are chronically ill, or grieving the death of a loved one. Volunteer opportunities exist Monday through Friday with flexible times. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

To volunteer call 272-2087.

Watch Your In-Box

Please note that member agency annual renewal notices will be sent to you via email in June.

Please keep your membership current so that we can keep your Volunteer Solutions postings active and promote your agencies though the Courier, E-News, Facebook, Twitter, our blog and our publications in addition to the University of Northern Iowa.

Our services are offered at no charge to you. If you know of additional nonprofits that might benefit from our services please let us know! Contact Lauren at 272-2087.

Endeavor Winners Announced

The Endeavor Recognition Project recognizes students, staff, teachers and school volunteers at Black Hawk County public and private high schools who make outstanding contributions to the common good of their school or community.

The project presents at-large awards to people whose volunteer efforts involve more than one school. Jean Seeland from the Volunteer Center of  Cedar Valley was among the three.

Jean is the Program Coordinator at the VCCV.

Congratulations Jean!

The VCCV Becomes a Partner in Education

On May 14, the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley formalized a long standing relationship with the Waterloo Community Schools by becoming a Partner in Education At-Large. Although the Waterloo Community Schools has been a member agency for many years, the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley was not officially a Partner in Education.

Now it is official. The Partner in Education program exists to develop a relationship between the community and schools for the purpose of enhancing the academic and social development of students.

School and community partnerships are cooperative arrangements between schools and community organizations (businesses, agencies, service clubs, etc.) for the purpose of sharing resources to meet partner needs.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is pleased to announce this formal association!

Utilizing Youth Volunteers - Summer Opportunities Needed

Youth Volunteer Statistics

• 55% of youth volunteer – 15.5 million people!
• The typical youth volunteer contributes 29 hours per year.
• ¾ of youth who volunteer do so through youth, school and religious organizations.
• 10.6 million youth have engaged in community service as part of school activity.
• If family members volunteer, youth will too.

Benefits for Youth Volunteering

• Volunteering can help explore interests.
• Meet people you might not normally meet.
• Volunteer activities add value to college applications and work resumes.
• It’s fun.
• You’re sharing your talents and knowledge with others.
• Advancing the common good.

Tips for Working with Youth

• Engage now = lifelong volunteers
• Positive first experience
• Believe in the value of youth volunteers
• Be youth-friendly
• Be honest
• Provide support
• Determine age levels
• Be flexible and tolerant
• Provide training session
• Group activities
• Reassure them
• Build character and leadership skills

Youth Volunteer Recruitment

• Determine your organization’s needs
• Recruitment done through the VCCV, word-of-mouth, advertising, newsletters, bulletins, etc.
• Interview and screen
• Orientation and training
• Performance evaluations
• Recognition

For more information contact the VCCV at 272-2087.