Category: Volunteer Opportunities

TurnStyles Thrift of Catholic Charities is a lot more than just a thrift store. In 2017 they helped redeem over 4,600 emergency assistance clothing vouchers. Revenue from TurnStyles also helped serve 15,264 meals during the Kids Summer Food Program. It also allowed them to provide food, shelter, utility assistance, case management and financial education 4,403 times via their mobile resource bus. Because TurnStyles is a part of Catholic Charities, donations not only help eliminate waste and provide gently used clothing and household goods at discounted prices, but the revenue also supports other Catholic Charities’ programming.

TurnStyles is always looking for volunteers both from individuals or groups, long term or episodic.

Currently they’re looking for volunteers to help accept and process donations at their  new

TurnStyles Thrift store at 135th/Nieman

Volunteers are needed January 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, and 20th.

 

For more information, visit their website and sign up today!

The Whole Person connects people with disabilities to the resources they need by supporting independent choice and advocating for positive change in the community.  They envision a fully accessible community where opportunities and choices are not limited by disability.

Volunteer Opportunities Available

Assistance in our office on projects
Support at Fundraisers or Special Events
Internships
Special Events Community Outreach
Volunteer Guest Speakers
Read routine mail for blind and visually-impaired adults

For more information and to apply, click here!

They also have an annual art show, so spread the word! The Deadline is this Friday, February 9th!

Expressions Art Exhibition: 2018 Call for Artists

The Whole Person is seeking artists for our 8th Annual Expressions Art Exhibition. This is an opportunity for artists with disabilities to exhibit their work in a professional setting while making connections with the Kansas City arts community. Applications will be accepted from January 9 – February 9, 2018 at 5:00 pm (CST).

The exhibition, which will open April 6, 2018 at the Kansas City Young Audiences (KCYA) Auditorium, and will remain on display at multiple venues through February 2019. Selected artists will receive an honorarium.

Who can apply?
All artists with disabilities (physical, cognitive, mental health, or other) in the Greater Kansas City area are invited to submit their work for consideration. Both visual artists (2D and 3D) and performing artists (dancers, musicians, actors, and spoken word artists) are encouraged to apply.

What will participation in Expressions entail?
In addition to having their work exhibited at multiple venues from April 2018 through February 2019, selected artists will receive an honorarium and have opportunities to participate in professional development workshops.

How are artists selected?
Artists will be selected by a volunteer committee of arts professionals.

For accommodations or guidance on the application process, artists may contact Lea Klepees at 816-659-9403 or by email to lklepees@thewholeperson.org.

Apply three ways
1. Apply online
2. Email your information and images to expressions@thewholeperson.org
3. Mail your information and images to: The Whole Person, Attn: Expressions, 3710 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111 (Note: submission materials may not be returned to the artist)

The International Essential Tremor Foundation is an organization that provides hope to the essential tremor (ET) community through awareness, education, support, and research. Once known as familial tremor, benign tremor or hereditary tremor, ET is a neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs or trunk. Some people even feel an internal shake. ET is often confused with Parkinson’s disease although it’s eight times more common, affecting an estimated 10 million Americans and millions more worldwide. But essential tremor is more than just a tremor. Because of stereotypes and a lack of awareness, many people with ET never seek medical care.

They are always in need of volunteers to help put together information packs and event bags. Volunteers can also help spread the word by making follow-up calls to active Support Group Leaders and Community Ambassadors. Data entry tasks could also use an extra hand. Click here for more information about volunteering with IETF.

If you have a desire to help educate others about ET, contact Dawanna Fangohr.

Happy Friday! The Overland Park Spring 2018 Recycling Extravaganza is looking for volunteers. Come help save the planet and enjoy some beautiful, spring, Kansas weather! The event is at JCCC in April and they need help directing traffic, unloading vehicles etc. If you’re interested contact Jim Twigg:

Jim Twigg
913-895-6273
Jim.Twigg@opkansas.org

In addition, the Center for Sustainability on campus will be doing the JCCC Bird Collision Study in March, April, and May. This study determines when and where birds are hitting the windows on campus. They need volunteers to walk paths looking for birds and the volunteers will be trained to tag, bag, and record data. If you’re interested contact Krystal Anton:

Krystal Anton
913-469-8500  ext. 4929
kanton@jccc.edu

Calling all professionals! Goodwill is looking for mock interviewers on February 16th.

While Goodwill is mostly known for their thrift stores, they also do a lot in the community to empower people with disadvantages and different abilities to earn and keep employment. One thing they do is offer mock interviews for job seekers! I conducted a mock interview for Goodwill last semester and had a really positive experience. The person I interviewed was well prepared, professional, and receptive to my critiques and advice. Even though I might not be an interview expert, just having someone to ask the job seeker questions and give them an opportunity to practice their answers is so helpful. Working directly with the job seeker made a big impact on me too, I felt like I had a direct hand in helping them with their next interview. Not to mention the event was well organized and it only took up an hour of my time. I definitely recommend this experience for anyone interested!

They are looking for volunteers for one hour time slots from 10-11am, 11:15am-12:15pm, and/or 1:15-2:15pm. Click here to sign-up!

Happy Volunteering!

 

If you’re interested in the history of Kansas or US history for that matter, then you need to check out Shawnee Indian Mission Historic Site. Right in your back yard there is a beautiful, 12 acre historical site with museum exhibits, a research library, a living history cabin, grounds to explore and a natural water source. The Shawnee Indian Mission was established as a manual training school attended by children from Shawnee, Delaware, and 21 other Indian nations from 1839 to 1862. The purpose of the Shawnee Indian Mission supporting entities is to preserve the site, its traditions, landmarks, history of the Native Americans, missionaries and pioneers of Johnson County. They strive to bring together those people interested in the history of our community to help enhance the cultural and educational experience through tours, programs, and events.

Want to help?

The Shawnee Indian Mission is always looking for volunteers to help in the following ways:

1. Conducting tours throughout the site, including inside the buildings and the grounds.
2. Greet and welcome tour groups upon their arrival.
3. On occasion, assist with evening special events or programs.
4. Provide information and answer questions of site visitors about the Shawnee Indian Mission.
5. Lead youth programs and/or art activities that are prearranged.
6. Assist with set-up and take down of program materials.
7. Be aware of future programs and events to share with visitors to increase exposure of the Mission to the general public.

Visit their website for more information and if you’re interested in volunteering, contact Jennifer Laughlin.

Happy Volunteering!

Sunflower House is a non-residential children’s advocacy and abuse prevention center serving Johnson and Wyandotte counties.  They strive to end the cycle of child abuse and help care for abuse survivors. The non profit addresses abuse and neglect through a comprehensive approach, engaging children, parents, child-serving professionals and the community.

Here are  two ways you can help right now!

Valentine Gala

The annual Valentine Gala requires volunteers both leading up to and on the night of the event. Click here to see what days and times volunteers are needed!

Child Care Volunteers for Parent Support Group

This is a weekly on-going volunteer position in which they are looking for multiple volunteers who are flexible but can commit to every Tuesday night from 5:45pm-7:15pm (if needed) at Sunflower House. They are hoping to start this group mid-February.   You will be caring for the children of parents who are part of the support group. The parents will be on the premise the whole time. If you are interested, reach out to Colleen Bryan.

*There will be a required Confidentiality Form and Background Check.

Happy Volunteering!

If you’re interested in volunteering at SAFEHOME and helping with their mission to break the cycle of domestic violence and partner abuse for victims and their children by providing shelter, advocacy, counseling, and prevention education in our community, then make sure to attend their training session which is coming up on February 3rd, from 9am-5pm.

In order to maintain consistency and stability in the SAFEHOME environment, volunteers need to commit to 50 hours in no less than 6 months. To become a volunteer, you need to submit a volunteer application and preferably interview with Susan Lebovitz prior to attending the training session.

Remember, the greater commitment, the greater difference you’ll make.

For more information, visit the SAFEHOME website.

Happy Volunteering!

Interested in learning more about urban agriculture? Want to meet others who share your passion for food? Excited to see where your tomatoes come from? Cultivate Kansas City offers a wide range of opportunities for volunteers- from working in the field, helping at events, to assisting in the office – they need your help!

— UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES —

Urban Grown Tour Planning Committee
Cultivate Kansas City is looking for planners and doers to help us make the 2018 Urban Grown Farms & Gardens Tour the most successful yet! Join the Urban Grown Planning Team to work with farmers, help with marketing and use your event planning skills to support this two-day farms and gardens tour. They are looking for individuals to help with outreach, volunteers and event planning. Committee meetings will be held bi-weekly in the evenings. If you’re interested, contact Taylor Westfall at taylor@cultivatekc.org

Urban Grown Tour Farm Buddy
Interested in working with an urban grower? Be a Farm Buddy for the 2018 Urban Grown Farms & Gardens Tour! Farm Buddies provide ongoing support to sites featured on the tour by checking in throughout the spring, delivering materials, and visiting the farms and gardens on the weekend of the event (June 9-10). If you’re interested in befriending a grower, contact Taylor Westfall at taylor@cultivatekc.org

13th Annual Farmers & Friends Meeting
February 3rd | 8 am – 3 pm | Second Presbyterian Church
Dozens of area farmers, growers and friends come together each year for Cultivate Kansas City’s Annual Farmers & Friends Meeting on February 3rd. It is a day of presentations, panels and pie as we discuss the important issues facing the urban farming movement today. They are looking for a team of volunteers to help the day run as smoothly as possible! Volunteers will help with check-ins, setting up tables, preparing the potluck and more. Sign up here!

Whiskey Dinner
March 22nd | 5 pm – 9 pm | Union Horse Distilling Co.
Join Cultivate Kansas City at our first ever Whiskey Dinner, a farm-to-table fund raiser at Union Horse Distillery on Thursday, March 22nd.
They are looking for volunteers to help with registering gusts as well as serving dinner. Sign up here!

Group Volunteer Days
Although it’s cold and dreary outside, growing season is just around the corner! Plan a work the farm day with your organization, company, church or friend group to get a taste of what it means to be an urban grower. Volunteer groups can be as small as 5 and as large as 30. Contact Taylor Westfall at taylor@cultivatekc.org to schedule a day on the farm to learn about growing and get your hands dirty alongside our farm crew.

 

Visit their website for more information!