“It’s a big need right now,” O’Dell said. “It will be a lot of client face-to-face.”
Goodwill Easter Seals also is “desperately looking” for volunteers in the career center to help people use computers to update their resumes and apply for jobs. The career center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
O’Dell said you don’t have to be a “computer whiz” to volunteer. Volunteers just need to know how to navigate the Internet and the agency’s resume-building application.
Those interested in volunteering at Goodwill Easter Seals can call O'Dell at 937-528-6371 or email m.odell@gesmv.org. She said soon volunteer applications will be accepted online.
“We look for someone who’s passionate about volunteering so they’re consistent in attendance and able to comfortably deal with people who have a disability,” O’Dell said.
Partners for Community Living — a collaboration of the two agencies Choices in Community Living and Resident Home Association — provides residential services to adults with disabilities. The agency relies on volunteers for over 5,000 hours of services each year.
Kelly Baker, volunteer coordinator, said the two biggest areas of need for volunteers are its Friend by Choice and Adopt-a-Home programs.
Friend by Choice matches a volunteer with a client with disabilities. She said it’s meant for residents that don’t have family connections to have “natural and unpaid support” in their life, even for just an hour a month.
The Adopt-a-Home program will assign the volunteer to a group home to do activities and landscaping as needed.
Those interested can contact Baker at kbaker@rhadayton.com or call 937-278-0791.
County MRDD boards also may have volunteer opportunities that are closer to home for you. Contact your county board to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
About the Author