VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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RSVP Volunteers serve at 59 different non-profit organizations and public agencies throughout Hampshire and Franklin Counties. On-going volunteer opportunities include:
- EDUCATION
- ENVIRONMENT
- EXPERIENCE ON CALL TEAM
- HEALTH & HOSPICE
- NUTRITION
- OSTEOPOROSIS EXERCISE PROGRAM
- SAFETY NET
- SENIOR SERVICES
- OTHER
EDUCATION
As busy schools are squeezed between MCAS requirements on one side and funding cuts on the other, qualified volunteers are needed to provide extra support to students, whether that’s providing some individual attention to a student who’s struggling or offering special enrichment activities to complement the school day.
You can make a difference by:
- Sharing an interest of yours with a small group of students in an after school enrichment activity
- Assisting in the classroom
- Helping students with homework
- Reading with students
- Working one-on-one or with small groups of children a pre-school
- Helping in school libraries
ENVIRONMENT
We live in a beautiful place here in the Valley and it’s up to us to keep it that way. Protecting our environment is important for people and for wildlife. Leaving the earth a good place for future generations of people, plants, and animals involves conservation and education.
You can make a difference by:
- Educating children about nature
- Restoring animal habitats
- Inventorying species, sampling soils, etc.
- Maintaining wildlife sanctuary trails, gardens and the facilities
EXPERIENCE ON CALL TEAM
Experience on Call is our most flexible volunteer option. Team members are notified about one-time and short-term projects such as community events, craft fairs, fundraisers, days of service, bulk mailing projects, and more. You choose when and where you want to volunteer. Meet new people, learn about different organizations and issues, and set your own schedule!
HEALTH & HOSPICE
Hospitals and hospices depend on volunteers to provide excellent care. There is always a need for caring and capable people to serve on the front lines with patients and visitors, as well as behind the scenes ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
You can make a difference by:
- Staffing the information desk at the hospital
- Providing office assistance
- Working at the hospital gift shop or coffee shop
- Staffing a hospice shop thrift store
- Providing respite, companionship, and assistance to hospice patients, caregivers, and families
- Working with veterans
NUTRITION
According to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, “…the numbers of people facing “food insecurity” – those without access to affordable and nutritious foods – are growing. In western Massachusetts, those in need are our own neighbors – senior citizens on fixed incomes, single parent families, the unemployed, and the working poor – who struggle to make ends meet. They are young and old, in cities and small towns, living in families or alone.”
You can make a difference by:
- Preparing and distributing bags of groceries for elders
- Assisting with intake, set-up, meal preparation and meal distribution at congregate meal sites
- Giving cooking and nutrition demonstrations through our Healthy Eating Project
- Sorting and organizing donated foods at the Food Bank and area food pantries
- Delivering meals to the homebound
OSTEOPOROSIS EXERCISE PROGRAM
As our population ages, more and more people are at risk of developing osteoporosis. People with osteoporosis are at high risk for bone fractures. But we know that osteoporosis-related fractures and falls can be prevented, enabling seniors to live longer and fuller lives, staying out of nursing homes and living independently longer. Strength training and balance exercises minimize falls, and regular exercise and attention to nutrition are critical for people facing osteoporosis.
RSVP of Hampshire and Franklin Counties is committed to preventing osteoporosis-related fractures and falls. Through our Osteoporosis Exercise Program, a group of more than 30 trained RSVP volunteers serve as Wellness Advocates, providing peer-led group osteoporosis exercise classes and nutrition and health updates free of charge to area elders to restore bone density, improve health, and decrease the incidence of falls and bone breaks.
You can make a difference by:
- Leading group osteoporosis exercise programs for elders. Trainings for new leaders occur each spring.
SAFETY NET
Approximately 25% of people in Hampshire and Franklin Counties live below 200% of the poverty level. With money tight, people with limited resources are forced to make hard decisions about which bills to pay and what they can do without. Area human service agencies report great increases in the number of people seeking services such as food and fuel assistance and holiday toys for their children.
You can make a difference by:
- Sorting items at a survival center
- Distributing food at a food pantry
- Staffing a thrift store
- Providing information about area services to people in need
- Staffing a domestic violence hotline
- Helping in administrative offices of social service agencies
SENIOR SERVICES
The senior population in our area is growing. As people retire and age they look to new venues aside from the workplace for socializing, learning, and contributing. Particularly in rural areas like Western Mass, Senior Centers serve as community focal points – hubs of activity and support for this growing population. Senior Centers can’t meet all the demand for their services with just staff support. Our area senior centers report time and time again that they simply wouldn’t be able to run if it weren’t for volunteers.
You can make a difference by:
- Leading or supporting programs and activities such as computer classes, art classes, games, or other activities
- Being an Elder Peer Counselor
- Offering musical performances
- Providing information about health insurance
- Serving as a receptionist and helping with newsletters and fundraising
- Helping seniors manage their finances
- Visiting homebound elders
- Providing companionship – writing letters, reading, playing games
- Providing transportation to medical and other appointments
OTHER
There are many other opportunities to volunteer through RSVP. We will work with you to find the volunteer placement that is just right for you. Contact us today to get started.