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Human ServicesAmerican Red
Cross, Cape Fear Chapter Volunteer positions with the Red Cross include blood
service aides, disaster relief volunteers, health and safety class
instructors, fund raising and public events coordinators, and office aides.
Free classes are scheduled to give volunteers training on how to provide
assistance to disaster clients. This very active organization has a high
community profile and is extremely responsive to people in need. It responds
to emergencies both inside and beyond the region with shelter, food and
funds. The simple act of giving blood is an easy way to volunteer, and this
is a critical need because only 37 percent of the population is eligible to
donate and only 7 percent of the eligible donor population actually does.
Give blood or volunteer at a blood drive and help save lives. The Bargain Box The Bargain Box, a resale boutique, is an outreach
ministry of Wilmington's Church of the Servant, Episcopal. They encourage
the recycling of pre-owned goods and the creative utilization of pre-loved
merchandise. A wide variety of affordable, quality merchandise is offered,
including a complete assortment of clothing, furniture and household items,
collectibles and records, tapes and CDs, toys and games, jewelry and
accessories. Income is redistributed to existing ministries through a grant
program. Vouchers are available from specified churches and social service
agencies for people with emergency needs. There is also a bin full of free,
usable clothing. Volunteers are needed to steam clothing, work the cash
register, provide customer service, pick up furniture, deliver bags of
clothes to migrant workers, organize the library, do garden and lawn work
and perform handyman duties. Volunteer your time and talents, or help by
shopping at The Bargain Box or bringing donations. Encourage your friends
and family to do likewise. The Bargain Box is open Tuesday through Friday 11
AM to 6 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM. They are open on Monday from 10 AM to
4 PM for donations only. Brunswick Family Assistance Agency This organization needs volunteers to help families in
need of food, shelter, furniture and other necessities. It also needs help
with the pantry, fund-raisers, food drives to stock the pantry, and
distributing clothes. It distributes more than 500 Christmas baskets across
Brunswick County and has a food pantry that distributes more than 60,000
pounds of food each year. Brunswick County Literacy Council
Inc. The Brunswick County Literacy Council promotes literacy
for people of all ages in Brunswick County, focusing primarily on adult and
young adult learners. The council helps students with reading, writing,
math, computers and English-speaking skills, in a one-on-one confidential
setting, by pairing them with volunteers who are carefully trained and
matched with each student. Tutoring is free of charge, as is the training
for volunteer tutors. In addition, assistance is available with earning a
GED, a driver's license and U.S. citizenship. The Literacy Council has
impacted the lives of thousands of Brunswick County residents through free
tutoring workshops and special projects, such as Books for Babies, Holiday
Book Share and National Children's Book Week. In concert with the Brunswick
Family Assistance Agency, the council runs the Family Thrift Store at Twin
Creek Plaza in Shallotte, plus contributes to the Holiday Basket program
with Book Share, a collection of new or almost new books for youth. In
addition to tutoring, volunteers are needed for fund-raising, publicity and
other duties. Cape Fear Area United Way The Cape Fear Area United Way funds 56 human-care programs
in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties in southeastern North
Carolina. These programs provide food and shelter for those in need, daycare
and after-school care for local children, job training, family support,
health services, domestic violence shelters and crisis intervention. The
Cape Fear Area United Way also helps build a strong community through
programs such as Project BUILD, a recruitment and training program for
volunteers to serve on nonprofit boards; information and referral services
through First Call For Help; and volunteer recruitment and training through
the United Way Volunteer Center. The Cape Fear Area United Way needs
donations of money, services and event sponsorships as well as individuals
to serve on the board, volunteer for the fund-raising campaign, fund
distribution teams and to serve on the communication committee. Cape Fear Hospital Cape Fear Hospital continues to recruit increasing numbers
of volunteers to meet the growing needs of its busy facility. As the number
of orthopedic surgeries increase, more volunteers are needed to staff the
Surgical Waiting Room, especially during the third shift (5 to 7:30 PM).
Emergency room facilitators and office assistants are needed as well. The
Gift Garden and the main lobby reception desk are lovely places to volunteer
and serve patients, visitors and staff. Volunteers are also being recruited
for the laboratory. If you're interested, call to find out about the next
volunteer orientation. Cape Fear Literacy
Council The Cape Fear Literacy Council works to help adults of all
ages improve their literacy skills in reading, writing, math and English
language. Adults at all skill levels are welcome. There is a computer
literacy lab on site. In addition to the Adult Literacy program, CFLC has a
significant English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, training
instructors and tutors to work with students with limited or no English
skills. More than 200 tutors are needed each year to provide one-on-one
tutoring or help in small-group classes. Approximately 500 adults work to
improve their literacy and/or English skills with this organization each
year. No prior experience is required to volunteer as a tutor. CFLC holds
monthly orientation and tutor-training workshops. Opportunities to join the
Partners In Literacy team are also available. These volunteers help CFLC put
on events, prepare mailings and conduct daily operations. The September
Spelling Bee for Literacy fund raiser ties into September's National
Literacy Month. The festive Bid for Literacy Mardi Gras auction, held the
first Saturday in March, is the agency’s major fund raiser for the year. The
council also holds a road race/scavenger hunt in April and a Scrabble
tournament in May. Cape Fear River Watch, Inc. Cape Fear River Watch, Inc. is committed to the
improvement and protection of the water quality of the Lower Cape Fear River
Basin through education, advocacy and action. Volunteers are needed to
assist with many programs, including outdoor education and recreation,
clean-ups, outreach, wetlands restoration, fund raising and administrative
tasks. To raise funds for its work, this organization manages the paddle
boat/canoe concession at Greenfield Lake. Eco-tours are available at the
lake upon request. Cape Fear Volunteer Center The goal of the Cape Fear Volunteer Center is to recruit,
train and mobilize volunteers in the Wilmington community. The organization
also looks to strengthen existing volunteer services within other entities
such as churches and civic groups. Aiding numerous non-profit organizations
such as the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and the Cape Fear Literacy
Council, the volunteer center is a great resource for those looking to give
something back to their community. Coastal Horizons Center This private, nonprofit agency serving the tri-county area
is for individuals who need assistance recovering from chemical
dependency/substance abuse, sexual assault and other crisis situations.
There is also an emergency-care shelter for youth ages 8 through 17. Other
programs include HIV/AIDS outreach, pregnancy testing, criminal justice
alternatives and food vouchers. Volunteers are needed to work with children
at the shelter, respond to calls to assist victims at their home or in the
hospital, and to answer the crisis line. A 48-hour training program is
required. The training program is offered twice a year in January and
September. Domestic Violence Shelter and
Services Inc. This agency shelters women and children who are
fleeing domestic violence. Volunteers are needed for the Vintage Values
resale shops, office work, transportation, children's programs, court
advocacy, fund raising, outreach/education and direct services. Volunteers
can assist with emergencies on an on-call basis. The shelter supported more
than 1,500 women and children in the past year. Volunteers are always needed
at the stores to serve customers and sort donations. You can also help by
donating gently used clothing and merchandise for resale. The Vintage Values
stores have locations at 609 Castle Street, 413 S. College Road in
University Landing and 3226 S. College Road in the Monkey Junction area. All
proceeds from the Vintage Values stores go to support the Domestic Violence
Shelter. Elderhaus, Inc. Elderhaus provides structured and stimulating daycare
activities for adults, primarily the elderly, and weekend daytime respite
for caregivers. Elderhaus serves persons with a variety of needs, including
those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Elderhaus also serves veterans.
Volunteers are needed as program aides, activity assistants, meal servers
and van assistants. Volunteer board members oversee fund-raising, public
relations, educational activities and more. Elderhaus has a
7,000-square-foot center to serve the area's increasing need for these
services. Elderhaus serves New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties. First Call for Help First Call for Help, an 24-hour information and referral
service agency, can provide information about human-service organizations
throughout the region. The Community Services pages of the phone books
contain listings of most area human-service agencies as well. Look, too, in
Wilmington's Sunday Star-News, Section D, which has a spread called
"Community Connection"; there you'll find features about different
organizations and volunteers plus an extensive list of agencies and churches
needing volunteers in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. Good Shepherd House This homeless shelter and soup kitchen needs volunteers to
work in many different capacities. In the day and night shelter volunteers
are needed to work at the front desk greeting guests and answering the phone
and also to sort donations of clothing. Every evening, volunteers are needed
to help with checking in guests for the night shelter. People interested in
working in the kitchen are needed to prepare and serve meals and help with
clean up. Volunteers also are needed for Second Helpings, a food salvage
program. In 2007 Good Shepherd Center served 100,000-plus meals to the
hungry, sheltered more than 1,000 men, women and families with children, and
salvaged and redistributed 300-plus tons of food through their soup kitchen
and more than 20 other agencies in the community who also feed the hungry.
Opportunities are available for individuals of every age, interest, and
schedule — days, evening, and weekends. Call for a tour and to explore the
many ways that you can make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of those
in need, whether as an individual volunteer, family, group or congregation.
People can stop by between 8 AM and 5 PM to donate food and clothing.
Hope Harbor Home Volunteers are needed at this domestic violence shelter to
work on the speakers bureau and in the office, to provide childcare, help
organize and implement fund-raising activities, assist clients in preparing
paperwork, and to provide moral support during court proceedings. Volunteers
are needed as well for transportation and to help distribute and sort
donated clothing at the Hope Chest Thrift Stores in Holden Beach, Leland,
Bolivia, Oak Island and Ocean Isle Beach. LINC, Inc. Leading Into New Communities (LINC) is a non-profit
organization assisting individuals in realizing their goals by creating
bridges between them and valuable resources. LINC provides shelter and
services to men and women who have been released from local and/ federal
prisons and on occasion young adults who have been released form detention
centers. Additionally, LINC provides services to children who are at risk
due to parental incarceration. They also host a program called LITE (LINC
Initiative To Educate), an after-school mentoring program. LINC furthermore
supports children with school-attendance issues and helps them get back on
track in their schoolwork. Volunteers are utilized in various parts of the
program, and inquiries can be made by calling the number listed above. Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter Hospice serves the needs of clients and their families
when terminal illness occurs. Volunteers are needed to visit terminally ill
clients, do office work and help with fund-raising events. An 18-hour
volunteer training course is required and is offered free of charge three to
four times a year. The Annual Festival of Trees is a major fund raiser for
Hospice. Hospice also offers a 12-bed inpatient facility for end-of-life
care, which is especially helpful when caregivers desire a respite. If
interested, call the Volunteer Department at (910) 791-4860. New Hanover Regional Medical Center The Medical Center has many areas of volunteer
involvement, and opportunities for new services are constantly
evaluated. More than 800 active volunteers give their time and skills each
year in direct patient-care services. If you feel you have four or more
hours per week to give to a service of your choice, call the above number. Police Assisting Seniors (P.A.S.) The Boiling Spring Lakes Police Assisting Seniors Program
seeks volunteers to assist program participants with tasks and in case of
emergencies, such as hurricanes. Volunteers may donate time by making
repairs such as repairing a broken step; getting food and medicine prior to
a hurricane; making telephone calls to be sure participants are alright
during and after a storm; removing a downed tree or loaning a vehicle or a
piece of equipment. To volunteer, residents may call Margaret Davis at the
above numbers. Residents who participate in the program receive a phone call
from the police department every day to make sure their needs are being met.
Participation is as easy as making a phone call to Allison Aubin,
Administrative Assistant at the Police Department, at (910) 845-2247 Providence Home of the Family
Emergency Teen Shelter, Inc. In November 1997 Providence Home opened its doors as the
result of efforts of area churches, civic organizations, volunteers, grant
money, donations and fund-raisers in the renovated Dosher House, former home
of Dr. Dosher. A temporary residential facility with a maximum length of
stay of 90 days, it serves at-risk children between the ages of 10 and 17.
The home offers a nurturing atmosphere with safety, food, clothing and
shelter to youth in need of a short-term safe haven. In addition to
volunteer needs in Sheltered Treasures and the thrift store, which raises
funds for the home, Providence Home needs volunteers to work on fund-raising
projects, such as the annual golf tournament. Donations of household
supplies, toiletries, art supplies and gift certificates are always helpful.
If you have a special talent such as art, playing an instrument or making
crafts, the administration would be happy to hear from you. Salvation Army The Salvation Army provides shelter for the homeless and
assistance for people in difficult circumstances. It needs volunteers in
fund-raising activities and public relations efforts. Volunteers may serve
on the Advisory Board and Ladies Auxiliary and in the shelter, which serves
men, women and children. Volunteers may also work at the thrift store, the
Woodlot Project, Christmas fund-raisers, the toy and food distribution
center, the annual Coats for the Coatless drive and on disaster relief
teams. The shelter provides emergency housing to more than 20,000
individuals each year and has a Soup Line serving meals seven days a week
between 5:30 and 6 PM for the public. This food program serves nutritious
meals to more than 60,000 people each year in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus,
Pender and New Hanover counties. Sheltered Treasures Sheltered Treasures accepts clothing,
housewares and other donations. The sale of these items benefits Brunswick
County youth who stay at the Providence Home Family Emergency Teen Shelter
in Southport. Volunteers are needed to sort and price goods, set up displays
and provide customer service at the sites in Sunset Beach, Calabash,
Shallotte and Southport. The Volunteer Center In Brunswick County, The Volunteer Center is the place to
contact if you are interested in volunteering but are not sure exactly what
it is you want to do. Located at the Brunswick County Emergency Services
Department of the Government Center, this organization has listings of
nearly 100 agencies, public and private, that involve volunteers. They will
match you with agencies that need volunteers in your line of interest and
expertise. The Volunteer Center holds annual volunteer recognition events
with the cooperation of private enterprise as well. The center has met
required standards to be included in the Points of Light Foundation and
Volunteer Center National Network. This network can be reached at (800)
VOLUNTEER. The local number for The Volunteer Center is (910) 253-2574. |
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Children's ServicesPublic Schools School systems offer a variety of volunteer
opportunities that are essentially the same from system to system: helping
in the classroom, tutoring, serving as a mentor for at-risk students,
working in dropout-prevention programs, helping minority students achieve
success, getting involved with the PTA/PTO. If you want to volunteer your
time to the public schools, contact the Community Schools/Public Information
Office in each system: New Hanover County School System, Wilmington, (910)
763-5431; Brunswick County School System, Central Office, Southport, (910)
253-2900; Pender County School System, Burgaw, (910) 259-2187. Boy Scouts of America, Cape Fear Council This organization requires a tremendous number of
volunteers to assist the many Boy Scouts in the Cape Fear area. The Boy
Scouts need board and committee members as well as a host of leaders,
coaches and advisors. Volunteers are needed for the Sports Club Program,
which combines traditional Scout activities with a basketball league for
inner-city boys from ten housing developments. They meet Saturday
mornings to play basketball and participate in Boy Scout meetings. If
you're interested in volunteering for the Sports Club Program call (910)
395-1100 ext. 25. Big Buddy Program The Brigade Boys & Girls Club's Big Buddy program
matches at-risk youth with positive adult mentors. With more than 150
kids on the waiting list at any time and only a few dozen active
mentors, the need for volunteers is constant. Potential mentors are
screened and go through training prior to selecting their prospective
little buddies. Once matched, Big Buddies are asked to spend a minimum
of two hours each week with their new friends. Through this wonderful
program, both mentor and child learn many valuable lessons. Big Buddies
help with homework, play games or just hang out, building a positive
relationship with a young person in need of support. Call the number
above for more information. Community Boys and Girls Club The Community Boys and Girls Club is a youth development
organization dedicated to promoting the health, social, educational,
vocational and character development of girls and boys ages 6 to 17. Some of
the club's outstanding alumni who achieved professional stardom in the NBA
are Michael Jordan, Clarence Kea, Chuckie Brown, Kenny Gadison and Harlem
Globetrotter legend Meadowlark Lemon. NFL athletes who participated in this
program are Clyde and Jimmy Simmons. For more than 65 years the program has
provided leadership and guidance to area youngsters. The club is in constant
need of financial as well as volunteer support. Dreams Center for
Arts Education DREAMS seeks volunteers all year long to act as cultural
mentors, teaching assistants and office help. Volunteers must be 18 years of
age or older. Volunteers should be enthusiastic and eager to work with
children. Experience in the arts is helpful but not necessary. One great
aspect of volunteering is getting to experience the classes in the same way
that the children do, learning something yourself in the process.
Guardian ad Litem The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program matches trained
volunteers with children who have been indicated in abuse or/and neglect
cases. Volunteers, paired with attorney advocates, make recommendations
regarding the best interest of the children in order to ensure a safe,
nurturing and permanent home. Volunteers collaborate with community
agencies and provide written reports to the court regarding the
children's needs and status. Thirty hours of pre-service training are
required. This program serves more than 600 children in New Hanover and
Pender counties. The GAL program has an ongoing waiting list with an
average of 100 children in need of volunteer advocates. Girls Inc. of Wilmington Girls Inc. is an after-school and summer program primarily
for girls ages 4 through 18. It offers programs in career and life planning,
health and sexuality, leadership and community action, sports, culture,
heritage, self-reliance and life skills. Volunteers are needed as tutors,
group leaders and fund-raisers. Girls Inc. also needs people to assist with
homework, sports, cooking, field trips and adolescent pregnancy-prevention
programs. Girl Scout Council of Coastal Carolina The Girl Scouts need volunteers to serve in many
positions. Adults serve as troop leaders, outdoor activities
facilitators, trip chaperones, consultants, organizers, trainers,
product sales coordinators (we're talking cookies here) and
communicators. People with special skills and talents are also needed to
share their wisdom. This council serves girls ages 5 to 18 in Brunswick,
Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties and offers leadership
development through fun and rewarding programs.
Junior Achievement of
the Cape Fear Region Junior Achievement's programs inspire kids to learn the
economics of life and gain the keys to success in a free enterprise system.
Volunteers are needed to provide role models and facilitate activity-based
programs that help students develop their own business sense. Through the
sponsorship of local corporations, Junior Achievement of the Cape Fear is
able to provide its programs to area schools and give its volunteers all of
the training, materials and support they'll need for a rewarding classroom
experience. A volunteer teaching commitment would involve one hour per week
for five to six weeks. All volunteers are welcome, regardless of background
or level of experience. Besides teaching, volunteers are also needed to help
with fund raising, public relations and administrative work. Project Linus Brunswick County volunteers involved in Project Linus make
blankets, which are distributed to babies, children and teens who are ill or
have been traumatized and are being helped in shelters, in hospitals and in
foster care. The blankets are also carried by EMT personnel and sheriff's
units to comfort children in emergency situations. Blankets can be
crocheted, knitted, quilted or fleece and can be made in your home and/or at
the monthly meetings the first Tuesday of each month. As of this writing the
members have made 10,000 blankets. Donations of materials such as yarn and
fabric are welcome as well. Wilmington Family YMCA If you're a real hands-on volunteer, this is certainly the
place for you! Be a youth sports coach, nursery attendant, Special Olympics
volunteer or a person who helps maintain the facility. The Y has a great
aquatics program that offers activities for all individuals, and they need
volunteers for their Special Populations program for those with
disabilities. The YMCA is always looking for volunteers with a wide variety
of skills and interests, so give them a call and let them know what you can
do. YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear The YWCA needs volunteer assistance with youth, clerical
and maintenance programs. If you'd like to tutor after school, facilitate a
racial dialogue group or help with a special event, call the YWCA, which
serves women and their families with fitness, health, personal development,
job training, counseling and childcare programs. The YWCA functions as an
advocate for women's rights, diversity and the elimination of racism. Yahweh Center Children's Village The Yahweh Center Children's Village provides a
comprehensive continuum of residential treatment, child placing/adoption and
outpatient therapy for abused and/or neglected children ages 5 to 12. A
family counselor is located on site to provide outpatient therapy for
children and their families, and the campus also has a psychiatric
residential facility. With four buildings already occupied and more to go,
the Yahweh Center Children's Village continues to expand its services.
Volunteers are needed to help with gardening, landscaping, tutoring, office
work, teaching arts and crafts, special projects and fund-raising events.
There are also group volunteer opportunities, especially around the
holidays. Those who work directly with children must go through a
specialized training.
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