TheVolunteer CenterServing Howard County10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD 21044410-715-3172 • info@volunteerhoward.org • volunteerhoward.org

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Spring 2011 Dear Youth Volunteer, Thank you for your interest in making a difference in our community! By choosing to volunteer you will not only benefit those you serve – your community will benefit and so will you. Now is the time to join the national youth service movement. We know that you are busy; we remember what it was like in middle and high school. Between sports, clubs, band, homework, friends, family and religious obligations, life can be pretty hectic. We’re not asking you to drop everything in your life, we’re asking you to take a little time to make a big difference! Volunteering can be fun. This guide was designed to help you find an opportunity that is right for you. The guide is presented alphabetically by agency name, with a list in the back that presents the agencies by social issue. We suggest that you read all of the entries, though – you never know what new interests you might discover! Volunteering is something anyone can do. Every person has skills and abilities that they can share with non-profit organizations. When you find an opportunity that looks interesting, contact the agency directly. If you have trouble finding something that interests you, please feel free to call us at the Volunteer Center for additional suggestions or updates. We challenge you to try something new, do something unfamiliar, discover a new skill or a career that you might want to pursue, meet new people, learn about yourself and others, have fun and change lives! Sincerely,

The Volunteer Center Serving Howard County Staff

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Volunteer Opportunity Updates: Don’t miss out on great youth volunteer opportunities that we receive after our deadline!

Visit our website at www.volunteerhoward.org and click on the calendar to learn about additional one-time or ongoing volunteer opportunities, check the key word search, or visit the Youth page for updated information. Thank you for your interest in making a difference.

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Frequently Asked Questions I can’t find any volunteer opportunities for young people in Howard County! The Volunteer Center Serving Howard County provides resources to help young people find volunteer opportunities in our community. The Volunteer Opportunities for Teens guide is updated 3 times a year and includes close to 40 local non-profit and governmental agencies seeking young volunteers. The guide includes minimum age requirements, contact information, and descriptions of available opportunities. It is available online at www.volunteerhoward.org or you can contact the center for a free copy. There is also an online calendar and a search box on the website where young people can search for one-time or ongoing opportunities, as well as a youth page that spotlights recognition opportunities and opportunities related specifically to young volunteers. I’ve found an opportunity/agency - what do I do next? Contact the agency directly to determine what volunteer opportunities are available, to ask questions, and to find out when and how you can get started as a volunteer. We’ve included a sample script on the other side of this sheet. You and your parent/guardian should feel comfortable with the agency that you select, so do not be afraid to ask questions or for your parents/guardians to ask questions. For younger volunteers, there may be opportunities for you to volunteer at a local agency with your parent/guardian. I’ve found some opportunities but none of them appeal to me. You may need to come up with a project idea on your own to “pitch” to local agencies. For example, are you an artist? Do you like music? Are you great with computers? Do you enjoy building? Create a project idea and contact local agencies that appeal to you, or learn a little about local agencies and try to work with them to develop a project that you like.

Youth Volunteers

Why Volunteer? Meet new people Learn new skills and gain experience Develop and share skills that you already have

Learn about local social issues Help make a difference in your community Enhance job and college applications Include experiences on academic or professional resumes

Getting started

Pick an issue – what interests you? What changes would you like to see in your community? What

are your skills? What would you like to learn? What makes you think, “That’s not fair!”?

Participate in a volunteer opportunity offered through a local agency Locate an agency or project using resources available through

the volunteer center, which you can access by registering, using the calendar or search box on the website, viewing the Volunteer Opportunities for Youth Guide, or visiting the Youth Page (ex: National Youth Service Day).

Contact the agency directly.

Request an orientation to the issue when you go to volunteer.

Request training as needed.

Reflect on your experience (What? So what? Now what?).

Evaluate the experience. (What worked? What didn’t?).

Create a project Learn to listen to the community – what is the need?

Learn about what is already available in the community – work in partnership with existing programs so that you don’t duplicate efforts.

Locate an agency with which to partner using resources available through the Volunteer Center such as the Volunteer Opportunities for Youth Guide or online listings of local agencies.

Plan your project using resources available through your school, group and/or the Volunteer Center.

Implement the project.

Reflect on the experience (What? So what? Now what?).

Evaluate the experience (What worked? What didn’t?).

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Can I volunteer with a friend? Yes - many agencies offer one-time opportunities that would be perfect for volunteering with a friend or a group of friends! You can learn about one-time opportunities by searching our online calendar at www.volunteerhoward.org. I’ve contacted the agency and never heard back from them. Some agencies have part-time volunteers or even Volunteer Managers, and it can sometimes take time for them to respond to your request. You may need to contact them more than once, and you may find that phone calls work better than e-mail communication for some agencies. You may also decide to try to contact several agencies to find the one that is right for you. Is it important for me to show up when I say that I will be there? After all, I’m the one helping the agency. YES. It is very important for you to show up when you say that you are going to be there. Many agencies depend on volunteers to get things done, and some make special arrangements in order to offer you a great volunteer opportunity. If you say that you will be there, do everything that you can to honor your commitment or to let the agency know in a timely manner if you are not able to make it. If you are volunteering in part because you would like to include your experiences on an application or resume, keep in mind that (just like a job) it is often more impressive to show an ongoing commitment to an agency. Being a responsible and reliable volunteer may gain you a positive referral - even more importantly, it may open up exciting opportunities not available to a casual volunteer.

Sample Script for contacting a local non-profit or governmental agency 1. Who should I ask to speak with? Ask to speak with the person identified as the contact person. If that person is no longer with the agency, ask to speak with the Volunteer Coordinator. 2. When is the best time to call? Call the contact person during the days and times indicated in the agency directory. If you have to leave a message, leave your full name, why you are calling, your phone number and the best time to reach you (remember to speak slowly). Be persistent. If your call has not been answered within a day or two, call back. You may need to leave several messages. 3. What should I say? Hi. My name is , and I am interested in volunteering. I would like to know if you have any volunteer opportunities that would allow me to learn more about your agency and its services. (Be sure to highlight skills and experiences that might be relevant to the agency. Also, let the agency know if you have any requirements, such as completing a specific number of hours by a certain deadline for school or a group or club.) 4. What questions should I ask? What will I be doing? Where will I be volunteering? (Ask for specific directions.) How should I dress? Is there anything else I need to know before I start?

Materials modified from the Howard Community College’s Service Learning Student Handbook 2008.

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24 Hours of Booty – The Official 24 Hour Ride of Livestrong Foundation Address: 500 E. Morehead, Suite 318, Charlotte, NC 28202 Location of Work: Gateway Business Park, Columbia, MD, 8/27&28/2011 Contact: Molly Heinsler at (877) 365-4417 or info@24hoursofbooty.org Website: www.24hoursofbooty.org Mission of Agency: To conduct 24 hour cycling events that increase public awareness, funds and support for the LIVESTRONG Foundation and local cancer organizations. Minimum Age: None (16 for traffic control/parking) Volunteer Opportunities: Venue set-up and breakdown, Green Booty (our recycling initiative), food and beverage set-up, registration and packet pick-up, course management, traffic control, and parking. American Red Cross Greater Chesapeake & Potomac Blood Services Region Address: 4700 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215 Location of Work: Columbia Donor Center, 10 Corporate Center, Suite 406, 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044 and various other locations in Howard County. Contact: Terry Karloff at (800)-272-0094 ext 1 or karlofft@usa.redcross.org Website: www.redcrossblood.org/gcp Mission of Agency: To provide safe, reliable, and economical blood components and services to the people of our region with organizational excellence, steadfast commitment to customers, and respect for every individual. Minimum Age: 14 Volunteer Opportunities: Greeter and Refreshment Volunteers; Volunteer Driver Blood Services, must be 21 years Brooke Grove Retirement Village Address: 18131 Slade School Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860 Location of Work: Same Contact: Nancy Ochsenreiter at (310) 570-7081 or volunteers@bgf.org Website: www.bgf.org Mission of Agency: Brooke Grove Retirement Village is a continuing care community offering independent and assisted living, long-term nursing and Alzheimer’s care, and short-term rehabilitation. Our staff provides excellence in service while offering a practical and sensitive response to people’s need for physical, emotional and spiritual support. Minimum Age: 13 Volunteer Opportunities: Assist the LIFE Enrichment staff in providing scheduled activities, programs and events for the elderly residents while getting to know the residents; be a friendly Visitor and get to know the residents; perform music, dance or songs for the residents; hair salon/manicure assistants; help with pet care. Charity’s Closet Address: 9090 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Location of Work: Same Contact: Jeannette Kendall at (410) 750-6475 or successinstyle@verizon.net Website: www.successinstyle.org Mission of Agency: Charity’s Closet is run by teenage girls and promotes dignity and self sufficiency by providing disadvantaged women with business attire and practical fashion advice. Minimum Age: High School Volunteer Opportunities: Teens will sort and process donated clothing, marketing, and customer service.

Coalition for Geriatric Services (COGS) Address: P.O. Box 2131, Ellicott City, MD 21041 Location of Work: Varies throughout the county Contact: Julie Rosenthal at (410- 531-0128) or foodonthe15th@gmail.com Website: www.foodonthe15th.org Mission of Agency: To improve services to senior citizens by networking and supporting the communication, training, and education of senior service providers; participating in research activities; shared problem solving among providers; and promoting networks locally, regionally and statewide. Minimum Age: High School Volunteer Opportunities: Assist with collecting non-perishable food donations at your high school as well as sorting, bagging and delivering to economically challenged senior citizens in Howard County. Also looking for assistance over the summer. Community service hours awarded to students for their assistance. Encore at Turf Valley Address: 11150 Resort Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Location of Work: Activities Department Contact: Marilyn Donovan at (410) 292-4187 or mdonovan@lorienhealth.com Website: www.lorienhealth.com Mission of Agency: We here at Lorien Health Systems believe in Golden rule. To apply the golden rule adequately, we need knowledge and imagination. We need to know what effect our actions have on the lives of others and we need to be able to imagine ourselves, vividly and accurately, in the other person’s place, on the receiving end of the action. If we violate the golden rule, then we’re violating the spirit of fairness and concern that lies at the heart of morality. Minimum Age: 13 Volunteer Opportunities: Teen volunteers to help the activities professionals with room visits, escorting residents, reading to residents, playing games with residents. Also help with special projects. Evercare Hospice Address: 6095 Marshalee Drive, Elkridge, MD 21075 Location of Work: Elkridge, MD Contact: Maurie Mullen at (410) 379-3599 or marietta_s_mullen@uhc.com Website: www.evercarehospice.com Mission of Agency: Evercare is committed to providing the highest quality of care and services to terminally ill patients and their families in the comfort of their homes. We will encourage and support patient and family participation in all care decisions. Evercare Hospice utilizes an interdisciplinary team approach that enhances the terminally ill patient’s quality of life during the dying process. Minimum Age: 16 Volunteer Opportunities: Special projects, including medical records management, projects for Veterans who are patients, data entry, development of spreadsheets, and other special projects to assist the clinical staff in patient management. Volunteers under 18 may not visit patients!

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Friends of the Patapsco Valley & Heritage Greenway Address: P.O. Box 96, Ellicott City, MD 21041 Location of Work: The Patapsco Valley area (Howard & Baltimore Counties) Contact: Betsy McMillion at (410) 480-0824 or patapscofriend@gmail.com Website: www.patapscoheritagegreenway.org Mission of Agency: To connect people with the natural environmental, historic, cultural, and recreational assets of the Patapsco Valley in ways that interpret, preserve, and enhance those assets and people’s awareness, understanding, and appreciation of them. Minimum Age: 16 or 17 and under with an adult Volunteer Opportunities: Stream cleanup helpers, tree planters, tree maintenance helpers, invasive plant removers and Garlic Mustard Challenge helpers. Howard County Arts Council Address: 8510 High Ridge Road Location of Work: Same Contact: Kimberly Jensen at (410) 313-2787 or info@hocoarts.org Website: www.hocoarts.org Mission of Agency: The Howard County Arts Council serves the citizens of Howard County by fostering the arts. Minimum Age: 16 Volunteer Opportunities: Special events help at exhibit receptions, clerical duties such as data entry, mailings, and filing. Howard County Historical Society Address: P.O. Box 109, 8324 Court Ave., Ellicott City, MD 21041 Location of Work: Same Contact: Lauren McCormack at (410) 750-0370 info@hchsmd.org Website: www.hchsmd.org Mission of Agency: The Howard County Historical Society’s mission is to collect, preserve, provide access to and public education about the history of Howard County through written records, documents, photographs, as well as three-dimensional cultural artifacts and oral history. Minimum Age: 16 Volunteer Opportunities: Help with historical research; museum programs; and/or visitors to library and archive. Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum Address: 12985 Frederick Road, West Friendship, MD 21794 Location of Work: Same Contact: Sue Romanic at (410) 995-0435 or SueRomanic@verizon.net Website: www.FarmHeritage.org and www.OrganizedByRomanic.com Minimum Age: 8 and up with parent/guardian Volunteer Opportunities: 3rd annual 3-Mile Haunted Hay Ride fund raiser to benefit the Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum: Friday & Saturday, 10/14 & 15, 10/21 & 22, 10/28 & 29, 2011 7 pm to 10 pm $15.00 per person We start in February to put on a show in October. Actor hours: 5 pm to 11 pm. Preference given to individual adults & seniors we can rely on to act in the same scene all six evenings. We also need six groups to act on one evening each. For actors aged 8 to 15, parents/guardians must stay to help haunt with you. We have costumes and make up for most scenes. There are behind-the-scenes opps. Feb. – Oct. to design, build, set-up & tear down.

Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Inc. Address: P.O. Box 6477, Annapolis, MD 21401 Location of Work: 1141 Sunrise Beach Rd., Crownsville, MD 21401 Contact: Katie Spohn at (410) 923-1187 or volunteer@mtrinc.org Website: www.horsesthatheal.org Mission of Agency: MTR believes that equine-assisted therapy is a unique and highly effective, holistic healing modality that affects each of the three fundamental dimensions of human health: mind, body and spirit. Minimum Age: 14 Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to assist with lessons as horse leaders and sidewalkers (providing physicial and/or emotional support to the rider), and to assist with horse care and facility maintenance. Please see www.horsesthatheal.org for more information National MS Society Maryland Chapter Address: 2219 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093 Location of Work: Howard County Community College Contact: Nicole Weedon at (443) 641-1199 or Nicole.weedon@nmss.org Website: www.nmss-md.org Mission of Agency: The Society’s mission is to mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. Minimum Age: 13 with parent Volunteer Opportunities: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society needs your help. Please join us for Walk MS in Columbia, MD on Saturday, April 9th, 2011 at Howard County Community College. We are looking for volunteers to assist in set-up (6:30 am), registration, lunch help, rest stop, route cheerleaders, start/finish line cheerleaders, at 8 am. The walk begins at 10 am. To register to volunteer or for more information please visit our website at www.walkMSmaryland.org. Oakland Mills Community Association Address: 5851 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD 21045 Location of Work: Same Contact: Nadia Herron at (410) 730-4610 Website: www.oaklandmills.org Mission of Agency: Minimum Age: 16 Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteer at the Oakland Mills Cultural Arts Festival on Sat, October 15, 2011. Volunteers are needed to assist with set-up and logistics from 9 to 11 am, assist as needed during the festival from 11 to 4 pm and with grounds clean up from 4 – 5 pm, under supervision of Oakland Mills Community Association staff. This event is held rain or shine (outside if weather is nice, inside if inclement weather). Project Linus Address: 4967 Moonfall Way, Columbia, MD 21044 Location of Work: Volunteer’s home Contact: Arlene Kutz at (410) 730-8865 or kastle4@verizon.net Website: www.projectlinus.org Mission of Agency: It is the mission of Project Linus to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers". Minimum Age: None Volunteer Opportunities: Blanketeers

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Success in Style/Charity’s Closet Address: 3290 Pine Orchard Lane, Suite A, Lower Level, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Location of Work: Same Contact: Jeannette Kendall at (410) 750-6475 or successinstyle@verizon.net Website: www.successinstyle.org Mission: Success in Style promotes dignity and self- sufficiency by providing disadvantaged women with business attire and practical fashion advice. Minimum Age: High School Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers will work with disadvantaged women returning to the workforce.

Index by issue Please note agencies are listed in alphabetical order. Animal Welfare Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Inc Arts & Culture Howard County Arts Council Howard County Historical Society Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum Oakland Mills Community Association Children & Youth Project Linus The Salvation Army Environment Friends of the Patapsco Valley & Heritage Greenway Health/Wellness American Red Cross Greater Chesapeake & Potomac Blood Services Region Encore at Turf Valley Evercare Project Linus Poverty Charity’s Closet Success In Style Seniors Brooke Grove Retirement Village COGS (Coalition for Geriatric Services Encore at Turf Valley Women’s Issues Charity’s Closet Success In Style