Volunteer Opportunities for Teens - Spring 2012

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TeENS

March 19, 2012 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. This guide was designed to help you find an opportunity that is right for you. The guide is presented alphabetically by agency name. 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! Special thanks to Taylor Burfeind of Long Reach High School for her assistance in compiling this version of the guide! 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 (you can filter by minimum age), or visit the Youth page for updated information. Thank you for your interest in making a difference!

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Volunteer Center Serving Howard County Volunteer Opportunities for Teens – March 2012 update

www.volunteerhoward.org

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 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 Have fun!

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 contact? Contact the person identified in the listing. If that person is no longer with the agency, ask to speak with the Volunteer Coordinator. 2. Should I call or e‐mail? Whichever you prefer. If you choose to call, the best times are typically during the work day (unless indicated otherwise in the listing or on their website). 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). If you choose to e‐mail, be as professional and as clear as possible and be sure to include as much of the information in the next response as you can. 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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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 [email protected] Website: www.redcrossblood.org/gcp Agency Mission: 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 Arc of Howard County Address: 11735 Homewood Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Location of Work: Columbia, MD Contact: Lisa Kawata at (410) 730-0638 or [email protected] Website: www.archoward.org Agency Mission: “Achieving full community life for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities – one person at a time” is the mission of The Arc of Howard County. We carry out this mission through a variety of programs for the people we serve, encompassing residential, employment, individual and family support services. Minimum Age: 13 Volunteer Opportunities: TEENS – needed flaggers and water station volunteers for the three triathlons in May, June and August. (We support the bicycle portion of these races). This is a 6 am to 1 or 2 pm window for service. In April, we have our Bowling for a Change event requiring volunteers to both form teams to bowl to raise funds for The Arc as well as monitor lanes and check teams in. Below are the dates: April 21: Bowling for a Change 5:30 to 9 pm. May 20: Columbia Triathlon June 24: Celebration Triathlon Aug 19: Iron Girl Triathlon Athelas Institute, Inc. Address: 9104 Red Branch Road, Columbia, MD Location of Work: 9104 Red Branch Road, Columbia, MD Contact: Patricia L. Owens at (410) 964-1241, Ext. 128 or [email protected] Website: www.athelasinstitute.org Agency Mission: Athelas’ mission is to provide a variety of quality education, rehabilitative, residential, employment and individual support options for individuals with intellectual disabilities within a supportive milieu utilizing natural supports to maximize opportunities for individual growth. Minimum Age: 16 Volunteer Opportunities: Monthly Saturday Dance Volunteers – help set-up and facilitate dances for adults with intellectual disabilities. Play games, dance and help serve refreshments. Days End Horse Rescue Address: 1372 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, MD 21797 Location of Work: Same Contact: Jill Pokorny at (301) 854-5037 Website: http://defhr.org/education/youthprograms.html Agency Mission: To ensure the quality care and treatment of horses through rehabilitation, humane education and community outreach. Minimum Age: 12

Volunteer Opportunities: All volunteers aged 12 to 18, please note a change in the Youth Volunteer Program: during the months of June, July and August all youths volunteering Monday through Friday must be registered in our Legacy Program. This is an exciting, revamped program in which participants will learn a variety of topics during the sessions and participate in activities that reinforce the knowledge learned. This program has been created just for Days End youth volunteers and will help them gain valuable horse knowledge. In addition to the many structured learning activities, the youth will also acquire understanding through volunteering in the barn. Participants will also be given the opportunity to participate in a riding activity during each session. By joining in this new Legacy Youth Summer program, participants will be able to take their horse and Days End knowledge to a new level. Each session will accommodate only 20 participants per day, so registering ahead of time is critical. In addition, because participation is limited, only those with a strong desire to volunteer, learn, and help the horses should sign up. This will be the only option for youth volunteers to volunteer at DEFHR during the summer weekdays. Hours accumulated during the DEFHR Legacy Youth Summer Program are eligible to count toward Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. Registration for the Legacy Program will begin on March 31st. The cost for this program is $100 per session. (We will post the Legacy Program Registration packet on the website on March 30th). Please check out the Legacy Program on our website for more details on the topics covered each session and the sample daily schedule. Domestic Violence Center Address: 5457 Twin Knolls Road, Suite 310, Columbia, MD 21045 Location of Work: Mostly at above address Contact: Vanita Leatherwood at (410) 997-0304 or [email protected] Website: http://www.dvcenter.org Agency Mission: The mission of the DVC is to reduce the harm and effects of domestic violence while working towards its elimination in Howard County. Minimum Age: 14 and have parental consent Volunteer Opportunities: Childcare Assistants: Volunteers help provide much-needed on-site child care for our clients. Volunteers can play games, read stories, and create art while supervising children during their parents counseling sessions. Volunteers are needed during the day and evenings, Monday-Thursday. Must be at least 16 years of age and have parental consent. Special Event Assistants: Throughout the year we host and attend special events including fairs, workshops, seminars and fundraisers. Volunteers help ensure the success of these events by helping with set-up/clean-up, greeting participants, assisting with technology, serving as a photographer and other tasks as needed. Must be at least 16 years of age and have parental consent. Youth Leader: Join the Empowerment Movement, a youth leadership project focused on promoting healthy relationships and peaceable living. These high school ambassadors learn to help their peers and encourage personal and community safety. Ambassadors conduct workshops, create videos, write articles and assist with social media communications. Must be at least 14 years of age and have parental consent.

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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 [email protected] Website: www.lorienhealth.com Agency Mission: We here at Lorien Health Systems believe in the 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. Friends of Patapsco Valley & Heritage Greenway Address: Location of Work: Patapsco Valley Area (Howard, Baltimore & Anne Arundel Counties) Contact: Betsy McMillion at (410) 480-0824 (w) or [email protected] Website: www.patapscoheritagegreenway.org Agency Mission: 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: 3 yrs and up, children under 16 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult volunteer. Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteer Position: Stream clean-up helpers, tree planters and invasive weed pullers. Description: Environmental events including cleaning-up trash from streams and streambeds, planting trees and removing invasive plant species. To see what happens at our events, visit the website where we post volunteers in action at http://patapscofriend.smugmug.com. Time Requirements: One day events, from March through June and September through November, lasting approximately three (3) hours per event. Request pre-registration two (2) days in advance of event to participate. For undated calendar of events, visit http://www.patapscoheritagegreenway.org Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum Address: 10551-C1 Twin River Road, Columbia, MD 21044 Location of Work: 12985 Frederick Road, West Friendship, MD Contact: Sue Romanic at (410) 995-0435 or [email protected] Website: www.3MileHauntedHayRide.com Agency Mission: The 3-Mile Haunted Hay Ride is an annual fund raiser for the Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum, which preserves and educates the public about Howard County’s farming tradition. We are a family-oriented event, and we have one wheel-chair accessible hay ride approximately every 40 minutes. Detailed information for volunteers is available at www.3MileHauntedHayRide.com Minimum Age: 8 with parent Volunteer Opportunities: 3-Mile Haunted Hay Ride Fund Raiser, Groups of student actors for 1-Night each. Adult actors for 6-Nights each, Behind-the-Scenes set building, make-up, costumes, set-up, tear down, etc. Howard Hospital Foundation – Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center Address: 10700 Charter Drive, Suite 250, Columbia, MD 21044 Location of Work: In Columbia, near Hospital Contact: Anita Broccolino at (410) 740-7570 or [email protected] Website: www.hcgh.org/TeamConquer

Agency Mission: Team CONQUER of the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center: Sharing our Strength & Going the Distance, for those with Cancer! Participating in multiple great events and races starting with the Blossoms of Hope Mills of Milltown 5K, all the way to Triathlons and more! Minimum Age: 16 Volunteer Opportunities: TEENS – We have various fun opportunities for you to participate and help those with Cancer by supporting the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center’s activities. April 29, 2012 is one of the first events. The Cancer Resource Center’s Team CONQUER is actively participating in the Athleta Iron Girl Half Marathon & Co-Ed 5K. We need both Volunteers (young men & women) to help as Road Marshals, etc….on the day of the ½ Marathon event: Sunday, April 29, 2012, as well as Volunteers to join the team now as Runners who will raise money and run in either the 5K or Half Marathon on the 29th of April. T-shirt will be given to all. Jewish Federation of Howard County/JCCHOCO Address: 10630 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044 Location of Work: Varies Contact: Michelle Goldberg at (410) 730-4976, X118 or [email protected] Website: www.JewishHowardCounty.org Agency Mission: The Jewish Federation of Howard County works to support and enhance a strong Jewish future in partnership with all Jewish organizations in our community. It serves as an integrating resource and addresses the needs of the Jewish people locally, nationally, in Israel and around the world. Minimum Age: Middle School Volunteer Opportunities: 1) Shalom Baskets-Intergenerational program. Collecting contents and creating holiday baskets for isolated seniors. 2) Operation Welcome Home – Welcome home soldiers from duty at BWI Airport. Families welcome. 3) Office opportunities – On days off from school. 4) Various individualized volunteer opportunities for teens who want to create a volunteer project and learn to be the project manager. Project Linus Address: 4967 Moonfall Way, Columbia, MD 21044 Location of Work: Volunteer’s home Contact: Arlene Kutz at (410) 730-8865 or [email protected] Website: www.projectlinus.org Agency Mission: 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 Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults Address: 6310 Stevens Forest Road, Suite 210, Columbia, MD 21046 Location of Work: Columbia, MD Contact: Kristin Johnson at (410) 964-0202 X103 or [email protected] Website: www.ulmanfund.org Agency Mission: We enhance lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer. Minimum Age: 15 Volunteer Opportunities: Assist with Race Expo weekends for TriColumbia events: April 27-28, May 18-19, June 22-23, August 17-18 24 Hours of Booty – August 24-26, a variety of event volunteers are needed all weekend. Half Full Triathlon – October 5-7, assist with Race Expo and race day event staff – over 300 volunteers needed, especially as race marshals on race day.

Volunteer Opportunities for Teens - Spring 2012

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