Opportunities From: United Way of Northwest Vermont

Technology Volunteers will assist senior and disabled Grand Isle County residents with their phones, laptops, computers, or Smart TVs. Help can be in the form of instruction, set up or troubleshooting and minor repairs if possible.

Companionship Volunteers will spend leisure time with senior or disabled Grand Isle County residents doing activities of the resident’s or volunteer’s choosing. This might include reading aloud, playing cards, chess or board games, crafting, teaching or learning a new skill, like knitting or embroidery or watching a movie or TV show – or even just having conversation!

Vermont Adaptive succeeds because of the dedication of more than 400 highly-trained volunteer instructors. We are searching for energetic, dedicated individuals who have a passion for sports and want to share that passion with others. Our volunteers dedicate their free time to help individuals with disabilities rediscover their abilities and achieve their dreams through sports and recreation. Volunteers are from all walks of life but have one mission in mind – to help those with disabilities enjoy sports and recreation on a daily basis.

We are currently looking for a motivated and kitchen knowledgable volunteer to support food prep and making meals for our family playgroups and preschool programs. Looking for someone for Wednesday or Thursday.

Substitute Volunteer Meal Delivery Drivers, using their own vehicles are needed to check in with seniors and deliver hot lunches and frozen meals in Grand Isle County on Monday and Thursday. Drivers in the Alburgh area are especially needed.

RSVP Bone Builders, a program of United Way of Northwest Vermont, is looking for volunteers 55 plus to lead weekly osteoporosis prevention classes. Bone Builders is a no-impact weight training program designed to prevent and even reverse the negative effects of osteoporosis in older adults. Bone Builders consists of a warm up, balance exercises, arm and leg exercises, and then a cool down with stretching.

Teaching one hour Bone Builders classes just twice per week will increase your muscular strength, balance, and bone density! Some participants have felt a difference within just weeks of attending a class.

This could be the perfect opportunity for you to strengthen your body, while also meeting new people and creating a whole new network. It only takes one day to get your certification, and you could even invite a friend to join you for the training! We’re always looking for multiple leaders for each class, so the responsibility doesn’t fall on just one volunteer.

Are you ready to learn more about becoming a volunteer instructor?
Contact Danielle Schwer at danielle@unitedwaynwvt.org or 802-861-7821

Pet Care Volunteers will assist senior and disabled Grand Isle residents with caring for their pet. This may include walking the dog, cleaning the litterbox, cage or tank, feeding, and light grooming  either regularly or as a one-time, as needed assignment. This is also an excellent opportunity to check in on the pet parent and provide some companionship, if appropriate.  

Volunteer drivers, using their own vehicles, are needed to transport seniors and disabled persons living in Grand Isle County to health care appointments, as well as grocery stores, pharmacies, and other destinations as needed. Most locations are in Saint Albans and the greater Burlington area. Volunteers can be reimbursed for their mileage; currently at 65.5 cents per mile. Trips are scheduled through CIDER usually with 48 hours notice. Volunteers may drive when they like, and it is always ok to decline. The service does not operate in bad weather. Simple background checks are required of all CIDER drivers. Currently, masks are required for both drivers and passengers and we cannot transport passengers who are experiencing Covid-like symptoms. 

EEE is looking for ongoing help with publicity: Specifically now:

Create and update a Facebook account and submit a calendar of events to Front Page Forum neighborhoods. All work can be done remotely.

VKAP is recruiting volunteers to serve on two important work groups: Conference and Sustainability.  The Conference Committee plans, organizes and carries out the VKAP Annual Conference.  The Sustainability Committee plans events to help ensure VKAP has the resources it needs to continue its programs to support kinship caregivers. 

We need people with time, ideas and energy who are thoughtful, good at planning and organizing events, and will make time for monthly meetings. (For those living at a distance from Williston, participation in meetings by conference call will be an option.) Life experience as a foster parent, kin caregiver, or having been raised in a foster or kin care family is helpful, but not required.

Serving on these two groups is a great way to meet people, develop your skills and be part of a dedicated and motivated team.  This commitment is ongoing & could lead to opportunities to get involved in a leadership role at VKAP.

A patient person who likes talking on the phone & can enter simple data in a spreadsheet is needed to help us update VKAP’s mailing and stakeholder contact list.  We need to look up phone numbers & call people to obtain their email addresses, so that we can reach more kinship caregivers and providers with electronic communications (such as email newsletters). 

Good typing skills, access to a home computer and phone with unlimited minutes will be helpful. (Could also be done from VKAP’s office in Williston.)  We expect this project will take several weeks of part-time effort.  Training and support from VKAP staff will be provided.

VKAP is always looking for compelling personal stories of kinship caregivers and children who have been raised in kin care.  We need someone who is not shy about asking others to tell their stories, listens well, and can write them up for a variety of purposes, including stories for our newsletter and to share with legislators and journalists. The ability to respect the confidentiality of family members, skills in interviewing others, and strong writing skills are essential.