1. COMMUNITY ACTION HOUSE:
- Community Kitchen: Delivered through a partnership with Western Theological Seminary, the Community Kitchen provides a place to identify the needs and struggles of our most vulnerable neighbors while providing them with a free meal on weekdays and weekends. Help create and serve these meals here.
- Food Pantry: Stabilization services, including food, diapers, baby food and formula, hygiene and cleaning products are available for guests at the Pantry up to every two weeks. With changes due to COVID-19, the Pantry has altered to provide services curb-side with pre-packed boxes of food and personal hygiene items. Help pack boxes, sort donations, and serve at the Pantry here.
- Resale Store: The General Store opened in June 2011 with the dream of being able to serve the Holland area with better used clothing, furniture, bikes, and appliances at great prices. The General Store also has a large book nook and toy department. Help sort donations, price items, and move items for sale out onto the shelves
2. CHILDRENS ADVOCACY CENTER:
Sanitation Support Volunteer - As part of our COVID-19 safety response we are looking for volunteers to support our sanitizing needs throughout the office. This will be a one day a week commitment for one to two hours.
Care Closet Support Volunteer – This volunteer will support the maintenance of our Care Closet by organizing, distributing, and tracking donations, maintaining the store cleanliness and organization. This will be a weekly commitment of one to two hours.
Prevention Support Volunteer – This volunteer will help the Prevention team by preparing materials for all child and adult trainings done by the team throughout the year. This will be a commitment of one day a week for two to four hours.
Andrea Torres, B.S.
Events & Volunteer Coordinator
Children's Advocacy Center
12125 Union Street
Holland, MI 49424
(p): 616-393-6123
3. ARBOR CIRCLE
Non-Holiday related wishes follow 3 themes. We have Amazon wish lists set up but these are just guidelines, items can be purchased anywhere and sent to the office or collected and delivered in person.
Representation Matters Book Wish List – these books will be distributed to children in our foster care program - https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/27LX55X6L9PF2?ref_=wl_share
Family Fun Packs – items are collected and shared year round with families participating in our parenting program to encourage family engagement https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/6YMQ968AXAC4?ref_=wl_share
Winter wishes and basic needs – (this list is small because so many items keep going out of stock, but the basic idea is any winter wear for kids – hats, gloves, snowpants, boots, coats, lip balm, lotion) https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1F65QYSYU77DS?ref_=wl_share
Janelle
4. DAVENPORT COLLEGE- TAX VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers needed to help with completing tax returns for people who really need whatever tax refunds they can get. We will be working out of Davenport University on Saturdays, doing mainly remote returns to protect the health of your taxpayers. We also will be doing remote returns on Mondays with the assistance of Community Action House. If you have people who would like to learn how to prepare taxes and help the economy get back going by getting money into people's pockets, please let me know.
This is a great way for volunteers to start on their way towards earning an Enrolled Agent certification to become an E.A., they have to pass a test that has three parts. VITA prepares them to pass part 1 of the EA exam. An EA becomes licensed to practice in front of the I.R.S. and can then prepare tax returns in exchange for funds. If you have unemployed people who might want to move into a different career, tax preparation is a great one. Being an EA allows for a career path that would help people get jobs in accounting firms and work preparing taxes at places more reputable than Liberty Tax. It gives people looking to explore the idea of becoming a tax professional a chance to try out the work in a low-risk environment with the only investment being working for 1 tax season. If they find out they like it, I would be happy to work with them in helping them achieve an Enrolled Agent certification!
Tamara VandenBerg, CMA
Associate Department Chair
616-395-4664
Cell: 616-405-1619
https://tamaravandenberg.youcanbook.me
5. MOMENTUM CENTER
Phone Buddy
Pair up with a member of the Momentum Center to be a phone buddy! Set up weekly or bi-weekly times to have phone conversations and keep in touch with each other.
Teach a Virtual Class
Sign up to teach a virtual class on anything you wish! It could be a cooking or baking video, art activity, journal writing, teach a new game, etc. This can be done using Zoom or the private Facebook group for members. Videos can be live or recorded and can be offered any day/time of the week.
Write Letters
Write letters to members using Momentum Center cards or your own personal cards. Letters can be anonymous and are meant to be uplifting and a nice way to say hello. Momentum Center staff can address the envelopes, so all you need to do is write the card.
Create Care Baskets
Purchase various items (uplifting items, inspirational quotes, activities that individuals can do at home, fun snacks, etc.) and create a care basket for members. Or collect items and drop off to the Momentum Center.
Member Mailings
Assist with assembling member mailings. At least once a month, the Momentum Center sends out the monthly activity calendar and activity sheets (crossword pages, coloring pages, etc.) for members to enjoy at home. Help assemble, stamp and label the envelopes.
Anyone interested in volunteering must complete a volunteer application: https://www.momentumcentergh.org/volunteer-form
All volunteers must complete a background check and complete confidentiality agreements.
For questions, contact Jenna Vipond 616-414-9111 (Work) or 616-490-0180 (Cell)
6. GOOD SAMARTIAN MINISTRIES
Opportunities link:
https://www.goodsamministries.com/get-involved/volunteer/
Anne Reilly
Advancement & Communications Director
513 E 8th Street - Suite 25 | Holland, MI 49423
P: 616.392.7159 x111
F: 616.392.5889
www.GoodSamMinistries.com
7. LOVE IN ACTION OF THE TRI-CITIES
Opportunities:
Community Engagement Coordinator
Love in Action of the Tri-Cities
1106 Fulton St., Grand Haven
616.846.2701 x153
