You can make a difference in your own community.
Visit the Volunteer Center at BVU to search for volunteer opportunities at www.BVUvolunteers.org and click on the VOLUNTEER CENTER tab or click HERE NOW. You can search volunteer opportunities by keyword, interest, zip code, and more. You can also directly speak with a Referral Specialist at BVU at 216-736-7711. It's easy to find a volunteer opportunity that is just right for you!
Here are some upcoming volunteer opportunities. Please click on the volunteer opportunity title for more information.
Volunteer Postings
May 20, 2013
Date Specific Volunteer Opportunities
RideUNITED Volunteers
United Way's third annual RideUNITED rolls into town Sunday, June 23, 2013. Cyclists choose to travel the scenic Towpath Trail or city streets from Cleveland to Akron and back again during this one-day bicycle tour. Volunteers are needed for set up set up and clean up at food stations, registration table, directing participants, rest stops, cheering section. Opportunities exist at Cleveland State University, rest stops along route and Akron University. 7:00am-6:00pm.
Gardeners
Weed, water and plant alongside staff horticulturists in one of Holden Arboretum's unique gardens! Come get some exercise, learn a few things to take back to your home garden and enjoy working with fellow garden lovers. Volunteers should be comfortable and able to work outdoors doing gardening tasks (weeding, pruning, planting etc.) for up to two hours. Weekday-only schedule is flexible; most volunteers work one morning a week in their assigned garden during the growing season (April-November). Volunteers enjoy benefits such as invites to special events and tours. Application and orientation required.
Service Day Drivers
Slowik Music Institute in Lorain County needs drivers to transport its students to visit Cuyahoga and Lorain county agencies to share their music with people and volunteer in other ways. Dates include: Jun 27, Jul 3 and Jul 8; 9:30am-12:00pm and/or 1-4:30pm. Must have your own vehicle.
Bicycle Ride Assistance
The American Diabetes Association needs volunteers to help with all aspects of running the Tour de Cure bicycle ride which raises money to improve the lives of people affected by diabetes. Duties include: set up, hang signs, greet and register riders, operate rest stops, hand out maps and water, serve breakfast and lunch, assist vendors, cheer at the finish line, and clean up after the event. Under 16 accompanied by adult. Also seeking RNs or EMTs to treat injuries and drivers to transport assistance to riders. Flexible schedules; event takes place June 29th, 4am-6pm.
Restore Native Habitat: Invasive Plant Removal
Use hand tools (loppers and saws) to remove invasive shrubs, such as honeysuckle and autumn olive, and pile the cut vegetation. Ages 10 and up with parent or guardian supervision. Ages 16 and up with a parent or guardian-signed Volunteer Agreement. No special requirements. Volunteers must be able to hike 1 - 2 miles. Training is provided on-site. Jun 22, 2013; 10am-noon and Jul 11, 1-4pm, Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Volunteer Orientation for Ten thousand Villages
Ten Thousand Villages, an alternative trade organization that markets handicrafts made by artisans around the world is welcoming new volunteers for their orientation on Thursday, June 20th from 7-8pm. Various opportunities available include greeting and interacting with customers, unpacking and checking in orders, assisting with merchandising and displays, and helping at off-site events.
Adopt-a-Trail Crews
Volunteer with an Adopt-a-Trail crew in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to "sweep" a specific trail by picking up litter, trimming branches, clearing culverts, and reporting trail conditions. Meeting locations vary dependent on the trail - visit our schedule online to view the meeting location for each date: June 21, 1-5pm Jun 22, 10am-3pm. Volunteer agreement form must be completed.
Summer Picnic for People with Developmental Disabilities
This is a day that many of the participants at the Rocky River Adult Activities Center look forward to all year! Lend a hand on Friday, June 28 from 10:15am to 1:30pm. Volunteer assignments include helping set up, serving lunch and cleaning up the day of the event. Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older and are required to complete a brief application and orientation the day of the event.
Visitor Services Assistants at Nature Center
Orientation to greet visitors, answers phones, and help in our Duck Pond Gift Shop. Shifts are available on Mondays 1pm to 3pm, Wednesdays 1 pm to 3pm and Fridays from 1pm to 3 pm. Orientation sessions scheduled for these dates: Jun 24, 1-3pm.
The Senior Games
The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is looking for dedicated individuals who will volunteer for the 2013 National Senior Games to assist with ensuring successful events. Be a part of an event that will be the largest participatory sporting event in the United States in 2013 and is expected to bring $35 million dollars of economic impact to the Greater Cleveland area. The 2013 Summer National Senior Games presented by Humana will host 14,000 athletes 50 years of age and older who will compete in 19 different sports. Many opportunities form check-in to every aspect of assisting with each sporting event. The event will take place July 19-August 1, 2013, 7am-7pm. There will be a training session our volunteers will be required to attend about a month out from the event.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Graphic Design Support
International Partners in Mission, an east side nonprofit which promotes peace and justice across borders, is looking for a graphics designer to help with materials for special events and redesigning of its logo. Must work well in a team setting, be proficient in graphic design programs and enjoy working with deadlines. Hours are flexible and volunteer can work remotely.
Hunger Center Help
University Settlement, one of Cleveland's largest hunger centers, needs volunteers to help pack bags, help visitors choose groceries and stock shelves. Volunteers are also needed to work in the kitchen for the community meal; help cook, serve, and clean up. This opportunity is available Tuesday evenings from 4 to 8pm. Daytime opportunities in the Hunger Center are available Tuesday through Friday from 11am to 3pm.
Advocacy
The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland is seeking volunteers to assist in developing and implementing The Free Clinic's "We are the uninsured" group. Volunteers will assist with "story banking" to document patients experiences with health care and access to be later used for newsletters, reports, policy testimonials, and advocacy endeavors. Volunteers will further identify pertinent policy and advocacy events in the news to disseminate among Free Clinic friends. Flexible hours. No previous experience is required.
Resume Building Developers
Many students come to Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) without a resume - a critical piece that students must develop for interviews as they pursue jobs. Y.O.U. utilizes a special software program that helps students generate their first resumes. Volunteers are needed to guide students in the software process and offer recommendations for resume content.Time Commitment: 90 min. (includes 30 min. orientation). Experience in writing and preparing resumes is ideal but not required. 18 years and older with high school diploma or GED.
Snack Shop - Food Prep
Prepare food alongside a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America at the Posh Nosh, a snack shop at Montefiore, a skilled nursing home in Beechwood, which serves an array of foods from sandwiches to smoothies. Bring your skills or learn from a professional chef. Weekdays and/or Weekends are available. Gain experience for future culinary jobs! Application, two written references, 2-step TB test, and orientation required.
Reception and Guest Services Volunteer
Hope Lodge provides a free 'home away from home' for those who come to Cleveland to receive the world class cancer treatment that the Cleveland Hospitals provide. Be an ambassador for promoting a healing and supportive environment to patients and their caregivers. This position includes checking guests in and out, conducting tours, answering phones, distributing mail, stocking supplies, and general office assistance. Shift volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Simple training session required. This position works a 2-4 hour shift on a regular basis. Shift availability is between 9am-9pm Monday through Friday.
Farmers' Market Help
Lake Metroparks Farmpark runs a farmers' market in Willowick every Wednesday from May 22 - October 16th. Volunteers are needed to help from 1:30-7pm and must be able to work with the general public, make change and lift 30 lbs.