VOLUNTARY SERVICE

All Center for Service and Social Action (CSSA) sponsored service opportunities are open to participation by volunteers, whether they be JCU students, staff, administrators, faculty, or alumni (unless they are listed as "restricted"). Any JCU community member may search or browse for these activities here. Students may register for these activities by attending a Pre-Service Orientation Session, enrolling as a service participant, and registering for the activity. All other JCU community members are asked to call the CSSA office at 216.397.1662 if they find a sponsored service activity in which they would like to participate.

In addition to sponsored activities, the Center for Service and Social Action also maintains a list of Voluntary Service Opportunities (see below). These are activities which are not sponsored by the CSSA office, but which might be of interest to JCU students, staff, faculty, and alumni. CSSA does not coordinate registration, transportation, or service hour tracking for these activities.

The requirements for voluntary service opportunities (in terms of time commitment, special training, and/or background checks) can vary. Persons interested in partcipating in a volunteer opportunity are encouraged to contact the designated site coordinator for more details.

Voluntary Service Opportunities for Fall 2008

Description: Hats Off to CMSD Kids Day is an annual event promoting education and safety in the Cleveland Metroplitan School District. Volunteers are needed to encourage students coming to school on Friday, October 3rd. Additional details are available here.

Expiration: October 3, 2008.

Description: The Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland is a local and independent non-profit organization that offers various services, including fundraising and informative events for children and adults with diabetes in Northeast Ohio. We are looking for volunteers for an upcoming event, a children's Halloween party, taking place on October 19th, 2008, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. We are currently in great need of volunteers to orchestrate activities and games for the children.

Site Coordinator: To volunteer, please contact Allison Weitzel at (216) 591-0800 ext. 12 or at specialeventsintern@dagc.org.

Expiration: None indicated; contact site.

Opportunity Site: 2100 Lakeside with Gesu Parish

Description: On Sunday, October 19, 2008, Gesu parishioners will be cooking and serving a meal for 400-450 men at 2100 Lakeside, the Cleveland community men's shelter. Cooking will begin at 1:00 pm to be ready to serve at 5:30 pm.

Site Coordinator: To volunteer, please contact Meg Wilson, Gesu Parish Outreach Coordinator at (440) 684-0274 or at mmw62@roadrunner.com.

Expiration: October 19, 2008.

Opportunity Site: 2100 Lakeside Listening Ministry

Description: 2100 Lakeside Men's Shelter is looking for volunteers who can make a regular (weekly, semi-weekly, monthly) commitment to spend two hours as a listening volunteer at the shelter. Members of the Listening Ministry would need to complete two 2-hour training sessions. Then, they would offer their "listening presence" to men at 2100, meeting informally and in unstructured settings. Periodic debriefing sessions for "listening volunteers" will be held to offer continued support and skill-building opportunities.

Site Coordinator: Lydia Bailey, Coordinator of Volunteers, at 216-566-0240x136 or lbailey@lutheranmetro.org.

Expiration: None indicated; contact site.

Opportunity Site: Crossroads Hospice

Description: Several types of service opportunities are available through Crossroads Hospice. Volunteers are needed to participate in "friendly patient visits" with hospice clients in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and private homes. Other opportunities include working on special projects, helping in the head office (located in Hudson), and assisting with bereavement. Crossroads is also looking for assistance with their "Ultimate Gift" program, designed to help the patient and family experience a very special day through various activities. A one-time training session lasting about 2-3 hours is required to participate in most Hospice service activities.

Site Coordinator: Judy Sobieski, Volunteer Coordinator at 330-644-4743 or 1-888-603-6673, or at judymerlin@aol.comjudymerlin@aol.com.

Expiration: None indicated; contact site.

Opportunity Site: St. Procop Catholic Church Community Meal

Description: Volunteers needed to assist in serving weekly meal to about 200 community members on Friday evenings from 4:30-6:30pm. Please contact site coordinator to register to volunteer, as need varies from week to week.

Site Coordinator: Mike Grogan, Volunteer Coordinator at 216.631.0365.

Expiration: None indicated; contact site.

Opportunity Site: South Euclid- Lyndhurst Branch of Cuyahoga Public Library

Description: The Homework Center of the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Library is in need of Education students to assist with tutoring students in 7th through 10th grade. The Homework Center is open Monday through Thursday from 4.30 to 7.00 p.m. and offers free homework assistance and internet access. Students most often require help with Math, Science and languages.

Site Coordinators: Kathy Stead, Homework Center Coordinator at 216.382.4880 or kstead@cuyahogalibrary.org; Michelle Phelps, Homework Center Coordinator at 216.382.4880 or mphelps@cuyahogalibrary.org; Adrienne Strock, Teen Librarian at 216.382.4880 or astrock@cuyahogalibrary.org  

Expiration: None indicated; contact site.