Skip to main content

Field Education Students

Human Rights Activities

Advocacy Outside the Field Placement

The College of Social Work at The Ohio State University requires all students to complete human rights activities (HRA) each semester you are enrolled in field education. The purpose of HRA is to engage you in advocacy outside of the field placement, as well as to allow you the opportunity to provide volunteer services to those most in need. When we talk about advocacy, we mean advocacy on a macro level addressing issues for entire populations. When we talk about volunteering, we mean working on a more individual level to help individuals in need.

For detailed information about hour requirements and approved activities, you can view our Human Rights Activities Policy. To get a better idea of what we mean by “human rights,” you can view the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

 

If you have any questions about HRAs, please contact your field liaison. If you are an agency and you’d like to submit an HRA, please complete the form.

Virtual Opportunities

Write a “Letter to the Editor” to your local newspaper about issues relevant to your field placement, advocacy, or social work as a profession. Research time for these letters count towards your HRA hours as well as time spent writing the letter. If you are in the Central Ohio area, the page to submit a “Letter to the Editor” to the Columbus Dispatch is here.

Create an online petition here. Spend time writing and promoting the petition targeting an issue that matters to you. Count all time devoted to this effort as HRA hours.

Many individual social service organizations are also now offering virtual opportunities to engage in their efforts. Spend some time researching organizations that you care about to see if they have virtual opportunities you could count for HRA too.

Engage in activism around voting through organizations like When We All Vote or through this NASW list here. Many of these organizations offer text banking or calls to encourage voter participation.

We need thousands of stories to tell Congress that people with disabilities deserve the supports and services to live independently in their communities! Right now, Congress is deciding how much money to include for home and community-based services (HCBS) in the #BetterCareBetterJobs Act.

HCBS provides critical support for people with disabilities by paying for things like employment supports, getting around the community, dressing and bathing, taking medication, and much more. Without funding for HCBS, many people are stuck on waiting lists, direct support professionals are underpaid, and more people end up in institutions and nursing homes.

The original #BetterCareBetterJobs proposal included $400 billion for HCBS, and it has already been cut in HALF. Help us show Congress why #CareCantWait by sharing your story about HCBS now.

If you would like to do more, please dial 877-288-6508 and type in your zip code. This will connect you directly to your members of Congress. Tell them why this matters to you! Thank you for your advocacy – together we will fight for the full inclusion of people with disabilities!

Write to your legislators about issues relevant to your field placement, advocacy, or the social work profession. To find your Senators’ addresses, please go here. To find your Representative’s address, please go here. You can contact the White House here. Consider writing letters to your state and local representatives as well. If you are in Ohio, you can follow this link. Research time for these letters count towards your HRA hours in addition to time spent writing your letters.

Ongoing Central Ohio Opportunities

Volunteer services for older adults in need in the Columbus area. Activities include companionship, yard work, setting up and running social events, handy services, technology assistance, organizing in-home for older adults, and assistance with pet care.

Clintonville Community Resource Center, Village in the Ville
www.clintonvillecrc.org/village-in-the-ville/
Contact– Karina Burck, burck.6@osu.edu

This agency has ongoing volunteer opportunities working with children affected by foster care. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out an interest form here. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Megan Modene at megan@aliciascloset.org.

Please see the attached flyer for volunteer opportunities. You can go here to sign up to volunteer or for more information.

Check out BESA for even more volunteer ideas in your area!

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally-supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. there are currently 20+ children ready to be matched with a “Big” volunteer. See the flyer for a detailed description of the volunteer opportunities.

Capital City Hospice strives to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort for those experiencing a life limiting illness, wherever they call home. We are currently seeking volunteers to provide many services in facilities all over the Columbus area. Working with patients and families, office support, pet therapy, music/art therapy are just to name a few. Volunteers choose when, where, and how much time to volunteer. Orientation, training, background check, TB test ,and drug screen are required and provided. For more information, please reach out to Capital City Hospice’s Volunteer Coordinator Lisa Crandall at 614-406-5728 or email her here.

Child Assessment Center playroom volunteers provide support and play to children at various stages of their assessment process. Main lobby volunteers engage patients waiting for appointments in the play room and assist the staff at the front desk.
For more information, click here.

COAAA’s Friendly Caller Program matches a volunteer with an individual who receives services through the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging for weekly or biweekly friendly chats. Sometimes an older adult or person with a disability would like additional social interaction, and this program is designed to connect them with a community volunteer for six months of friendly calls. A one-time background check at COAAA is required before being paired with a consumer. There is no cost to the volunteer and training is provided. This opportunity can be done remotely and times are flexible. You can view the agency’s website here for more information. If you have any questions, please reach out to Frances Krumholtz at 614-645-3646 or via email at fkrumholtz@coaaa.org.

The mission of the CORRC is to provide a collaborative community response to human trafficking in central Ohio through education, services, advocacy, and prosecution. CORRC has volunteer opportunists for students who want to participate in human trafficking events including booth setup and information distribution at festivals and events. You can check out their website here.

One opportunity they have available is attending monthly coalition meetings and engaging with anti-human trafficking advocates, as well as community partners, to address human trafficking through public education, demand reduction, legislative advocacy, and supportive services for survivors. This will take place the first Wednesday of every month, from 1-3 p.m. at 966 East Main Street, Columbus. For information about this opportunity, please reach out to Michelle Hannan at mhannan@use.salvationarmy.org.

As a VA Compassionate Contact Corps volunteer, you will be matched up with a local Veteran who is feeling lonely or socially isolated. You are asked to call your matched Veteran once per week to provide companionship and friendly conversation. This program has proven to decrease Veteran’s feelings of loneliness and improve their overall well-being. This is a great opportunity to give back to a Veteran who gave so much for our country! Phone or video calls can be made from your own home, offering a safe and socially distant volunteer position. If you have questions about this opportunity, please call Anna Giesler at 614-388-7288 or email her at anna.gielser@va.gov.

Part of the century-old settlement house movement, the CRC was organized in 1971 to promote a positive quality of life for residents of the Clintonville-Beechwold area. CRC responds to the needs of their diverse community to foster safer, healthier, and empowered lives. There are lots of opportunities available! To sign up to volunteer, contact Katie Palmer at crcvolunteers@clintonvillecrc.org or 614-268-3539.

Volunteers are needed at CMAA, which is a local agency that assists refugee and immigrant families with adult education, resettlement, access to community resources, etc. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday from 3-5 p.m. to help children K-8 with homework after school. There are multiple volunteer opportunities available. No weekly commitment is required, although the children will compel you to return!

Volunteers are also needed every Wednesday from Noon to 5 p.m. for Mid-Ohio Food Bank distribution. The address for this opportunity is 2150 Agler Road, Columbus, Ohio. Those interested in either opportunity can email Sean Young at syoung@cdcheadstart.onmicrosoft.com.

Please view this agency’s current volunteer opportunities here. For questions about any of these opportunities, please reach out to Laura Mullins at laura@columbusdiapercoalition.org.

Check out Columbus Gives Back for even more volunteer ideas in your area!

Do you like the library? There are many different volunteer opportunities available at the Columbus Metropolitan Libraries. Check them out here!

Our organization hosts a variety of nonprofit programs in efforts to build and strengthen the South Side community in Columbus. One such opportunity is volunteering at All People’s Fresh Market. Our market is currently the largest distributor of free produce in all of Central Ohio. Opportunities within this market include greeter, stocker, member support, program support, and data entry. We currently need the most support during our early afternoon shifts, but have opportunities 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Our address is 945 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. You can check out our website for more information here.

If you have any questions, please contact Nathan Whitford.

CRIS’ mission is to help refugees and immigrants reach and sustain self-sufficiency and achieve successful integration into the Central Ohio community. CRIS’ new program, Community Connectors, is currently looking for mentors. The program would pair a potential mentor with a middle/high school refugee student, most likely currently studying at Columbus Global Academy. Students at this school are emergent bilinguals, studying English intensively for 1-2 years before entering another school in the district. We are looking for mentors who can meet with these students at least once a week for a full year. Click here for more information!

The Columbus/Franklin County Point-in-Time Count is a community-wide initiative to count homelessness in Columbus. Our count is a part of HUD’s requirements for communities receiving federal funding for homelessness services. The count this year will be on Jan. 25.

There are two ways that you can volunteer.

  1. Participate in the land count that is from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. with teams of highly skilled volunteers that have done the PIT counts for many years.
  2. Volunteer at one of our magnet locations throughout the City of Columbus, completing surveys on persons experiencing homelessness. This can be done for as little as 2 hours of your choice, or you can volunteer for several hours. The magnet sites are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A successful count will allow our community to identify the characteristics and needs of the local population, enhance system planning and program development, measure our progress towards ending homelessness, and lastly increase public awareness about homelessness.

Point of Contact: Twila Wellmaker, twellmaker@csb.org

Compassion Outreach Ministries of Ohio is seeking volunteers for a drop-in shelter serving victims of human trafficking. They are in search of social workers that would be willing to offer services to the women that come through the shelter. Opportunities are available to both licensed social workers and students working towards a degree in social work or related field. Please contact Kate Sampson at 513-633-0052 or via email at sampson.150@osu.edu for additional information.

Visit the  website for more information or see the attached flyer.

Advocate for the importance of accessible, affordable, quality, safe childcare so that parents can engage in the workforce to better support their families and communities.

foundationscommunitychildcare.org
Contact – mrgh95@spectrum.net

Gladden Community House is seeking volunteers to help with senior deliveries on Fridays. Contact Kim Addams at 614-228-2498 for more information.

Gladden Community House is seeking volunteers for our pantry on Monday and Friday on an ongoing basis (weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc). Pantry hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Need volunteers to greet and check clients into the computer up front.

Gladden Community House is also seeking volunteers for our after school program from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. If interested, email Lindsay Blackburn at lindsayblackburn.gch@gmail.com.

If a student is interested in volunteering for HRA hours at this organization, please email them at holypantry1@gmail.com. The contact person for this is Dana Krull, the Operations Manager at the facility. They typically offer volunteer times daily between 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Homeless Families Foundation (HFF) was created by volunteers in 1986 and people from all walks of life come together to help families in need become self-sufficient. Some opportunities include: reading to children, stocking shelves or working the holiday store. You can learn more here. For questions or further assistance, reach out to Genevieve at 614-715-8551 or gvillegas@homelessfamiliesfoundation.org.

Interim Hospice of Columbus provides in-home and in-facility hospice services to patients located in the surrounding Columbus and Newark areas. They are currently looking for volunteers to assist in direct patient support, such as providing companionship for our hospice patients, as well as volunteers to assist with administrative tasks and bereavement follow-up. You can view their volunteer brochure here with additional information. If you would be interested in this opportunity, please fill out the volunteer application here. If you need to submit your volunteer application or would like to discuss this opportunity further, you are more than welcome to reach out to Brooke Costanza at bcostanza@interim-health.com.

The fellowship training program provides a unique opportunity to students from various academic backgrounds to comprehend human rights and religious freedom concerns. All skills necessary to fulfill your career aspirations will be taught in an exciting manner through teamwork, by experienced faculty. Social, cultural and humanitarian issues, such as women’s rights, indigenous rights, religious freedom and racial equality, etc. are at the forefront of creating social and political change. We aim to provide trainees research and communication skills, necessary for a thorough understanding of complex, contemporary global issues of human rights, religious freedom and hitherto neglected issues pertaining to the definition of religious, social, political rights of marginalized communities. ICHRRF is committed to the intellectual awakening and advancement of youth who can make a difference to the real world as future leaders. This is an ongoing opportunity that is remote/online. Please check out the website and email Dr. Adityanjee or Carl Clemens

Joseph’s Coat is a faith-based nonprofit that offers stepping stones to self-sufficiency to families and individuals in the community. They offer free furniture, clothes and toiletries. Volunteers are needed Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon, as well as on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 – 8 p.m. For more information, click here.

LifeCare Alliance provides many volunteer opportunities including:

  • Meals-on-Wheels delivery – Volunteers deliver a hot nutritious meal to our home-bound or medically challenged clients. Each route lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes and delivers meals to twelve to fifteen clients. Volunteers would drive their own vehicles and training would be provided for these volunteers on the day of the event as well. We ask that volunteers deliver with at least one other person to make the delivery process smoother.
  • Meals-on-Wheels Production Kitchen – Volunteers help with portioning food into the three-compartment meal trays, wrapping slices of bread and/or other activities to support the production process. This kitchen is located at our 1699 W. Mound St. location.
  • Meals-on-Wheels Distribution Kitchen – Volunteers will help to pack meals into coolers or meal bags, according to route needs. Depending on the needs of the day, they also may help to bundle side items (fruit, sides, beverages, menus, etc.) in preparation for routes to leave our Distribution Facility. This kitchen is located at our 670 Harmon Ave. location.
  • Groceries-to-Go Pantry – Volunteers help to organize and stock inventory according to categories (fruits, vegetables, pasta, etc.), bag grocery orders for pick-up and distribute orders to clients that come to pick-up filled orders. This pantry is located at our 670 Harmon Ave. location.

Please review the  volunteer application for additional information.

Our “Beat the Heat” Fan campaign is starting up again! This campaign assures that people who are at risk of heatstroke or heat exhaustion receive fans for their homes. Last year we collected and distributed over 4,300 fans to those in need and with your help we hope to distribute over 4,000 fans this year. The public is asked to donate new fans and take them to their nearest fire station.

Our greatest challenge is picking up donated fans at local fire stations and bringing them to our distribution site at 670 Harmon Avenue. We still have fire stations that do not have a volunteer assigned to them. Assigned volunteers are responsible for picking up the fans at their designated fire station (usually a few times a month, but could be more frequent depending on volume) and delivering to our distribution facility at 670 Harmon Avenue.  This is a good opportunity for volunteers who are looking for a flexible time as they can pick up at a time that is convenient for them (assuming the fire station is open). Delivery to Harmon Avenue could be any day during the week or weekend between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

A document listing our unassigned fire stations can be found here.  If this sounds like an opportunity you could help with, please call Danielle Visconti at 614-437-2947.

LA Catering staff is producing over 1,000 box lunches a week for the Grab & Go sites each week. We are assembling these meals in the café. Presently we are down catering staff who were part of the team making and assembling these meals. We are looking to see if you can recruit some volunteers either individual or groups to assist with these tasks. The hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The tasks include packing (packing boxes & marking to particular sites) and food preparation (making & wrapping sandwiches and dipping side salads in dishes with lids). Help is needed ASAP, so anything you can do will be greatly appreciated! For questions, please reach out to David Imwalle at 614-437-2905. You can also email him here.

The Learning in Fitness and Education through Sports (LiFEsports) Initiative is a sport-based youth development program at OSU. One component of this initiative, the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA), is a collage and career readiness program which serves about 60 diverse, urban, high school Columbus youth each year. YLA juniors and seniors will be paired with college students or professionals to engage in college readiness activities. Please see the  flyer for the requirements to become a mentor. For more information or to fill out an application, click here.

Listen Good Youth is asking for help with their tutoring program for school-aged youth every Wednesday from 5 – 7 p.m.. Tutoring will take place at 854 Alton Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. For questions about this opportunity, please contact Derrick Russell at 614-327-5883 or via email at derrick.russ@yahoo.com.

Please check It’s Your Race and Ohio Runner for local races to participate in or volunteer for!

Lutheran Social Services has a variety of volunteer opportunities available to help create a better world by serving people in need. Volunteers can jump right in and volunteer at any of our food pantry distributions, or attend an orientation for some of our longer-term commitments, such as at Faith Mission and CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence. You can check out all available opportunities here. For questions, please reach out to Rachel Hardin at 614-300-3263 or via email at rhardin@lssnetworkofhope.org.

MSW-II students can volunteer by providing direct counseling to pre-screened clients for the Pro Bono Counseling Program. The Pro Bono Counseling Program offers short term (12 sessions or less) to clients who are uninsured or under-insured. The program has a number of locations within the community where students can meet with clients. Students will need to receive supervision from a licensed social worker in order to participate. If you are interested, please contact Sheronda Palmore  here for more details. The website will also have information, which you can access here. This activity will take place in various locations in Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield counties.

Moms2B is a community-based, weekly prenatal education and support program focused in Columbus’ low-income, high-risk neighborhoods. Moms2B has partnered with The Mid-Ohio Foodbank to bring fresh food to those most in need. They are looking for volunteers to help with program set up and clean up, including unpacking fresh food and assisting program participants with shopping. Please contact Moms2B at Moms2B@osumc.edu or 614-292-1605 if you are interested in volunteering. Please see the attached flyer for more details.

There are countless ways you can make a difference: from sorting and packing groceries to contacting an elected official to discuss the importance of emergency food in our community. Please click here for more information.

Ombudsman Associates are volunteer advocates who provide a voice for the concerns of long-term care consumers who are living in their own homes, nursing homes or assisted living. Volunteers are one of the most valued resources of the  Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman.

Volunteers make regular visits, observe conditions and engage residents in conversation to learn about problems or concerns consumers may have regarding care and services. In nursing homes and assisted living facilities, volunteers observe conditions and care and inform residents about their rights. For consumers who choose to receive care in their own homes, volunteers talk to consumers about their caregivers and services they receive.

To become a Volunteer Ombudsman Associate, complete the application to the right or call the state office at 1-800-282-1206 today. Your application will be forwarded to the regional Ombudsman program serving your community. We will equip you with free certification training. Please reach out to Lauren Mills with any questions.

The Ohio Living Westminster Thurber Retirement Community hosts a weekly inter-generational art making program with nursing home residents on Monday and Wednesday afternoons.

Learn more about Opening Minds Through Art part of the Scripps Gerontology Center.

Contact Sia Steel for more information at smsteel@ohioliving.org or 419-508-3080.

The OSU Nisonger Center has a program looking for volunteers: Friendship Connection. FC hosts social events in Franklin County for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Students will engage Friendship Connections members more fully with each other, the community, and activities. While FC hosts three or four events each month, students are asked to commit to a minimum of two events per semester. Training and support are provided, but a background check is required. The events will be at various times and locations. You can find more information on this opportunity by going to their website here or contacting Karen Krainz-Edison at  Karen.KrainzEdison@osumc.edu.

Are you looking for a way to give back? Do you have one hour to spare each week? The Next Chapter Book Club is for you! NCBC is an innovative program of Ohio State’s Nisonger Center that promotes literacy, socialization and community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. Clubs meet weekly in coffee shops and cafés. We are looking for volunteers to serve as group facilitators. To volunteer, please contact Jillian Ober at jillian.ober@osumc.edu or 614-685-6718. You can also visit here for more information.

Social Change is a department within the Office of Student Life at OSU. As part of the University’s motto, “Education for Citizenship,” the Department of Social Change exists to advance the well-being of the people of Ohio and the global community through the creation and dissemination of knowledge. They work to connect OSU with communities, focusing specifically on programming for individuals, families and entire communities facing poverty and its consequences. For more information, please click here.

Volunteers for Buckeye Library Leaders:

  • Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3 – 6 p.m. or 4 – 7 p.m. Times vary slightly for each library. Transportation can be provided. Please email sl-socialchange@osu.edu if you are interested.

Research from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that African-American women experienced depressive symptoms two weeks after delivery at a 13% higher incidence than white women. Data also indicates that when support services fit the socio-cultural needs of the population served, there is a higher chance that women will engage in care.

POEM’s Equity Initiative seeks to direct appropriate peer support and referral services to priority populations—namely, women of color—in Columbus, Ohio. A monthly support group for pregnant and postpartum moms is held to serve this population and childcare assistance is needed. This meets every third Saturday from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Elsie Ward YMCA. Please contact Kelli Blinn at kblinn@mhafc.org for more information or you can call the agency at 614-221-1441 (extension 111). You can also view more information on their website here.

Check out Point App for even more volunteer ideas in your area!

The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that confronts poverty in all its forms, empowering the vulnerable to find dignity and hope through changed lives. The organization also plays a major role in providing disaster relief. For overall questions, please go to their website here or reach out to Michelle Hannan at mhannan@use.salvationarmy.org.

An ongoing activity that they need support with is street outreach to engage with survivors of human trafficking, as well as persons engaged in street-level commercial sexual exploitation. This takes place every Monday from 6:45 – 9 p.m. and volunteers will leave from 966 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio. For questions about this opportunity, please reach out to Alexa Ploss at alexa.ploss@use.salvationarmy.org.

Second Nurture’s mission is to radically increase the number of families who choose to foster and adopt waiting children and teens, and do so successfully. Each month Second Nurture hosts a free group for foster families who meet one Sunday a month, with supervised kids’ activities in an adjacent room. Monitoring children (infant to teenager) to ensure they remain safe as they go about their activities. Helping children engage in play and leading kid friendly activities as required. Keeping the playroom clean and organized. Opportunity information:

Aug. 27, Sept. 10, Oct. 29, Nov. 19, Dec. 17
12:30-2 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 444 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
www.2nuture.org
Contact – Kevin Sullivan, kevin@2nurture.org, 215-779-0194

Please visit the website here if you’re interested in volunteering. You will have to create a volunteer profile and have a background check ran. Once that is approved, you’ll be emailed a link to select the dates you’d like to volunteer. There are many options available!

This is through Southeast RREACT outreach on campus. Southeast Healthcare will be providing support and resources to students and others in the campus area. The CSW students who volunteer to earn HRA hours will only assist by having students and others in the campus area complete surveys in exchange for gift cards. The surveys and gift cards are provided by OSU University District Special Improvement District.

The opportunity will be taking place every Tuesday from 1 – 3 p.m. and every Thursday from 10 a.m. to Noon. The meeting spot is at 13th N. High Street, Columbus, Ohio (across from the Ohio Union). For more information, you can access the Southeast Healthcare website here. If you have questions about this activity, please reach out to James Alexander at 614-809-2833 or via email.

Ongoing opportunity with outreach for the unhoused at the St. Stephen’s Episcopal office at OSU (30 W. Woodruff Ave.) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, contact Kai Denino at 614-937-0221.

You can access the Southeast Healthcare website here.

S.T.A.R Senior Services is looking for volunteers serving the senior community. Please see the flyer for details.

Your Night Out is a program through the student organization Students Supporting People with Down Syndrome that provides volunteer babysitting services to families of children with Down syndrome around Columbus. The children range in age from ten months to fourteen years old and are always super excited to have our sitters come over! We have over 70 families in our system and therefore need volunteers like you! YNO runs on one Friday and one Saturday night a month from 5 – 10 p.m., but you only have to pick one date. Volunteers are always paired with another sitter in the program, so tell your friends and we can send you both together! An evening babysitting with YNO involves playing with the child with Down syndrome and their siblings, watching movies, having dinner and more fun activities to help parents in need have the opportunity to have a night to themselves. If you want to know more, check out our Facebook group here. if you’re interested in volunteering for HRA hours, please email us at  sspds.osu@gmail.com.

Our mission is to empower survivors of trauma by connecting them with messages of hope, healing and solidarity through the magic of snail mail & handwritten notes.

Want to get involved?

  • Write or receive a card, or spread the news that we exist?
  • Volunteer an hour of your time as an individual or with your group, organization or place of employment?
  • Organize a letter writing exchange workshop with the survivors you serve.

We would love to have you volunteer with us. Connect with us.

Contact – Alyson Wick, survivorcards@gmail.com

This ongoing opportunity will have volunteers supporting and/or assisting peer groups, we well as helping with independent living trainings. Please e-mail Sue Hetrick for more information regarding this opportunity or go to their website here.

UWCO is recruiting for Grant Reviewers for the 2024-25 investment cycle. This is great opportunity for students to help make decisions around funding investments into our community, meet leaders in the community, and gain experience in the grant-making process.

Dates: Jan. 8 (orientation); Jan. 22 to early February (Review Team Meetings)
Time: Various
Location: Varies-remote and in-person
Website: https://proxy.qualtrics.com/proxy/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fliveunitedcentralohio.org%2F&token=Twh%2FBCcZZ%2FIhsNQ9O1jUtRcJ65jx1d3HvBOGV4fmekg%3D

Point of Contact: Michael Wilkos, Michael.wilkos@uwcentralohio.org

For many in our community surviving on low and moderate incomes, tax time is a critically important financial moment.  A number of refundable tax credits, including child tax credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and education credits help to bridge the gap between what working families earn and what they need to survive.  Tax Time provides free tax preparation services to make sure families can file safely, claim the credits they deserve, and not pay anything to do so.

With the help of over 500 dedicated volunteers, Tax Time operates tax assistance sites throughout Franklin county during each tax season.  If you are interested in volunteering opportunities with Tax Time, check out our website here or email Sally Levy at  sally.levy@uwcentralohio.org for more information.

ViaQuest volunteers are dedicated and caring people from the community who have the ability to listen sensitively and have an awareness of personal boundaries. Our volunteers undergo a comprehensive training program with an emphasis on compassion and caring with the goal of providing the best assistance to our patients and their caregivers. There is a wide range of opportunities, including assisting patients and their families, providing information, and being a source of encouragement at any point for those who need it. Please click here for more information.

Check out VolunteerMatch for even more volunteer ideas in your area!

Our Old Worthington Library is in need of a volunteer in the Homework Help Center (HHC) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 – 6 p.m. The Worthington Park Library HHC is in need of volunteer help on Monday and Thursdays from 3:30 – 6:30 pmm. The HHCs are staffed by trained library personnel and volunteers to help with school assignments. Homework help is available on a first-come, first-served basis and provides students with access to reference tools, technology and people who can help them with their studies. We would welcome any graduate students that need to fulfill service hours, but would encourage a commitment from them for the school-year. This shift can be split or shared between two people if that works better for all involved. Volunteers in this position should be excellent communicators, be comfortable working with youth ages 5-17, and demonstrate patience and a concern for students and their educational needs. The volunteer position description can be found here and the Adult Volunteer Application can be downloaded here. Any students students interested in this volunteer position can contact Erin Buerk here or by calling 614-807-3639.

Ongoing Opportunities in Delaware, Marion and Union Counties

County: Marion
Website: www.redcross.org
Volunteer Opportunity: In-Person Blood Donor Support and Other Virtual Options
Volunteer Registration: www.redcross.org/volunteer/volunteer-role-finder.html

County: Delaware
Website: www.andrewshouse.org/
Volunteer Opportunity: In-Person Options (IT support, yard work, cleaning, painting, community meals, etc.)
Volunteer Registration: https://www.andrewshouse.org/volunteer/volunteer-2/

County: Delaware
Website: www.bbbscentralohio.org
Volunteer Opportunity: Mentoring
Volunteer Registration: https://bbbs.tfaforms.net/4840882

County: Delaware
Website: https://commongroundfreestore.org
Volunteer Opportunity: Variety of hours and in-person options (work crews, run the store, food provider, fundraising, etc.)
Volunteer Registration: https://commongroundfreestore.org/volunteers/

County: Delaware
Website: https://vote.delawarecountyohio.gov
Volunteer Opportunity: Poll Worker
Volunteer Registration: Contact a Staffing Coordinator at https://vote.delawarecountyohio.gov/get-involved/

County: Delaware
Website: https://probate.co.delaware.oh.us/court-visitor-program/#:~:text=It%20is%20a%20guardianship%20monitoring,about%20his%20or%20her%20needs
Volunteer Opportunity: Court Visitors Program (training provided)
Volunteer Registration: Reach out to Teresa K. Tackett, LSW at 740-833-2596.

Counties: Madison and Union
Website: www.dnaplaincity.org/
Volunteer Opportunities: Pancake breakfast (every Saturday), Plain City food pantry, mentoring, personal needs pantry, pregnancy resources, Kids Kloset, etc.
Volunteer Registration: https://airtable.com/shrGRp4UWKctIAziN

County: Delaware
Website: http://graceclinicweb.org/
Volunteer Opportunity: Activities involved are at a free clinic. There is a six-month volunteer commitment (four hours per month).
Volunteer Registration: www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=638689907

County: Marion
Website: https://hoohs.org/
Volunteer Opportunity: Various in-person activities.
Volunteer Registration: https://hoohs.org/contact-us

Counties: Crawford, Delaware, Morrow, and Wyandot
Website: https://helplinedelmor.org/
Volunteer Opportunity: They need SARN (Sexual Assault Response Network) Program Volunteers. You must be over 21, pass a background check, have transportation with car insurance, interview, and attend a SARN training.
Volunteer Registration: https://helplinedelmor.org/volunteer/

County: Marion
Website: www.boe.ohio.gov/marion/
Volunteer Opportunity: They need poll workers.
Volunteer Registration: www.boe.ohio.gov/marion/election-info/election-workers/

County: Marion
Website: www.marionmade.org/
Volunteer Opportunity: There are various in-person activities. Some of these include acting as a photographer, a social media writer, a mascot, a mascot helper, etc.
Volunteer Registration: www.marionmade.org/volunteer/

County: Marion
Website: https://marionmatters.org
Volunteer Opportunity: There are various in-person activities. Some of these include child care, working events, transporting food, and partnering with program participants.
Volunteer Registration: https://marionmatters.org/get-involved/volunteer/

County: Delaware
Website: www.delawarepeopleinneed.org/
Volunteer Opportunities: Tasks include filling food orders at the food pantry, helping at produce markets, maintaining inventory at the food pantry, performing clerical work, raising awareness in the community, seasonal opportunities, etc.
Volunteer Registration: www.delawarepeopleinneed.org/get-involved

County: Delaware
Website: https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/southwest-ohio/central-ohio/
Volunteer Opportunities: Hosting food drives, hosting personal care product drives, driving a box truck to pick up donations, ringing the bell at a red kettle, packing food boxes at their food pantries, etc.
Volunteer Registration: https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/southwest-ohio/central-ohio/volunteer/

County: Marion
Website: www.svdpmarion.org/
Volunteer Opportunities: Various activities.
Volunteer Registration: www.svdpusa.org/Volunteer/

County: Delaware
Website: https://stratfordecologicalcenter.org
Volunteer Opportunity: In-Person Outdoor Opportunities
Volunteer Registration: https://stratfordecologicalcenter.org/volunteer/

County: Delaware
Website: www.stockhands.org/home
Volunteer Opportunity: There is required training, but they offer various in-person activities.
Volunteer Registration: www.stockhands.org/volunteering

Counties: Delaware and Marion
Website: www.turningpoint6.org/
Volunteer Opportunities: Tasks include children’s area maintenance, yard cleanup, social media advocate, literature distribution, shelter coordinator assistant, etc. There is required in-person training and a background check.
Volunteer Registration: www.turningpoint6.org/volunteer

County: Delaware
Website: www.liveuniteddelawarecounty.org/
Volunteer Opportunity: In-Person and Remote Opportunities
Volunteer Registration: Find information here

County: Marion
Website: https://unitedwaynco.org/
Volunteer Opportunities: Various activities.
Volunteer Registration: https://unitedwaynco.org/volunteer-2/