Local Volunteer Opportunities, compiled by the First Religious Society

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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

Volunteer Opportunities in the Greater Newburyport Area
listing compiled in August 2006
by The First Religious Society of Newburyport (Unitarian Univeralist)
26 Pleasant Street, Newburyport
978-465-0602

American Red Cross
31 Green Street
Newburyport
978-462-8243

Volunteers needed in all programs and support areas including disaster relief workers, health services instructors, receptionists/secretary, blood drive aides, and coordinator of medical equipment loan program. Call about these and other positions available.

Anna Jaques Hospital/Amesbury Health Center
25 Highland Avenue
Newburyport
978-463-1150

Forty-three different volunteer assignment opportunities exist, from direct support with patients and their families to assisting in office areas. Flexible arrangements.

Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Merrimack Valley
Maple Street, Salisbury
Contact: Jim Keenan
Website: www.boysandgirlscluboflmv.com
978-462-7003

The Boys and Girls Club seeks to provide every child with the essential tools needed for a successful and bright future. The Club needs volunteers of all ages to work in the office, as athletic coaches, recreation assistants, cooking instructors, homework tutors, arts and crafts and fundraising.

Community Action, lnc.
Community Partnership Program
Head Start Program
447 Merrimac Street, Newburyport
978-499-8357

Community Action is in need of a wide variety of volunteers. The Head Start Program is a Federally-funded day care program for low and moderate income families. The Community Partnership Program is a state-funded grant program providing money for day care for the children of low and middle income working families.

Community Giving Tree
Contact: Leslie Levenson
e-mail: communitygivingtree@attbi.com
978-887-3933

A non-profit collection and distribution network serving the North Shore, the Community Giving Tree provides household goods to families in need, as well as to other non-profit organizations in need of household goods for their clients.

Companion Care Program
PMA Building, 1 Parkway Rd, suite 3120, Haverhill
978-372-8118

Part of the Elder Outreach Program, volunteers are needed to visit and provide companionship to elders in the Merrimac Valley area.

Council on Aging
40 Water Street, Newburyport
978-462-8650

Drivers needed to take elders to doctor's appointments and shopping. Friendly visitors are also needed for elders.

Cushing House Museum
Contact: Jay Williamson
98 High Street, Newburyport
e-mail: hson@greennet.net
Website: www.newburyhist.com
978-462-2681

The Cushing House Museum is the home of the Historical Society of Old Newbury and contains a fine collection of antiques. The museum also sponsors lectures and community events and provides tours of the building and collection. Volunteers are needed as Docents (tour guides), for historical research, special events, grant writing and gardening.

Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc.
Contact Rose McGarry, Director, or Jean D'Arcy, Assistant Director, Ombudsman Program.
800-892-0890 x380

Elder Services needs advocates to visit nursing home residents: flexible hours, mileage reimbursement, training provided.

The Elms
53 Friend Street, Amesbury
978-388-3373

The Elms is an alcohol- and drug-free residence for men. Donations of food, household supplies are welcomed.

Emergency Management-Civil Defense Volunteers
Office of Emergency Management
National Guard Armory, 59 Low Street, Newburyport
978-465-4424

Volunteers needed to fulfill all roles in emergency operating center and responses to the public in emergencies. Training, equipment and recognition provided. Uniformed branch of city government.

Firehouse Theatre
The Firehouse Center
Market Square, Newburyport
Contact: Kathleen Miller
e-mail: kmiller@firehouse.org
Website: www.firehouse.org
978-462-7336 ext 12

Informational meetings are scheduled for the first Monday of the month at 7:00 pm to learn more about becoming a volunteer. Some of the ways you can help are these: ushering (and get to view a show), volunteering at the Box Office, helping in the office by copying, doing mailings, typing, making phone calls and doing other office jobs, putting up posters around town, clipping newspaper articles to keep the Firehouse history, and helping backstage, too.

The Garden Committee of Maudslay State Park
Contact: Sandee Liversidge
e-mail: gardenwork2@earthlink.net
978-462-4731

The historic gardens at Maudslay State Park need volunteers for hands-on gardening and fundraising. Times are flexible and are designed to meet many schedules - weekday or weekend.

Harbor Schools, Inc.
26 Rolfe's Lane, Newburyport
978-462-3151

This organization is a residential treatment center, providing prevention and aftercare services for young people (ages 13-18) having severe special needs, and for families in crisis. Volunteers needed to help with special school events, tutoring, classroom assistance, big brother/big sister roles, sharing interests (arts, crafts, music, and recreation).

Health and Education Services
978-462-4644

Serves mental health needs for all ages (children, family, adult, elderly).
Counseling, 24 hour emergency crisis hotline.
Amesbury, Haverhill and Newburyport

Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center
2 Harris Street, Newburyport
978-465-0999 (office)
978-388-1888 (24-hour Crisis Hotline)

Serves battered women and their children in crisis. Volunteer opportunities: answering the hot line. Assisting women with court procedures, child advocates, and rapid response team. Training provided. Contact Robin N.

Link House
37 Washington Street, Newburyport
978-462-7341

The Link House is an alcoho1 and drug residential rehabilitation program. Transportation needed to appointments and meetings.

Mass Audubon Society
Joppa Flats Education Center
Contact: Melissa Vokey
e-mail: mvokey@massaudubon.org
Website: www.massaudubon.org
978-462-9998 ext 3

Mass Audubon's newest sanctuary, Joppa Flats Education Center on the Plum Island Turnpike, welcomes volunteers with or without a birding background. Volunteer opportunities include working at the front desk, interpreting from the on-site bird blind, helping with children's, school, and adult programs, and providing grounds maintenance. Volunteers receive regular trainings, discounts on local day programs, invitations to special events, and reciprocity with other non-profits.

Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society
63 Elm Street, Salisbury
978-462-0760
www.mrfrs.org

Volunteers needed to help out at our no-kill shelter, provide a foster home for kittens, help to feed homeless cats.

Merrimack Valley Nutrition Project
Meals on Wheels
301 Main Street, West Newbury
978-363-5413

Volunteers for kitchen help and back up drivers to deliver meals.

Merrimac Valley Hospice
Home Health VNA
36 Merrimac Street, Lawrence
Contact Linda Chernov, Volunteer Director
978-552-4522 or 800-933-5593

Volunteers needed to assist elderly at home with transportation, laundry, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. Hospice volunteers also needed to be companions to elders and others.

Newburyport Art Association
65 Water Street, Newburyport
(978) 465-8769
e-mail: naa@newburyportart.org
website: www.newburyportart.org

The NAA is an active and vibrant art association serving artists of all ages and skills living in the greater Newburyport area. Volunteers opportunities include exhibition installation support, organizing and hosting receptions, assisting with community outreach programs, sitting the gallery, small building up-keep projects, and special events. Please call or email us about these and other volunteer positions available.

The Newburyport Education Foundation (NEF)
978-463-7893
e-mail: cwalth@NewburyportEF.org
www.NewburyportEF.org

NEF is a non-profit organization dedicated to generating financial resources to enhance the quality of public education throughout in Newburyport. Volunteers are needed to assist with organizing and running events, planning, and grant research.

Newburyport Maritime Society
www.themaritimesociety.org

Custom House Maritime Museum
25 Water Street, Newburyport
978-462-8681

Volunteers needed to staff the gift shop and admissions desk, docents (guides for tours) and administrative activities. 3-hour shifts.

Lowell's Boat Shop
459 Main Street, Amesbury
978-462-8681

Volunteers needed as docents, maintenance projects, and administration activities.

Newburyport Youth Services
Contact: Andrea Egmont, Supervisor of Youth Services
60 Pleasant Street, Newburyport
978-465-4434
e-mail: aegmont@cityofnewburyport.com
Website: www.cityofnewburyport.com

We have opportunities to help with programming or events.

No Place for Hate
Contact: Beth Horne
978-465-1871

A coalition of concerned people committed to providing a community that does not tolerate violence.

Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are very happy to gave volunteers! Contact the Activities Director and go in for an orientation. Typical activities are one-on-one room visits, writing or reading letters and stories, card or board games, sharing your interests and skills, and helping with their program. Popular times are late morning and mid-afternoon.

Amesbury Village Skilled Nursing and Rehab
22 Maple Street, Amesbury
978-388-4682

Brigham Manor Nursing and Rehab Center
77 High Street, Newburyport
978-462-4221

Country Rehab and Nursing Center
180 Low Street, Newburyport
978-465-5361

Harborside Health Care/Maplewood
6 Morrill Place, Amesbury
978-388-3500

Port Health Care
113 Low Street, Newburyport
978-462-7373

Seaview Retreat
60 Mansion Drive, Rowley
978-948-2552

Opportunity Workshop
10 Opportunity Way, Newburyport
978-462-6144

This organization serves developmentally disabled, providing training and employment in sheltered workshop, training in social and daily living skills. A variety of volunteer needs exist: quality control, drivers, landscaping, special activities (music, art, exercise), big brother/big sister relationships. Crafts, exercises, music and other leisure activity programs for older people in the Golden Opportunity Club.

Our Neighbor's Table
P.O. Box 592
Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913
Contact: Rosemary Warner, Director
978-388-4863 or 978-835-3016

Our Neighbor's Table serves homemade meals at the Main Street Congregational Church in Amesbury on Wednesdays each week (3:30-6:00) and opens its food pantry from 3:00 to 6:00 also on Wednesdays. Volunteers are needed as cooks' helpers, servers and sorters for the food pantry on Saturday from 9:00 to 12:00.

Parental Stress Hotline
800-632-8188 (a Massachusetts-only number)
24 hour hotline to defuse parental stress.

This hotline requires a one-year commitment to take telephone shifts on state-wide toll-free hot line. Overnight shifts taken in the volunteer's home via a call forwarding system, daytime shifts in the Kenmore Square office of Parents' and Children's Services. Parking charges are paid.

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
978-465-5753 ext. 31

Volunteer positions available in visitor information and as Plover Wardens.

Pettengill House
13 Lafayette Road, Salisbury
978-463-8801

Volunteers needed for office/clerical work or manning and stocking the pantry. This is just one of many services provided.

Salvation Army
40 Water Street, Newburyport
978-465-0883

Volunteers needed to assist elderly, visit nursing homes, odd jobs and youth programs, feeding programs, food pantry, seasonal (holiday) help.

The Samaritans
24 hour suicide prevention hotline.
866-912-4673

Volunteers trained to take shifts responding to hot tine calls.

Shared Caring Hospice, Inc.
PO Box 564, Newburyport
978-462-1210

Trained volunteers needed to work with the terminally ill.

The Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities
Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm
5 Little's Lane, Newbury
978-462-2634

Volunteers needed at historic house museums in Newbury. SPNEA is looking for people to assist with a variety of positions, including docents, clerical, reception desk at visitor's center, and special event volunteers, and others as needed. Training provided; contact Bethany Groff.

Strongest Link Aids Services
5 Federal Street, Danvers
978-777-5885

Volunteers needed for office support and transportation services for people living with HIV, and their families. Support also needed for annual holiday program.

Tobacco Education Program
Newburyport City Hall, 2nd floor, Newburyport
978-465-4434

Program needs volunteers to help make tobacco education efforts real and meaningful. Opportunities range from administrative support to manning boots for community health events. Youths encouraged; community service credit opportunities.

Turning Point
Safe Recovery Program and Main Stream Housing Program
P.O. Box 548, 5 Perry Way 21, Newburyport
978-462-8251

These programs serve women and children who have become homeless due to domestic abuse and/or substance abuse. Housing provided for up to 24 months.

Women in Transition
Contact: Heidi Bumpus
978-750-1900 ext. 3725
e-mail: hb187@hotmail.com

Women in Transition is a pre-release facility program that serves women offenders. Women in Transition houses 24 women and provides services for 12 women who are on electronic-monitoring status. The goals of the Women in Transition program are to help women identify the reasons why they went to prison and identify solutions, as well as to help the women make a successful transition back to their communities by encouraging aftercare treatment. Most of the women incarcerated there are guilty of nonviolent, drug-related offenses. Women in Transition is looking for volunteers to facilitate weekly or monthly groups on domestic violence, parenting, or nutrition. Teaching hobbies, such as knitting, are also welcome.

YMCA
Contact: Sandra Brien
Rt. 110 Plaza, Amesbury
978-462-6711

Volunteers needed at events and for programs. Contact Sandra Brien

YWCA
13 Market Street, Newburyport
465-0981

Volunteers needed at the pool desk and after school daycare program, etc. Help needed for specific projects.