Volunteer Opportunities throughout Ulster County | |
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Serving the Ulster County Community since 2009
March 2023
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13th Annual
UlsterCorps Service Summit
| The 13th Annual UlsterCorps Service Summit will be held Thursday April 13th, 2023 from 8:30am – noon at SUNY New Paltz and is co-sponsored by the Center for Student Engagement and the Benjamin Center for Public Policy at SUNY New Paltz. | |
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For our 2023 Service Summit, we will focus on Expanding Outreach: Amplifying Volunteer Voices for Next Generation Service. How can we best be of service to the next generation while honoring our past? We’ll be hearing from panelists representing a diverse range of service learning and engagement programs as well as media outlets across the County that, working together, broaden our understanding of the challenges and opportunities to expand volunteerism, service and community engagement in our current climate. We will explore and seek to weave together intergenerational models of volunteerism and collaboration. The Summit will emphasize the importance of in-person social engagement, strategies for re-engaging volunteers of all ages and abilities, and fostering active community. The Summit will also include roundtable discussions in English and Spanish, giving all attendees an opportunity to participate and network.
The Summit, which is free to participants, is part of the on-going work of UlsterCorps to deepen the knowledge about volunteerism and to find ways to strengthen a culture of service and collaboration in Ulster County. A locally-sourced, healthy breakfast is included. Registration is limited to the first 50 individuals to register by emailing register@ulstercorps.org or calling/texting 845-481-0331.
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Volunteers needed for KCSD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program | Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County is seeking volunteers for the Kingston City School District Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. They are looking for a handful of volunteers, at least 4 but as many as 10 to help out at George Washington, Edson, and JFK elementary schools weekly starting in March. Two schools will be on Thursdays from ~830 – 11a, and one school will be Wednesdays from ~830 – 11am. The program operates on the school schedule.The needs include leading a taste test for the students and the more logistics of portioning out the food. | |
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New Paltz Repair Cafe
Saturday, March 18th, 10am - 2pm
New Paltz United Methodist Church
1 Grove Street, New Paltz
Esopus Repair Cafe
Saturday, March 25th, 10am - 2pm
Ascension Church
1585 Route 9W, West Park
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A Repair Cafe is a free community event. You bring your broken but beloved items and together with volunteer repair coaches, WE FIX THEM! People bring all kinds of things to a repair cafe: clocks and other mechanical items; chairs, frames, and other wooden items; electrical items and small appliances; digital devices; clothing and textiles; dolls, stuffed animals, and toys, tools in need of sharpening; jewelry and watches; and so much more! Most items get fixed, and even when they don’t – we have a good time trying!
Questions? Contact suziefromer@gmail.com or visit www.repaircafehv.org.
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Mohonk Preserve Volunteer Orientations and Trainings | |
Our volunteer orientations are designed to give you all the information you need about a particular volunteer activity. It is a great opportunity to meet with the coordinator, learn about the activity, and meet other volunteers. Please feel free to attend any or all orientations. To register, visit https://www.mohonkpreserve.org/volunteer/training/
All orientations take place at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center or online on Zoom. Check the website at mohonkpreserve.org/volunteer for descriptions of all volunteer activities.
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For more information or to register for an orientation by email, contact Andy Reynolds, Volunteer Programs Manager, at volunteers@mohonkpreserve.org or 845-255-0919, ext. 1269.
3/18/23 Interpretive Guides (Visitor Center) 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
3/23/23 Volunteer Educator (Zoom) 6 PM – 7 PM
3/25/23 Backcountry Patrol (Zoom) 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
3/25/23 Special Events (Zoom) 12 PM – 1:00 PM
3/29/23 Invasive Species Program (Zoom) 6 PM – 7 PM
4/1/23 StreamWatch (Zoom) 9:30 AM – 11 AM
4/1/23 Bike Patrol (Zoom) 12 PM – 1:30 PM
4/15/23 Pollinator Program (Zoom) 10 AM – 11:30 AM
4/15/23 Pollinator Program Field Training 1 PM – 2:30 PM
(Testimonial Gateway – Mandatory for all volunteers)
4/22/23 Trailhead Ambassadors (Zoom) 9 AM – 10:30 AM
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Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy seeks volunteers | |
The Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy is seeking volunteers for a tree and shrub planting project on the Hudson River shoreline. Scheduled workdays are Tuesdays, March 21st and 28th, 9-11AM (or longer, if volunteers are willing). A small or large group would be welcome. Volunteers will be taking live cuttings of willows and dogwoods and planting them along the shoreline to prevent erosion and create a vegetated buffer to protect the hiking trail to the lighthouse. We will be planning other workdays in late April and early May as nursery seedlings become available for additional plantings in the Nature Preserve. The project is funded by an Ecological Restoration Grant from Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley to cover the cost of the plant seedlings.
If you can help out please contact Patrick Landewe at landfaraway@gmail.com or 845-247-0656.
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Sound the Alarm. Save a Life.
American Red Cross seeks volunteers to help install fire alarms in Kingston
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April 15th, 2023, 9am-4pm
Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center and
throughout Kingston, NY
Home fires claim seven lives every day, but you can help change that. Join the American Red Cross during a local Sound the Alarm event. No prior experience is necessary; we’ll provide all the training you’ll need.
Help canvas, install, and educate individuals in Kingston on fire safety while also checking on their fire alarms and installing up to three new ones per household. Help reduce the risk of fire related injury and loss of life while enjoying a daylong event with the Red Cross team and community.
To help out or for more information, please call (845) 649-5121 or email max.sanchez@redcross.org
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Ulster County Habitat for Humanity seeks volunteers | |
Let’s build homes, hope, and communities together! Volunteer with Ulster Habitat ReStore today and make a difference in your community! We need volunteers to assist staff with customer service, unloading donations, organizing the warehouse and prep rooms, repairing gently used furniture, testing electronics, and preparing and pricing donated goods for resale. There are several volunteer opportunities available Tuesday through Saturday between 9:30 and 4:30.
How do I sign up to volunteer with Ulster Habitat? Follow the instructions at https://ulsterhabitat.org/volunteer-registration/ to register. Once we get your registration, we’ll contact you to schedule your orientation. For additional information, please call Carolyn at 845-340-0907 x 105 or email volunteers@ulsterhabitat.org.
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Volunteers Needed for the
REST Program
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EVEN CAREGIVERS NEED A BREAK
Volunteers Needed for the REST Program
Jewish Family Services and The Ulster County Office for the Aging are extending an invitation to you to become involved with your community in a very meaningful way – as volunteer companions for the REST Program (Respite Education & Support Tools).
Respite is defined as a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant. Caregivers are often the sole support for a loved one providing both physical and emotional assistance. Caregivers often neglect themselves to ensure that their loved one is OK, and they need a few hours for themselves to catch up on things that they cannot normally do when providing care – including going to a doctor’s appointment or shopping or going for a walk … or just to de-stress and decompress. Becoming a REST Volunteer allows you to provide some much needed respite time for caregivers in your community.
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Simple Requirements: The program requires all volunteers to provide proof of vaccination and a background check for in-home volunteers. Volunteers fill out an application and are then interviewed by the REST Program Coordinator. Then they are trained in the role.
The Coordinator will match a family with a volunteer that seems best suited to that family. It is this careful matching of a volunteer with a family that needs them that really makes the program work. Volunteers are accompanied on their first visit and mentored throughout their work. Monthly meetings of the volunteers allow people to exchange ideas and present their challenges in a supportive environment.
Volunteers need to be prepared to give up only four hours a month. However, we are flexible and have lots of ideas about how you can help. The Office of Aging reimburses mileage at 0.39 cents a mile. Companions are just that: Companions! They are there to reminisce, share stories or play cards or take a walk if allowable. They are not responsible for the physical care of the care recipient.
Contact: Judith Bromley MS, Dn at 845-559-5656
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Ulster Literacy Association | |
Are you looking for a REMOTE
Meaningful Volunteer Opportunity?
BECOME A LITERACY VOLUNTEER
AND TEACH AN ADULT TO READ
Volunteers especially needed for tutoring evening hours. To find out more, call our office at (845) 331-6837
For more information about Ulster Literacy Association, please visit www.ulsterliteracy.org or email
info@ulsterliteracy.org.
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HomeShare Woodstock
seeks volunteers
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HomeShare Woodstock is a home sharing program that matches a homeowner (with extra room in their home or a studio or cottage on their property) with a home seeker looking for an affordable rental and that may include a task exchange as part of the arrangement (providing transportation, pet care, light house or yard work). We take applications from homeowners and home seekers and follow with a thorough interview conducted by trained HomeShare Woodstock staff. Applicants are carefully vetted and this includes background and credit checks. Matches are based on preferences, common needs and interests. The process also includes a two-week trial period to ensure that the match is agreeable to both parties, and if not, the applicants remain in our files for future matches.
There is no fee for this service and HomeShare Woodstock staff remain in contact with the homeowner and home seeker matches throughout the process. Our program is seeking homes within a 10 mile radius of Woodstock including the towns of Saugerties, Phoenicia, Hurley, West Hurley, Shokan and Boiceville. Home seekers can come from anywhere but priority is given to those who work, volunteer or have lived in Woodstock.
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Volunteer Opportunities with HomeShare Woodstock
We would love to have your energy, skills and ideas!
Join our Advisory Board – Help us assess the program, create policies and procedures and help publicize HomeShare Woodstock. 4-8 hours a month
Help with social media and in-person outreach activities – Home sharing is a new idea and we need many “ambassadors” to help spread the word. Sign up for events as you are able so hours are variable.
Be Part of our Interview Team – Essential to home sharing is identifying compatible matches between hosts and guests. If you have experience as a counselor or social worker, we would love to have you join our team. We interview applicants and create matches. This job requires some training (Family of Woodstock volunteer training — which is a gift to you!). The time commitment will vary but could be 4-6 hours a week, depending on the number of applicants to be considered at the time.
Program Monitoring – The program can use help with office tasks like mailing out satisfaction surveys, following up with references and distributing brochures at public places in the area. 4-6 hours a month
For more information contact homesharewoodstock@fowinc.org
or call FAMILY of Woodstock at (845) 679-2485
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