TAKING BACK OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

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Ways to Help

Organizations/Programs that need volunteers:

ArtsAltoona

  • “Our mission is to connect people with the arts to strengthen our communities. We do this in a variety of ways. One is through large annual events like our Blair Creators Festival in April and the Christkindl Market at the Unter Uns in November. We have our signature programs, the After School Arts Program and summer arts program, both of which are free for youth to participate.
  • There are a variety of events at the ArtsAltoona Center with music, visual arts, comedy, etc. We also participate in events to inform the community about various organizations, events, and opportunities.
  • We could use volunteers to assist with any of these events. Whether you are an artist who likes to teach others or someone who likes to interact with youth or adults, we can find an opportunity for you.”
  • If interested, please contact info@ArtsAltoona.org

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Blair County

  • “Since we are a child serving agency, those who have contact with the kiddos are very carefully vetted and have extensive background checks. That said, we always are in need of BIGS to be matched with the Littles on our waiting list.
  • We can use volunteers at our fundraisers. In addition, when the weather improves, we can use volunteers for outside maintenance at our facility which we own and must maintain. We also have a garden which may require ‘adult’ assistance.”
  • If interested, please contact execdirector@bbbsblaircounty.org

 

Blair Regional YMCA

  • “The Blair Regional YMCA is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through programs that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
  • We are always in need of volunteers to assist in a variety of areas, including office work, childcare, youth and adult programming, and special events. By volunteering, you can help us make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families in our community.”
  • If interested, please contact Lauren McCrum, HR Director at 814-695-4467 ext. 212

 

Families United for Change

  • “We have our clothing to sort at various times throughout the year, plus on event time in the spring and fall, we need help setting up and working the boutique hours. 
  • We are also looking for volunteers for social media tasks if anyone is interested in helping out. 
  • Looking for someone who may want to help out with some secretarial services. Looking for someone who has experience in treasury duties.” 
  • If interested, please contact (814) 934-8067 or cleanqueen378@gmail.com

 

Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation After School Programs

  • “Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation is an afterschool program in three different areas in Altoona. Volunteers should serve as a good role model for the children. Encourage children to act with respect to all adults by watching your example. Focus on the children as much as possible. They really need your attention. Limit conversations with other volunteers and staff until a time when the children are occupied. Work on your assigned task as independently as you can so that GGMF staff can focus on other tasks.
  • Areas that volunteers will be needed are overall supervision of the students, homework time, activity help and supervision, outside recess and indoor recess when the weather does not permit outside recess.
  • Evergreen Manors and Fairview Hills operate Mon. through Thurs. 3:30-5:45pm and Overflow Church operates Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 3:30-5:45pm.” 
  • If interested, please contact Jess Brunner, Executive Director at 814-949-8838 or director@ggmf.org

 

Healing Patch Children’s Grief Program

  • “The Healing Patch Children’s Grief Program is a peer support program designed specifically for children and their families, along with young adults, who have suffered the death of a significant person, such as a parent, sibling, grandparent, close family member, or friend.
  • Group facilitator volunteers plan and facilitate group activities/discussions with children, caregivers, and young adults twice monthly in the evenings during the school year. Group facilitator volunteers must have up-to-date clearances and be available to participate in most scheduled meetings.
  • Sewing volunteers create teddy bears or pillows for the children and young adults out of clothing items that belonged to the person who died.”  
  • If interested, please contact Healing Patch Volunteer Coordinator/Grief Specialist Shalen Steinbugl at 814-947-7140 or steinbuglsm@upmc.edu

 

Roaring Spring Community Library 

  • Administrative Support – assist with general administrative tasks.
  • Community Outreach – assist the library by sharing its programs and projects with community groups.
  • Comfort Room – creating hygiene kits for those in need in our community. 
  • Event volunteers – assist with set up, sign in tables, tear down, as well as offer assistance to those attending the event. Ex. Back to School Giveaway, Santa Party, etc. 
  • Fundraising – set up yard sale, bake sale, sandwich sale, Friends of the Library, and help to fundraise funds with like-minded members.
  • Committee member – fundraising, HR, building and grounds, financial, PR/marketing.
  • Graphic design – assist with the creation of flyers, brochures, newsletters, etc.
  • Garden/Groundskeeper – helper weeding, planting, mulching, and watering 
  • Hobbies Tutors – chess, knitting, crocheting, drawing, etc.
  • Homework Helper – assist students with homework.
  • Library Aide – assist with providing general library support, shelving books, stocking tax forms, processing new books.
  • Library Ambassadors or Liaisons – assist with support during Open Houses, events, and reading to children.
  • Make-and-Take Creator – create arts and crafts projects and activities for patrons to take home.
  • Online volunteers – assist by sharing about RSCL, its programs and services through social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.).
  • Pop up Pantry – pick up donated items, stock shelves, and clean up area. 
  • Plant Swap/Cutting Wall – maintain houseplant cutting wall and coordinate or help with plant swaps.
  • Public Relations/Marketing – create press releases, radio psa, assist with creating promotional materials for programs.
  • Photographers for events – assist with the important tasks of making sure that there is a photographic record of the programs, events, services, and the daily life of the library.
  • Program Assistant – provide support for programs offered at the library. Sign-in table, following-up with registrants, calling attendees for reminders. 
  • Seed Library – assist with stamping envelopes, packing seeds, and processing seed orders. Email RSCLseedexchange@gmail.com for more information.
  • Winter Wear Room – assist with organizing, processing, and size tagging of gently used and new items. Manning the room during open public times. 
  • Website Maintenance and Design – assist with the development and maintenance of our website and possibly with our affinity groups websites.
  • If interested, please contact Michelle McIntyre at mmcIntyre@roaringspringlibrary.org

The Door Student Services

  • “Volunteer Cooking or Dessert Making
  • Volunteer Maintenance, lawn or gardening
  • Volunteer Game leaders
  • Volunteer Arts/Crafts leader
  • Currently need laminate flooring installers/carpet removal”
  • If interested, please contact 814-215-1883 or thedoor@mail.com

 

The Nehemiah Project

  • “Kitchen support for our meal program – We provide approx. 200 meals Mon-Fri for lunch 11:30am-1:00pm. We can use serving plus food prep.
  • 3rd floor Hub for health and wholeness – We have 4 more classrooms that are under construction for our youth and kids program – we could use help with painting, installing ceiling tiles, cleaning, and set up.
  • Kid Konnect and Teen Konnect program – We run these programs after school Mon- Friday and are always looking for support.” 
  • If interested, please contact Denise Brown at 814-201-2096 or denise.tnppa@gmail.com

 

Young Life of Central PA

  • “Young Life is an inter-denominational Christian organization that introduces adolescents to Jesus Christ and helps them grow in their faith.
  • We need volunteers who would be interested in working directly with students from 6th grade to college age (we have three different ministries that cover jr high, high school, and college age).  These volunteer leaders would be trained alongside staff members to connect with students, build relationships, and mentor the students they connect with.
  • The time is flexible, but we have weekly meetings for the high school and college and monthly meetings with the junior high school.  We also ask these leaders to be at events, games, and places where kids are.
  • For more details, you can check out our national website at younglife.org, which will give more flavor to what we are about here locally. We have been in Blair County for 50 years.”
  • If interested, please contact Tim O’Brien at 814-312-2061 or YLTimO@gmail.com