Service Opportunities

These service opportunities are for students looking for service and volunteerism in the community without ties to academics.

Short-term opportunities

1) Johnston Elementary School

On Saturday April 6, 2013, Johnston Elementary School will be hosting a garden workday beginning at 9 a.m. and runs until work is finished.

The community garden at Johnston is in need of Spring cleaning. Volunteers will help with weeding, building raised beds, labeling, and more.

For more information contact Courtney Crenshaw @ courtney.crenshaw@bcsemail.org

2) Asheville Earth Day Festival

On Saturday, April 20, 2013 from noon  to 10 p.m. the Asheville Earth Day Festival will take place downtown on Lexington Ave.

They are still in need of volunteers to staff the barricades, the info/volunteer booth, the kids area, and the backstage/hospitality area.

Shifts last for 2 hours but volunteers may take multiple shifts. Each volunteer receives one beer ticket.

For more information or to sign-up visit the Asheville Earth Day Volunteer page.

3) Campus Garden & Rhoades Garden Workdays

The Campus Garden hours are 2-3:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and noon on Friday, behind the caf.

Rhoades Garden hours are Monday and Thursday from 1-5 p.m. and Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. The Rhoades Garden is located at the Rhoades Property, which is the last driveway on the right as you head down W.T. Weaver towards Merrimon (right by the stoplight).

The SEC will be hosting a Rhoades Campus Garden workday on Saturday April 6, 2013 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Volunteers will be building bed, digging swale, etc. The Garden is located right off of WT Weaver Blvd, just before reaching Merrimon.

4) WWD-F

On Saturday April 20, 2013 the Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation’s Community Resource Center will be hosting a Job Fair and Pre-Fair workshops at the Carl E. Johnson Community Center.

The Job Fair will be held fro 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on April 20, 2013. The Pre-Fair workshops, Interviewing Skills and Navigating a Job Fair will be held on April 13, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The WWD-F is seeking volunteers for the Job Fair and Pre-Fair workshops. If interested please contact Nicole Hinebaugh at nicole@wwd-f.org or 828.255.8777

5) Campus Faith Co-Op

Campus Faith Co-op, a collaboration of Episcopalian, Presbyterian and United Methodist campus ministries, is forming a student leadership team to develop plans for bringing Campus Kitchens Project to UNC Asheville.  

If you are interested in how students can help feed their community and want to be involved in an exciting service opportunity at the grassroots level, please email Clarissa at cfuentes@unca.edu.

Long Term Opportunities

1) William Randolph School

The William Randolph School in Montford needs mentors for 5 middle schoolers and 4 high schoolers. The school is an alternative program for Asheville Middle and Asheville High that offers at 21 credit graduation program. The school is extremely small which allows the teachers and staff to meet individualized needs of each student.

The time commitment would be 1-3 hours per week (as your schedule allows) preferably in the morning. However, we are able to work with you and your schedule! The role would be to check in with the students mentally, personally, and academically. A mentor would help them set goals for the week, and help them troubleshoot homework so they know what questions to ask their teachers.

Anyone interested would have to pass a Criminal Background check as required by Asheville City Schools.

If interested email Sara Brown at sbrown2@unca.edu

2) Youth Outright

Youth Outright is an organization providing affirmation, information and support to LGBTQ youth and allies ages 14-23 in Western North Carolina. Youth Outright holds weekly meetings for youth across 18 counties.

Youth Outright is always looking for volunteers. There are short term opportunities such as guest speaking or assisting at fundraisers or community events. There are also long term opportunities such as research projects, facilitating meetings and participating in Youth Outright committees.

For more information go to the Youth Outright webpage.

3) Family Resource Center at Emma

FRCE improves family’s financial stability by providing emergency assistance through a food pantry to decrease food insecurity;  a clothing closet; emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities and medical expenses; and holiday assistance. In addition, they provide case management to those who are requesting assistance on an on-going basis. They work with families individually to bring them out of crisis and to financial stability. These services are available to both English and Latino families living in the Emma Community.

They are seeking volunteers to help with tasks such as folding and organizing clothing, stocking and packing boxes in the food pantry and other tasks to support the Emma Community. 

For more information contact Lisa Barlow at lisab@childrenfirstbc.org.

4) Asheville Humane Society

Volunteers are needed to socialize, train and groom adoption dogs and puppies.

Responsibilities include walking and exercising shelter dogs and puppies, teaching shelter dogs basic obedience commands, working with shelter dogs and puppies so they are comfortable with being handled by new people, brushing and combing shelter dogs and puppies, filling out interaction log for each shelter dog and puppy handled, providing support to new volunteers socializing with dogs and puppies.

Overall volunteer goal is to help make shelter dogs and puppies more adoptable. 6 month volunteer commitment (of 4 hours per month) is expected. Must enjoy working with dogs and puppies. Volunteers required to attend general orientation and training.

More information on becoming a volunteer is available on the Asheville Humane Society webpage.

5) Nature Abounds

Watch the Wild , a program of Nature Abounds needs  help in observing the "wild" in your community.

As a Watch the Wild volunteer, you observe and report what is taking place in your community, from trees and plants to weather and wildlife activity. In as little as ten minutes, your observations help us to understand how our eco-systems are changing and helps us to adapt for the future.

Being a Watch the Wild , volunteer is very easy. 

All you need to do is:

• choose a location or route to observe, whether it be your backyard, a route you drive regularly, or an area that you play, visit, or hike in regularly
• record your observations and
• report your observations via mail or email.

For more information go to the Nature Abounds webpage.

6) Buncombe County Detention Center

The Buncombe County Detention Center is seeking volunteers for a variety of programs with inmates.

Volunteers must be 21 or older.

For more information contact 828.989.9459.

7) Asheville City Schools Preschool

Asheville City Schools Preschool welcomes volunteers to join young learners in their classrooms.

Volunteers need to have a love and desire to spend quality time with children 6 weeks to 5 years old. Volunteers will be asked to read children's books and play with the children for several hours during the school day.

Casual, child-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes are preferred. Things can get messy in the classrooms, so wear easily washable clothing.

Asheville City Schools Preschool operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and is very flexible in accommodating volunteer hours. A current TB Test is required, and a criminal background check will be conducted by our agency before beginning your assignments.

Sign up by going to Hands On Asheville-Buncome.

8) Asheville Greenworks

Asheville GreenWorks seeks individuals, groups, neighborhoods and businesses to commit to cleaning a particular street in our community.

Commitment includes 6 cleanups per year and should be for at least one year, three years if you'd like a sign. AGW will provide all supplies and the City of Asheville provides signs for qualifying groups and picks up collected trash.

Sign up by visiting their website: http://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/volunteer.html

9) Girl Scouts Carolina Peaks to Piedmont

Girls ages 6-17 need troop leaders, advisors, and mentors like you who can create a fun environment for them to gain courage, confidence and character. Women with all skill-sets are needed.

You can work with any age level from helping Daisies (kindergartners) begin to explore the world around them to helping a middle school or high school girl move toward greater independence and responsibility. If you have even 2 hours a week, you can become a troop leader - or if you have less available time, serve as an advisor, assistant troop leader or troop specialist.

6-8 week commitment is expected, with 2 or more hours per week working with children in afterschool, housing, church or other organizational club settings providing Girl Scout Journeys program.

Individuals will need to complete a background check and volunteer application and have reliable transportation. Training and program materials will be provided. Volunteers may serve as a program provider in more than one location and will be able to volunteer consecutively throughout the year if preferred.

If interested contact Kristi Brooks: 828.252.4442 or kbrooks@girlscoutsp2p.org

10) YWCA

The YWCA is seeking Academic Coaches and Academic Buddies for their Childcare Program.

Volunteers will assist a child with school subjects as well as playing a mentor role. Volunteers need to commit to a full school year and be prepared to work with students across the spectrum. There will be a screening, interview and background check.

For more information contact Kathy Dawkins katherine.dawkins@ywcaofasheville.org.

11) Mediation Center

The Mediation Center is seeking volunteers for its Family Visitation Program.

The Family Visitation Program (FVP) is a safe and fun place for parents and children to build positive relationships. FVP provides supervised visitation and monitored exchanges to families with a history of high-conflict custody disputes, domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, substance abuse, or mental health concerns. Volunteer Visit Monitors are needed to supervise visits and exchanges. The primary goal of this volunteer supervision is to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of the child. Volunteer Visit Monitors conduct 15 minutes coaching/goal-setting sessions with visiting parent before and after their visits. Volunteer visit monitors are also responsible for taking neutral and objective notes and maintaining accurate records of all visitations.

Interested volunteers will be asked to attend an orientation session to determine if this opportunity is a good fit for the volunteer and FVP. Volunteers must also pass a background check. Volunteers will receive training and will shadow and practice taking observational notes for at least three visits prior to supervising a visit on their own. FVP staff will meet with volunteers after each visit to review and debrief the experience. Staff are always available to serve as an ongoing-resource for volunteers. A commitment of 6 months is requested. Volunteers with an interest in family services and human services skills are encouraged to apply. Ages 21+ welcome. FVP staff would be happy to give interested volunteers a tour of the facility.

If interested contact Jessie at jessier@mediatewnc.org

12) Girls On the Run WNC

Girls On the Run WNC is seeking coaches. Volunteers needed to coach groups of girls in 3rd-5th and 6th-8th grades.

Program teaches healthy lifestyle curricula with running games, activities, training. You don't have to be a runner to coach.

Programs run 12 weeks with lessons twice a week for 1.5 hours each (total of 36 hours). Athletic dress expected.

If interested fill out application on their website:http://www.gotrwnc.org/volunteer-opportunities/

13) Clean Water for North Carolina

Clean Water for NC is looking for a Pollution Action Volunteer. With help from Clean Water for NC staff, learn which facilities in your community are discharging pollution to waterways, air, and/or land.

You can get a copy of the pollution permit from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), look through DENR records for violations, and learn the pollution history of your site.

Monitor monthly reports submitted by the facility so YOU know exactly what is entering your favorite river or stream. You may then contact the facility and let them know you have adopted their permit, and, if possible, arrange a tour.

Possibly contact fellow community members to encourage others to become involved. This is a very flexible program and volunteers are allowed to take it to any level they like.

If interested contact Katie Hicks katie@cwfnc.org.

14) ABCCM Steadfast House for Women and Children

The Steadfast House is seeking volunteer cooking teams responsible for preparing, cooking and serving a meal to the women and children at the shelter.

They prefer teams to bring food that is either already prepared or can be prepared in our kitchen but if necessary, teams can use food from the pantry.

If interested call 828.259.5365

15) Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC

Mentor young persons from across Buncombe County and Asheville City. There are three main program opportunities consisting of the traditional mentor match, an hour a week elementary school match and an after-school young person match. There is a minimum commitment of at least two semesters.

For more information go to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC website.

16) Delta House

The Delta House is an afterschool program for low-income students that is supported by 21st Century Learning Centers and a STEM grant. They are currently looking for any and all tutors to help with academics in the afternoon.

For more information contact Shirley Whitesides at 828.254.6804 or deltahse218@deltahouse21stcentury.com.

17) Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) is looking to channel local communities to assist with thier 25+ year Roan Stewardship habitat restoration efforts. Every fall, SAHC's field ecologist leads volunteer groups up to Roan's grassy balds to help protect this globally endangered habitat type. This is a great learning experience.You will hear about SAHC'sdecades long non-profit/public management partnership with the USFS around the Roan, the effort it takes to protect this great resource, and learn about the ecology of Roan's unique ecosystems.

For more information go to www.appalachian.org or contact Chris Coxen chris@appalachian.org.

18) Women's Wellbeing and Development Foundation

The Hillcrest Resident Association is making big gains and big plans! They have completed trainings in Meeting Facilitation, Non-violent Communication, Event Planning, and Donation Solicitation, and are working to complete training in Grant Writing! Now, they are organizing community-wide events, developing and facilitating a variety of classes and workshops in the Hillcrest neighborhood, and working to complete a grant application which, if awarded, will help to fund all of their planned activities in the coming year.

If you were wondering why there are more spaces and less classes on our activity schedule of late, it is to make room for these classes which are emerging from the community for the community! If you are interested in collaborating with the Hillcrest Resident Association email them at hra.asheville@gmail.com.

19) Johnston Elementary School

Johnston is in need of:

• Reading, Math, Special Projects, Basic Skills, Mentor, Tutor-Reception/ Front Desk
• General Assistance in Classroom
• Help in the Computer Lab
• Make Bulletin Boards, Posters, Displays
• Work with Individual Students
• Media Center Assistant
• Clerical

Assistance is needed Monday through Friday. If interested fill out application here.
Contact: Charlotte Hipps (Principal) 828.232.4291 or charlotte.hipps@bcs.email.org

20) VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

For the past three years, UNC Asheville has participated in the IRS-sponsored volunteer income tax assistance program, commonly referred to as VITA.  VITA is designed to provide free income tax assistance and financial literacy information for individuals with incomes under $57,000 per year as well as members of our senior population and military families.  Generally, VITA sites are housed in non-profit organizations, churches, libraries, and other public entities; and are staffed with volunteers.  

To volunteer with VITA, individuals can assist at the face-to-face sites, assist with virtual VITA and prepare taxes using webcam technology, or help deliver FSA services by answering tax questions from the comfort of their home.  However, to successfully offer all of these options volunteers are needed.  All training and materials will be provided. You DO NOT have to be in the field of accounting to volunteer. Anyone and everyone is needed and may volunteer.

For more information contact us at the Key Center.

21) Vance Elementary School

Vance Elementary has multiple volunteer opportunities. These range from short term to long term and the hours are flexible. You can work in the classroom, out of the classroom, assist with one-time flex projects, etc.

For a look at all the opportunities check the Vance Elementary Volunteer Calendar.

22) Smith-McDowell House

The Smith-McDowell House is seeking volunteers to train as guides to the historical house.

Volunteers should have an interest in history, home furnishings and enjoy interactions with visitors.

For more information or to sign-up visit the Smith-McDowell House Volunteer Page.

23) Our VOICE

Our VOICE is seeking a number of volunteers for multiple projects including promotion, crisis response advocates, prevention education and outreach, etc.

Each role requires different levels of training.

For more information visit the Our Voice Volunteer page.

24) Helpmate

Helpmate is seeking volunteer receptionist who assist with answering the door, statistical data entry, filing, sorting, donations, etc.

Receptionists are needed during business hours Monday - Friday, 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. There are several 2-3 hour shifts to choose from.

Helpmate offers a required training for interested volunteers three times a year (typically during the months of March, July, and November). Contact the Helpmate office for training dates and location.

If interested contact the volunteer coordinator at .828.254.2968 ext 12.

Community Citizenship

1) Emma Elementary

Emma Elementary is seeking volunteers for continual classroom help.

If you would like to build a relationship with a classroom, helping with small group reading or tutoring then this is the opportunity for you.

For more information contact the volunteer coordinator, Kate Page at 828.232.4274.

2) Open hearts Art Center

Open Hearts Art Center is an organization that is based on a holistic approach to habilitative care combined with the use of multiple forms of expression for adults with disabilities.

Open Hearts emphasizes the visual and expressive arts as a method for self-growth. Open Hearts has service opportunities for artists, musicians, performance artists, dramatic artists, poets, clerical work, landscaping and gardening.

For more information visit the Open Hearts Volunteer page.

3) Progressive Education Progam at TC Roberson

The Arc of Buncombe County is seeking volunteers to help with its Health and Wellness Program for PEP at TC Roberson.

The PEP program is designed for students with special needs and the Arc program focuses on health and wellness as well as getting students involved with physical activity. The role of a volunteer would be to assist or teach a lesson and help facilitate the physical activity lessons.

For more information contact anmiller@unca.edu

4) Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

The SACE is an organization dedicated to advocating for energy policy and defending the environment by minimizing the impact of energy sectors impact on southern communities.

SACE is seeking volunteers to work in many capacities including volunteering with ‘green’ companies.

For more information visit the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy webpage.

5) Global Health Corps

The mission of Global Health Corps is to mobilize a global community of emerging leaders to build the movement for health equity. They offer year-long fellowships with established non-profit or government agencies in Malawi, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, and the United States. Applicants apply for specific jobs that match their interests and skills, from project management positions to monitoring and evaluation, engineering, communications, and beyond.

Global Health Corps is an amazing opportunity to get a year of field experience with an established non-profit or government agency. Fellows are provided housing, medical insurance, a living stipend, and transportation to and from the host country. 

For more information on the organization visit the Global Health Corps webpage.