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These are just a few of the volunteer opportunities available through United Way's Volunteer Center. Check back frequently for more featured opportunities. You can also call Windy Brooks at the Center at 423-752-0316 to learn more about volunteering in our area.

For Updated Disaster Services Needs and Volunteer Opportunities, go to News and Events

Siskin’s Children’s Institute needs volunteers to help the Spring Carnival on April 28^th from 9:30am-12:30pm.  Duties will involve helping with games, providing directions, serving food.

Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee - Restaurants, bakeries, or caterers are needed to participate in a competition for Chattanooga's best chocolate dish at the 5th Annual Chocolate Fling to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee. This event will be held on Sunday April 29th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. 

HubFest 2012 needs volunteers to help with set-up, concessions, parking and assist with break-down.  HubFest will be held at Heritage Park (Jenkins Rd. just off E. Brainerd Rd) on Saturday, May 12, 2012. Shifts are 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Foster Grandparents Program needs volunteers, fifty-five (55) years of age or older, to serve twenty hours per week tutoring special-needs children in one of 39 non-profit agencies, such as day care centers, mentoring sites, schools, hospitals, special education departments and centers, and Head Start centers.

Chattanooga Area Food Bank needs volunteers to help prepare food boxes for those in need. Must be at least 16 years old without an adult, with an adult the volunteer must be at least 12 years old. 

Chattanooga Room in the Inn needs tutors to work one-on-one with adult students studying for their GED or bachelors degree. Tutors meet with the students once a week for an hour and a half at Room in the Inn, helping with homework or beyond the homework in an area of difficulty. Volunteers must have a college degree themselves and a background in education is preferred. Volunteers are also required to attend an orientation and undergo a routine background check before volunteering.

Northside Neighborhood House needs the following:

• Case management volunteer needed to work with case managers in making follow-up calls to clients (experience in case management/social work needed).
• Afternoon Receptionist volunteer needed to answer phones and greet clients/donors as they enter; making appointments for clients; general office duties when requested (must have knowledge of databases).
• After School volunteer needed to guide the NNH children on their academic and behavioral growth by providing tutoring to five to thirteen year olds in all subject areas and assist with projects and studying for upcoming tests.
• Thrift Store Assistant needed to help with store donations - sorting and hanging clothing, taking priced clothing to sales floor, putting out priced household items, making price tags, etc.

Signal Centers needs the following:

• Assistive Technology volunteers needed to assist staff with adapting toys for children and individuals with disabilities; and 
• Chattanooga Children's Program needs volunteers with experience working with typically developing children and children with special needs (experience preferred, but not required). Volunteers are placed in classrooms and assist teachers and staff with playground supervision, agency wide events, art activities within the classroom, preparation of materials, etc.
• Employment Specialist volunteer needed to assist with answering phones, filing. Volunteer will gain valuable experience working along with the Client Employment Specialist.
• Marketing & Agency Development volunteer needed to assist with special events, fundraising, web & graphic design and creating new marketing tools.
• Adult Day Service volunteer needed to work one on one with clients while assisting the Adult Day Service Director with crafts and games.

Partnership for Families Children and Adults needs volunteers to help answer calls for the 24/7 crisis hotline. Volunteers must have required training. Flexible schedules are available.

The Samaritan Center needs the following:

• On Call Volunteers - volunteers who want to be available on an on call basis to help with various projects. 
• Clothes Sorters needed to help sort and organize clothes at the thrift shop, mornings or afternoons, Monday through Thursday.
• Thank You Artist needed to help create colorful messages and pictures on correspondence.
• Donation Pickup Assistant needed to help drive agency truck for large pickups, involves heavy lifting.

Catholic Charities needs volunteer for administrative assistant work.  Duties will involve answering phones, filing, and other clerical task.    

United Way’s Volunteer Center:

• Volunteers needed to serve as Project Coordinators for upcoming events planned through the Volunteer Center.   

The Children's Home-Chambliss Shelter - Volunteers are needed to teach music lessons to teenage males who have from no music education to a minimal knowledge of instruments. The agency has some equipment (acoustic guitar, two keyboards, a piano, and a set of electric drums). The youth are all interested in music and are eager to learn. Volunteers must be able to work with the group once a week, at a minimum. The Children’s Home has software to record and enhance performances.

Signal Centers: Volunteers are needed to assist the Marketing and Development office with special events Monday – Saturday.

Re:Start- The Center For Adult Education:

• Instructor’s Assistant - Work with students individually or in a small group to help them master the learning materials, assist with classroom orientation and management of classroom. Volunteer times are Monday/Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. or Tuesday/Thursday: 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Front Desk Receptionist - Help greet clients, and answer the phones. Volunteers are needed Monday and/or Wednesday: 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga needs volunteers to mentor children ages 6 to 12 from single parent homes. Volunteers are only required to spend 4 to 6 hours a month - or two outings a month - with their match in the community-based program for at least one year, and 1 hour a week for the site-based program during the school year.

The St. Andrews Arts Academy seeks volunteers who want to make a difference in children's lives. The Arts Academy works to involve children in the arts and our community's cultural resources. The Academy operates Monday through Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. during the school year. This is a great opportunity for passionate, experienced artists who want to teach and for people who can help out as general assistants. Duties could include reading to children, assisting with homework and art assignments, playing games, etc. Volunteers must be 18 years of age and be willing to submit to a background check.

Governor’s Mentoring Initiative, L.I.F.T. needs volunteers that are over 21, have an interest in dedicating four hours per month for six months to youth that are in need of positive role models.

Walker County CAT Team needs volunteers to call on families in Walker County. 

The Inner City Ministry of the First-Centenary United Methodist Church offers an after school program to serve children in grades kindergarten through middle school. Volunteers are currently needed to tutor and help with homework. Other duties include reading books to younger children, teaching math facts, calling spelling words, or helping with research papers. After homework is done, fun and educational games with the children are also encouraged.  Volunteer commitment is based on the individual. Volunteer hours are 3:30 to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday. 

Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce - Volunteers are needed to help deliver career readiness programs to students during the school year:

• 8^th grade Career Crunch - Volunteers needed to set up displays and talk about their careers.  This career fair introduces students to potential careers and the education/training needed. 
• 9^th grade Reality Check - Volunteers provide students with an understanding of household budgeting and challenges in the grown-up world, while stressing the connection between education and income. 
• 10^th grade Get A Job - Volunteers visit individual classrooms and lead discussions on interviewing skills, completing job applications and dressing for success.  This activity prepares students for the 21^st Century Workforce by sharing the qualities that today’s employers are seeking in job applicants.
• 11^th grade Who wants to be a Millionaire? - Volunteers discuss real life examples showing how math and language skills, a good education and sound money management practices can help students live a more comfortable life and how lack of these can cause financial stress and prevent them from achieving personal and family goals. 
• 11-12^th grade College & Career Fair - Volunteers display information about their college/university and business while answering questions about future education and career opportunities.

UTC’s Upward Bound, Math and Science needs volunteers to serve as tutors for Math, Science and English. Volunteers are also needed as Mentors.

Unity Ministry needs volunteers for the after-school tutoring program at the East Lake Courts Community Center.  The hours are 3 to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Even one day a week can make a difference. The focus is to help kids with their homework and to help them use the library and computer lab. 

The First Tee of Chattanooga needs program volunteers to help with data entry, participant check-in, coaching support assistants, and as volunteer coaches. It also needs volunteers to help with building repair and maintenance, such as plumbing, painting, remodeling, and masonry.   

The Arts & Education Council needs volunteers to help with administrative tasks in the office including PR and event coordination. 

Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy is looking for volunteers to fill the following roles:

• Mentors
• Office Clerks
• Library Attendants
• Group Discussion Facilitators/Moderators
• Career Speakers 
• Health and Wellness Mini Class Instructors 
• Reading and Mathematics Tutors
• Front Office Receptionist/Greeters 
• Science Lab Assistants 
• Classroom Attendants/Assistants 
• Expeditionary Learning Chaperones

The Chattanooga History Museum needs Volunteers for the following positions:

• History Presenter is needed to assist staff with historical presentations that are geared towards elementary age students; daytime hours, some experience preferred.
• Office Assistant is needed to help with general office duties such as mailings, filing, and some data entry; flexible hours.

The Interfaith Homeless Network needs an office volunteer in the Family Day Center to be responsible for entering data into Service Point, (the Homeless Management Information System). Flexible day(s) and hours available.

Dade County Clothing Bank: Volunteers are needed to help with sorting and organizing clothes on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon or from 4 to 7 p.m. Any amount of time, even just 1 to 2 hours, is OK.

Dade Organization Acting in Disaster (Dade County Disaster Relief):

• Individuals and groups are needed to help rebuild 4 homes that were damaged during the April 2011 tornados. Monetary donations are needed to help purchase building materials.
• The following items are also needed: Newborn: blankets, washcloths, towels, shampoo, lotion, body wash, bottles, diapers (Newborn size) and wipes are needed If you can donate any of these items, please take them to the Dade Co. Health Department (ask for Amber).

The Chattanooga Food Bank:

• Sack Pack Driver- Driver needed on Thursdays to deliver food to 2 areas elementary schools
• Food Sorters - Help sort produce donations, volunteers needed on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Second Helping Volunteers - Help clean and organize food containers, volunteers needed on Fridays
• Emergency Food Prepares - Volunteers needed to assist with making food boxes

Chattanooga Community Kitchen:

• Thrift Store Volunteers - Must have excellent organization skills and be able to work with others. Duties include sorting and hanging clothes, testing equipment.
• General Cleaning - Volunteers needed to help with sanitizing, must be able to be around bleach.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga:

• Construction Workers - Help provide labor to build a Habitat for Humanity home. No construction experience required, all tools provided. Task range from building walls to painting the interior of the home.  Must be 18 years or older.
• Partner Family Advocate - Become a mentor to one of the partner families by providing knowledge and support during the Habitat for Humanity process, must be 18 years or older.
• Event Planner - Help coordinate Habitat Humanity events.
• ReStore Volunteer - Help process donations, assist customers with purchases and helping on the donation truck.
• Marketing Advisor - Help promote Habitat and spread the word about substandard housing in Chattanooga.  This position will assist staff in the creation of a comprehensive marketing plan for all aspects of Habitat for Humanity.
• Construction Crew Leader Assistant - Help lead projects from framing, installing siding/blue board, painting, installing trim and finishing work, must be 18 years or older.   

The A.I.M. Center is looking for volunteers who are interested in being an AmeriCorps Member.  The following positions are available: Job Mentoring, Education Specialist, Peer Specialist, Benefit Specialist and Intake Assessment.  Volunteers must be 18 years or older and commit to one year.  The A.I.M. Center offers area residents disabled by a mental illness a place to develop or regain the vocational and social skills necessary to become productive and contributing members of society.
 

Hope for the Inner City is seeking adult volunteers to be mentors for participants in CORE job classes. Participants are unemployed or under-employed people seeking to learn soft skills and job values for today's marketplace. Mentors provide encouragement, informal accountability and support.

Hope for the Inner City needs volunteers to call program graduates on Friday mornings to gather information regarding their employment status and/need for further support.

The Center for Individual and Family Effectiveness needs volunteers for the following positions:

• Clerical/Office Assistant- filing, updating forms, auditing files, answering phones
• Computer Networking Consultant - professional with expertise in networking servers,  estimating costs, installing, and performing maintenance.

Unity in the Community needs volunteers for Saturday community outreach projects in the East Lake and East Chattanooga communities. Volunteer projects are from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon.

Partnership for Families, Children & Adults will offer training for volunteers to answer the Crisis Hotline or to serve as a Court Advocate or Sexual Assault Advocate.  Sessions will be conducted by staff and professionals from the community.  Meals will be provided. Volunteers will shadow trained Hotliners upon completion of the course. Hotliners may choose the 4 hour shifts in which they will answer the phone from their own home.   

FAMILY VIOLENCE PROGRAM of Cleveland is looking for volunteers to assist in their shelter and/or office.  Training is provided by the agency and a commitment of 4 hours a week for 8 months is required. Volunteer needs are:

• Provide a one hour meaningful/uplifting program for children (newborn to 13)
• Assist with various office duties 
• Assist staff with different community and public relation events (fairs, distribute flyers & brochures, PSA’s and other public relations needs)
• Organize and execute speaking events and other presentations
• Assist with volunteer recruitment
• Assist Court Advocate in working with clients
• Sort and store donations
• Help maintain the 24 hour hotline at the shelter
• Assist with shelter cleaning
• Assist with yard work

Dade County Clothing Drive needs volunteers to help sort and process clothing.    

Chattanooga Furniture Bank: Responsible volunteers needed to help with furniture pickups and loading & unloading of furniture once a week.  Potential volunteer drivers must have their own insurance.  Volunteers are needed 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. 

Northside Neighborhood house needs a volunteer to help research and price vintage items/collectibles that come into the thrift stores.  Volunteer needed at least 4 hours once a week. 

Partners for a Livable Chattanooga want you to be a buddy to those who lack skills needed to use a computer or the internet. Volunteers are needed to assist adult learners to “get online”. If you have basic computer and internet skills, volunteer now to assist with classes.

Goodwill Industries needs volunteers for the following positions:

• Peer Mentor - must be between 18-21 years of age, commit to one year of mentoring youth in at risk situations with disabilities between the ages of 16 -17 years old.  A minimum of 4 hours per month is required.
• Regular Mentor: must be 21 years of age or older, commit to one year of mentoring youth in at risk situations with disabilities between the ages of 16 -17 years old.  Must pass a drug screen and background check. A minimum of 4 hours per month is required. Six hours of training is required.
• GADA (Goodwill Assistance Dog Academy) puppy raisers: Must attend 25 hours of training, commit to one year, and pass a background check.
• Photographer for special events: intermediate to advanced photography skills required.

Hospice of Chattanooga: Tuck-In Callers are needed to help with patient calls to family members on Thursday afternoons. If you are caring, compassionate and a good listener, you have what it takes.

St Barnabas Senior Living Services - Volunteers are needed weekends or weekdays to share their talents by singing and performing for residents in both the assisted living and nursing home campuses.

Alzheimer’s Association: Data entry volunteers are needed 4 to 6 hours a month and an office assistant is needed to help with answering the phones, help with mailings, filing and organizing

Greater Chattanooga Area Red Cross needs volunteers in the following areas:

• Special Events – Represent American Red Cross at various evening, weekday and weekend events. Duties include sharing the mission and program services of American Red Cross.
• Disaster Service - Join the Disaster Service Team, help respond to local disasters, develop new skills, and ship out to help with disasters around the county.
• Community Disaster Education Presenter - Share your passion to help others by teaching. Volunteers will help present disaster curriculum. Prior teaching or public speaking a plus.
• Health & Safety Department Volunteer: help with data entry, class setups, stuffing envelopes and filing. Some lifting of boxes required.
• Fundraising and Special Events Volunteer: assist with planning special events and fund raising activities

Rosewood Supportive Services needs volunteers to provide Meals on Wheels to elderly and disabled individuals in Hamilton County.  Drivers are needed to help make deliveries – they leave the main facility between 9:45 and 10:15 a.m. and return around noon.  Families can even participate – it works well when an adult drives while a responsible child delivers the food to the door.  

Partnership for Families, Children and Adults needs volunteers for the following departments and positions:

• Services to the Elderly and Homemaker Services Visitor: Make regular visits to a senior client
• Services to the Elderly and Homemaker Services Shopper: Shop for (or with) a senior client 
• Services to the Elderly and Homemaker Services “Mr/Ms Fixit:” On-call to assist clients with a wide-range of needed home repairs, from hardware replacement to construction and rebuilding.
• Services to the Elderly and Homemaker Services House and Garden Helper(s): Individuals or groups; one-time or ongoing; Help to maintain client homes and/or yards with clean up, painting, etc. 
• Services to the Elderly and Homemaker Services Ombudsman Representative: Advocate for the elderly and disabled in long-term-care facilities (preliminary training required of all volunteers and students; student participation is limited to those requiring internships of 200+ hours).
• Services for the Deaf Visitor: Visit a lonely client. (American Sign Language required for this volunteer job)
• Services for the Deaf Office Assistant: Assist in the office; greet visitors. (American Sign Language required for this volunteer job).

St. Barnabas Nursing Home needs volunteers to assist residents with weekly bingo game on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m.  Volunteers are also needed to help out with weekly parties on Fridays at 1:30 p.m.

Therapeutic Recreation Services for the Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department needs volunteers to help with recreation programs and special events.  This department provides leisure and recreation opportunities for youth and adults with physical, cognitive, and/or emotional disabilities.

Hutcheson Medical Center needs volunteers in the following areas: Information Desk, Valet Parking, Courtesy Shuttle, Women’s Center Information Desk, Patient Menu Service, Battlefield Auxiliary Breast Cancer offices, Fuller Cancer Center, Battlefield Imaging, Intensive Care Family Waiting Area and Same Day Surgery. 

North Georgia Health Care Center (new non-profit primary health care center) needs clerical, receptionist, greeter and class registration volunteers.  

The Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center needs new volunteers. The center provides horseback riding and equestrian education for individuals with disabilities. Volunteers are needed in all areas - helping in horseback riding lessons, barn management, fundraising, public relations, etc.  Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Alzheimer’s Association needs volunteers Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for receptionist and general office.  Duties include answering phones, greet visitors, help prepare bulk mailings, data entry, etc.

The Samaritan Center:

• Blood Pressure Nurse/Doctor - Take client’s blood pressure, and provide expert advice concerning medical issues the client might be having. 
• Donation Sort Assistant - Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds and stand for duration of time volunteering.  Great project for a small group or children accompanied by an adult.  Sorting mostly clothes.

Hospice of Chattanooga is looking for volunteers to regularly visit patients in their homes, assisted living facilities, and local hospitals.  In addition, the organization is also in serious need of volunteers who can work in the office as support staff helping with filing, mailings, phone calls, etc.  All volunteers must be compassionate, kind, and supporting.

Hozho Therapeutic Equestrian Services a horseback riding program for special needs children and adults, at-risk youth/teens needs volunteers for therapy and/or riding sessions, public relations/fundraising, and assisting with three annual events!

The Humane Educational Society needs a large number of volunteers.  On a daily basis, HES cares for approximately 500 animals and they need dedicated and caring volunteers to make it happen!  Volunteer opportunities available: Dog Walking, Washing & Socializing, Cat Cuddling, Match-Making (Pets & Families), Petsmart Off-Site Adoptions, Trap Neuter Release Team, Petsmart Cat Crew, Spay Patrol, Photographing Animals, Writing Animal Bios, Kennel Cleaning, Lost Pet Inspecting, Poop Scooping, Errands & Pick-ups, Office Help, Landscaping and more. 

TN Humane Animal League/Pet Placement Center- Volunteers are needed to help with administrative task and to assist with cat & dog caretaking. This is a great opportunity for Youth (15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult).

Lookout Mountain Conservancy needs volunteers at John C. Wilson Park to assist with park maintenance (mulching, weeding, etc).  Volunteers and leaders meet on the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month from 5 to 7 p.m. and again on the second and fourth Thursdays from 7 to 9 a.m.

Chattanooga Zoo needs volunteers on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays to help with animal care and exhibit maintenance.  Openings are also available for Docents, who will interact with the public and provide information on exhibits and animals.

The McKamey Animal Center needs volunteers ages 16-years-old and older to work 2 to 4 hour shifts.  Volunteer opportunities include assisting in off-site adoption events on the weekends, socializing cats and dogs to keep them happy while they wait for their new homes, and greeting potential adopters when they visit the Center. Volunteers are also needed to make follow-up phone calls and travel to off site locations with the adoption staff.

The Corporation for National and Community Service was formed to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to meet community needs. Each year, more than 1.5 million individuals help meet local needs through a wide array of service opportunities. These include projects in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas through the Corporation's programs.  To learn more about these program log on to http://www.nationalservice.gov/ .