Current Service Opportunities

WINCHESTER RESCUE MISSION

The purpose of the Winchester Rescue Mission is to express love to the community by providing food, shelter, and spiritual guidance. Since 1973, the Mission has been transforming and enhancing lives to reach their full potential.

​If you are interested in serving at the mission, contact info@winrescue.org for more information or visit their website for current volunteer opportunities!

WINCHESTER AREA TEMPORARY THERMAL SHELTER 

The Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter (WATTS) is a community effort of several community organizations, churches, and other faith groups with the goal of providing a warm place to stay and a hot meal to those who would otherwise be out on the streets in the cold winter months. Each week the location of the shelter changes and a different organization hosts in their building.

Shenandoah students volunteer serving meals every Sunday evening from November through March!

For more information about volunteering to serve meal, contact the Office of Spiritual Life  at spiritualife@su.edu.

If you would like to make a donation you can visit their website: http://wattsshelter.org/Donate 

KITCHEN OF HOPE

Market Street United Methodist Church is looking for volunteers to serve and prepare meals for Kitchen of Hope, a program that provides free hot meals to the community on Thursday nights.

Volunteer commitment is from 4:15- 7:00 every Thursday.

Specific dates to be announced as of January 2016.

Please contact Jean Stewart at judgehokie@aol.com 
or 540-533-7547.

C-CAP 

The Congregational Community Action Project is a cooperative ministry of 45 area churches and one synagogue serving Winchester and Frederick County. CCAP maintains a food pantry, a clothing room, and offers assistance for rent, utilities and prescriptions for those in need.

CCAP needs volunteers the most leading up to Thanksgiving Day to prepare all the fixin’s!

CCAP is always in need of long and short-term volunteers. If you are interested, please visit their volunteer site.

T.E.A.M. GRACE (Tutoring, Enrichment, Art, Music)

TEAM Grace is an after school enrichment program, working with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders identified by the school system as needing extra help.  They provide a quality, faith-based after school enrichment program in which children are enabled to grow through academic assistance, music, and the arts.

Team Grace is seeking volunteers to assist children with their homework between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm. This consists of of helping them read basic stories and text and/or math problems (time, money, rounding, addition, differences, problem solving, etc). 

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact David Ray at 540-664-0741.

VIRGINIA SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

There are nearly a quarter of a million people in Virginia with intellectual disabilities and about 8 million without. Our goal is to reach out to every one of them. In the coming years, our strategy places greater emphasis on uniting youth with and without disabilities. We will also create opportunities for families, teachers, businesses, law enforcement, celebrities, dignitaries and others to band together to change attitudes and support our athletes.

For additional volunteer information, visit their Volunteer Roles page or sign up to be part of their Volunteer Updates.

GIRLS ON THE RUN

HEAD COACH JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Profile

Coaching a Girls on the Run program is the most rewarding way to get involved with Girls on the Run. You get to experience the program first hand, feel a sense of accomplishment that you have made a difference in the lives of girls and have a ton of fun with your team of coaches and incredible girls.

Job Summary/Responsibilities 

The Head Coach is a volunteer position that works with a team of coaches to facilitate the Girls on the Run® curriculum to program participants.  This position works closely with the Council Director and entails approximately 4 hours per week with additional time required on two to three weekend days for: a one day six hour training; a community race event; and for First Aid/CPR training, if necessary.

Major responsibilities include:  preparing, organizing, and supervising the weekly lessons; leading the program participants through each lesson; serving as a role model and mentor; coaching program participants on proper stretching, running form, hydration and sports nutrition; attending a community running race with program participants and other volunteers; attending 3-4 coaches meetings with the Director during the season; interacting with parents of program participants; planning and coordinating the end of season banquet, Run for a Reason, and understanding and believing in the mission of the organization and acting as a spokesperson for the program.

This volunteer position may be used as a service learning project, internship, or other college credit project upon agreement of the college/university and Director.

Qualifications

• A strong desire to work in the field of girl development
• Experience working with youth
• Excellent communication skills
• The ability to be flexible and to improvise when needed
• To inspire and motivate others to believe in the Girls on the Run mission
• High organizational skills
• The ability to recognize conflict and have the skills to help resolve it
• The capacity to work in a partnership with a co-coach and/or assistant coaches
• Successfully pass a Background Check
• First Aid/CPR certification
• Believe and support the mission of Girls on the Run
• Age 21

Experience

The ideal candidate will have the following experiences:

• Has worked directly with girls ages 8-11 in a girl-positive environment
• Has experience as a runner/walker either recreationally or competitively
• Has volunteered in direct service organizations
• Has awareness of the common and different needs of girls

ASSISTANT COACH JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Profile

Serving as an assistant coach is a fun and rewarding way to get involved with Girls on the Run and learn more about our program. You get to experience the program first hand, feel a sense of accomplishment that you have made a difference in the lives of the girl, and have a ton of fun with your team of coaches and incredible girls! This is a perfect opportunity for women who cannot make the twice-weekly time commitment to be a head coach!

Job Summary

The Assistant Coach is a volunteer position that assists the Head Coach(s) at a Girls on the Run program site.  The position entails approximately 1.5-3 hours per week for 12 weeks.  Assistant Coaches can choose to attend both program sessions per week OR commit to only one day a week.  We ask each Assistant Coach to determine which schedule works best for them and to maintain that schedule throughout the program for consistency on behalf of the girls.  While the Assistant Coach is not responsible for facilitating the Girls on the Run curriculum, they are there to support the Head Coach and program participants in many ways.

This volunteer position may be used as a service learning project/high school community service credit project, internship, or other college/high school credit project upon agreement of the school and  Director.

Core Duties/Responsibilities include the following (other duties may be assigned):

• Attend program session on selected day(s) on a consistent basis
• Serve as a role model and mentor for program participants
• Assist coaches with setting up/breaking down games and lessons
• Help prepare post-workout snack
• Encourage and cheer for all participants
• Participate in games and workouts with the girls as needed by the coaches
• Attend a community running race with coaches, program participants and other volunteers
• Understand and believe in the mission of Girls on the Run
• Special projects as assigned

Qualifications

• A strong commitment to girls’ positive development
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Experience working with youth a plus
• Flexible/ability to accommodate to a changing environment
• Age 18

OTHER VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

The 5K: race marshal, set up, parking, registration, sales, water station, clean up, cheering, etc.

If a sports marketing class would ever want to take on the management of the 5K we would love to meet with them.

Running Buddies for the 5K: All GOTR girls need to have an adult (over 18years) run/walk with them since the race is open to the public. Many have family, or friend to run with, many do not and we assign them a community volunteer who will run/walk with them and help them have a positive, fun experience.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA CHAPTER

The Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donor-supported organization. As part of a nationwide network of chapters, the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter provides help and hope to more than 66,000 people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their families and caregivers in the District of Columbia, five counties in suburban and Southern Maryland and eleven counties in Northern Virginia.

Mission
To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Vision
A world without Alzheimer’s

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Northern Shenandoah Valley takes place every October.  Hosted by John Handley High School, and coordinated by Ben Donnelly.

Last year was a great success, and we can’t do it again without your help. The Walks take place during September and October, so please follow the link below to the Walk Volunteer Sign-up Page and find the Walk you’d like to volunteer for in your area. Volunteers help with event set-up, clean-up, route monitoring, refreshments, greeting, and advocacy. This is a great opportunity for groups, clubs, organizations, students, families and individuals.

Join us next year at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s!

For any questions, email Ben Donnelly at bedonnelly@alz.org.

 VALLEY HEALTH/WINCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER

The Winchester Medical Center  Volunteer Services provides volunteer opportunities in both clinical and hospital settings. The program is open to undergraduate college students ages 18 to 25. Volunteers provide patients, visitors and staff with hospitality, services and amenities that would not otherwise be available to them. In addition, volunteers can access health care career information firsthand by attending presentations and tours.

Volunteers assist in many hospital areas, including:

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT)

Local governments prepare for everyday emergencies. However, during a disaster, the number and scope of incidents can overwhelm conventional emergency services. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program provides valuable training designed to help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors and your community in an emergency situation.

Winchester and Frederick County residents are invited to become a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT is a positive and realistic approach that provides training and prepares residents to help and support first responders during and after a major emergency or disaster situation.

In the CERT training, participants learn to:

• manage utilities and put our small fires
• treat the three medial killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding and treating for shock
• provide basic medical aid
• search for and rescue victims safely
• organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective
• collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts

You can visit the Community Emergency Response Team website to learn more and fill out an application.

WINCHESTER SPCA

Volunteers are an important part of every department at the  SPCA in Winchester, and there are numerous opportunities to serve.

On any given day, their volunteers are:

• Socializing shy animals by spending time with them
• Exercising dogs by walking them on our campus or playing in our enclosed outdoor run
• Cleaning cages, caring for cats and playing matchmaker by introducing cats to adopters at our adoption center.
• Representing the Winchester SPCA at community events to spread the word on how to help the area’s homeless, neglected & abused animals.

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS

Literacy Volunteers provides one-on-one and small group tutoring for adults in the following areas: Basic reading, writing, and math skills,
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), computer skills, personal finances, and citizenship.

Volunteer positions include tutors, assistant tutors, leading a class about powerpoint, distributing flyers, and event planning. You can visit the Literacy Volunteers Winchester Area website to learn more and fill out a volunteer application or contact Jenni Lawson at jlawson@lvwa.org.

HANDLEY REGIONAL LIBRARY

In recent years, generous donations by many citizens have helped to purchase materials, continue programming and even keep their doors open. Handley Regional Library has many excellent services and collections, but we need your help to continue to make these available to YOU.

Volunteers are needed for both on-going and short-term projects at all library locations. To volunteer, fill out the volunteer form and indicate the type of work you would be interested in doing.

Additional questions can be sent to jhuddy@handleyregional.org.

DANIEL MORGAN MIDDLE SCHOOL SERVICE PROJECT

Opportunity for reading and interacting with 5th – 8th grade students.  Be a mentor and be a part of a child’s life through reading.  As students are identified as reading below grade level, time spent with a mentor has been proven to improve reading level, increased capacity to succeed in school, improved attendance, and enjoyment!

Please contact Paula Rupp for more information at Rupp.paula@wps.k12.va.us or telephone:540-665-4696

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER

WELCOME CENTER ATTENDANTS IN DOWNTOWN WINCHESTER 

The Old Town Winchester Welcome Center is looking for enthusiastic and engaging members of the community to volunteer as Welcome Center Concierge. As a Concierge, volunteers will have the opportunity to welcome visitors to downtown Winchester and provide information to help create a memorable experience, assist community members in learning about upcoming events and getting engaged in Old Town, and to support the overall mission of the City of Winchester local government.

The Old Town Winchester Welcome Center opened in September 2013 as a place of hospitality and as a hub source ofinformation for visitors to downtown and Winchester residents. The Old Town Welcome Center supports the City’s goals to be a community of choice in which to live, work and visit.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Downtown Manager Jennifer Bell at (540) 535-3660 or by email at Jennifer.bell@winchesterva.gov.

MUSEUM OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Volunteers at The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley play an important role in fulfilling our mission of preserving and enriching the cultural life and heritage of the Valley. Share your time and talent as a Support Volunteer, Garden Volunteer, or Educator Docent Volunteer in our galleries, store, gardens, with programs, or in the administrative offices. If you love to learn and enjoy interacting with people, the MSV is the place for you!

Volunteer Benefits
• 10% discount in the Museum Store
• Complimentary passes issued quarterly
• Participation in volunteer training programs
• and tours of new exhibitions
• Participation in the annual Volunteer Bus Trip
• Inclusion in annual Volunteer Appreciation Events
• Lots of Fun!

Application Process

If you are interested in volunteering at the MSV please visit their volunteer website at https://www.themsv.org/volunteer.

For more information about the Museum’s Volunteer program, contact MSV Guest Services and Volunteer Manager Debbie Price at 540-662-1473, ext. 214.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY BATTLEFIELDS

Volunteering is a great way to contribute to the vital work of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. The SVBF offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities – ways that you can make a difference in our fight to preserve the Valley’s historic landscapes.

Sign up to volunteer today! or contact info@svbf.net for more information.

VA VOLUNTARY SERVICE STUDENT PROGRAM

Student volunteers are an important part of the VA medical centers’ treatment team. They will receive valuable experience and training which will benefit them in applying for college and jobs. The James H. Parke Memorial Youth Scholarship Award provides scholarship opportunities to students who volunteer at VA medical centers (your local VA health care Voluntary Service staff has current nomination criteria). Student volunteers are liaisons with their communities and provide a valuable element of caring for Veterans. The VA Voluntary Service program offers students excellent opportunities for:

• exploring health care career options;
• gaining experience in a health care environment;
• learning new skills; making new friends;
• qualifying to be nominated for James H. Parke Memorial college scholarships

A wide variety of assignments are available. Volunteers are selected according to the needs of the medical center, assignment preference and skills. Training is provided by Voluntary Service at each medical facility and the supervisor of the department to which volunteers are assigned. Orientation will be conducted to acquaint you with services available at the medical center where you serve.

How do I become a VA student volunteer? You have two convenient ways:

1) Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs facility nearest you. Ask for Voluntary Service. Tell their staff of your interest in becoming a VAVS Volunteer. The staff will take care of everything else including your interview, orientation, and assignment! Locate the VA facility nearest you.

2) Go to Volunteer or Donate, fill out and submit the form. Someone from the local VAVS office will contact you with further information.

BOULDER CREST RETREAT

Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness. Boulder Crest Retreat is the nation’s first privately-funded rural wellness center dedicated exclusively to our nation’s combat veterans and their families. We are committed to improving the physical, emotional, spiritual and economic wellbeing of this remarkable community of heroes, and ensuring they have the opportunity to succeed in their new mission – a life of passion, purpose and service – here at home.

FOOD RECOVERY NETWORK

What is Food Recovery Network?

This is a service-based club where students/faculty come into Allen Dining Hall, after hours, to package the leftover food. Normally, the Dining Hall throws away all of the food that the students do not eat, so instead of wasting perfectly edible food, we give the meals to those who are in need. The food is then delivered to C-CAP, a resource in Winchester for low income or homeless families and individuals. You can sign up to come whenever your schedule permits, whether it be one day a semester or one day a week. Sign up to volunteer for a shift!

For more information, please contact Kaitlyn Shand at kshand17@su.edu and follow Food Recovery Network on Facebook!

Our Impact

In September 2011 Food Recovery Network (FRN) was founded as a student group at the University of Maryland.

Today, we’re the largest student movement fighting against food waste and hunger and have recovered and donated more than 3.9 million pounds of food that otherwise would have gone to waste. That’s more than 3.2 million meals that’s gone to those in need. It is also more than 6.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide prevented from reaching the atmosphere.

SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY’S COMMUNITY  GARDEN

SU Community Garden

The Shenandoah Salvage Company and the Environmental Studies Program are looking for volunteers to help plant and tend a new garden starting this spring. 

Please contact suoutdoors@su.edu for more information about this project.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” -Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

Your voice NEEDS to be heard, and it’s our job as Voter Registrars to make sure you have the ability to do that. 9 months out of the year, the majority of a student’s time is spent where their university is located- and as a resident of that area your opinion matters! Not to mention, the polls are right next door to campus! Share your voice, save your time, make a difference in your community. Winchester needs you! Let us help you get started!

For more information about Shenandoah Votes, contact Maya Bhatnagar at mbhatnag17@su.edu

Register to Vote!

HIGHLAND FOOD PANTRY

Mission: Provide food and other assistance to those in need and engage our community in the fight to end hunger. Vision: Highland Food Pantry envisions ending hunger in the northern Shenandoah Valley.

For more information contact Vicki Laird at hvlaird50@gmail.com

2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Winchester, VA

Saturday, October 26

• Walk to End Alzheimers

Archives and Exhibition Internship

The Clarke County Historical Association seeks an Intern to help catalog and display historical artifacts at the museum in downtown Berryville. This internship will focus on two key areas: Archives and Exhibitions. For the Archives component, the intern will assist the head Archivist in cataloging and accessioning historic artifacts into the CCHA collection database. This includes photographing, researching, and adding historic information into the PastPerfect database system. For the Exhibitions component, the intern will utilize the information learned from the Archives component to create a public exhibition that will be on display in the museum’s temporary exhibition gallery. This exhibition will also serve as their final internship product.

Requirements

• Student must be currently enrolled at a college or university.
• Candidates should have basic research skills and an interest in history.

Desired Characteristics

• Ability to work independently and with supervision
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Detail oriented in work ethic
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, primarily Word and Excel

Students interested in this internship can contact the Director, Nathan Stalvey, at 540-955-2600 or by email at director@clarkehistory.org