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 Fredrick 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, contact Lander Manuel at lmanuel@su.edu.

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

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 Lander Manuel at lmanuel@su.edu telephone:540-665-4696

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

The Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Shenandoah Valley is looking for committed volunteers to be mentors for elementary and middle school students after school. If you would like to learn more, you can go to http://www.bgcnsv.com/ or contact Bridgett Peterson at bpeterson@bgcnsv.org.

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.

CAMPUS KITCHENS

What is a Campus Kitchen?

Across the country, universities are teaming up with dining services and student leaders to build a more sustainable approach to food on campus. Here at The Campus Kitchens Project, we’ve figured out how to create a student-run kitchen that will keep food from going to waste, and turn it into nutritious meals for those who are struggling with food insecurity. In the process we are developing student leaders and empowering them to create programs that open pathways between college and community. It’s food recovery and so much more. It’s student-powered hunger relief.

For more information, please contact Shelby Ellis at sellis14@su.edu and follow CKSU on Facebook!

Our Model

Each Campus Kitchen has a few things in common, including a mission to recycle food, provide meals, educate and engage with the community, and provide leadership opportunities for students. The Campus Kitchen model is based on a few resources available in any community: donated food, shared kitchen space and students who want to make a difference. Each school tailors its Campus Kitchen to the specific needs of the campus and community using the following four components:

• Food recovery: Campus Kitchen volunteers pick up unused, quality food from campus dining providers, as well as from local grocery stores, food banks, farms and farmers’ markets. Trained volunteers cook and store the donations according to established food handling regulations. The federal Good Samaritan Act for Food Donations protects schools and food donors who participate in food recovery programs.
• Meal preparation: Using donated kitchen space during off hours, volunteers utilize the food donations to prepare balanced and nourishing meals. Often, Campus Kitchens are able to prepare meal boxes or backpacks with shelf stable items which allows clients to create meals on days when there is no delivery scheduled.
• Meal delivery: Volunteers deliver prepared meals to organizations as well as to low-income families and individuals. Often, volunteers stay to share conversations, education and sometimes a meal with recipients. This exchange provides valuable interaction for our recipients and greater understanding of poverty for students.
• Empowerment and education: Each Campus Kitchen engages in empowering education programs like culinary job training for unemployed or underemployed adults, healthy cooking classes for families and nutrition education for kids. Most Campus Kitchens are empowering their communities through the development of gardens and the use of the fresh produce grown. Some kitchens have even created their own farmers’ market, which accept SNAP (formerly food stamps) to provide the community with access to farm fresh products.

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 Katie Hecker at khecker@su.edu for more information about this project.