"MAKE IT MATTER"
Quite often, I hear from kind individuals, caring teachers and youth group leaders looking for volunteer opportunities at Mission Granbury. As with any non-profit, we depend heavily on volunteer support and because our services are wide and varied, our volunteer needs are equally so. Some are constant, others are seasonal and then we have those OMG (Oh my Goodness!) projects spawned by floods, broken pipes, electrical shorts and other mishaps that require professional skills we simply don’t have.
For those of you (and I know you’re out there) who want to help your community but your job is super demanding and you don’t think you have the time – or you can’t imagine how just a few hours a week would be all that meaningful – or maybe you want to be involved from a distance but in an impactful way – your problem is solved. Cut this column out and pluck it under one of your fridge magnets because there are volunteer opportunities to fit all ages and lifestyles:
If the Ada Cary Shelter is your passion, consider these:
Purchasing and Assembling Personal Resident Kits: Every new resident is given a Personal Resident Kit with a full size shampoo, hair conditioner, body wash, body lotion and deodorant. Kits for women with children include baby shampoo and wipes.
Right now these kits are put in plastic bags but wouldn’t it be lovely if someone could design a cheery Velcro pouch to hold them?
Childcare: This is our greatest volunteer need at the Shelter. Residents who have job interviews, court dates, therapy and counseling sessions must take their children with them or find childcare, (usually 2-3 hours) which is extremely difficult.
Transportation: Volunteers help the ladies get to job interviews, doctor and court appointments.
Facility Repair and Maintenance: The Shelter is celebrating its ten-year anniversary this year, which is wonderful – but a 24/7 facility that houses an average of 18 folks a night takes a beating over time. Our most critical needs are commercial washers and dryers (2 of each), 2 new toilets, new door knobs on the interior doors and someone with vision to reface the kitchen cabinets. We would love to find a handyman (or two) to volunteer one day a month with some honey-do projects like replacing the florescent light bulbs and AC filters.
If you want to work with children, consider these C.A.S.A. opportunities:
Become a C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocate.) There is no more important role in a foster child’s life than their CASA. CASAs visit their children, listen to them and speak for them in court. We provide extensive training and ongoing support as you walk with your child through what is very likely the most difficult time of their life.
Not sure you’re up to that commitment? Provide monthly gas cards for our CASA volunteers, some who travel over fifty miles to see their child(ren). It’s a simple way to make a big difference.
No preference about where to volunteer? Here are a few other critical needs at the moment:
Donations Area: Sorters, five days a week, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
ReSale Shop: Running the register and restocking the floor, helping with the monthly Yard Sale
Administrative Support: Weekly clerical support for the Volunteer Coordinator, Development Director and Executive Director. These tasks are as varied as the three of us – helping with event planning, newsletter mailing, staff and volunteer training support to name a few.
Our Volunteer motto is “Making it Matter!” If you don’t see your area of expertise listed, just tell us what it is. I’m pretty sure we can find a way to put it - and you - to good use! dscovel@missiongranbury.org 682-936-8051
