Six Last-Minute Community Service Opportunties

If you're in need of a few more (or a lot more) hours before the May 15th deadline, check out the community service opportunities listed below. Remember to get a community service form from either the Programs Office or the Main Office!

1. Saturday, May 11th: Help Clean up the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St. NE)

2. Attend ADL and Green Club after school! Every Monday and Thursday from 3:45pm -5:00pm. ADL meets in Room 106, and Green Club meets in Room 111.

3. The Programs Office is sponsoring Community Service events with WIN, the Washington Interfaith Network, on Wednesday, May 8th, and on other days TBD. If you're interested in attending, talk to Ms. Boehle-Silva.

4. Sign up HERE to work at Kenilworth Gardens, the aquatic park located in Anacostia on Saturday, May 18th. 

5. Sign up online to work with the Capital Area Food Bank: http://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/volunteer/.

6. Sign up for a shift with DC Central Kitchen: http://dccentralkitchen.volunteerhub.com/Events/Index.

Volunteer with Martha's Table

Beginning with humble roots in 1980, Martha’s Table was originally a place for children to receive free sandwiches and food after school.  We gradually grew to address the additional needs of the community by finding solutions to poverty in the short and long term.  We address emergency needs with food and clothing programs and break the long cycle of poverty with education and family support services.

As availability in our schedule allows, Martha's Table is able to accommodate those completing school or court mandated community service. Prior to your arrival, you must schedule an appointment with the Volunteer Program Assistant to receive approval to volunteer at Martha's Table, complete our Community Service Orientation, and discuss necessary paperwork and tracking of hours.

Contact our Volunteer Assistant at 202.328.6608 x 212 or volunteer@marthastable.org to schedule a COURT or SCHOOL Community Service appointment and Orientation.

Help Others Get a Running Start as a BoMF 8K Race Volunteer

  

Back on My Feet (BoMF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating independence and self-sufficiency within homeless and underserved populations by first engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. BoMF needs volunteers for its St. Patrick's Day 8K, and race-day duties include water stations, registration, course guidance, and more. For each volunteer BoMF provides, money will be donated back to BoMF's program, so grab your friends, neighbors - everyone and anyone is welcome and encouraged to volunteer!

For more information or to register, visit the BoMF St. Patrick's Day 8K online or email Gretchen Gates.

Upcoming Service Trips with Teen Action

If you're looking for a way to get community service hours while working with friends, look no further than Teen Action! This TMA club, which meets every Wednesday after school in room 104, connects students with volunteer opportunities throughout the semester. The group has these upcoming trips:

February

Saturday, 2/25:

We Are Family (Columbia Heights & Park View Grocery Delivery) 9:30am -1pm **rescheduled for later in the month!

March

Thursday, 3/1

Downtown Clusters Geriatric Day Care (Mt. Vernon Sq Metro) 3:45pm- 6:00pm

Saturday, 3/24:

We Are Family (Columbia Heights & Park View Grocery Delivery) 9:30am -1pm

Thursday, 3/ 29

Martha’s Table  (U Street Metro) 3:45pm- 6:00pm

April

Saturday, 4/ 14

The Anacostia Watershed Society Nash Run Trash Trap cleanup (Deanwood Metro stop) 9am-1pm

Thursday 4/26

Downtown Clusters Geriatric Day Care (Mt. Vernon Sq Metro) 3:45pm- 6:00pm

Saturday 4/28

We Are Family (Columbia Heights & Park View Grocery Delivery) 9:30am -1pm

If you're interested in going on one of these trips, please come to a Teen Action meeting or talk with Ms. Boehle-Silva! 

Note: You must have a permission slip to participate, so sign up early!

Foggy Bottom Food Pantry

Foggy Bottom Food Pantry 
 
Share the splendors of food with families in need. Volunteers help bag groceries that will be given to low-income and homeless families. The Foggy Bottom Food Pantry provides over 200 families supplemental groceries twice a month. 

Metro accessible. Located in DC. This project is accessible for the deaf and hard of hearing. 


To sign up, visit: http://www.greaterdccares.org

N Street Village: Volunteer on Sundays!

N Street Village

Come spend your Sunday morning with us! Help prepare and serve lunch to homeless women. Bethany provides homeless women with day programs and social services. 

Metro accessible. Located in DC. No minimum age.

For more information, visit: http://www.nstreetvillage.org/

To sign up, visit: http://www.greaterdccares.org

Food for All: Help Make Food Accessible for DC Residents

 Food For All strives to provide food to those who are in temporary situations of need. Clients are generally elderly citizens, handicapped or single mothers with young children. The operation is entirely volunteer operated! Come help pack groceries, deliver food or help a driver navigate while deliveries are being made. A CAR IS VERY HELPFUL FOR THIS PROJECT, but not necessary. Located in DC.

Check out their website for more information:

Food for All-DC http://www.foodforalldc.org/wp/

To sign up, click here. 

Three Upcoming Volunteer Events with Washington, DC Jewish Community Center

The DC Jewish Community Center (JCC) has three upcoming volunteer events. To sign up for any of the events, visit the link below the description and click "Buy Tickets" at the bottom of the page. NOTE: You do not have to pay for any of these events (tickets cost $0); however, you should reserve a spot through the online sign up. Hunger Action at the 16th Street J - February 2, 2012 Washington DCJCC

Register to prepare food for the homeless on February 2 from 7:00-9:00 pm. Join MCCCS's most successful year-round program! Hunger Action prepares over 7,000 meals a year, at about 35 events annually. Join us as we mix, chop and create food for the homeless shelters in the DC area. It's a great and rewarding experience. 2-4 Hunger Action projects are held each month. Two of these are usually held at the Center. People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to participate. No cooking experience needed. The food prepared though this program is donated to our year-round partner, DC Central Kitchen. Sign up here. Emery Shelter Visit - February 12, 2012 Washington DCJCC Dear Volunteer, Make a difference in the lives of the homeless. If you know how to play cards, chess, checkers or backgammon, your gamesmanship will be valued. Play a game or simply visit with the men staying in this shelter in Northeast DC. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to participate. Volunteers will meet at the 16th Street J and travel together to Emery Shelter.                Date: Sunday, February 12, 2012 Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM If you'd like to attend this event you can RSVP online here. Handmade for the Homeless - February 29, 2012 Washington DCJCC    Each year for the MCCCS December 25th Day of Service (D25), we gift wrap hats, scarves, socks and slippers for the homeless in the Washington DC community. THE GROUP MADE OVER 300 ITEMS IN 2011!! Join fellow knitters and crocheters to make handmade goodies for a great cause!  Whether you're an experienced knitter or crocheter or just interested in learning, we hope you'll join us at a Handmade for the Homeless!  Our goal is to contribute as many warm winter items as possible to distribute as gifts at D25. We know December is still months away but we want to start off the year on a warm note! December 25th seems far away but it will be here before we know it. We hope you will help add to our collection. What Should I Bring? Please bring your own needles/crochet hooks.  All levels of knitters and crocheters are welcome.  Don't know how to knit or crochet? We'll teach you! If you are not already working on a warm winter item and are looking for a great project or just starting out, please bring: #8 or #10 knitting needles (circular or straight) or a size H crochet hook at least 6 oz of any color(s) "worsted weight" yarn Patterns can be provided. Additional hat patterns using #17 needles or a size N crochet hook are also available. If you have questions about this event please contact Sheryl at sherlinov@gmail.com. If you can't join us in person, join us in spirit by knitting or crocheting: Hats Scarves Gloves and Mittens Socks or slippers Other items to keep people warm and toasty in the cold winter months Knitted and other donations can be brought to the 16th Street J. Contact Erica Steen at ericas@washingtondcjcc.org to make arrangements. Thank you! Date: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Sign up here.

Help Provide Medical Care to DC's Homeless Population at Christ House

Christ House was the first 24-hour residential medical facilities for homeless men and women in the United States. Today, Christ House is still the only facility of its kind in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area where over 6,000 people experience homelessness every day.

The mission of Christ House is to provide comprehensive health care to sick, homeless men and women from the District of Columbia, and to assist them in addressing critical issues to help break the cycle of homelessness.

As volunteers at Christ House, students can work in many different departments and programs. Start by checking out their volunteer page (here). Then, download an application, fill it out, and either email it back to Christ House or ask someone in Programs to fax it to Christ House for you!
Questions? See Ms. Boehle-Silva.

So Others Might Eat (SOME): Options, Options, Options!

SOME has served Washington, DC for more than 40 years, working to

• Feed and clothe DC’s homeless and poor 
• Treat ill, homeless people at their medical, dental and mental health programs
• Train people for jobs and house homeless families and single adults

Over the years, SOME has helped thousands of people get off the streets, transform their lives, and live independently.

SOME has over 10 different areas in need of volunteers, including:

 

Administrative 

Professional Services 

Elderly Services 

Tutoring Adults 

Tutoring Children 

Food Service 

Special Occasions 

Landscaping 

Activity Leaders 

Material Donations 

Opportunities for Children 

Long-term Volunteers

After you've looked over the many options on SOME's volunteer page, fill out their volunteer application (here).

Work with Children at Bright Beginnings

Students interested in working with children should check out Bright Beginnings, an organization that provides a safe, nurturing education environment for young children whose families are experiencing homelessness.

Volunteers can work in Bright Beginnings' classrooms a few hours, a half day or full day or can develop a specialized volunteer experience based on their skills (technology, fundraising, marketing, data analysis, art, music, etc.)

To get started, fill out an online volunteer application here.

Note: Volunteers must be 16 or older, and provide a background check and a negative TB-test in order to volunteer. Talk to Ms. Boehle-Silva if you have any questions!

Holiday Volunteer Opportunity at Bread for the City

Take some time in December to prepare holiday meals for those in need!

During the holidays (November and December), Bread for the City’s Food Pantries offer each of our clients a complete holiday meal, including a turkey and all the trimmings.  This year, we want to provide Holiday Helpings to more than 9,000 families.

Bread for the City needs extra help to make this happen, and can take small groups of 3-5 volunteers each weekday afternoon (excluding Fridays) during November and December. These volunteers help package the meals, sort and organize donations.  

Note that Bread for the City does not have volunteer opportunities on Christmas Eve or Day.

To sign up, email Volunteer Coordinator Anna Tahtamouni at atahtamouni@breadforthecity.org.

 Still not sure how you want to volunteer? Check out Bread for the City's volunteer page for a full list of opportunities: http://www.breadforthecity.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Serve Food to the Homeless at Loaves and Fishes

 Loaves and Fishes, a ministry of St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church, has served lunch to the hungry and homeless on Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays since 1968. Since most Washington food programs serve only on weekdays, the program offers a crucial service to its guests, some of whom travel across the city to be able to eat on the weekend. The program serves the Mt. Pleasant community in Washington, D.C. and is supported by a number of churches and volunteer organizations from around the D.C. metro area.

Volunteers help prepare and serve food at various locations on weekends and federal holidays.

To sign up for a volunteer session, click on the event descriptions on the Loaves and Fishes Calendar at http://www.loavesandfishesdc.org/calendar.

If you’d like to sign up to volunteer as a group, talk to Ms. Boehle-Silva in Programs and she can help you get ready.

Many Hands Make Light Work: Thrive DC

Over 6,000 people in Washington, DC face the night without knowing where they will sleep or what they will eat. Thrive DC makes sure that no one has to face homelessness alone or on an empty stomach. Each day, Thrive DC provides over 200 meals and supportive services to help homeless men and women end their homelessness and change their lives.

Thrive DC volunteers:

• Work in Thrive's Daily Bread/Daily Needs, preparing meals and distributing emergency supplies
• Provide assistance in the computer workshop
• Help individuals apply for jobs and prepare for interviews
• Work in the Links program, leading enrichment activities and teaching educational classes
• Assist with administrative and development tasks
• Lead special projects
• Offer a familiar face and kind word

To see all current volunteer opportunities, check out Thrive DC's handout here.

Students seeking to volunteer with Thrive DC must sign up for a volunteer orientation session here. 

You must also download and fill out the volunteer form (find it at the bottom of the volunteer page.

Martha's Table: Volunteer to Help Fight Poverty

Martha's Table tackles DC-area poverty through short and long term solutions. Martha's Table's mission is to help at-risk children, youth, families and individuals in the community improve their lives by providing educational programs, food, clothing and enrichment opportunities.
They do this by providing tutoring and extracurricular programs for students and youth; preparing and serving meals to the homeless at various places around DC; and running a thrift store from clothing donations from the community.



Volunteers are usually able to assist in the following areas:

• Preparing Food - 7 days a week from 10 to 1 pm. Must be 9 years old or older.
• Working with children in the Day Care - 5 days a week from 9:30 to 1 pm.  Must be 14 years old or older.
• Tutoring and/or mentoring in the children and youth programs.  Must be 16 years old or older.
• Sorting clothes in Martha's Outfitters - Tuesday through Saturday from 9 to 3 pm.  Must be 16 years old or older.
• Staffing McKenna's Wagon, mobile soup kitchen - 7 days a week from 4:45 to 6:45 pm.  Must be 15 years old or older.
• Organize an event.

Note: Martha's Table has a specific program for students seeking to earn community service hours.

Contact their Volunteer Assistant at 202.328.6608 x 212 or email them at volunteer@marthastable.org to schedule a School Community Service appointment and Orientation.

Children of Mine Youth Center, Inc

Interested in working with kids?

Want to volunteer at a place close to TMA?

Check out Children of Mine!

Children of Mine Youth Center, Inc. is a volunteer-based after school program dedicated to providing a clean safe haven and loving environment for all youth across the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. From 2:30pm – 7:30pm, four days a week, the Center provides the children with clothes, food, tutoring, counseling, workshops, makes frequent trips to a local church farm, and takes part in field trips to Washington, DC’s cultural attractions.

Ready to start volunteering? See below for more info!

·    Call Ms. Hawkins at (202) 610-1055.  She can give you more information about updated service opportunities at Children of Mine.

·    Address: Children of Mine Youth Center

                                   2263 Mount View Place, SE
                                   Washington, DC 20020

·    Email Address: childrenofmine@verizon.net

Becoming a Regular Volunteer at DC Central Kitchen

Many students know that colleges look for community service hours when considering an applicant. But did you know that colleges increasingly look for students who've demonstrated a commitment to completing their community service hours at the same site over a long period of time?

But what if I don't want to do the same thing over and over again?

There are many service opportunities throughout the DC area that allow students to volunteer in many capacities at the same site. Students can gain experience in many different areas while still demonstrating to colleges that they are capable of making long-term commitments to a community organization. TMA's Community Service Guide will feature these organizations throughout the school year. (To find them, click on the long-term volunteering tab on the upper left hand side of the page).


DC Central Kitchen is one site that gives volunteers several programs to choose from!

DC Central Kitchen turns leftover food into millions of meals for thousands of at-risk individuals while offering nationally recognized culinary job training to once homeless and hungry adults.


 Their mission is to use food as a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build communities.

They provide breakfast, outreach, and counseling services to chronically homeless people living on the streets, recycle 3,000 pounds of food each day, converting it into 4,500 meals distributed to 100 shelters, transitional homes, and rehabilitation clinics throughout the DC area. These partner agencies then refer clients to DC Central Kitchen's Culinary Job Training program, where they receive the tools to start new careers.

They also employ their graduates in their full-service catering company or by placing them in full-time jobs at restaurants and hotels throughout the region. Today, DC Central Kitchen are expanding their operations, partnering with local farmers to procure fresh produce and begin new revenue-generating social enterprises.

DC Central Kitchen provides several different ways for volunteers to get meaningfully engaged in their work to combat hunger and create opportunity.

To see DC Central Kitchen's many volunteer opportunities, click on this link: http://www.dccentralkitchen.org/volunteer/