Volunteer Opportunities for KCTC Students
Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan is a resource and advocacy organization promoting public awareness and supporting lifelong opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. Upcoming volunteer opportunities include:
Buddy Up Tennis which teaches children and teens with Down syndrome the game of tennis while supporting healthy activity and motor function continues until April 15. Signups are here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30e0948abab22a6fd0-buddy1
Cooking Capers where Teens and adults with Down syndrome aged 16 and older learn culinary terminology, cooking methods, measurement, and kitchen safety while crafting a delicious, healthy, gluten-free meal is in need of volunteers Thursday nights until April 13. The link to sign up is here: https://dsawm.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/dsawm/eventRegistration.jsp?event=2125&
iCan Shine Bike Camp where children with disabilities ages 8 and older can learn to ride a typical two-wheeled bicycle using proven, research-based methods will be held June 12-16, 2023. Volunteer training is June 11 at 3 pm. Call 616.956.3488 or email info@dsawm.org
Autism Support of Kent County (ASK) is a small nonprofit organization that works to make life better and more productive for people with autism. We provide programs and services and serve over 1500 people each year. We offer social and friendship groups, support groups, a Theater Group, autism training, resource sharing, monthly family events, and much more.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Ongoing: We always need people at our monthly Family Events (Like our Easter Egg Hunt, Holiday Party, Craft Day, etc.) and Social Groups Gatherings for Teens and Young Adults (Like bowling, glow golf, trip to the zoo, etc.).
Theater Group: Our Theater Group consists of actors on the autism spectrum. They rehearse every Tuesday evening from 6:30-8pm. We need volunteers to help with stage directions and mentor actors, and we need help backstage for the performances. The performances are May 12 and 13.
CONTACT INFO:
Feel free to contact Pam Liggett, ASK Executive Director, at PamLiggettASKC@gmail.com
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services serves the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities across West Michigan. Our agency needs volunteers for special events throughout the year! From youth programs to community events, our volunteers are critical to making our programs and services possible. If you are interested in volunteering with our agency, please email Linda Bylsma at volunteer2@deafhhs.org for more information and to get volunteer paperwork.
Thresholds
Thresholds owns 18 group homes and there is always volunteer work to do in and around these homes. The homes are located throughout the Grand Rapids area. If interested in volunteer opportunities, call 616.455.0960 or email darcyw@threshnet.org.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Seasonal yard maintenance: trimming bushes/underbrush, weeding flower beds, removing and replacing dead plantings
Power Washing: Houses, decks, patios (with supervision)
Windows: Washing outside (at reachable levels) and inside
Painting/Staining: Decks and fences
Basement/Garage: Cleanout of accumulated junk
Mural: On wooden fence at one of our homes (something for the residents to look at while enjoying the backyard)
Our Residents: We have many residents who would enjoy having volunteers in the home to do pedicures, manicures, facials, crafts, puzzles. We also have residents who would enjoy having a volunteer read to them or watch a movie.
Disability Advocates of Kent County works alongside people with disabilities as they seek to lead self-directed lives and advocates for accessible and welcoming communities.
On-going volunteers needed: Cleaning gently used durable medical equipment to be loaned out to consumers from our loan closet and administrative duties.
Events: set-up, tear down, greeting guests, handing out event resources, directing visitors, and working the registration table.
Upcoming Events
- ADA Celebration (Americans with Disabilities Act), a family friendly celebration of the passage of the ADA, tentatively scheduled for July 26 at Millennium Park
- IIA (Invest in Ability) scheduled for November 16 at Frederik Meijer Gardens
