United Way of Greater Portland can connect you with one-time opportunities and events that help our community, tools for hosting a collection of needed items, as well as ongoing and regularly scheduled opportunities that support long-lasting change and Thrive2027 goals. You can choose what moves you!
Every month we share a Volunteer Engagement Newsletter with opportunities to engage throughout Greater Portland. Here are some of the highlights from May’s Newsletter.
SOUTHERN MAINE RE-ENTRY RESOURCE AND JOB FAIR
Support Job Seekers at the Southern Maine Reentry Resource and Job Fair on Thursday, May 2 (set-up) and Friday, May 3 (at the fair). The fair will be held at the Portland Public Library from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Volunteer opportunities include an on-site clothing collection (at your office, school or home), help with set-up, personal shopping with attendees, career development and advising. FMI email Kim Moore at kmoore@unitedwaygp.org.
HOPE DAY CELEBRATION
The Yellow Tulip Project is hosting its 3rd annual Hope Day celebration on Sunday, May 5th from 12:30 – 2 pm. Help spread the message of hope and community. Together we can smash the stigma that surrounds mental illness so that people don’t feel alone and know that there is help and hope out there. FMI visit https://bit.ly/2UTNbMU.
ASSIST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH JOB SEARCH SKILLS
Portland Arts & Technology High School (PATHS) is coordinating a Career Fair Monday, April 8 and Wednesday, April 10, to prepare students with job search skills. Volunteers will help lead a class on resume writing, assist with one-on-one writing and support, as well as conduct mock interviews (questions provided). A career fair will be held for students at the end of the month. PATHS is also seeking to partner/feature local businesses looking to hire, such as military programs, and community colleges with certificate programs and apprenticeships. FMI email volunteer@unitedwaygp.org.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS FOOD DRIVE (NACL)
On Saturday, May 11, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will host their annual food drive to benefit local food pantries. Leave your food donations at your mailbox for pick-up on Saturday. Volunteers are also needed that day to help with unloading at several local post offices. FMI or if you are interested in hosting a food drive at your school, business, or community center, email volunteer@unitedwaygp.org
NOTE: Food will be sorted at United Way of Greater Portland’s annual Day of Action.
VOLUNTEER AS A HOUSING COACH
A Volunteer Housing Coach (VHC) is a support person in housing matters, particularly regarding the tenant/client’s actual housing. The VHC will provide ongoing support and have a good understanding of the SIT and ProsperityME programs and community resources. A VHC will be patient, unflappable, with a good sense of appropriate boundaries and eager to meet those from a different culture on equal terms of respect and admiration. The idea is not to take over housing issues, but to resolve any conflicts mutually in a way that empowers the tenant to understand the process and be able to handle it another time. In general, the VHC is a friend, keeping in regular contact to check-in and be a support to a new immigrant Mainer coming to grips with a different housing culture. FMI visit volunteer.unitedwaygp.org/need/detail/?need_id=411059.
BECOME A MEDICARE COUNSELOR AT SMAA
As a Medicare Counselor at Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA), you will participate in a national effort to educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries, their caregivers, and the general public about health care, fraud, errors, and abuse. Benefits include professional training classes and resource materials, mentoring and technical assistance, and local and statewide recognition events. Responsibilities include: attending a 3-day basic Medicare training; successfully completing the SHIP Online Certification; complying with SMAA and SHIP/SMP policies & procedures; providing confidential & objective individual counseling; using Medicare.gov website to help beneficiaries compare prescription and/or Medicare Advantage plan options. FMI visit volunteer.unitedwaygp.org/need/detail/?need_id=405846.
Check out our May 2019 Volunteer Engagement Newsletter for more opportunities or search online at http://volunteer.unitedwaygp.org.
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