volunteer opportunities

Arts Gumbo 2009

Volunteers needed at Arts Gumbo 2009
Location: Rainier Valley Cultural Center (3515 S Alaska St, Seattle 98118)

Description SEEDArts is asking for volunteer help with our upcoming Arts Gumbo events from September - Decemeber. This is an exciting and fun opportunity to be part of a unique cultural series that brings together performing artists, cultural conversations, food and people from all walks of life. Tasks include marketing, front-of-house, and technical support. Volunteer benefits provided. See our event calendar for details.
Contact Jerri Plumridge, SEEDArts Director, 760-4286


Bike Works

Bike Works link

Volunteers Needed at Bike Works
Estimated time: Varies according to volunteer's interest and availability
Location: Bike Works, 3709 S. Ferdinand St. in Columbia City

Description Are you interested in working with youth, fixing bicycles or helping out at community events? Come visit us down at Bike Works (On S Ferdinand between Rainier and 37th) to fill out a volunteer application, or for more information on how to get involved! Applications are available in our community bike shop. Visit our website for more information on our programs and what we do. Thanks!

Contact Email gro.skrowekib|sreetnulov#gro.skrowekib|sreetnulov, to contact our Youth & Volunteer Coordinator


Columbia Library

Homework helpers at the Columbia Branch Library.
Estimated Time: 2 hours per week
Location: Columbia Branch, 4721 Rainier Avenue South

Description Homework helpers assist elementary, middle and high school students with understanding their homework assignments, learning approaches for solving math problems and developing effective study skills. Several students have recently immigrated to the United States and are learning English. Homework help session times vary at branches.

This is a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students and derive satisfaction from supporting positive youth development.

Skills Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and able to assist students for two hours per week throughout the school year (September through June). Homework Help sessions are scheduled between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Monday - Thursday.
Desired qualifications include: strong communication and active listening skills; an ability to interact with students who are new English speakers; and knowledge of basic math, grammar and reading skills. Previous experience as a teacher, tutor, parent or youth volunteer is helpful. Knowledge of higher-level math (algebra, trigonometry) is a plus!

Contact For more information, please contact the Library's Volunteer Services Coordinator at 386-4614.


Columbia City BeatWalk

Volunteers needed at the Columbia City BeatWalk

Estimated time 3.5 hours/month 6:15 - 9:45 p.m. (Event runs 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.)

Remaining 2008 Dates First Fridays - August 1st, September 5th, October 3rd, November 7th, December 5th

Location 6 different venues along Rainier Ave. S between S. Ferdinand and S. Edmunds

Description We need volunteers to collect $5 cover charges at this monthly music event featuring 7 bands. We rotate volunteers, so you'll get to hear a variety of music. We accept volunteers on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll get a free dinner at Tutta Bella. BeatWalk runs first Fridays, May through December.

Contact the BeatWalk Volunteer Coordinator


Columbia City Farmers Market

The Kids Tent at the Columbia City Farmers Market is a special place for children to create craft projects, get their face painted or explore something new. Last year daycare centers, preschools, the library and health clinics each sponsored a Wednesday of activities. We're looking for more sponsors for this year's market.

Sponsoring is easy to do! The market provides an 8' X 8' tent, long table and some chairs. You provide an activity. It should be a hands-on activity that would appeal to kids between the ages of 3 to 10. We ask that you arrive by 2:30 to set up your activity, stay until 6:00 and clean up when you are done.

We also encourage you to bring your kids to the market any Wednesday to enjoy the festivities, play at the Kids Tent, and discover more about the food being sold at the market. Most weeks there are cooking demos by local chefs and live music. For many kids, this becomes a chance for them to make the connection between the food they eat and how it's grown and what it looks like.

Opening day is April 30th. Feel free to pass this along to any organization you know that may be interested in sponsoring.

Please fee free to contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you
Rachel Harrison
Kids Tent Coordinator for the Columbia City Farmers Market
725 7299 or moc.liamg|nosirraHElehcaR#moc.liamg|nosirraHElehcaR


Horn of Africa Services

After School Tutors needed for East African refugees at Horn of Africa Services.

Description Tutors will provide general homework help and math tutoring for children grades K through 12. Most children in the program are from immigrant and refugee families from East Africa. Tutors will work independently with children, and assist program coordinators with math lessons.
Tutor training opportunities are available.

Time 5:00-7:45 Monday through Thursday. We ask tutors to commit to one day per week for a three month period.

Location Rainier Vista housing development.

Skills Experience and comfort in intercultural settings. If working with the high school program, must have algebra skills. ESL experience preferred, but not required. Tutoring experience preferred, but not required.

Contact For more information, contact the Volunteer Coordinator.


Rainier Valley Food Bank

Volunteer at the Rainier Valley Food Bank
Estimated time: 3 hours/week — or more!
Location: 4205 Rainier Ave S

Description Rainier Valley Food Bank provides food to approximately 5000 people every month, and three part-time employees and a team of incredible volunteers do all that work. As the economy declines, need for our services increase, as does our need for more fantastic volunteers. If you have the time, muscle and a smile to contribute, we'd love to talk to you about the following volunteer positions.

  • Warehouse Assistant: Wednesdays and/or Fridays. In this position you help move and sort boxes of food, and organize and stock food on shelves. This can be heavy work and you must be able to lift 50 pounds.
  • Distribution Helper: Wednesdays and/or Saturdays. In this position you help prepare food for distribution and distribute the food to clients at the food bank. You will help bag food, prepare the food bank so that food is organized for distribution and then help hand out the food.

The average shift is three hours and we have both morning and afternoon shift. We would love to have regular volunteers and encourage you to volunteer once a week, or once a month, or just occasionally, as your schedule allows.

Contact Rainier Valley Food Bank, Volunteer Info, 723-4105


Refugee Women's Alliance

Volunteers needed at Refugee Women's Alliance
Location: 4008 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way South

Description We need volunteers for our Youth Program M-Th 4 to 6pm, Citizenship class MW 6-8pm TTH 1-3pm, and our morning ESL classes M-TH 9am to 12:30pm.

Work with refugee and immigrant youth, 2nd-12th grade, as homework tutors and mentors. Help encourage newly-arrived youth with study skills, English, building self-esteem, understanding their new culture, and sharing their cultural heritage. Mon-Thu 4 to 6pm.

Assist teachers with a class of approximately 20 English as a Second Language adult students. Work one-on-one or with small groups. Help provide a comfortable, encouraging learning environment where newly arrived refugees and immigrants can express themselves, practice English, and learn about American culture. May have the opportunity to teach a lesson or substitute for the teacher. Ten-hour ESL teaching trainings available on a monthly basis. Mon-Thur 9am to 12:30pm

These and other ReWA opportunities listed here and here.

Contact Lori Penor, Volunteer Coordinator. 721-8441.


Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center

Volunteer with Seward Park Audubon - Become a Seward Steward!

Description: Interested in helping our cause? The Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center strives to connect all people with nature. Our goal is to utilize Seward Park as the primary classroom to inspire exploration, discovery, and stewardship of the natural world. Become a volunteer - a Seward Steward - and help make Southeast Seattle a model in environmental education! We look forward to seeing you!

Positions: Nature Shop Associate, Center Docent, Interpretive Guide, Field Educator, Talking Tree, and Library Assistant.

Time Commitment: Times are flexible depending on your schedule, so we'd love to see you as often as you can make it!

Contact: Chris Millow, Naturalist/Volunteer Coordinator, for more information or a detailed job description.

Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center
5902 Lake Washington Blvd S
652-2444


Seward Park Reforestation

Volunteer with Seward Park Reforestation.

Description: Seattle Parks has been given the opportunity to restore the crown jewel of our emerald city’s forested parklands, the old growth forest of Seward Park. The gracious donation of $1,000,000 by a single donor will stem the tide of invasive plants already in the park and help plant the next generation of trees and shrubs.

Each month, there are specific volunteer projects. Check http://www.sewardreforestation.org/ for details. To participate, call 206-423-1608 or email vog.elttaes|noitatserofer#vog.elttaes|noitatserofer .


Technology Access Foundation

Volunteer with TAF - Share your time, Share your talents!

Description: In this position, you will engage in the following activities/roles/tasks:
The Teacher Assistant will assist 6th-8th grade teachers in the TechStart Program. Assistants will engage students in project-based curriculum and work with them on an individual basis to facilitate their understanding of classroom exercises. The Teacher Assistant also supports the teacher by answering questions, keeping students on task, and determining which students need extra support in the areas of math and writing. TAF provides an ideal environment for those who want to make a difference in the lives of kids. This is a great opportunity for those seeking a career in teaching.
Positions: Classroom Assistant, Front Desk Assistant, Translators, any many one time opportunities.
Time Commitment: Classes start at 3:30pm. Classes end no later than 7:00pm. Most classes are 90 minutes
Contact: gro.sseccahcet|bdrahcir#gro.sseccahcet|bdrahcir, Volunteer Coordinator, for more information or a detailed job description please visit our website, www.techacess.org

Technology Access Foundation
4436 Rainier Avenue South
722.2369 x102


Volunteer Chore Services

Volunteer with Volunteer Chore Services - It only takes a few hours a month to make a difference in your neighbors' lives!

Description: Simple chores can make a difference:
Volunteer Chore Services, a program of Catholic Community Services, is a FREE “safety net” for elders and adults living with disabilities who are unable or ineligible for state/paid chore services. All recipients are low-income, have health problems or difficulty with mobility, and most live alone. A growing volunteer opportunity in your neighborhood consists of driving clients to doctor appointments, grocery shopping or other chores. We carefully match volunteers to opportunities based on their personalities, neighborhood, and preferences. For more information on how you can help in Columbia City, please give us a call.

Opportunities: On call or regular opportunities, transportation, yard work, simple chores, on your schedule and in your neighborhood.
Time Commitment: One hour a month or more
Contact: Kerrie Carbary, West Region Volunteer Coordinator, at gro.wwscc|ceirrek#gro.wwscc|ceirrek, 206-328-6858, Volunteer Chore Services main intake line at 206-328-5787, www.ccsww.org/volunteerchores

Volunteer Chore Services
Catholic Community Services

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