Needs From: United Way of Northeast Florida

There are so many way to help Seamark Ranch and our families. Chances are if you enjoy a particular task, we need your help. We have opportunities during the week as well as a dedicated Saturday Volunteer Project Day each month. We need help in the school, stables, barn, or garden; in the home such as cooking meals for our families; as well as a variety of Administrative functions. 

The second Saturday of each month, we have our dedicated Volunteer Project Day. Below is a list of dates for our current Saturday opportunities:

If you are interested in participating in one of the following volunteer dates, please reach out to Terri Cooper, our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@seamarkranch.com

For regular volunteers, an in-depth background screening is required. Please email volunteer@seamarkranch.com or call (904) 529-1951 so that we may learn about you and you can learn more about our needs.

Safety First

Safety is paramount! Please read and follow these precautions before beginning this volunteer project:

Jewish Family & Community Services collects school supplies for school age foster and adoptive children in grades Kindergarten-9th grade on a yearly basis. This drive is one of the most important drives we do. With a goal of 100 backpacks, every donation makes a difference and helps a child whose life is anything but normal to feel a sense of normalcy. It takes away their anxiety of going to school and not having the supplies they need to complete the assignments they are given.

This is a collection drive. Keep in mind, not all grades are the same - the middle and high school students have the biggest need in our area for supplies.

Items needed include:

If you have any interest in helping with this drive, it begins in May. Items can be delivered to the JFCS 8540 Baycenter location, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Contact Donna O'Steen for more details at 904-394-5714/dosteen@jfcsjax.org.

What Is RSVP?
RSVP is one of the largest volunteer efforts in the nation—matching community entities with individuals age 55 and over who are willing to help. RSVP volunteers choose how and where they wish to serve, and can even choose how many hours and what days they are available. 

What Are The Benefits Of Being An RSVP Volunteer? 
As an RSVP volunteer, you receive many benefits. Studies have shown that those who volunteer are less likely to become ill and to maintain a more positive outlook on life. Volunteering keeps seniors active and provides a chance to form new friendships and social connections. Throughout the year, RSVP provides special recognition opportunities to volunteers for their hard work. Recognition may include special events, gifts, awards, and so much more. 

What Do RSVP Volunteers Do? 
RSVP volunteers provide hundreds of community services to a variety of non-profit agencies, schools, and government programs. The volunteer may choose to provide assistance to veterans, beautify the St. Johns River, read to elementary school students and so much more. Many volunteers choose an assignment for the new challenge it offers. Regardless of an individual's skill, experience, interests or goals, they will be an enormous resource and benefit to our community partners and the people they serve. 

RSVP Volunteer Opportunities Include:
There are so many needs in a community as large as Jacksonville. This list includes just a few examples. If you do not see an area that matches your interest or skill set, do not hesitate to contact us. 

Community partners may include schools, hospitals, non-profits, disaster relief, veteran and environmental agencies, City Hall, other local government agencies and so much more.

Common RSVP projects may include: 

Advisory Council
The RSVP Advisory Council offers guidance and support to the RSVP staff; help plan activities and fundraisers, and assist with recognition events. Members represent a cross-section of business leaders and senior citizens.

RSVP is sponsored and funded by the National Senior Service Corps, Corporation for National Service with matching funds from the City of Jacksonville, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, Senior Services Division.

Volunteer Opportunities & Information
Email RSVPinfo@coj.net or call (904) 630-0998

RSVP
City of Jacksonville - Senior Services Division
150 East 1st Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206

Many children within Duval County do not have regular access to food. As you can imagine, this instability has an impact on their health and academic success. Snack packs will alleviate some of their discomfort and worry that negatively affects their learning, social interactions, and ability to enjoy life as a child should. This is an opportunity to help the Historic Eastside Community Development Corporation address this barrier to success. This need was also created to aid families heavily affected by the pandemic.

Packs can be completed in three easy steps:

1) Decorate a blank paper bag. A bright, colorful bag can really cheer up a child of any age! 

2) Stuff the bag with the following items (all items should be easy to open, non-perishable, and should need a microwave at most to cook):

3) Create a positive, motivational card for the child and place it in each bag.

4) When you have completed the project and are ready to donate your bags, please contact our project coordinator here.

Safety First

Safety is paramount! Please read and follow these precautions before beginning this volunteer project:

Volunteer Hours

For those that require service hours, one half-hour plus one hour for every two complete snack packs with card will be given for one participant. 

It may not be food, but these bags delivered to seniors receiving home-delivered meals and groceries in Jacksonville's Historic Eastside are still much-needed essential items. Senior Care Bags are assembled packages of items that seniors may find useful to make their daily life easier.  Bags should be reusable shopping bags, totes, or drawstring backpacks.

Welcome Bags can include a combination of six or more (but not limited to) of the following items:

Assembling these kits involves a few simple steps. First, create a card of encouragement to put inside the bag; write a positive message, or decorate it with an inspirational image. We recommend using cardstock so that it won't bend in the bag during transport. Then, one of each item and the card should be placed in the bag. 

Safety First

Safety is paramount! Please read and follow these precautions before beginning this volunteer project:

For anyone collecting hours, we will verify one half-hour plus one volunteer hour for every two bags with at least eight items, capped at 5.5 hours for one participant.

These bags will be distributed by the Historic Eastside Community Development Corporation. You can learn more about their important work here.

Food Drive is one of our (DIY) Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects. DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages and sizes to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more. You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project to the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project. Once you have responded to this need you will be contacted by our project coordinator.  

Food drives are a critical way volunteers can address real community needs individually or as a group, family, school, or neighborhood, especially now, during this critical time. Food items that you collect will benefit a family in need in Jacksonville's Historic Eastside neighborhood.

You can download an instructional document here which includes discussion questions and tips for holding a drive as well as a list of suggested items.  Most needed items are nonperishable food items, peanut butter, dried beans, rice, grains, pasta, sauces, canned items, 'add water' types of meals (dried rice and pasta dishes etc). When selecting items, please keep in mind that items that are too high in sodium are not good for anyone!

Safety is paramount! Please read and follow these precautions before beginning this volunteer project:

For anyone collecting hours, we will verify one hour for every 10 items collected. 

The food will be distributed by the Historic Eastside Community Development Corporation. You can learn more about their important work here.

Educator Alvin Irby concluded that "Children's literature represents one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in the fight against bigotry and racism in American culture." There's never been a more important time to ensure that all young minds have access to reading material that introduces and celebrates differences, features people of color in everyday situations, and even approaches difficult subjects such as racism with honesty.

Books can be scarce for many families, and books that are not white-focused are amongst the last donated. All books will be given to students through our partner agencies working with school-aged children in Northeast Florida.

You can help future generations come to a greater understanding of their world by donating one book, or many! Download a list of Antiracism children's literature by grade level here, or go straight to our Amazon Wishlists:

When you are ready to make a donation, please contact our project coordinator here.

For those that need service hours, we will give one half-hour plus one hour for two books collected, capped at 10.5 hours for one participant.

Safety First

Safety is paramount! Please read and follow these precautions before beginning this volunteer project:

Do you want to help create a more humane society for all animals? Check out our Humane Policy Volunteer Leader opportunity!

Humane Policy Volunteer Leaders are at the forefront of our work to advance priority federal, state and local animal protection policies. These efforts serve to advance humane priorities across all 435 congressional districts and thousands of state legislative districts across the nation. Please join our team! To learn more, review our Humane Policy Volunteer Leader ad here: www.humanesociety.org/policyvolunteer

Humane Policy Volunteer Leader responsibilities:

Benefits of becoming a Humane Policy Volunteer Leader

The Humane Policy Volunteer Leader program is the first, largest and most effective animal protection policy volunteer program of its kind in the nation. HSUS volunteers are essential partners in our lifesaving work for all animals and are an integral part of this community of compassionate individuals, all of whom are deeply committed to advancing humane public policies for all animals.

Humane Policy Volunteer Leaders will become highly skilled in the rapidly growing animal protection movement, receiving advanced training and ongoing support. You will receive an orientation on our policies and programs as well as access to support and resources not provided to the public, including:

As a Humane Policy Volunteer Leader, you will develop skills in public policy advocacy, networking, leadership and strategic thinking, and have the opportunity to share your expertise and experiences with community members. You will gain a deeper understanding of how to be an effective animal advocate, gain in-depth knowledge about the HSUS’s priority issues and deepen your understanding of the policy process and political landscape at the federal level, as well as in your specific state.

Apply Today!

If you've read the Humane Policy Volunteer Leader ad and feel the position would be a good fit for your skills and commitment level, here’s how to take the next steps:

If you would like to learn more or have questions about this volunteer program, please email us or call 301-721-6405.

ElderSource's Caring Connections Telephone Reassurance Program provides a friendly telephone call from a volunteer to an older adult who is living alone and/or homebound. The goal of the program is to eliminate or reduce some of the concerns facing homebound seniors: isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety and cognitive decline.

Many older adults want to remain independent and age in place in their own homes; however because they are isolated or housebound, meaningful relationships are difficult to come by. Caring Connections volunteers will reach out by phone regularly to these seniors to offer a friendly check-in and an opportunity to feel connected to the community beyond their front door.

Want to Become a Caring Connections Volunteer?

This is a wonderful volunteer opportunity for someone looking to make a difference in the life of a senior. All volunteers must:

Being a SHINE volunteer is very rewarding and a great service to your community! SHINE volunteers are not affiliated with any insurance company and do not sell insurance--it is a statewide volunteer program offering seniors, adults with disabilities and their caregiver’s free, unbiased counseling on Medicare and health insurance issues.

You can help non-profits build their capacity and improve the community by recruiting volunteers through the United Way of Northeast Florida's Volunteer Hub on behalf of United Way's community partners. Your job will include:  

This is a remote position. Your hours are calculated based on the number of hours spent posting the needs and events for the partner agency.  You will be self-directed but supported through United Way of Northeast Florida's Volunteer and Community Engagement team.

You should only be contacted by your non-profit agency twice a month to post events and volunteer opportunities.  

Skills Needed:  

Requirements:  

If you are interested but have not served 10 hours as a volunteer, please contact us at volunteer@uwnefl.org.

You can help meet the Florida Chapter ALS Association's mission to support people living with ALS and their caregivers while still maintaining social distancing guidelines. Volunteers are needed to provide weekly conversational (phone, email, video) contact to convey support and concern about the well-being and quality of life of a person living with ALS and/or the caregiver.

Time Commitment: Initial Online Training; one call (or other communication, if necessary) each week for up to 15 minutes

For questions, please contact Jackie Mathews at 888-257-1717 x113 or jmathews@alsafl.org .

Teachers are not just essential workers, they are essential, period. Here's your chance to thank teachers for putting themselves on the front line every day to prepare our children for tomorrow. In just a few short minutes, you can make a heartfelt video that will make the day of many an educator, and all you need is a smartphone or computer! Just download the detailed instructions here to get started.

You will receive one volunteer hour upon completion of all the steps.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers and frontline workers continuously put their lives at risk for the safety of their communities. In just a few short minutes, you can share your gratitude and all you need is a smartphone or computer! Just download the detailed instructions here to get started.

You can see an example of a video thank you here.

You will receive one volunteer hour upon completion of all the steps.

Can you carry a tune? Are you good at noodling on the guitar? Do you have a French horn gathering dust in a closet? Why not share your love of music with others in a short video of a song? Music can be a wonderful way to share and communicate, as well as support emotional well being. Faster music can make you feel more alert and concentrate better. Upbeat music can make you feel more optimistic and positive about life. A slower tempo can quiet your mind and relax your muscles, making you feel soothed while releasing stress. Music can even stimulate memory in the elderly! Your song can be effective for relaxation and stress management for many vulnerable groups: children, the disabled, and seniors! 

Just download the detailed instructions here to get started.

You will receive 1.5 volunteer hours upon completion of all the steps.

Do you love to learn about other cultures?  Have a knack for sharing information in a way that draws others into the story? This would be a great opportunity for you.  We need someone to help tell our story in a creative way. We are looking for someone passionate about bringing stories to life as a way of instilling compassion and awareness to Beyond90 and the refugees in our community.

We are in need of a videographer to periodically visit our campus during classes and service hours to capture how we serve the refugee community and to highlight who they are and the impact they are having in our area.  We anticipate only a couple of hours of shooting a month.  Looking for shorter videos that can be shared in social media.  Periodically we have events where it would be great to have some video to share.  We follow all necessary COVID protocols.  

We are in need of a photographer to periodically visit our campus during classes and service hours to capture high quality photos of the services we provide to the refugee community.  We anticipate only a couple of hours a month.  Looking for pictures that can be shared in social media and other marketing materials.  Periodically we have events where it would be great to have some photos to share as well.  We follow all necessary COVID protocols.  

Refugees come to our service center for assistance with all kinds of needs.  These needs include but are not limited to public assistance applications, understanding mail, making calls to agencies, accident reporting, school enrollment, submitting online job applications and much more.  We need people willing to assist refugees with their requests.  Our office hours for these services are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Commitment level is up to you but at least a 1/2 day a week would be beneficial as there is some training required. Any help is greatly appreciated.

If you are home during the day or can find 30 minutes to an hour of free time M-F, between the hours of 8am-5pm. We need you! We need you to make phone calls to the City of Jacksonville to remove debris from the public areas of the Lincoln Villa Community. If you are interested, please email donttearitupcleanitup@gmail.com or text "I'm In" to 904-418-4524. We schedule a 10 minute phone call to further explain the details of making the phone calls. 

Many children within Duval County do not have regular access to food. As you can imagine, this instability has an impact on their health and academic success. Snack packs will alleviate some of their discomfort and worry that negatively affects their learning, social interactions, and ability to enjoy life as a child should. This is an opportunity to help Full Service Schools address this barrier to success. This need was also created to aid families heavily affected by the pandemic.

Packs can be completed in three easy steps:

1) Decorate a blank paper bag. A bright, colorful bag can really cheer up a child of any age! 

2) Stuff the bag with the following items (all items should be easy to open, non-perishable, and should need a microwave at most to cook):

3) Create a positive, motivational card for the child and place it in each bag.

4) When you have completed the project and are ready to donate your bags, please contact our project coordinator here.

Safety First

Safety is paramount! Please read and follow these precautions before beginning this volunteer project:

Volunteer Hours

For those that require service hours, one half-hour plus one hour for every two complete snack packs with card will be given for one participant. 

Every child deserves to have a birthday celebration, but not every family has the means to make that possible for their children. You can help by providing families with a box of birthday “essentials” that they can use to ensure that each child’s life is worth celebrating and their special day is the best it can be!  

What to do:

Please note: All items must be in new and in original packaging.

Required Items:

Optional Items:

If you have any additional items that you think will help make a child's birthday special, please include them! Stuffed animals, puzzles, and card games are great gifts for any child to receive for their birthday.

Do not include anything that is religious or political in nature to respect everyone's beliefs as we don't who the recipient will be.

Once your box(es) is/are complete, please contact us at volunteer@uwnefl.org to arrange drop-off. We are happy to address any questions you may have as well.

For those that require service hours, one half-hour (for travel) plus 1.5 hours will be given per box assembled and dropped off. These are capped at 15.5 hours. For example, 4 boxes with drop-off would be 6.5 hours total.

Most of us take socks for granted, but for those without access to clean, new socks it's no small matter. Socks provide cushion for the soles, warmth in the winter, and absorb moisture to prevent blisters in the summer but are unfortunately the least donated item. You can help alleviate this issue for families in Jacksonville's Eastside by collecting new socks yourself or through a drive.

When collecting socks, please keep in mind:

If community service hours are needed, we will give one half-hour plus one hour for every 15 individual pairs of socks collected, capped at 10.5 hours for one participant.

Please contact United Way of Northeast Florida here to arrange a drop off when you're ready or if you have any questions.

We are always in need of personal care items, socks, t-shirts, underwear for men, women, and children.

Many universities and colleges are now requiring freshmen to live on campus their first year. For those students that are the first in their family to ever go to college, this can be a daunting and completely unexpected expenditure. You can help offset a few of these expenses by putting together a dorm kit for these excited students!

You can download a list of supplies needed by clicking here or check out our Amazon wish list by clicking here.

First Generation College Starter Kits are one of our (DIY) Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects. DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages and sizes to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more. You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project at the site. You may log your hours through the self log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project.

United Way of Northeast Florida will help you coordinate the drop off of the completed kits. Just let us know when you have completed the kit(s).

For those needing project hours, we will give one half-hour plus five hours for each completed kit per one participant.

For any questions, please contact us here.

Mentors and volunteers needed to help in our unique thrift boutique, repurposing room, garden, and tearoom. 

Social skills club every Saturday evening.  Office Assistant. 

Many opportunities are available, no experience is needed but is appreciated. Work a a few hours or a few days. 

In addition to providing life-saving shelter and services for survivors of domestic violence, Hubbard House also educates Jacksonville-area youth about healthy relationships. We are in need of a volunteer or intern who can support this education initiative.

Hubbard House will provide training and curriculum to use for these classes. Background screening ($64.25) will be required. Scheduling is flexible, since we instruct in-school, after-school, and summer camp programs.

Experience in educating youth is a plus, but not required.

This position involves attending events in the community to hand out informational materials and interact one-on-one with members of the public, to raise awareness about domestic violence and Hubbard House resources. In addition to small events like health fairs, we frequently attend larger events like festivals.

Community Ambassadors are required to attend a virtual orientation (www.hubbardhouse.org/events) and pay for/clear a Level II background screening ($64.25) that Hubbard House will arrange. Additional training is provided as needed, to ensure the volunteer is comfortable speaking about this subject matter.

Events are often weeknights and weekends, but occasional weekday opportunities exist as well. Events may be indoors or outdoors. When outdoors, a tent can be provided.

The clothing ministry program of Presbyterian Social Ministries collects new and gently used clothing. Volunteers then come in and sort them by gender, size, type, and season. After they are sorted and boxed accordingly, we distribute them back out to direct-service partner agencies. Typical recipients are schools, churches, and a variety of other nonprofit agencies that give the clothes away directly to those in need.

Donated clothes require daily attention and volunteers are critical to keeping the process moving along smoothly.

We process over 300,000 articles of clothing per year, most of them new. Much of this success is driven by the volunteers that give their time throughout the year getting clothes ready for distribution.

 How to be prepared:

When volunteering, wear comfortable clothes and sneakers. Sometimes volunteers may be asked to lift some boxes. The clothes need to be sorted, sized, and grouped by gender and season and boxed up. Specific instructions will be given so you’ll know exactly what, where, and how to do the clothing. There is ice/water onsite and a refrigerator/microwave available to use should you like to bring a snack to eat while you’re here.

At this time, we can only accommodate small groups (more than two (2) people) with pre-approval. We are in greatest need of volunteers that can commit to a regular schedule. Time is flexible: come for 1-2-3 hours, all day, every other week - whatever suits your schedule and personal goal as the volunteer. Unfortunately, we are not open on weekends.

Minors are welcome when accompanied by adult supervision.

Work is indoors.

Work is episodic. Some days we may have a lot to sort through, other days we may have very little. We will inform you if there is not any need to come in if you are scheduled.

Please note: We will contact you before your first visit to confirm times and availability. Please do not arrive at our facility before a confirmation from us.

Thank you for considering our agency and we look forward to your visit.

Our Virtual Impact Program connects volunteers from across the globe with students throughout Latin America, who attend our after-school Virtual English Academy on a full scholarship. Together, volunteers and students bridge cultures digitally and inspire and empower each other to reach their potential.

while making a lifetime impact on young students throughout Latin America. You’ll provide students with quality English instruction and inspire them to create opportunities for their futures. Join us and make learning fun!

18+ / 5 days a week

Our Virtual Impact Program connects volunteers from across the globe with students throughout Latin America, who attend our after-school Virtual English Academy on a full scholarship. Together, volunteers and students bridge cultures digitally and inspire and empower each other to reach their potential.

in Spanish while making a lifetime impact on young students throughout Latin America. You'll provide students with the opportunity to expand their horizons, develop critical thinking skills, learn about the world, and have fun doing it!

Exam season is just around the corner. It's a nerve wracking time for all college students- especially new college students approaching their first one. No matter what students are worried about, this DIY finals survival kit will be a total lifesaver and it will help keep students motivated!

Start creating the kit by decorating a box with positive or encouraging messages/ images. You can use colored pencils, markers, stickers, etc. to make your box stand out. Then, please select one of the themes below and fill your box with the suggested items (please ensure items are new and not expired).

Next, create an encouragement card and place it on top of the other items before closing the box. Contact the project coordinator to arrange a drop-off date and time at our donation site. Our Full Service Schools sites will send these kits to first generation college and former DCPS Full Service Schools students.

Here are a few suggestions:

Cheeze-its or Goldfish

Oreo Cookies

Nature Valley Granola Bars

Air-heads

Smarties

Smart Food Popcorn

M&Ms

Skittles

Small Box of Cereal

Pretzels

Beef Jerky

Squeezable Applesauce

Encouraging note

Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate

Spiced Apple Cider

Box of True Lemon Crystal Lite

Maxwell House Instant Coffee

Box of Earl Gray Tea

Box of Herbal Tea (Pomegranate Raspberry, Mint Tea, Ginger Tea, Throat Coat Tea)

Box of Green Tea

Packets of Sugar

A Microwave-Safe Mug

Encouraging Note

Emergen-C

Microwave Popcorn

Ramen Noodles

Chips

Goldfish

Pop Tarts

Granola Bar

Sweet and Salty Trail Mix

Protein Bar

Gummy Snacks or Gummy Bears

Encouraging Note

Index Cards

Sticky Notes

Mechanical pencils

Pens

Highlighters

Stress Ball

Snacks

Mint Gum

Emergen-C

Hand Sanitizer

Cleaning Wipes

Encouraging Note

Lip Balm

Nail Polish

Hand Lotion

Sugar Scrub

Cozy socks

Eye Mask

Box of Herbal Tea

Encouraging Note

 We will verify one half-hour for the project and one volunteer hour for every kit complete with card and decorations.

 *photo courtesy of Ally Smith's Pinterest

Teachers’ stress has soared and morale has plummeted during the pandemic, a flammable combination that quickly makes teachers feel burnt out. It’s more important than ever for us to help support teachers and show our appreciation for all the wonderful things they do every day.

Show your appreciation for educators by assembling a thoughtful, practical kit to help them get through the day. Decide which kit you want to assemble and click on one of the kits below to download the instructions.

Mason Jar Survival Kit

Teacher Survival Kit

Teacher Survival Kit (Large)

Teacher Candy Survival Kit

When the project is complete, contact the project coordinator to arrange a kit drop-off at a Full Service Schools Site. Full Service Schools will distribute these kits to Duval County Public Schools teachers.

United Way of Northeast Florida will verify one volunteer hour for every two Mason Jar kits or Candy kits. We will verify one volunteer hour for every Survival Kit, and we will verify 1.5 volunteer hours for every Large kit.

The Mayo Clinic Gift Shop serves patients, visitors and employees. Volunteers provide excellent customer service greeting visitors, using the cash register to complete purchases, packing purchases and assisting visitors with other needs.

Non profit hospital gift shop assistance needed. All proceeds support Brooks Health Foundation programs that serve patients and the community. Volunteers will provide customer service to patients, visitors and staff. Retail duties include sales utilizing a point of sale system (iPad) and scanner, replenishing stock, dusting and straightening displays. Morning and afternoon shifts available. We would like to staff 7 days a week.

Even if you don't have experience in retail - we can train you to be the best! Assistance needed at Jacksonville and Bartram Campuses. 

If you would like to volunteer, please take the following steps:

Please visit the Brooks Rehabilitation Volunteer Website for more information.

Food drives are a critical way volunteers can address a real community needs individually or as a group, family, school or neighborhood. Food items that you collect will benefit a family in need through Lutheran Social Services. 

Most needed items are nonperishable food items, peanut butter, canned meats, dried beans, rice, grains, pasta, sauces, canned vegetables, granola bars, 'add water' types of meals (dried rice and pasta dishes, etc.). When selecting items, please keep in mind that items that are too high in sodium are not good for anyone!

For guidance on what items to collect, United Way of Northeast Florida has created a chart of how much food it takes to feed a family. Please download this document and use it when creating a wish list or shopping list.

Drop off donations to our office at 4615 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Contact Nourish Network manager, James Perrigan, for coordinating large donations.

The LSS Nourishment Network food pantry is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and additional hours on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

LSS encourages individuals to deliver food donations when the food pantry is closed in order for staff to assist

United Way can document community service hours for those that need them and will give one hour for every 15 items donated. One item counts as each package donated: one can of soup is one item and a six count package of apple sauce is one item. Just contact us here with questions.

You can brighten the day of an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities! Make a card for a client participating in programs at Pine Castle and share a little sunshine with them. To learn more about Pine Castle and their programs, please visit their website.

Create a card with cardstock. You can decorate it using crayons, colored pencils, pens, etc. Draw a picture, write a positive quote, write a poem, or glue on one of these images. Be creative as long as it's encouraging and positive!

Guidelines for cards:

When the cards are ready for donation, please contact the project's coordinator to arrange a drop-off date or to receive the mailing address. United Way of Northeast Florida will verify one volunteer hour for every five handmade (not printed) cards created up to 8 hours. We would also be happy to provide a volunteer verification document if needed.

The food farmacy offers our patients who meet requirements access to foods tailored to their health needs. Help the food farmacy and social services hub by stocking and organizing the food on the day it's delivered.

Wednesday mornings is typically the time/day that assistance is needed.

Support Ukrainians in Jacksonville

Over 135 Ukrainian people, primarily women & children, have arrived in the Arlington area of Jacksonville in the past month. They are being housed by Ukraine speaking family and friends. 

Volunteers can help support Ukrainians by providing household goods and personal items including:

All donated items must be new. 

Items can be delivered to the warehouse at 29 South Arlington Road. Please contact the project's coordinator here for more details and drop-off times.

Volunteer Hours

For those that require service hours, one half-hour plus one hour for every two complete kits will be given. 

Working to break the cycle of poverty.

At heart, all students want stability and love — but poverty makes it difficult for them to get something as simple as their basic needs met. This leaves them feeling ashamed and hopeless among their peers.

Children in the richest country in the world shouldn’t have to go without basic necessities like food, clean clothes, and hygiene products.

Students who need assistance are referred by the school district or school staff or by social service agencies. The Giving Closet Project creates a custom care kit based on the individual student's needs. Within a week, the care package is discretely delivered to the student, helping them feel seen and supported.

Of critical need, The Giving Closet Project is always in need of these hygiene items:

Also, to support students' needs, the following items are in demand:

TGCP encourages individuals to deliver donations when the center is open for staff to assist. Contact TGCP here to arrange drop-off.

United Way can document community service hours for those who need them and will give one hour for every 15 items donated. Just contact us here.

Florida Department of Health in Duval County Emergency Preparedness Office needs Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant (MA) volunteers to assist our Special Needs clients with performing their daily activities like having meals and using the restroom. They also assist the nursing staff.

These positions are needed during natural disasters and other emergencies when evacuation to local shelters is necessary. Volunteers will serve at one of four sites around the county.

Those signing up for this opportunity will be added to a list of potential volunteers to be called up in the event shelters are opened.

For more information, please contact Kynda Hancock at 904-253-1026.

Florida Department of Health in Duval County Emergency Preparedness Office needs Nurse volunteers to assist with medication administration, nursing assessments, wound management, and other limited medical needs.

These positions are needed during natural disasters and other emergencies when evacuation to local shelters is necessary. Volunteers will serve at one of four sites around the county.

Those signing up for this opportunity will be added to a list of potential volunteers to be called up in the event shelters are opened.

For more information, please contact Kynda Hancock at 904-253-1026.

Florida Department of Health in Duval County Emergency Preparedness Office needs Respiratory Therapist volunteers to assist with oxygen dependent clients.

These positions are needed during natural disasters and other emergencies when evacuation to local shelters is necessary. Volunteers will serve at one of four sites around the county.

Those signing up for this opportunity will be added to a list of potential volunteers to be called up in the event shelters are opened.

For more information, please contact Kynda Hancock at 904-253-1026.

Florida Department of Health in Duval County Emergency Preparedness Office needs Social Worker volunteers to assist with Mental Health First Aid, Alzheimer/Dementia clients, Autism clients, developmentally delayed clients, and others.

These positions are needed during natural disasters and other emergencies when evacuation to local shelters is necessary. Volunteers will serve at one of four sites around the county.

Those signing up for this opportunity will be added to a list of potential volunteers to be called up in the event shelters are opened.

For more information, please contact Kynda Hancock at 904-253-1026.

Florida Department of Health in Duval County Emergency Preparedness Office needs General Community volunteers. These non-clinical staff need to be supportive to clients in non-clinical ways: be a companion, provide conversations, assist with pets, read, play games, and be generally upbeat.

These positions are needed during natural disasters and other emergencies when evacuation to local shelters is necessary. Volunteers will serve at one of four sites around the county.

Those signing up for this opportunity will be added to a list of potential volunteers to be called up in the event shelters are opened.

For more information, please contact Kynda Hancock at 904-253-1026.

You can more information about Feeding NEFL, their work, and other ways to help at their website here.

This drive is one of our (DIY) Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects. DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages and sizes to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more. You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project at the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self-log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project. 

For those that need service hours, we can give one hour for every 10 items or package of items donated. Contact us at volunteer@uwnefl.org before drop-off if this is needed. 

Working to Improve Neighborhoods (WIN) is a male mentoring program for youth ages 6-18 who live in 32208 and 32209. WIN is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. This program teaches conflict resolution strategies, while using basketball as a way to practice those skills. 

As a Skills Facilitator, volunteers will organize and present a lesson that will speak to the purpose of the program, current issues participants are facing, and to include engaging activities. Volunteers are subject to a Level II Background Check and Orientation before starting. 

We are constantly seeking toiletry items to donate to our community. We are seeking socks from newborn to adults. Clothing items, underwear, and hygiene products from infant to adults. These items would include toothbrushes, body wash, hair care items and so forth. We are always assisting families with these personal needs.

Only 3% of high-performing, under-resourced students end up in a great first career experience. On our social platform, professionals like you can help change that.

Here's how:

1. Sign up via your computer at my.backrs.com or by downloading the Backrs mobile app from the Apple App or Google Play Stores.

2. Tell us a little about your background and experiences by completing your profile. This takes 5 mins. (Up to 15 if you'd like to give students more details about your hobbies and interests.)

3. We add you to identity-based, regional, university, and career-path Affinity Networks where you can connect with students you're well-positioned to support.

4. In Networks, you can answer students' questions, post resources or job/internship opportunities, and share insights into your college and career journey by responding to Backstage Pass posts. Though each of these actions takes a few minutes, they all have meaningful impacts on young people.

5. If you'd like to play a more involved role in a student's journey, you can join their panel of backrs. This enables you to view their goals, post on their personal feed, schedule Zoom check-ins, and even contribute to their Flourish Fund. It's a great choice for those looking to offer low-lift, relationship-driven support.

Best way to see how convenient and rewarding being a backr really is? Give it a try, commitment-free:

Sign up on your computer: my.backrs.com

Or get the Backrs mobile app: Apple App Store or Google Play Store

Research shows that cross-class relationships are the biggest predictors of social mobility. And financial margin increases the odds of college persistence four-fold.

We partner with schools and youth organizations to recruit committed high school and college students into our community. Then, by removing the barriers the keep well-resourced adults from connecting with under-resourced young people, our technology builds bridges across socioeconomic strata, enabling people like you to empower students like Diego R.

Diego R. joined Backrs so he could pursue his dream of becoming a biomedical engineer. Thanks to his talent, hard work, and the support he's received from his backrs, he's well on his way to making that dream a reality. As he explained:

"My brother was born with Chronic Kidney Disease. He’s the man who gives me the strength to pursue Biomedical Engineering and become an accomplished technician. I strive to make the lives of those who suffer like him better. I want to be the change he needs to be healthy."

All of the students in our community are driven to build a better world; when they're given the resources to do so, everyone around them benefits.

Watch this video to learn more about the difference Backrs makes for students: Kaothara's Experience

Being a great backr isn’t about grand gestures or having all the answers. It’s about the small things: sharing a word of encouragement. Passing along a helpful resource. Making an introduction. These actions make a big difference--take it from some of our current backrs: 

"As a backr, I love the opportunity to support and mentor my three proteges as they grow and develop. I feel grateful to be able to guide and shape their future in a positive way. Through Backrs, I have been able to watch them grow into confident and capable individuals, and it has given me a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I can't put into words. It's made a tremendous difference in my life to see them achieve their goals and know that I played a role in helping them get there."

- Ahmed Dawood, Marketer at Apple

"Backrs gives me an opportunity to utilize my expertise to provide mentoring and support to students. Even though my students are a couple time zones away, I have the flexibility to connect with them on my time and have been dedicated to checking my app weekly at minimum to engage in conversations and answer questions. Its exciting to celebrate their wins and talk about future plans. Mentoring was very impactful in my life so it gives me joy to give back in this way."

- Lori Hunt, College Provost

Sign up for backrs today!

The Position: At Travel Unity, the Partnership & Outreach Manager is a TU representative and liaison with Colleges, Schools, Youth Organizations and Corporates.

The Partnership & Outreach Manager is generally responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with the aforementioned entities. In addition, the Partnership & Outreach Manager has a vital role in ensuring the success of TU Youth Summit as well as the Global Scholars program, by working closely with respective team coordinators.

Responsibilities:

Skills Required:   

At Travel Unity, the People Manager provides direction and oversight on all people-related tasks involving volunteer engagement, new talent, and career development.

The People Manager is generally responsible for creating an volunteer-oriented company culture that emphasizes quality, continuous improvement, volunteer retention and development, and high performance. The People Manager will be working closely with the Y&C Operations Manager, Senior Recruiter, and the Senior Training and Development Coordinator. 

Responsibilities:

Skills Required: 

At Travel Unity, the Youth Programs Marketing Manager is responsible for quality and delivery of all Youth & Collegiate Programs Marketing & Communication activities, leading a team. 

Primary responsibilities will be to create, implement and oversee communications programs, be it internal or external, that effectively describe and promote the organization. This role provides supervision and direction to staff and often works in conjunction with the other departments. 

Responsibilities:

Skills Required: 

Stage Aurora Theatrical Company, Inc., theatre that enlightens, launched its Mainstage of Theatre, Dance, and Music in 2000 under the leadership of Darryl Reuben Hall. Stage Aurora began as an opportunity to provide the underserved community of Jacksonville’s Northside with professional theatre reflecting the Black experience. And now, Stage Aurora works have been performed nationally in various states. We aim to build bridges of understanding between cultures in relation to the human experience.

The Main Stage has produced 200+ productions including Pulitzer Prize Winners The Color Purple, Fences, Driving Miss Daisy, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Piano Lesson; and Tony Award Winners For Colored Girls Who..., Dreamgirls, The Wiz, and A Raisin in the Sun. Other favorites include Steel Magnolias, Crowns, Miss Ever's Boys, Mama, I Want to Sing, and Disney's High School Musical.

Since its inception, most grants that were awarded to Stage Aurora were  written by one person.  Therefore, help in the area of grant writing, is urgently needed and would be highly appreciated.

Ensure families have the food they need. Volunteers are needed to sort, pack and stock donated food items Tuesday-Saturday for distribution to those without food within 19 counties in Northeast Florida. In addition, there are also opportunities to help with their mobile food panty distributions!

You can learn more about United Way's partner, Feeding Northeast Florida, by visiting their website here

If you are interested in volunteering with Feeding Northeast Florida, DO NOT SIGN UP THROUGH THIS PAGE. Instead, please go to the official Feeding Northeast Florida volunteer site at the link below where you will find more information and can view and sign up for shifts:

https://feedingnefl.org/volunteer/

Build a relationship with one of our elementary students by meeting with them weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, Monday - Wednesday, for one hour. This program has a dual focus on academic achievement and social development. Spend sessions getting to know your student and assisting them with their homework. After a portion of academic work is completed, you and your mentee can enjoy educational games and activities that help affirm the importance of academic achievement and build positive relationship skills. Full school year commitment required. 

Mentors are required to complete a 30-45 minute Zoom training with MWYF staff before being matched with a mentee.

Local background check is required.

Program starts in September with training beginning in August.

Please email volunteer@malwashington.com for the Champion Mentor application and with any questions. 

Being a tennis based academic program, our students are required to wear athletic tennis shoes at all times.  We often have a need for kid size shoes sizes 11 kids - 6 kids. 

Please email volunteer@malwashington.com before dropping off or with any questions.

The Circle of Welcome is a co-sponsorship program that invites the community to get involved in Lutheran Social Services’ work of welcoming newcomers.

Co-Sponsorship is a special relationship between a local resettlement agency, a community group, and a refugee family. Co-Sponsors walk alongside and support a refugee family for the first six months in the U.S. and serve as community guides and friends.

The team is made up of at least 6-10 core team members. More than 10, would be considered support team members.

The teams receives training then is linked to an incoming refugee family that is assigned to Lutheran Social Services of NE FL. The case worker and the Co-Sponsorship Coordinator stays in contact with the team throughout their time assigned to the family to provide support and resources when needed. 

The team will commit to 3 hours per week for the first month and at least 2 hours per week for months 2-6 (hours are split between the team members). During that time, they will assist the families in a variety of ways including: housing set up, airport pick up, community orientation, school enrollment, transportation to health appointments, referrals to English class, and more. 

This is a great way to get to know someone from a different culture and make a long lasting impact!

If you have a small group interested or just have questions---> Email Clara.James@LSSJAX.org

For more information, visit https://www.lssjax.org/circleofwelcome 

Be a part of the welcome today!

The High School Expansion Committee Member will develop and maintain relationships with schools Located in Jacksonville and surrounding counties for the purpose of recruiting them to join our network of Schools that are currently partnering with us to empower young women to be grounded spiritually, mentally, physically, and financially through mentorship and education.

Volunteer activities will include collaborating on various projects such as: 

Please visit our website for more information about Girls of Virtue. Please volunteer only if you are able to complete a minimum of 8 hours per month. These hours are a mix of virtual and in person work. 

If you are interested in meeting to discuss this volunteer opportunity, please contact LaShaundra Sawyer at  lashaundra@girlsofvirtue.org. 

*If selected as a committee member, you may be required to undergo a Level II Background Screening. 

An extension of our campus gift shop, the snack cart volunteer takes the lightweight cart around to various locations within the hospital offering snacks for sale to our staff and visitors to our campus. This role is well received and is the perfect way to serve if you are outgoing, active and enjoy interacting with people.

An extension of our hospital gift shop, the volunteer would take out a lightweight cart to various locations around the north campus hospital and offer snacks for sell to staff and visitors to the campus. Ideal role for someone who is outgoing, active and enjoys interacting with people.

This position supports the Regional Volunteer Services department. This is a 100% virtual (volunteer-from-home) opportunity. Screening Team members seek to understand what brought prospective volunteers to the Red Cross, their areas of interest and what position they would find most meaningful. Screeners use their understanding of the volunteer and match it with the needs of the organization, connecting volunteers with positions for which they are both interested and well suited.

Volunteer opportunities available at both Bartram Crossing and University Crossing locations.
Provide residents with meaningful engagement, interaction and support through guided activities and tasks. Support Activities, Nursing, and Therapy departments. Assist in fall prevention and safety measures for cognitively impaired residents

Major Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities:

Onboarding Requirements - Compliance with ACHA

Skills, experience and education

Working to Improve Neighborhoods (WIN) is a male mentoring program for youth ages 6-18 who live in 32208 and 32209. WIN is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. This program teaches conflict resolution strategies, while using basketball as a way to practice those skills.

The vision is for participants to have one-on-one time with a mentor. Mentorship will occur during the WIN Program hours and should be meaningful. Having another voice and point of reference could determine an awesome present and a successful future. Volunteers are subject to a Level II Background Check and Orientation before starting. 

Working to Improve Neighborhoods (WIN) is a male mentoring program for youth ages 6-18 who live in 32208 and 32209. WIN is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. This program teaches conflict resolution strategies, while using basketball as a way to practice those skills.

WIN is looking for coaches, referees, and First Aid assistance. Volunteers are subject to a Level II Background Check and Orientation before starting. 

Working to Improve Neighborhoods (WIN) is a male mentoring program for youth ages 6-18 who live in 32208 and 32209. WIN is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. This program teaches conflict resolution strategies, while using basketball as a way to practice those skills.

The vision is for participants to have access to supports as needed. This includes tutoring and counseling. Volunteers are subject to a Level II Background Check and Orientation before starting. 

Working to Improve Neighborhoods (WIN) is a male mentoring program for youth ages 6-18 who live in 32208 and 32209. WIN is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. This program teaches conflict resolution strategies, while using basketball as a way to practice those skills.

WIN is looking for donations of snacks and drinks to be served when participants attend the program nights. WIN is also looking for assistance with serving and discussing nutritional value, and how food impacts the mind and body. Volunteers are subject to a Level II Background Check and Orientation before starting. 

ADULT DIAPER DRIVE (NORTH RIVERSIDE)

Please be sure to acknowledge the DIY and Kit Projects Volunteer Waiver and follow the directions carefully.

WHAT TO DO:

Assembling Adult Diaper Drive items involves a few simple steps. The kit should include at least three packs of adult diapers. To truly brighten the senior's day, create a card of encouragement to put inside a box; write a positive message, or decorate it with an inspirational image. We recommend using cardstock so that it won't bend during transport. To make the kit extra special, consider decorating the box.

You can find some helpful tips for hosting a drive HERE.

For anyone collecting hours, we will verify one half-hour plus one volunteer hour for every three packs of diapers and a card. 

When finished, contact our project coordinator here to let them know how many items you have and to coordinate drop-offs. Please note: due to the limited staff capacity of our team and our partners, it may take 3-5 days to respond and coordinate delivery.

WHY THIS DRIVE:

The Adult Diaper Drive is one of our (DIY) Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects. DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages and sizes to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more. You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project at the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project. 

Many of our seniors live in our most vulnerable communities, and Jacksonville's Historic Eastside is no exception.  Meeting basic care needs is important to seniors who are still living independently, providing them a measure of control over their lives that is critical to a sense of dignity and self-esteem. Unfortunately, items like adult diapers are often overlooked when community drives are held.

ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and represents the growing number of families who are unable to afford the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology. These workers often struggle to keep their own households from financial ruin, while keeping our local communities running.

It's important to acknowledge the challenges that many individuals and families face in making ends meet. Financial hardships can indeed force people to make difficult decisions to prioritize one necessity over another. Sharing these stories can be a powerful way to raise awareness about the struggles faced by many in our communities.

At United of Northeast Florida, we work to lift the voices of individuals and families whose income exceeds poverty guidelines but falls short of affording a bare-bones household. 

CHANGE BEGINS WITH CONVERSATION! IT IS TIME TO TALK ABOUT IT AND WORK TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS! 

Share your story with us. Please share how you cope with the impossible choices you face daily due to the high cost of essentials and inflation.

In just a few short minutes (4-5), you can share your story to start the conversation of change in Northeast Florida. All you need is a smartphone or computer! For detailed instructions on how to upload your audio or video recording click here. You will receive one volunteer hour upon completion of all the steps.

Thank you for choosing to share your experiences to create a greater understanding of the challenges faced by those living in financial uncertainty and to drive positive change through advocacy and support initiatives.

Task 1- Description: Perform a variety of editorial duties, such as laying out, indexing, and revising content of written materials in preparation for final publication. Oversee production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting and printing. Verify facts, dates, and statistics using reference sources.

Task 2- Description: Interact with members, clients, and volunteers to provide information in response to inquiries about products and services and to handle and resolve complaints. Keep records of customer interactions, transactions, and details of inquiries, complaints, actions taken, e ct.

The main focus is finding beds and mattresses for children and teens, as well as adults.  Providing children and teens with comfortable, supportive beds isn't just about ensuring a good night's sleep—it's about investing in their success. Quality sleep is the cornerstone of physical health, mental well-being, and academic achievement. By offering them a cozy retreat to recharge each night, we empower them to wake up refreshed, ready to conquer the day, and equipped to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

Specifically, we are needing donations of:

For more information on what is needed and to coordinate delivery, contact Joi Jones-McNear by email joi@hecdcjax.org or phone 912-237-1749

For those seeking community service hours, we will award 3 hours per mattress, bedframe, and other important furniture, plus one hour for delivery.  Contact volunteer@unitedwaynefl.org for more information on hours for this need.

Remove leaves from playground, clean/pressure wash equipment

Deep cleaning toys, shelves, surfaces, walls, windows, refrigerators, microwaves, etc.

Deep cleaning toys, shelves, surfaces, walls, windows, refrigerators, microwaves, etc. 

We are a local mental health and community behavioral non-profit organization seeking mental health resources for all ages, backgrounds, and demographics! We host a variety of community events and exposure is key! Families don't know what services are available to them, and we do our best at bridging the gap between families and information! If you have a mental health service or product then we want to know! 

We are in need of general administrative assistance.  Volunteers would help with filing, scanning, sorting inventory, adding donor information to our database and more.  

As a volunteer coordinator assistant you will be helping us with communication about volunteer opportunities and assist us in processing applications, setting up interviews and the general organization of events for which volunteers will be attending. This role will also include making calls and/or writing notes to volunteers thanking them for their time.    

WE need volunteers for on 2nd Tuesday of the month food giveaway and also our last Saturday of the month giveaway.

We are needing help with volunteers for the 2nd Tuesday in each month giveaway. Volunteers need to arrive by 6:30am and be avail until 12pm. please reach out if you are available to help with any 2nd Tuesday from each month,

 ADULT DIAPER DRIVE (EASTSIDE)

Please be sure to acknowledge the DIY and Kit Projects Volunteer Waiver and follow the directions carefully.

WHAT TO DO:

Assembling Adult Diaper Drive items involves a few simple steps. The kit should include at least three packs of adult diapers. To truly brighten the senior's day, create a card of encouragement to put inside a box; write a positive message, or decorate it with an inspirational image. We recommend using cardstock so that it won't bend during transport. To make the kit extra special, consider decorating the box.

You can find some helpful tips for hosting a drive HERE.

For anyone collecting hours, we will verify one half-hour plus one volunteer hour for every three packs of diapers and a card. 

When finished, contact our project coordinator here to let them know how many items you have and to coordinate drop-offs. Please note: due to the limited staff capacity of our team and our partners, it may take 3-5 days to respond and coordinate delivery.

WHY THIS DRIVE:

The Adult Diaper Drive is one of our (DIY) Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects. DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages and sizes to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more. You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project at the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project. 

Many of our seniors live in our most vulnerable communities, and Jacksonville's Historic Eastside is no exception.  Meeting basic care needs is important to seniors who are still living independently, providing them a measure of control over their lives that is critical to a sense of dignity and self-esteem. Unfortunately, items like adult diapers are often overlooked when community drives are held.

We are starting to collect school supplies and back packs for the upcoming school year. We need all the help that we can get.

Do you love writing personal letters and making others feel special? We’re looking for compassionate volunteers to write heartfelt, meaningful letters to brighten the days of seniors in care homes.

WHAT WE DO 

We’re an all-volunteer organization dedicated to sending cheerful, personal, handwritten letters to seniors in aged care facilities. Our writers have delivered joy to elders worldwide since April 2020!

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH US?

HOW IT WORKS

*Students requesting official documentation for community service credit should review our Community Service Guidelines and then complete our Registration Form. You’ll work 1:1 with a member of our Student Liaison Team. You will be asked to submit photos of your work for verification. We award one hour of community service credit for every four letters written & sent that meet our guidelines.

Here are some sample letters from fellow Floridians. You'll find more ideas and examples on our website:

Are you passionate about keeping our community spaces clean and beautiful? The Hub at Kings Road needs your help! We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us for a weed-pulling extravaganza.

The HUB is a Community Resource Center that was created to Help, Uplift individuals to Become: empowered, engaged, productive and contributors of their community.  They provide afterschool and summer camp for school aged children in the community.

When: Up to you; please contact us with your availability 
Where: The Hub at Kings Road
What to Bring: Gardening gloves, a hat and/or sunscreen, and a smile!

By volunteering, you'll be helping to maintain a welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy. Plus, it's a great way to get some fresh air, and give back to the community.

No experience necessary—just a willingness to get your hands a little dirty! We'll provide all the tools and guidance you need.

We seek compassionate individuals aged 55 and older who take pleasure in visiting homebound seniors for light activities such as conversation, watching their favorite TV show, sitting on the porch, or sharing a meal for a few hours a few days each week. The aim is to provide primary caregivers with time for self-care. Volunteers are required to pass a Level II background check and complete pre-service training prior to being matched with a senior.

CIS works hard to ensure students have all their needs met in order to succeed in school and in life. The truth is that many of our students rely on items we supply for school supplies, hygiene items, food, and basic needs items such as socks, underwear, and clothing. Organizing a Drive Work with friends, co-workers, or an organization to collect items based on student's needs helps us ensure all students have what they need to be successful. 

How does it work?

Once you register our volunteer coordinator will contact you to discuss the specifics of how to ensure your drive is successful.

Ideas of some of our most-needed items include:

Hygiene items:

School supplies:

Gift cards:

Clothes:

If you/your organization is interested in coordinating a drive, please connect with us! 

Want to get involved with CIS but not sure how you fit in? Or do you have something in mind that is not listed on our website?

At CIS we value our community members and their interest in pouring into the students in the Jacksonville area. We want to make sure your volunteer experience is impactful, successful, and memorable. We will reach out to to discuss and ultimately place you in the opportunity that is best for you or even create a new, unique volunteer opportunity together!

General Notes:

The Meet ALICE Experience is designed to help participants understand what it might be like to live in a typical low-income family trying to survive from month to month. It is a simulation, not a game! The objective is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people. 

 Here’s how the Experience works:

What will volunteers do? 

During a simulation, we use volunteers to role-play as community agencies such as child care centers, social services, utilities, interfaith services, sheriff and more. We are seeking individuals to join a pool of volunteers who can take on one of these essential roles during upcoming simulations that fit into your schedule. As a member of the Meet ALICE Experience Corps, you will come to be experts in helping us spread awareness of ALICE and make strides to alleviate poverty, while still having the flexibility to join the events with days/times that work for you. 

CONFIDENCE KITS

Please be sure to acknowledge the DIY and Kit Projects Volunteer Waiver and follow the directions carefully.

WHAT TO DO:

Download the instructions for making confidence kits HERE.

You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project to the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self-log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project.

If you would like to hold a drive, you can find some helpful tips HERE.

For those that require service hours, one half-hour plus one hour for every two complete Confidence Kits with a card will be given to one participant. 

Kits must contain EVERY item listed and be in a decorated bag with a decorated card to receive full service hours.

When finished, contact our project coordinator here to let them know how many kits you have and to coordinate drop-offs. Please note: due to the limited staff capacity of our team and our partners, it may take 3-5 days to respond and coordinate delivery.

WHY THIS KIT:

Increasingly, many children in grades kindergarten to high school, as well as adults, are in households that struggle financially and do not have regular access to food and basic hygiene products. Feminine products are ineligible for coverage under food stamps and SNAP benefits, contributing to what is called “period poverty”. In the US, nearly 1 in 5 girls have missed school because they lack access to feminine hygiene products, which leads to embarrassment and lack of self-esteem.

If a girl has to stay home every time she has her period, she will fall behind her classmates by 145 days. Consistent school absences lead to a drop in grades and performance, which will have lasting repercussions in these student’s lives. By providing these critical health items, these girls will have one less thing to worry about and be able to focus on what is really important – their education

The is one of our DIY (Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects). DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages and sizes to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more.

Kits will be dispersed to our Full Service Schools network to be distributed to students or through other non-profit partner agencies that serve the homeless or veteran populations.

Are you someone who loves writing thoughtful, upbeat letters? Want to volunteer from wherever you live, work, or play?

Turn your small talk into connection. A simple, sincere letter can brighten a senior’s day more than you know.

Join Letters Against Isolation, a volunteer-run project bringing joy to seniors in aged care homes and programs across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia. Since 2020, our volunteers have mailed over one million cheerful, one-of-a-kind handwritten letters in dozens of languages!

This is not a pen pal or greeting card program. Your words are what matter most!

Visit lettersagainstisolation.com and choose your option from the top of the page:

Check out our FAQ for details on mailing, group participation, service hours, and more.

Want to see what our volunteers write? Here are a few examples:

PERSONAL CARE KITS

Please be sure to acknowledge the DIY and Kits Project Waiver, and follow the directions carefully.

WHAT TO DO:

Please download a guide with directions for making personal care kits HERE

You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project to the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self-log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project.

For anyone collecting hours, we will verify one half-hour plus one hour for every two kits with card created. These hours are capped at 10.5 hours for one participant.

EXTRA: You may create kid-friendly kits by adding in a small toy, activity, game, etc.

Holding a Drive:
Can't make kits? Holding a drive for these same personal care items can also help alleviate the needs in Duval County Public Schools! You can download an instructional document HERE , including discussion questions and tips for holding a drive.

Please download a guide with a list of suggested items HERE. Full-size or items over 3 oz are greatly appreciated. Hotel-sized shampoos are not as useful for students, but can be donated to partner homeless shelters.

For anyone needing service hours, we will verify one hour for every 15 items donated, plus 1/2 hour for transporting the items. One item counts as each package donated: one can of soup is one item and a six-count package of apple sauce is one item.

More helpful tips for completing DIY projects can be found HERE.

Kits must contain EVERY item listed and be in a decorated bag with a decorated card to receive full service hours.

When finished, contact our project coordinator here to let them know how many kits you have and to coordinate drop-offs. Please note: due to the limited staff capacity of our team and our partners, it may take 3-5 days to respond and coordinate delivery.

WHY THIS KIT:

DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages and sizes to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more. Purchasing items or hosting a drive and assembling personal care kits are a critical way volunteers can address a real community need individually or as a group, family, school or neighborhood. Kits will be dispersed to our Full Service School network to be distributed to students or through other non-profit partner agencies who serve the homeless or veteran population. 

Fostering Connections is in need of volunteers to assist with check in & crafts at our bimonthly Foster/Adoptive Family Meet Ups for foster and adoptive families at Myrtle Ave Brewing's outdoor family patio area.

Our Foster/Adoptive Family Meet Ups are social events that bring foster and adoptive families together for an evening of dinner, activities, and community building.

Check In Volunteer duties include:

-Help check in families.

-Give meal tickets to families.

Craft duties include:

Interact with families while teaching them how to make a themed craft (materials provided)

Notify supervisor and/or parent of any concerns.

Meet Ups are held bimonthly September-June (No Meet Up in May due to graduations). One volunteer for crafts and two volunteers are needed for check in each event.

All volunteers must complete a volunteer application and background screening in order to volunteer at this event.

READ USA Volunteers

School Supply Kits is one of our (DIY) Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects. DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more. You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project to the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project. Once you have responded to this need, you will be contacted by our project coordinator. 

Purchasing or collecting school supplies is a great way to support the work that we do through our school partners such as Lutheran Social Services. School supplies are needed year-round, not only at the beginning of the school year. We invite to you participate n this DIY Project by collecting supplies on your own or through a drive. You can download a list of the most requested supply items here.

You will earn service hours as you do it! We will offer one half-hour plus one hour of service for every 15 items collected and delivered for one participant.  Please email volunteer@uwnefl.org with pictures of your items prior to drop off to receive service hours.

To coordinate drop off directly with Lutheran Social Services, please call (904) 448-5995. If you have further questions please contact our program coordinator HERE

Volunteers will assist with the daily operational tasks that ensure the smooth functioning of READ USA. This role supports our teams with managing inventory, organizing supplies, and helping with the movement of materials. Volunteer will also assist with clerical tasks in the office.

The Sanctuary on 8th Street is an enriching, affirming environment for youth living in the Springfield neighborhood. We are searching for volunteers to assist with our after-school program, which includes homework time, reading buddies, and free play.

Want to make a difference for students in need? We could use some volunteer drivers to deliver care packages (bags containing school uniforms,hygiene products etc) to various school campuses throughout the county. Due to the high volume of referrals and limited school staffing, we need these packages delivered as soon as possible in order to provide these items to the appropriate students.

**We have separated the deliveries into different regions of the county. Feel free to choose what area you would like to deliver in. 

We're looking for creative volunteers to help us prep for one of our favorite lessons—Dada Collage Poetry! This project is perfect for anyone who loves flipping through magazines and making a little mess for a good cause.

What we need: Cut out eyes, ears, noses, and lips from magazines (at least 1.5 inches each or about the size of a quarter). Please separate by gender and label clearly.

Where to send them: Hope at Hand, Inc. 3886 Atlantic Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32207

Want to earn volunteer hours? ✔️ Yes, you can! You'll receive 1 volunteer hour for every 25 facial features you cut and send in, up to 4 hours total.

You must register for this opportunity through United Way. If you don’t have an account, you can create a free one. Within 1–3 days of registering, you’ll receive a welcome email from our staff. (Check your Spam folder if you don’t see it.)

We will be opening up a food pantry in a local school.  We are asking for any donations of food for the children for snacks and most of the families of the students who may be in need of groceries.