In Richmond Volunteer Opportunities
Area Congregations Together in Service (ACTS)
Second Presbyterian supports a number of Richmond area agencies and programs with our financial resources and through the time and talents of our members. These programs address the needs of our most vulnerable populations in Richmond. This list describes the many volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups – some are ongoing commitments and others are one-time projects. Learn more about these opportunities and if interested in getting involved, make the contact.
Mission: This inter-faith group provides financial support to Greater Richmond area residents to keep them stably housed and to prevent homelessness.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals: Assist with intake interviews; perform client follow-up contacts; perform general office work
Volunteer contact: Peggy Tucker ptucker@actsva.org
Boaz & Ruth
Mission: To rebuild lives and communities through relationships, transitional jobs, training, and economic revitalization. Anchored by a used furniture store and training center in the Highland Park neighborhood, the organization addresses the holistic needs of ex-offenders. Boaz & Ruth provides training to help these individuals re-enter society; rebuilds the community’s commercial life; and connects people who have long been separated by mistrust and racial tension.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals: Mentoring, provide office support, donate home furnishings or used clothing, shop at Harvest Stores, patronize Firehouse 15 Café, participate in Long Walk to Freedom, September 26
Volunteer opportunities for groups: Participate in Long Walk to Freedom, September 26
Volunteer contact: Martha Rollins martha@boazandruth.com
CARITAS
Mission: An interfaith-sponsored shelter program for single adults and families, seeking to empower those who strive for housing independence. People of all ages can participate in volunteer activity.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals: Cook; serve food and eat with our guests; clean up; prepare bag lunches; set up the Hawes Building area and dismantle it; spend the night with guests; prepare breakfast; and distribute bag lunches. In addition, Caritas is always in need of feminine hygiene products, pillows, twin bed sheets and blankets.
Volunteer opportunities for groups: Prepare dinner or bag lunches.
Volunteer contact: Dave Harrell
CrossOver Ministry
Mission: Provides health care to the uninsured in metropolitan Richmond. In addition, the organization promotes wellness and connects the talents and resources of the community with people in need. Established in 1983, CrossOver offers health care services ranging from family medicine to obstetrics and pediatrics. CrossOver operates a network of three free clinics in Richmond, serving more than 5,200 individuals annually.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals: In need of volunteer services from physicians, dentists, hygienists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, counselors. Also needed is administrative and clerical support.
Volunteer opportunities for groups: Coordinate drive for donations of over-the-counter medications, school supplies, oral hygiene kits, and prepare meals for Lay Health Promoter Classes.
Volunteer contact: Lyn Harding lharding@crossoverministry.org or 233 5016 extension 101.
Daily Planet
Mission: To provide a wide scope of health and human welfare services including respite and convalescent care for the homeless and uninsured. The Planet operates the only freestanding health care center in the area, providing primary medical, behavioral health, vision, and dental care.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals: To prepare and deliver meals to the Daily Planet; deliver clothes, dry cereal, detergents, arts and crafts, duffel bags, and sleeping bags; supply GRTC bus ticketsVolunteer opportunities for groups: Prepare a meal for residents in the medical respite and safe haven programs.
Volunteer contact: Susan Sekerke susan@dailyplanetva.org
Freedom House
Mission: Provides breakfast and dinner to the homeless and working class at the Conrad Center; provides a stable environment at The Community Shelter where residents can address the issues leading to their homelessness and set goals for a better future; offers advanced transitional housing at Sean’s Place for self-sufficient individuals who are farther along in their recovery
Volunteer opportunities for individuals: Build new wooden trunks for residents to store personal items; assist with special projects and organizing drives to collect needed items
Volunteer opportunities for groups: Prepare and serve dinners at the Conrad Center and Community Shelter.
Volunteer contact: Christy Ellis cellis@freedomhouserichmond.org
The Healing Place
Mission: To reach the homeless, to offer recovery for the addicted, and to help restore productive lives. The Healing Place serves homeless men in Richmond by providing overnight shelter, even for those under the influence of drugs or alcohol; a licensed social detox center in a safe and secure place; and a residential recovery program lasting 9-14 months.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals: pick up food and supplies, data entry, legal assistance for clients in transition, personal finance training, job training/placement for clients. In addition, THP is always in need of personal care items such as towels, washcloths, twin sheets, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and clothing (especially larger sizes and shoes).
Volunteer opportunities for groups: Coordinate a drive for personal care items or coordinate pick up of food and supplies.
Volunteer contact: Al Jackson ajackson@thprichmond.org
Home Again
Mission: Provides emergency and transitional shelter, plus support programs designed to help homeless people build skills leading to greater self-sufficiency. HomeAgain operates two 90-day emergency programs, The Espigh Family Shelter for women and children and the Men’s Emergency shelter.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals: Entertain children with crafts and games; serve dinner.Volunteer opportunities for groups: Host a drive to collect games for children, hot and cold cereal for residents, pillows, blankets, baby items, school supplies, and winter coats. Prepare a monthly meal. Adopt a room in the shelter.
First Annual 5K Run/Walk Event – “Homelessness Takes a Hike!”
Save The Date and join us in this exciting event on Saturday, November 6, 2010.
The 5K will be held at the Lake Innsbrook Picnic Area and will feature prizes,
food,fun, and a kids zone!
Volunteer contact: Ly Hayes lhayes@homeagainrichmond.org
World Pediatric Project
WPP is a Richmond based non-profit that sends surgical teams to South American countries to perform needed opertations for children that cannot be done by the medical personnel there and also brings children to Richmond for advanced diagnostics and treatment. Second Presbyterian is just about four blocks from the Hospital Hospitality House where patients and their families stay and it is our great joy to be able to visit with them there and to take those who are able out to enjoy the city and bring them to church. We seek to make their time in Richmond warm and welcoming.
Our Church has been sponsoring a child through the World Pediatric Project. Her name is Jamelia and she and her mother, Jody Ann, have captured our hearts. They are from Jamaica where doctors were unable to diagnose Jamelia’s heart problems. The doctors here have done a thorough study of her heart and have decided not to do surgery, as medications are indicated as the best solution for her particular problems. It has been our great joy as a congregation to help host this family and our love and prayers go with them as they return home.
Volunteer Contact: Traecy 282-8830
Micah Tutoring Project
Mission: Working with other faith communities in the city, Second Church members and friends provide tutoring in math and reading at Chimborazo Elementary School in Church Hill. Tutoring begins toward the end of October after students have completed testing at the beginning of the semester, and continues through the school year.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals: Serve one hour per week during school year as a Math Buddy (3rd through 5th grades) or Book Pal (1st grade).
Volunteer contact: Ele Bigger, 804 323 5803
Second Presbyterian Child Care Center
Mission: Housed at Second Presbyterian Church and provided with church support as an outreach to the community, the center provides quality, experiential day care for children of all races, cultures, and levels of household income. The Center was started in 1976 and was one of the first non-profit child care centers licensed in the Richmond area.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals: Read to the children at noon for 15 minutes
Volunteer contact: Eboni Brickhouse, 804 649 0152
Assisting Families of Inmates
Mission: AFOI seeks to prevent the breakdown of relationships between inmates and their families by providing regular, meaningful visitation, support, and education services. The organization provides transportation to 15 correctional centers for hundreds of Richmond area families, enabling them to maintain relationships with incarcerated loved ones.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals: Help with Saturday morning bus transportation; registration for buses; help with video visitation on Saturdays and Sundays; serve on the organization’s board.
Volunteer opportunities for groups: Prepare a meal on Saturday afternoons for the families when they return to the church from their trips.
Volunteer contact: Fran Bolin, 804 643 2401
Walk-In Ministry
Mission: For more than 30 years, we have provided lunch on Mondays at Second Presbyterian Church to homeless people and others in need. The meal is prepared and served by more than 50 members of our church. This hospitality mission includes other churches that alternate in sending teams to Second Presbyterian to prepare and serve the meals.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals: Register guests as they arrive; prepare and serve lunch; serve drinks; share meals with our guests.
Volunteer contact: Elva Mapp eamapp@aol.com
