Fort Collins Volunteer Opportunities

Contact: Lynda Nielsen, Director
970-669-5150

Alternatives to Violence, Inc. is committed to the intervention, education and prevention of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes by offering services to male and female victims of all ages, their families and support systems. Programs and services include various support groups (women, children, teen sexual assault, dating violence), Transitional Living Center of Larimer County, Child and Adolescent Counseling Services and Adult Counseling Services. A number of volunteer opportunities are available including:

• Group facilitators - responsible facilitators may lead group discussion on numerous issues such as dating violence, healthy relationships, sexual harassment, conflict resolution, anger management, etc.
• On-call advocate - help to provide referrals and other information during crisis situations
• Office assistant - providing general office support such as answering phones, filing, mailing, etc.
• Fundraising/marketing committees - help to organize numerous fundraising events
• Board of Directors - Help with oversight of ATV and its operations

Contact: Monica Howell, Volunteer Coordinator
(970) 226-5728
http://www.coloradoredcross.org/

The American Red Cross provides emergency relief through a variety of ways. Volunteer opportunities include:

• Volunteer Instructors - teach First Aid & CPR, Babysitter Training, HIV/AIDS Basics and Pet First Aid courses evenings or on weekends
• Transportation Services - drive Red Cross vehicles to take people to and from medical appointments
• Disaster Services - provide immediate and essential assistance to disaster victims and responders. Training is provided
• Office Support - assist various departments and branches with office duties

Contact: Gail Barrera, Volunteer Coordinator
970-484-5010
http://www.verinet.com/~ccnlc/

Catholic Charities Northern is part of the Archdiocese of Denver. They operate numerous programs including Elderly Services, Northern Colorado Social Legislation Network, The Hope Job Bank, and The Mission. Direct service opportunities include:

• Bread Baking - The Mission has sold its fresh baked bread as one of its more successful fundraisers for 5 years. Volunteers may come in and prepare bread that is sold to local retailers.
• Serve Dinner at the Mission
• Evening Childcare at the Mission
• Elderly Outreach Program- help seniors in Larimer and Weld counties with transportation, interpreting, filling out forms, telephone companions, respite and education.

This organization will help place you in a volunteer opportunity per your needs.

Contact: Rusty Collins, Director
970-484-7498

Neighbor to Neighbor, located in Ft. Collins and Loveland, provides comprehensive housing counseling and related services to families and individuals throughout Larimer County. Some of the programs offered include comprehensive rental counseling and assistance in locating affordable housing, comprehensive mortgage counseling and homebuying education, transitional housing for families to promote self-sufficiency and homeless prevention. Volunteer are needed for a number of tasks including the following:

• Volunteer Development programming for 20-30 sustained volunteers
• Marketing and PR including development of a marketing plan
• Accounting assistance including helping clients with financial planning
• Special Events Planning
• Direct Service - helping to clean and maintain properties

Contact: Jan Wilson, Volunteer Coordinator
970-224-4302

Open Door Mission provides services to the homeless and others in need in Ft. Collins. Among the services provided are meals, food baskets, clothing, household items, drug and alcohol addiction counseling, housing and job assistance. Volunteers may help in the following:

• Serve meals - dinner is serviced at 5:00 PM and is available to anyone in the community who is hungry
• Clean, sort and distribute household items and clothing to be distributed
• Distribute food baskets
• The Family Thrift Store - collect, sell and provide assistance to customers
• Housing - help check in clients who will stay at the mission

Contact: Gretchen Brokamp, Office Manager/Bookkeeper
970-484-7123
http://www.partnersmentoringyouth.org

Partners Mentoring Youth creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal, social and academic lives. Currently, Partners has 70 youth waiting to be matched with mentors based on common interests. Mentors must be at least 20 years old and be willing to spend three hours a week with their partner over the course of a year. Male mentors are especially needed!

General office assistance will also be needed 10-20 hours per week, Monday - Friday 8:30-5:00. Contact Gretchen Brokamp for more information.

Contact: Linda Ekblad, Director
970-407-7066
http://www.firstcall-vc.org

The Volunteer Center provides information on various volunteer opportunities throughout Larimer County. The Center serves as a clearinghouse for information and referrals for various health and human services organizations in Northern Colorado.

Contact: Janet Dorr, Volunteer Coordinator
970-353-4300
E-Mail: uwwc@ctos.com

The organization serves as a clearinghouse of information about service agencies in Weld County and surrounding areas.