volunteer!

In her informative article, Shani Grounds compiles a list of summer volunteer opportunities available in Grants Pass.

Summer Volunteer Opportunities Available

By Shani Grounds

With the end of the school year approaching, many students might not know what to do with so much free time. Why not spend some of that time helping out the community? It may be difficult to find opportunities due to COVID-19, but there are a variety of opportunities available in Grants Pass to get involved in the community and help build up college applications, such as the Josephine County Food Bank, Women’s Crisis Support Team, and more. Remember to keep track of volunteer hours, including the date of the service completed and the number of hours in service, as this will be especially useful for applying for scholarships.

Josephine County food bank

⅙ of Josephine County’s population is struggling with food insecurity. Students can easily serve the county through Josephine County Food Bank’s newest program: The Food Project. The job for neighborhood coordinators is to knock on neighbor’s doors and ask if they would like to be food donors, stay in touch with the food donors by email or text, and to collect the food on pickup day and bring it to the food bank. The Food Project makes this process very simple and easy!

Being a Neighborhood Coordinator only takes a few hours a month. If neighborhood coordinators want more volunteer hours, then they have the freedom to exceed a few hours. It is also a very fast and easy way to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

Of course, the Josephine County Food Bank has other volunteer opportunities if students dislike the idea of going to others’ doors. To get started, go to https://www.jocofoodbank.org/make-an-impact for the volunteer application and/or to check out other opportunities available.

Women's crisis support team

Women’s Crisis Support Team helps more than 100 families every month in Southern Oregon escape from violence by providing safe shelter, information, and other resources. WCST is always looking for new volunteers. Volunteers could be assisting in intervention services, such as answering the 24-hour crisis line, working as shelter support, and assisting in their office. WCST is very flexible in regards to scheduling, so they will be happy to work around a volunteer’s schedule.

If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunitieas listed above, please visit the WCST website for more information: http://www.wcstjoco.org/get-involved.html

Boys & girls clubs of the rogue valley

Since 1970, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley has served thousands of children in Southern Oregon through programs such as clubs, team sports, and alternative learning centers. Possible volunteer opportunities include helping children with homework, assisting in sports and recreational activities, performing arts, arts and crafts, games room, tech lab, teen room, and more. Boys & Girls Clubs also have a program called the Mentoring Program. If volunteers are more passionate about working with children and are able to demonstrate enthusiasm about keeping kids safe and helping them succeed, then there is an opportunity available to become a mentor. For more information, please visit Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley’s website: https://begreat4kids.com/ways-to-give/volunteer

other volunteer opportunities

There are countless other opportunities to volunteer for the community that do not require an application. Some examples include:

Yard work for a neighbor - this could include pulling weeds, mowing lawn, etc.
Litter cleanup - this could be in your neighborhood, along highways, at parks, etc.
Pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor or run other errands for them
Walk dog for elderly neighbor
Write encouraging letters to members of the community - this could be as simple as writing to a grocery store worker you appreciate
Tutoring - this could be a friend, younger sibling, etc.

useful links

Here are a few useful links to websites that may offer more local volunteer opportunities:

GPHS's Career Center website -https://sites.google.com/grantspass.k12.or.us/collegecareercenter/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities?authuser=0
VolunteerMatch - https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/orgs.jspr=10.0&l=Grants+Pass%2C+OR+97526%2C+USA’
Dosomething.org - https://www.dosomething.org/us
Great Nonprofits - https://greatnonprofits.org/city/grants-pass/OR

Service clubs at Gphs

To those students who are interested in joining a service club next year, please check out this list of clubs and organizations available at Grants Pass High School down below. Students involved in these organizations will receive more opportunities to volunteer, and have fun along the way!

NOTE: Please keep in mind that this information was taken from the Grants Pass High School website and may not be up to date with current changes.

Environmental Action Club - The Environmental Action Club is a group of environmentally concerned students and staff. We meet to discuss ways that we can improve our environment, both locally and globally. Our activities include increasing recycling, on campus, letter-writing campaigns, recycling education, and river and beach clean-ups. The advisors of this club are Mickey Jarvis and Debra Berg. Visit room 311 if interested.
Interact Club - Interact club is a service organization connected with the Rotary for high school students, which draws its membership from the student body. Interact club’s objective is the development of innovative leadership ability and good citizenship practices. Much of the club’s activities involve local community service. In addition, the club also fundraises for International projects. Interact Club functions on a local, district and international level. Interact club is open to anyone who wants to “give back” and have fun in the process. The advisor of this club is Dianne Mackin. Visit room 203 if interested.
Key Club - Key Club is an international student-led community service organization that has been utilizing the ever-creative minds of kids to help serve their communities since 1925. In partnership with the Kiwanis Organization, every single individual key club, and every single key club member, in the United States, Canada, and about thirty other countries, puts forth their best effort to aid their homes, schools, and communities. Key Clubs compose a well-rounded organization that aids anyone in need while creating and developing competent, capable, and caring leaders through the vehicle of service. Everyone is welcome to join this club for an unforgettable experience, in which character is built, leadership skills are established, friendships are made, and service is conducted for the benefit of others. For those of you, who want to help anyone and everyone, this is the club for you. The advisor of this club is Mr. Gross. Visit room 214 if interested.
Z Club - Leaders needed! Join the youth movement for gender equity and ending violence of all kinds! Z Club is an international leadership, service, and advocacy organization for high school students. The Z Club is sponsored by the local Zonta Club of Grants Pass. Students in Z Club believe that young people are critical to achieving gender equity and ending violence against women and girls around the world. Z Club members can expect to develop communication and leadership skills, explore career alternatives, and increase their international awareness and understanding through service. Scholarships are also available to Z Club members. The advisor of this club is Fawn Perry. Visit room 400 if interested.
Leadership - Composed of both elected officers and volunteers, this group plans much of the student activities for the year. Major dances, pep assemblies, student recognition, teacher recognition, spirit activities, and community service programs such as the Sparrow program are some of the things that fill their calendar. ASB and Class Officers are elected in May for the sophomore-senior class. Freshman officers are elected in September on the first day of school. ASB and Class Officers include President, Vice President and Secretary. The advisors of this organization are Aaron Matthews and Corey Ely.
National Honor Society - NHS is a service-based organization. Membership is extended to eligible students (sophomores, juniors and select seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher) in the spring of each year. Additional considerations for membership include students showing a commitment to community service and leadership while possessing a strong character. The advisors of this organization are Elaine Rozell and Brandi Wright.

Page updated

Report abuse