Make A New Yearâs Resolution To Volunteer
At the start of each new year, people make a list of things they are going to do to improve their lives. We say we are going to eat less and work out more. Think about making resolutions that will not only help you, but help your community. Volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Or if your time is really in short supply, maybe you can donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need. In addition to our local schools, synagogues and churches, hereâs a sampling of some other local, non-profit organizations that are in need of volunteers, financial contributions and/or miscellaneous donations.
ADOPT-A-STREAM PROGRAM
(Watershed Stewardship Program)
This Cobb County program provides participants the opportunity to learn about the watershed they live in with a variety of programs designed to help people learn how to improve local water quality through hands-on activities for all ages. Free.
www.watershed.cobbcountyga.gov
AMERICAN RED CROSS
770-528-8215
Provides care to those in need. A network of generous donors, volunteers and employees who share a mission of preventing and relieving suffering.
2145 Roswell Road, Suite 250 Marietta, GA 30062
www.redcross.org
COBB COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
770-578-1977
Promotes philanthropy to create and support a vital and caring community. It builds a collection of endowment funds and distributes the proceeds to nonprofit organizations that serve the communityâs members.
Tommy Allegood, Executive Director Cobb Chamber-240 Interstate North Parkway Atlanta, GA 30339
www.cobbfoundation.com
770-859-2329
COBB COUNTY JUVENILE COURT â CITIZEN PANEL REVIEW
A volunteer supported program tasked with reviewing foster care cases.
Joshua Weeks
www.cobbcountyga.gov
770-528-2284
COBB COUNTY JUVENILE COURT SPECIAL ADVOCATE
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained community volunteer appointed by a juvenile court judge to speak up for the best interest of an abused or neglected child involved in a juvenile court proceeding.
Carlene Redmond
www.cobbcountyga.gov
770-528-2285
COBB COUNTY JUVENILE COURT YOUTH DIVERSION PROGRAM
This program is for first offenders with minor offenses. These juveniles are given the opportunity to appear before a panel of community volunteers instead of a judge.
Rita Evans
www.cobbcountyga.gov
COBB COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
770-528-2243
Help needed with shelving and straightening paperbacks and periodicals as well as other opportunities listed on website.
Alexandra Beswick , Central Library Manager
www.cobbcat.org
COBB LITERACY COUNCIL
770-528-2330
Needs tutors for GED as well as administrative help.
Donna Frankovsky
www.cobbworks.org
THE EXTENSION
770-528-8094
A Marietta residential recovery program for the homeless. Needs volunteers to plan, prepare and serve meals.
Tyler Driver, Executive Director & Volunteer Coordinator 1507 Church Street (Menâs Extension)
Marietta, GA 30060
130 Holiday Street (Womenâs Extension)
Marietta, GA 30060
www.theextension.org
FOSTER CARE SUPPORT FOUNDATION
770-590-9075 x301
Helps abused and neglected children experience a kinder side of daily life while in their foster care home. Volunteers needed to help in the distribution center and the resale shop. 115 Mansell Place
Roswell, GA 30076
www.fostercares.org
FRIENDS FOR THE EAST COBB PARK
770-641-9591
Volunteers needed to maintain and make improvements for the only passive park in East Cobb County. Volunteers also needed for special events.
Amber Harris, President www.eastcobbpark.org president@eastcobbpark.org
DO GOOD GUIDE
Walton App Development and Software Programming Club Members Inspire Brumby Students
By EJ Ozyazgan
Most high schoolers spend their Thursday evenings crouched over books or in front of laptop screens, studying for school assessments the next day. For students from Walton App Development and Software Programming Club (WASP), Thursday evenings mean taking part in their favorite project of helping others learn. Every week, WASP members travel to Brumby Elementary School to teach computer programming. WASP members aim to create an interest for computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) in children from all backgrounds.
WASP focuses on inspiring students to learn more about computer programming. More than thirty high school students from Walton High School convene during Friday afterschool meetings and collaborate on projects that use Java, a universal computer programming. Members work on projects at basic and advanced levels, also learning about writing their own Android smartphone apps or computer games.
The success of creating a collaborative computer science environment at the high school level encouraged the clubâs founder, Sanket Mehta, to look beyond Walton High School. âWeâve always been encouraged by parents and teachers to do whatever we love. We wanted to help other parts of the community by enabling students to explore new ideas,â Mehta said. To achieve this goal of promoting STEM awareness, WASP teamed with Brumby Elementary Schoolâs afterschool program to hold basic Java classes for third, fourth, and fifth graders on Thursdays. âThey were very supportive. From logistics to paperwork, the Brumby staff backed us all the way,â states Mehta. The purpose of these classes is two-fold: first, to give children the skills to succeed in computer classes in middle school and high school, and second, to spark an interest in STEM that they will keep throughout their lives. Many students at Brumby lack the resources to explore STEM on their own time. For these students, WASP is a gateway into the world of scientific learning and exploration, an increasingly important field in modern society.
WASP club members have to ensure their lesson plans are interesting enough to keep the childrenâs attention. In order to do this, WASP members also use Scratch, a tool developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Scratch allows students to program a kittenâs behavior by simply dragging and dropping code blocks. WASP members help draw relations between the text students type in Java and the blocks students play with in Scratch, so that it is easier for elementary school students to understand programming. âWe donât want to confuse them or turn them off to computer science. Finding the right balance between graphics and Java is key,â said Mr. Hubbard, the Walton High School teacher who sponsors WASP.
WASPâs efforts to encourage students from underprivileged areas to explore STEM have been successful. Students at Brumby know how to write their own operation programs, print information onto the computer screen, and store information in different types of variables. Over the next few months, WASP hopes to expand its programs at other local schools and continue promoting STEM education in the Cobb community.
EJ Ozyazgan is a Junior at Walton High School. He is a member of the Walton App Development and Software Programming Club.
s Sanket Mehta, founder and co-President of WASP, shows Brumby students how to compile the Java program.
GEORGIA AARP TAX-AIDE
Can Help You Help Others DO GOOD GUIDE
Seeks volunteers for tax counseling service between mid-January and April 15. www.aarp.org
1-888-687-2277
GIRLS INC. OF COBB COUNTY
Provides programs to promote self-esteem in young women. Seeks people to donate time and skills working with girls in an activity or class such as arts and crafts, computer training, sports, aerobics, and tutoring.
Molly Friesenborg, Manager of Center Programs 461 Manget Street
Marietta, GA 30060
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF COBB - MARIETTA
770-422-0999
Organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of members and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. 505 Kennesaw Avenue Marietta, GA 30060
www.jlcm.org
770-422-5266
MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF GEORGIA AND ALABAMA
Grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. The Foundation needs office volunteers, fundraisers and wish granters.
Kimberly Benjamin, Volunteer Manager 1775 The Exchange SE, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30339
www.georgia.wish.org
MEALS ON WHEELS
770-916-WISH (9474)
Volunteers needed. Volunteers also serve as a link of information between the client and caseworker. Shelia Perkins, Volunteer & Advocacy Coordinator www.cobbcountyga.gov
770-528-5381
MINISTRIES UNITED FOR SERVICE AND TRAINING (MUST)
Since 1972, MUST has provided services to the poor and homeless in Cobb and Cherokee Counties. Tiffany Cooper, Volunteer Coordinator volunteers@mustminitstries.org 1407 Cobb Parkway Marietta, GA 30061 www.mustministries.org
770-427-9862
NORTHWEST METRO ATLANTA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Strives to eliminate sub-standard housing in Cobb County through new home construction and existing home renovation. Also offers zero-interest loans.
Lisa Kennemore, Volunteer Coordinator & Executive Assitstant 1625 Spring Road
Smyrna, GA 30080
www.nwmetroatlantahabitat.org 770-432-7954 x100
Whatâs your excuse for not getting involved? Not enough time? No skills or experience you think could help anyone? Nothing nearby? If you had information on thousands of non-profit agencies looking for volunteers anywhere nationwide and also were able to choose how much time to spend, the type of cause you want to support, and set your own hours for volunteering, it would be hard to find a reason not to volunteer, wouldnât it?
No more excuses. Whether you can spend 10 hours, a week or 10 minutes; whether you want to support the arts, the environment or social issues, there are thousands of opportunities waiting on VolunteerMatch.
VolunteerMatch is a non-profit website that serves as a clearinghouse for organizations needing individuals to volunteer and volunteers looking for organizations that can use their skills and experience. To date, nearly 20,000 non-profit and tax-exempt organizations have received more than 700,000 volunteer referrals through the site.
Any non-profit or tax-exempt organization can list an unlimited number of volunteer opportunities on VolunteerMatch. Visitors to VolunteerMatch simply enter their ZIP code to find local opportunities. Volunteers can also search by interest, date and keyword to generate a personally customized list. Once an opportunity of choice is found, the interested volunteer simply clicks on it to contact the organization and get involved. Non-profit organizations find VolunteerMatch an easy and efficient way to connect with people who can support their efforts through volunteer activity
VolunteerMatch is a great way for interested volunteers to find out if their skills meet an organizationâs needs before they make contact, and itâs also a good way to get the word out about projects and special needs within a specific community. âIf thereâs a local disaster or even something like a marathon that needs volunteers, help can be coordinated online,â she says
âVolunteerMatch makes it easy to bring volunteers and charitable organizations together to meet the needs of their community,â says the serviceâs president, Jay Backstrand. To find volunteer opportunities in your area, or to learn more about VolunteerMatch, visit www.volunteermatch.org.
DO GOOD GUIDE
East Cobber Finds Fulfillment Volunteering at WellStar East Cobb Health Park
Volunteers at the new WellStar East Cobb Health Park are helping carry out the notfor-profit organizationâs mission to provide world-class care in the community. Volunteers work closely with WellStar team members to ensure patients have a seamless visit to East Cobb Health Park from the minute they arrive.
The Health Park serves as a comprehensive, onestop shop for outpatient medical needs and includes a range of healthcare services including primary care and specialty physiciansâ offices, urgent care and diagnostics. The 162,000 square-foot facility experiences a high volume of patients walking through the doors each day, and thatâs where the volunteers come in.
âI kind of enjoy it because itâs pretty busy,â said Mary Hagan, a WellStar East Cobb Health Park volunteer. âI show patients where the imaging center is and the lab.â
Mary began volunteering at WellStar Kennestone Hospital when she retired in 2006 after 28 years with the Boy Scouts of America. She enjoyed her time assisting patients at the hospital for eight years, taking some time off for two separate knee replacement surgeries at the very place she volunteered.
As Mary recovered from her second surgery earlier this year, she watched the construction on the new WellStar East Cobb Health Park â just minutes from her home â and decided to join the team. With fully recovered knees, Mary works as a customer relations volunteer, greeting people in the sunlit lobby, helping patients find their way and answering phones.
âI enjoy meeting people,â she said of the volunteer job.
Volunteers perform a variety of tasks around the Health Park such as greeting patients, helping them navigate the building and assisting them when discharged. Mary said itâs a great place to volunteer and encouraged others to look into volunteering for WellStar.
âIf you like working with people and feel like youâre helping them, you get a feeling of satisfaction,â she said.
ABOUT THE HEALTH PARK
WellStar East Cobb Health Park was created to bring WellStarâs primary and specialty physician offices together as a one-stop shop for outpatient medical needs. The facility is complete with diagnostics, laboratory services, rehabilitation therapy, urgent care and a retail pharmacy among other services.
These services will be integrated with a multi-specialty mix of physicians to include a strong foundation of primary care physicians: family physicians, internal medicine, pediatrics and OB/GYN services and specialists will include cardiologists, pulmonologists, ENT, neurosurgery, pain management, chiropractic care, vascular surgery, general surgery, allergy/asthma, endocrinology, urology and orthopedics.
For information about the Health Park, please visit www.wellstar.org or call 770-956-STAR (7827).
TO VOLUNTEER
WellStar has many volunteer positions available to become a volunteer for WellStar Health System:
⢠Visit www.wellstar.org
⢠Scroll midway through the home page to Volunteers/Patrons
⢠Select âVolunteer my timeâ
⢠Select a location
⢠Fill out the application form
⢠Have medical release signed by your physician
⢠To volunteer at WellStar East Cobb Health Park, select Kennestone location, fill out the application and share your location preferences with your WellStar volunteer contact.
s WellStar volunteer Mary Hagan
DO GOOD GUIDE
PROBATION OFFICER PROGRAM
Cobb County Superior Court needs help relieving the state probation caseload. Qualified volunteers will undergo formal training.
www.cobbcountyga.gov
RALLY FOUNDATION
770-528-7986
Empowers volunteers across the country to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. Volunteers needed for special events and fundraisers.
Christen McCommon, Program and Event Manager 5775 Glenridge Drive, Building B, Suite 370 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 www.rallyfoundation.org
404-847-1270
SAFE KIDS COBB COUNTY
Safe Kids Cobb County is committed to reducing and preventing accidental injuries to children in Cobb County. It provides information and education on the following topics: car and booster seats, poison prevention, water safety, bicycle/wheel safety, home safety & pedestrian safety. Sponsors car seat checks, bike rodeos, and safety fairs. Lisa Gardner, Safe Kids Co-Coordinator 114 Cherry Street, Suite G Marietta, GA 30060
www.safekidscobbcounty.org
SAFEPATH CHILDRENâS ADVOCACY CENTER
770-793-7185
Ensures a child-friendly environment in which child victims of abuse and neglect can feel safe and comfortable during the process of intervention and investigation. Caring adults are needed to greet families and supervise children in their playroom/waiting area during the day, and in the evening on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Leigh Kelley, Volunteer Coordinator 736 Whitlock Ave., West Park Government Center, Ste. 600 Marietta, GA 30064
www.safepath.org
SECOND WIND DREAMS
770-801-3465
Second Wind Dreams is an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the perception of aging through the fulfillment of dreams and the offering of educational programs including its flagship, sensitivity training, the Virtual Dementia TourÂŽ. Krystle Hillery, Volunteer Coordinator 4343 Shallowford Road, Suite E6 Marietta, GA 30062
www.secondwind.org
678-624-0500
SENIORS âMOST WANTEDâ
Cobb County Sheriffâs program is looking for residents 55 and older to assist deputies and other staff in sheriffâs office dayto-day operations.
www.cobbcountyga.org
SIMPLE NEEDS GA
678-355-7064
The organization's mission is to meet the simple needs of children, people experiencing homelessness, and others in need, while inspiring our community to do the same.
Ms. Brenda Rhodes P.O. Box 670265 Marietta, GA 30066
www.simpleneedsblog.com
THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS
678- 266-3344
Provides secure residential care for Cobb Countyâs abused and neglected children.
Kimie Tinsley, Volunteer & Activities Coordinator 2221 Austell Road, SW Marietta, GA 30008
www.ccyakids.org
THE CENTER FOR FAMILY RESOURCES
770-333-9447 x103
Provides emergency assistance to families in Cobb County so that they can access the resources they need to become independent and self-sufficient, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty.
Sarah Tonsmeire, Development & Volunteer Coordinator 995 Roswell Street, Suite 100 Marietta, GA 30060
www.theCFR.org
TOMMY NOBIS CENTER (TNC)
770-428-2601 x264
The mission of the Tommy Nobis Center is to develop and provide job training, employment and vocational support for youth and adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Several volunteer opportunities are available: Teach life skills such as grooming, money management, and basic cooking; completing job applications/resumes; prepare clients for job interviews, etc. in classes ranging in size from 4-10; act as the employer in a mock interview and give feedback to client for strengthening his interview. Chaperone a group on a social outing.
Judy Leeper, Program Coordinator 1480 Bells Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30066
www.tommynobiscenter.org
770-427-9000 x5116
UNITED WAY OF GREATER ATLANTA
United Way does âwhatever it takesâ to help the Cobb community focus and get results on important human issues. While United Way does raise and invest dollars, it also helps people volunteer, lend their professional expertise, donate household and office items and advocate on behalf of issues.
Catherine Ownes, Regional Director 995 Roswell Street, Ste. 338 Marietta, GA 30060 www.unitedwayatlanta.org
VOICE TODAY
678-623-2883
A non-profit organization providing awareness, prevention and healing programs and resources for child sexual abuse.
Angela Williams, Founder/Executive Director 3855 Shallowford Road, Suite 110 Marietta, GA 30062
Brooke Schembri, Director of Corporate & Community Health www.voicetoday.com
WELLSTAR
678-578-4888
Volunteers provide service to the hospital while also promoting a caring attitude in the hospital and community. Volunteers interact daily with hospital team members, physicians, patients and patientsâ families.
Brooke Schembri, Director of Corporate & Community Health 330 Kennestone Hospital Boulevard Marietta, GA 30060
www.wellstar.org
YWCA OF NORTHWEST GA
770-793-7120
The YWCA of Northwest Georgia seeks volunteers for its thrift store, special events, crisis hotline, family violence shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, sexual assault accompaniment advocacy, childrenâs services, Latino outreach and other needs.
Meg Graham, Development & Communications 48 Henderson Street SW Marietta, GA 30064 www.ywca.org
770-423-3564
