Make A New Year’s 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, here’s 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
Seeks blood donors.
2145 Roswell Road, Suite 250 Marietta, GA 30062
www.givelife.org
770-528-1482
COBB COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
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 community’s members.
Tommy Allegood, Executive Director
Cobb Chamber-240 Interstate North Parkway Atlanta, GA 30339
www.cobbfoundation.com
770-578-1977
770-859-2329
COBB COUNTY JUVENILE COURT – 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
770-528-2141
Needs tutors for GED as well as administrative help.
Donna Frankovsky
www.cobbworks.org
770-528-8094
THE EXTENSION
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 (Men’s Extension) Marietta, GA 30061
130 Holiday Street (Women’s 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. Sharon Mason, President www.eastcobbpark.org president@eastcobbpark.org
DO GOOD GUIDE
GEORGIA AARP TAX-AIDE
Seeks volunteers for tax counseling service between midJanuary 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 voluntarism, 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
Can Help You Help Others DO GOOD GUIDE
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
770-528-1445
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 substandard 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
PROBATION OFFICER PROGRAM
770-432-7954 x.100
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
What’s 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, wouldn’t 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 who 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 organization’s needs before they make contact, and it’s also a good way to get the word out about projects and special needs within a specific community. “If there’s a local disaster or even something like a marathon that needs volunteers, help can be coordinated online,” she says
“VolunteerMatch makes it easy to bring volunteers and charitable organizations together to meet the needs of their community,” says the service’s president, Jay Backstrand. To find volunteer opportunities in your area, or to learn more about VolunteerMatch, visit www.volunteermatch.org.
DO GOOD GUIDE
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 CHILDREN’S 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
SENIORS “MOST WANTED”
770-801-3465
Cobb County Sheriff’s program is looking for residents 55 and older to assist deputies and other staff in sheriff’s office operations.
www.cobbcountyga.org
THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS
TOMMY NOBIS CENTER (TNC)
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
UNITED WAY OF GREATER ATLANTA
770-427-9000 x5116
United Way does “whatever it takes” 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.
Leah Rolfes, Director 995 Roswell Street, Ste. 338 Marietta, GA 30060
www.unitedwayatlanta.org
WELLSTAR
678-355-7064
Provides secure residential care for Cobb County’s abused and neglected children.
Kimberly Tinsley, Volunteer & Activities Coordinator www.ccyakids.org
770-333-9447 x103
THE CENTER FOR FAMILY RESOURCES
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.
Chris Chamblee, Development & Volunteer Coordinator 995 Roswell Street, Suite 100 Marietta, GA 30060 www.theCFR.org
770-428-2601 x264
678-623-2883
WellStar volunteers are an integral part of the healthcare team. 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 patients’ 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, children’s services, Latino outreach and other needs.
Tiffany Baca, Development & Communications 48 Henderson Street SW Marietta, GA 30064
www.ywca.org
770-427-2902