Service Opportunities

(all of the programs below may count for TranServe )

Animals:

• Humane Society of Clark County, 627 Walnut, Arkadelphia- Volunteers are needed at any time for the following:
  • take animals to the vet for treatment or to the newspaper for pictures,
  • play with animals and give them individualized attention and exercise,
  • clean pens and feed animals,
  • take animals to visit nursing homes,
  • pick up and deliver food donations,
  • take phone messages,
  • help with fund raisers and booths at fairs,
  • go to PetSmart every third Saturday to help adopt out dogs you can go for a couple of hours or all day
  • design flyers and posters advertising adoptable animals and upcoming activities.

To volunteer, call Gail Gravett at 870-245-2579 or email humanesociatyclarkcounty@yahoo.com.

• Heifer International is a non-profit humanitarian organization working to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth.  Heifer helps communities by providing livestock and training to develop sustainable agriculture while improving the environment and strengthening community.  Heifer needs volunteers to help staff booths, participate in fundraising events, and to educate the community about hunger, poverty, and the environment.  For information about volunteer opportunities in Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas, New Mexico, and Colorado, contact the Central Region Office at 800-422-0474 or go to their website http://www.heifer.org/.

Arts:

• Human Development Center- Needs volunteers for the craft room. Volunteers can help cut wood crafts using a jigsaw as well as paint them and do detail work. The craft room is open for volunteers to gather together on Tuesdays from 2:30-8:00 pm (come as often or as little as you want for the whole time or just for a few hours), and dinner is provided for you. Contact Deborah Wilson  Deborah.L.Wilson@arkansas.gov 870-246-8011 ext 297.

• Humane Society of Clark County needs volunteers to design flyers and posters advertising adoptable animals and upcoming activities. To volunteer, call Gail Gravett at 870-245-2579 or email humanesociatyclarkcounty@yahoo.com.

Assistance to Families:

• The Arkadelphia Housing Authority is a non-profit organization and umbrella with Housing of Urban Development (HUD).  We assist low-income families with:
  • housing assistance
  • being self-sufficient
  • homeownership
  • volunteering
  • office work
  • beautification worker
  • GED/Literacy Tutor-Adults
  • Backyard Bible Club Activities

Contact Shelia Hunter at 870-246-4632 or email renee_hunter@yahoo.com.

• Senior Activity Center – Meals on Wheels: Volunteers are needed to transport meals to families that are in need throughout our community.  Deliveries are made five days a week and each route takes about an hour and a half.  Volunteers are welcome to sign up for multiple deliveries or could do as little as one delivery a month. Meals and containers are provided with volunteers using their own transportation. Contact Cindy Rhodes at the Senior Activity Center, 870-246-9871.

Children:

• The Community Family Enrichment Center & School of 21st Century   After school tutors are needed three to four hours a week. Volunteers are also needed to help with art projects and sorting books in the library one or two hours a week. Contact Pat Wright at:  870-246-5675  patwright6@sbcglobal.net.

•   HeadStart:  Needs Spanish-speaking volunteers to act as teachers’ aids. Contact Lucretia Hatcock at 246-8931.

•  Project Linus: If you are interested in quilting, crocheting, or knitting this is the place for you. Project Linus teams up with the Courage House and the DHS to make blankets for new foster kids. These blankets are presented to these children to give them a sense of security and love. All the blankets must be handmade. You can make the blankets in your own time or even find a group to work with. Contact Tracey Knight at 870-245-5599 or email knightte@obu.edu

City Government:

• Chamber of Commerce needs someone to volunteer 2 hours a week or any time if possible.  Would be filling packets, filing, doing office work, etc. Contact Connie Nelson at 870-246-5542 or email connie@cityofarkadelphia.

Education/Tutoring:

• America Reads/America Counts:  tutoring reading and math in the public schools. For details contact Leigh Anne McKinney at 870-245-5320 or mckinnyl@obu.edu.

• Public schools need volunteers to help children with their reading skills and to tutor them after school. Contact Pat Wright at 870-246-5564 Ext#215.

Emergency Services:

• American Red Cross: insures help when needed through disaster awareness and recovery, preparation and response, health and safety courses, first aid, CPR, and water safety. They are always needing volunteers in the office and with any disaster. Contact the Hot Springs office at: 501-623-9321.

• Courage House: Offers assistance and advocacy for women and children who have been abused physically, emotionally, verbally, and sexually.
  • Courage House needs help with painting and yard work
  • They can also use trained speakers to provide resources, and useful, educational information on topics including finance, stress, nutrition, parenting, budget, cooking, child motivation and family violence.
  • Children’s activity helpers to provide fun and educational activities for all ages of children. Magic shows, story tellers and arts and crafts are possibilities for programs.
  • Donations of baby furniture or equipment, and clothing, especially for small boys and toddlers are also needed. For large items, please call and make arrangements.
  • Art or graphic design skills to create publicity materials
  • Clerical work – answer phone calls or help with crisis calls
  • Contact Lashunda Dickerson at 246-3122 or email awacl@sbcglobal.net

• Food Bank:  Needs help sorting through food, etc. Erma Smith, 246-8244.

• Lighthouse Ministries of the Red River Baptist Association, http://www.forministry.com/usarsobcorrbar/, needs volunteers to work in all aspects of their ministry. They need help with the Thrift Store, Pregnancy Center, Food Distribution and other areas as volunteer experience expands. Come anytime Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. Contact Nancy Gutierrez lighthousemrrba@gmail.com or 870-246-9524, Joe Burt at 870-246-9524 revjoeburt@gmail.com.

• Clark County Office of Emergency Management:
  • Need volunteers to train as CERT team members on campus to be able to assist in case of any type disaster that might occur effecting students and faculty.
  • Help with emergency planning which includes research, updating, and assembling.
  • Photographers are also needed for the shelter program, which involves taking pictures to verify recently installed storm shelters.
  • Contact Jim Burns at 870-246-0013 or email oem54a@clarkcountyarkansas.com

Health:

• Baptist Medical Center Auxiliary is a volunteer group of men and women who service the local hospital and its patients. Duties include working in the gift shop, giving visitors information, and helping in the surgery waiting room, recovery room and out-patient area.
  • Visitors are welcome at the group’s meetings at 11:30 a.m. on the second Monday of each month in the hospital cafeteria
  • Volunteers can call Loretta Kilts at 870-245-1106

• Baptist Home Health and HOSPICE: 245-1041 or 1040. Ask for Flecia Bryant or the Director, Barbara Stewart.

• Odyssey Hospice is seeking reliable, compassionate volunteers to provide support for those facing terminal illnesses. Types of volunteers are: Patient Care they provide companionship and socialization to patients. Vigil volunteers provide support on an “on-call” basis to patients. Office Volunteers provide clerical assistance for a variety of activities. Specialty/Professional Volunteers provide assistance based on their unique interest or skills, such as barbers, cosmetologist, massage therapists, nail techs, music therapy and those with abilities in construction, sewing, etc. All volunteers receive initial volunteer training as well as various in-services and annual trainings.  If you would like to make a difference in the lives of others and be part of a great team contact April Spencer,CVM , Manager of Volunteer  Services, at 501-454-2870. or go to their webpage at:  http://odsyhealth.com/site.asp?id=24

• Arthritis Foundation: provides programs of research, education, and patient care. Also provides water activities and exercise classes for arthritis sufferers.
  • Diane Stephenson 800-482-8858.
  • Ollie Allen leads arthritis classes. 870-353-4955.

• Clark County Department of Health and Human Services needs volunteers for administrative functions. Contact Jack Farr at 870-246-9886 or email jack.farr@arkansas.gov

Internships:

• Division of Volunteerism offers opportunities for career development through volunteering and internships.  Offers for internships depends upon the needs and specific requirements of the intern.  The Division of Volunteerism also gives you access to training programs and other services through the AmeriCorps Program.
  • For more information contact Beth Jacks at 501-682-7849 or beth.jacks@arkansas.gov.
  • To search for more information about the training programs and opportunities, visit the website at www.state.ar.us/dhhs/adov

Manual Labor:

• Human Development Center is a state-supported residential facility for people with developmental disabilities. Volunteers are needed in several capacities.
  • Help with yard maintenance, flower beds, and mowing. Can be done any day/any time.
  • Volunteers are also needed at the HDC for the craft room. Volunteers can help cut wood crafts as well as paint them. The craft room is open for volunteers to gather together on Tuesdays from 3:00 – 7:30 pm.
  • Work with recycling

Contact Deborah Wilson  Deborah.L.Wilson@arkansas.gov 246-8011 ext 297 Note: Volunteers go through a short orientation before they go out and volunteer unless it is a one day project.

Developmentally Disabled:

• Ascent Children’s Health Services need volunteers to work with children, birth-6 years old, in the treatment rooms with care giving and activities. Clinic hours 6:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Contact Justin Huett, director at 870-245-2210 or justin.huett@ascentchs.com

• Human Development Center is a state-supported residential facility for people with developmental disabilities. Volunteers are needed in several capacities. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the Volunteer Application and contact Deborah WilsonDeborah.L.Wilson@arkansas.gov 246-8011 ext 297 for more information.
  • Painting crafts in the workshop.
  • Help recreation staff with events and theme nights
  • Administrative work
  • Lifeguard
  • If a lifeguard is available – Swimming and hot tub with people served
  • Sing alongs
  • Ride bicycles
  • Go for walks
  • Play basketball, volleyball
  • Play video games with clients
  • Computer Center opens on 9/18 – help clients learn programs
  • Workout in Wellness Center on campus
  • Do hair and nails for the ladies
  • One on one mentor with people served
  • Accompany staff to horseback riding lessons in Bismarck
  • Assist horseback riding  on campus
  • Training Areas (Adult Enrichment Services, Supported Employment Services, Vocational Training Services, and Community Integration Services)
  • Working in training areas with people served

Volunteers are needed in work and training areas from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.   For recreation and leisure time from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. and on the weekends. Note: Volunteers go through a short orientation before they go out and volunteer unless it is a one day project.

• Group Living: provides developmentally disabled adults with a working and living environment which enables them to attain the highest level of independent living. Group Living provides jobs for clients in the Beehive and Honeycomb Restaurant. Recognized for its innovation and creativeness in working with its clients. Jane Lucas at 246-5849. (possible paid positions available as well)

Nature:

• Earth Team is the volunteer branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service which helps people conserve, improve and sustain natural resources and the environment.  Earth Team projects have included tree plantings, computer operations, engineering assistance, conservation education programs, clerical and secretarial assistance, water quality activities and more. To volunteer, call Rich Joslin, NCRS District Conservationist, 246-9816, Ext. 101.

• Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs. Garvan Woodland Gardens is a new botanical gardens in the area and is in need of volunteers. Some job possibilities are:
  • Ticket Takers: Taking tickets at the door and welcoming guests, answering questions.
  • The Pavilion: Sit at a station inside the gardens to answer questions, give directions, and just provide a friendly face. Also sell water bottles when it is hot.
  • Boat dock: Man and secure the docking area for those who have docking privileges. This area also has a great view of the lake and guests like to take it in, so you are there to help watch out for their safety. This is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours volunteering while you read, relax, fish and visit with guests
  • Other positions are also available as needs arise.
  • Call Robin Steigler at 501-262-9300 or 1-800-366-4664 for more information. You can also view their Web site at www.garvangardens.org, justin.huett@ascentchs.com

Religious:

• RAPS – Religious Activities Placement Service - Contact Martha Womack in the Campus Ministries office at extention 5536.

Senior Adults:

• Twin River Health and Rehabilitation: Spend time with the elderly community through bingo, church services, excercises, singing, arts and crafts, board games, gardening, and more.  Volunteer work can be done at any time/day of the week on a regular basis or as a one-time event. Contact Sandy Lambert or Dorothy Bell at 246-6337 for more information.

• Courtyard Gardens needs volunteers for the following tasks:
  • Decorations provided by and put up by volunteers. The center will supply 3 Christmas trees to be picked up and decorated after Thanksgiving.
  • Visit residents who don’t have family near by or are lonely.
  • Push hydration cart at 2pm each day.
  • Play games with, sing, and read to the residents.
  • Feed residents and pass meal trays at 7:30am, 12noon, 5pm (volunteer can get free lunch).
  • Contact Carol Harris at 246-5566

• ElderServe is a program sponsored by the Elrod Center is designed to connect OBU students with senior adults in the Arkadelphia community.  The ElderServe student forms a friendship with a senior adult over the course of a college semester.  The student and senior adult meet once a week, mainly just to visit.  These relationships are mutually beneficial.  The senior adult greatly benefits from the youth, energy and friendship of the student and the student is given the opportunity to serve and make a difference in the life of the senior adult while gaining a new friend with valuable life experience.ElderServe student also function as a team each month to carry out service projects in area nursing homes and senior adult housing complexes.  For more information contact Judy Duvall at 870-245-5320 or email at duvallj@obu.edu.

Sports:

• Arkadelphia Parks and Recreation has opportunities for you to coach your own sports team for children in the community.  Sports include football, volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, and basketball for both girls and boys. Contact Mike Volz 870-246-5499

• Community Family Enrichment Center is looking for volunteers to help with their new Bike Shop. They need organizational help as well as help with running the bike shop and repairing bikes. Contact Pat Wright or Patricia Mcghee at 870-246-5675

Youth:

• Clark County 4-H: provides education programs for youths including individual and group projects, competitive activities, camping, and tours. The 4-H develops leadership, initiative, and character.  Contact Kris Elliott 870-246-2281.