Volunteer Opportunities to Battle COVID-19

Radhika Sivadi

9 min read ·

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One bright spot during the COVID-19 pandemic is how it has brought people together as they explore ways to help each other.  Here are some opportunities that allow those you to help make a difference even as you shelter in place to flatten the curve.

 

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Soles4Souls | Turning shoes and clothing into opportunity

In addition to collecting shoes to distribute to those who need them, Soles4Souls’ goal is to have an impact on the planet and its people through empowerment opportunities. They seek a range of volunteers who can organize shoe drives, fundraise, act as ambassadors and more.

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Tobi Johnson & Associates | Volunteer Training Activities – Listicle

This article lists a dozen activities that can enhance training for any volunteer training course to improve learning and increase interaction. Several exercises also can be used in business settings or workshops. 

 

Upwardly Global  | Business Volunteers

Upwardly Mobile helps immigrant and refugee job seekers develop skills to help them through the interview process. Volunteers are needed to be informational or interviewers, networking coaches, mentors and language coaches.

 

ASE | Transportation Industry “Adopt a School” Partnerships

The Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation seeks partnerships with transportation industry businesses in their local areas. The level of effort and commitment can vary and ASE will provide support throughout the process.

 

#TheKindCut | Seeking Hair Stylists

#TheKindCut provides free haircuts and makeovers to in and around Los Angeles and other southern California cities. They seek stylists and others to support their efforts, and also encourage stylists to volunteer in their local communities to provide these services.

 

National Council of Nonprofits | How to Start a Nonprofit

The National Council of Nonprofits offers information on how to start a nonprofit or foundation, including requirements for fundraising and creating a tax-exempt status. This information is available in English and Spanish. 

 

All Hands and Hearts | Disaster Relief Volunteers

This organization provides on-site disaster relief in areas that have been hard hit or continue to struggle with the after-effects of hurricanes and other disasters. Some programs require a minimum time commitment and others are flexible; all volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

 

Mozilla | Community Volunteer Network

Web browser Mozilla is powered exclusively by volunteers to help its 400 million users. From the comfort of your own home, you can help by answering forum questions, writing articles, or translating help issues to another language.

 

Team Rubicon | Disaster Relief Volunteers

Started by two Marines, Team Rubicon volunteers include many veterans, but first responders and concerned individuals also are welcome to serve on a veteran-led team. They respond to disasters and deploy teams to local, national and international crises.

 

Forbes | Article – Tips on Where to Volunteer

This Forbes article provides guidance on volunteer opportunities and how to match your interest and skills with an organization who can most benefit from them.

 

Convoy of Hope | Individual and Business Volunteer Opportunities

As the name suggests, Convoy of Hope offers help and hope to communities all over the world. Volunteers are needed for a range of projects from putting together hygiene kits or attending local events, to being part of a global field team.

 

Free Volunteer Engagement Courses

Nonprofit Ready offers more than 500 free online courses, guides and videos to help provide professional development in the nonprofit sector. Topics include fundraising, marketing, grant writing, volunteer engagement and program management.

 

Meals on Wheels Deliver to Seniors

Meals on Wheels is a national organization that provide warm meals to older Americans experiencing hunger. Volunteers can deliver meals in their own area, typically in an hour and a half lunchtime shifts. Local programs also have other opportunities to accommodate volunteers’ schedules.

 

National Park Service Volunteers-in-Parks Program

Individual and group volunteer opportunities are available to work with park employees on a single project or a long-term basis. As an added bonus, volunteers with 250 hours of service can get a free Volunteer Pass for access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.

 

Volunteers of America Nationwide Opportunities

This organization has been operating for over a century and provides a wide range of human service programs. They function in 46 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico to support vulnerable Americans as they overcome challenges in their lives.

 

Alzheimer’s Association Volunteer Community

More than six million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and it affects not only patients but their families and caregivers, too. The association seeks volunteers throughout the nation to help with education, advocacy, fundraising, events, technical support with at-home and on-site options.

 

MN COVIDsitters for Children and Pets

This volunteer-run organization was created to help healthcare workers in the Twin Cities (MN) by providing babysitting and pet-sitting services, as well as taking care of household errands to help minimize the impact from the demands from the pandemic. They also are beginning to offer tutoring services. 

Shopping Angels Grocery Delivery

Shopping Angels offers free delivery services to patients recovering from medical issues, senior citizens and people with disabilities. The organization is international with locations in many states.

VolunteerMatch | Virtual Opportunities (276,617 volunteers needed)

VolunteerMatch features virtual and on-site volunteer opportunities to aid communities impacted by COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Thousands of volunteers like you are needed daily. Check back often to find ways you can help during these difficult times.

Verdict Medical Devices | Volunteer lab network

The Covid-19 Volunteer Testing Network, started by Systems Biology Laboratory (SBL) founder and serial entrepreneur Mike Fischer, will help small laboratories convert to run antigen testing and identify Covid-19 cases among local healthcare workers.

 

RXRVolunteer.com | Needs Skilled Professionals Who Want To Help!

Are you a skilled professional that wants to help individuals, Non-Profits and Small Businesses affected by COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?

Welcome to RXRVolunteer.com, a platform to help connect local non-profits and small businesses affected by COVID-19 (Coronavirus) with volunteers from the RXR community of employees, tenants, vendors, partners, and investors and friends.

Small businesses need your help! Please submit out our volunteer questionnaire, which will allow us to match you with an individual, non-profit or small businesses that needs your specific skill set through this crisis and beyond.

 

Catchafire.org | Help Lift Up Critical At-Risk Nonprofits

All nonprofits have been affected by COVID-19. Help lift up critical, at-risk missions. Support nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 by helping them adjust how they operate and serve their communities during this critical time

What kind of skills are nonprofits looking for?

Nonprofits need the same talent and skills as any other business. They’re looking for marketing volunteers, finance volunteers, operations volunteers, business strategy volunteers, management volunteers, technology volunteers, design & media volunteers, and more.

 

UN Volunteers | COVID-19 Online Volunteer Response

UN Volunteers has a collection of ways to volunteer online to make a difference against COVID-19. They are in heavy need of translators right now. If you are bilingual please find several ways to help flatten the curve here.

American Red Cross | COVID-19 Volunteer Opportunities 

Interested in serving to meet essential service needs in the public? The number one priority of the American Red Cross is the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, blood donors and recipients, and the people we serve. The American Red Cross has an extensive list of volunteer opportunities separated by zip code that you can be part of here.

Feeding America | Assistance at Food Shelters

Every volunteer experience is a little different. Here are some things you might do as a volunteer:

  • Sorting and packing. You can keep the shelves stocked by assembling boxes of food for distribution.
  • Assisting at mobile pantries and no-contact distributions. Help your neighbors feed their families.
  • Delivering meals. With many communities sheltering in place, you can help make sure our most vulnerable neighbors have the food they need while staying safe.
  • Volunteering from home. Some foodbanks have moved their volunteer shifts online and are asking volunteers to help fundraise or spread awareness.

 

Crisis Text Line | Become a Crisis Counselor

The Crisis Text Line is a free 24/7 national crisis-intervention and counseling service conducted exclusively through SMS text. Volunteers use the nonprofit’s web-based platform to provide emotional support to texters who are dealing with a wide range of issues– bullying, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and more. Prospective volunteers go through screening and lengthy self-paced training. Once completed, volunteers sign-up to take one four-hour shift each week for a year.

I volunteer for Crisis Text Line because practicing empathy and reflective listening makes me a better friend, partner, and employee.

 

Career Village | Answer Questions from Underrepresented Youth

CareerVillage.org‘s mission is to democratize access to career information and advice for underrepresented youth. We do that by crowdsourcing the answers to every question from every student about every career. Together, we’re building a massive open-access reference source that every online learner can access anytime, anywhere. Join our movement of over 4,000,000 learners and over 65,000 volunteers.

FEMA | Donate PPE and/or Medical Supplies

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with businesses who have extra personal protective equipment (PPE) or medical supplies that they can donate to other entities who have a greater need. After completing a quick online application, FEMA will contact the donor organization to facilitate the reallocation of supplies.

Pacific Community Ventures| Become a Small Business Mentor 

In keeping with their “Good Jobs, Good Business” motto, Pacific Community Ventures (PCV), a social enterprise and community development financial institution, offers free mentoring and advising for small businesses throughout the nation. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are paired with coaches and mentors who offer issue-specific recommendations. PCV boasts that organizations that work with their mentors increase their annual revenues by an average of 20%!

  • If you have expertise in finance, HR, and other areas click here to learn about becoming a remote volunteer
  • If your company is interested in  supporting small businesses with free advising, contact us today 
  • If you need information about accessing healthy food in the Bay Area, click here

 

Corporation for National and Community Service | Search Tool 

In addition to AmeriCorps and SeniorCorps, the Corporation for National and Community Service provides a search function to identify volunteer opportunities by location or category. The site also offers recommendations on how to stay safe while volunteering in a pandemic.

Salvation Army | Volunteers with Heart

Since March the Salvation Army has been busy providing food, lodging, PPE, infant and toddler supplies, and emotional and spiritual support throughout the country. Individuals and groups are encouraged to volunteer locally in their own communities in whatever capacity they are comfortable.

Smithsonian |  Digital Volunteers

While the Smithsonian relies on their many on-site volunteers to provide a great visitor experience, online volunteers have been helping to expand access to their digital collections. They offer several volunteer programs, some requiring special knowledge or skills, but several are available to all.

Bookshare |  Remote Volunteer Opportunities

Bookshare “unlocks the power of reading” to people with reading barriers such as dyslexia or vision problems. Remote volunteers help scan and proofread books, while parents and teachers can act as ambassadors. If you feel you have a unique talent appropriate to the organization, they’re interested in hearing from you, too!

Engineers Without Borders | Volunteer Opportunities

This humanitarian organization seeks a wide range of volunteers to support their efforts to provide infrastructure to fragile communities around the globe. Their “Volunteer Village” lists opportunities for everyone from students to skilled professionals, ranging from social media support to technical or legal reviews to leadership roles.

 

Idealist |  Volunteer Opportunities

Idealist hosts thousands of volunteer opportunities searchable by location, function or experience level. All listings are for nonprofits, social enterprises or government entities and include virtual and onsite options.

 

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) |  Volunteer Opportunities

PHR advocates for health care for all based on science. They have multiple options for involvement for physicians and health professionals, as well as attorneys and students. Others can help get involved in various campaigns that advocate for human rights.

 

GreatNonprofits | Links to Local Organizations in Your Area

This site identifies volunteer opportunities searchable by state or issue, including among their many options efforts specific to Coronavirus relief. They also offer free webinars on relevant topics for nonprofits.

Partners in Health  | Volunteer as an “Engager”

Partners in Health is a global health care organization whose mission is to bring quality health care to vulnerable populations. “Engagers” support this mission by mobilizing and educating communities, advocacy, fostering public discourse and fundraising.

 

CDC | Foundation Ambassador

The CDC Foundation extends the lifesaving work of the CDC and its programs by leveraging its philanthropic efforts. Volunteer ambassadors can help fulfill the foundation’s mission through social media outreach and engaging their social networks.

American Association for the Advancement of Science | Volunteering Opportunities

Health care professionals, scientists, and engineers are needed to volunteer their expertise with human rights organizations that can benefit from their knowledge. Professional volunteers help analyze data, develop and adapt new technologies, and use their skills in a variety of other ways to enhance human rights monitoring.

 

Stay safe and remain strong in this turbulent time. And remember to check back on this article for updates as details of the above guidance and resources change.

 

If you have additions that you would like to see on our page please send them to reeves@yahoosmallbusiness.com.

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