CALLER:
Hi. I want to work, but getting a job is taking me a very long time. Maybe that is my fault since I withdrew from college a while back. Virtual classes during the pandemic were not my thing, and I decided to pause my education degree aspirations and just get some job experience. Since that is going no where yet, a friend of mine suggested I start volunteering somewhere. My disability is physical. I use a wheelchair for mobility and so transportation is a big part of the issue too. I need something near home in Johnson City, so one of my family members can drive me in our wheelchair accessible van.
Pathfinder has helped me before so I thought I would give you call. Do you know of resources for volunteering? I do assist with an elementary Sunday School class at my church, and I like working with children. Oh, I am on ECF and have been working with VR but we haven’t found anything yet that works for me. (ECF is the Employment and Community First Choices waiver, and VR is Vocational Rehabilitation.)
CALL PATHFINDER:
Updating your resume is a great idea, when searching for employment, and you certainly can do that by volunteering in Tennessee. After all, we are “the volunteer state!”
Good news! Coalition for Kids, which uses a lot of volunteers, is based in Johnson City.
They are a faith-based K-8 after-school agency with many school locations, and maybe one would be very close to where you live. They also do a summer camp. Information for persons interested in volunteering is on their website.
The state of Tennessee has just launched a volunteer initiative where people who want to volunteer can find opportunities in their area. Their mission statement:
The State of Tennessee is the national leader in the promotion of volunteerism, community service initiatives and partnerships in which its citizens of all ages and backgrounds engage in services addressing the educational, public safety, environmental and other human needs of the state and nation.
On the “Volunteer” page, scroll down for a list of counties and the organization which is the volunteer service center for that county.
In Washington County, the United Way of Kingsport has set up a Volunteer United page hosting the volunteer portal. By clicking “Volunteer Now” you enter the portal which lists area needs for volunteers in Northeast Tennessee and Bristol, VA:
Access Americorps is a large part of the Volunteer Tennessee program. In past Call Pathfinder columns we have featured this national organization, and here is the informational page with their contact information in Pathfinder.
On the Volunteer Tennessee site, organizations can find Access Americorps grant applications for projects that would serve a local area with volunteers. I also noticed the service centers are making it easy for organizations who need volunteers to add their needs to the portal. Being a new collaboration and initiative, I would expect the volunteer opportunities you can find in your county to grow.
Finally, I do recommend that people check their local county and city or town websites for volunteer opportunities. I have often seen volunteer requests there.
I hope you find a good match for you!
| Questions and scenarios found in the Call Pathfinder column represent questions received by Pathfinder but are not taken from actual Pathfinder calls. Actual resource information provided varies based on the specific situation and needs of each individual. |