Volunteer Positions
We have opportunities for groups, for individuals and for those who would like to volunteer for “one-time” projects. Please contact us to see what opportunities we have that may meet your needs!
Unless otherwise specified all opportunities are available in Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall, and St. Joseph counties. Due to the nature of the clients we serve, Agency policy restricts the use of a volunteer with any type of criminal background history.
Grocery Shopper:
Some older adults are homebound and have difficulty getting their groceries. Get their list, shop for them and drop off the purchases. INDIVIDUAL
House Cleaning:
Help with simple housecleaning tasks or a one time spring cleaning. GROUP and ONE-TIME
Handyman:
Help with simple household fixes from changing light bulbs to fixing a faucet or building a ramp. GROUP or ONE-TIME
Office Assistance:
Whether for periodic special projects or events, we have need for your skills! GROUP, ONE-TIME, INDIVIDUAL
Yard Work:
Rake leaves, paint, or make simple home repairs. This project is perfect for groups and high school age young people. GROUP and ONE-TIME
Meals on Wheels:
In St. Joseph County only. Help provide a healthy meal to a homebound older adult by delivering a meal to their home. You can deliver once a week or more often if you choose. Delivery times are between 11:00 -1:00 weekdays. GROUP and INDIVIDUAL
Guardianship Advocate:
St. Joseph, Marshall and Elkhart Counties only. Serve as an advocate for an elderly person who is a guardian of REAL Services. Visit, check on their care and represent their interests and preferences. GROUP and INDIVIDUAL
Nursing Facility Friendly Visitor:
Meet regularly with local nursing facility residents that don’t typically have visitors. Sit and talk or incorporate creative projects. St. Joseph County.
GROUP, INDIVIDUAL, ONE TIME
Group Service Projects:
Whether it be spring or fall, if your teen youth group, dorm, school or service club would be interested in providing a one-time yard or painting project or would like to adopt a senior citizen for seasonal work, we have the job for you. The need is great to help those who can no longer perform these tasks. This is a wonderful intergenerational program and you will gain the satisfaction of helping those most in need. Grab a paint brush or rake and call today to find out how you can volunteer with your friends. Team leaders are required. Donation of paint and painting supplies are always appreciated for projects, but not necessary.
Nutrition Site Helper:
Give a little of your time to help serve food or assist with providing social or educational activities. GROUP, ONE-TIME, INDIVIDUAL
Living a Healthy Life Workshop Leader: Co-facilitate with another leader, workshops for older adults who are living with one or more chronic conditions, or their care givers. Help them learn techniques to better manage their conditions leading to an improvement in their lives. Leaders can be older adults and also have one or more chronic conditions. All leaders must be able to be dependable during training and workshops.
Self-Management Program Leader: Co-facilitate with another leader, workshops for older adults who are living with one or more chronic conditions, or their care givers. The program gives participants the skills to coordinate all of the things needed to manage their health, as well as to help them remain, or become active again, in their lives. Leaders can be older adults and also have one or more chronic conditions. All leaders must be able to be dependable during training and workshops.
Enhance Fitness Class Leader: Lead exercise classes for older adults. Show them a social and fun way to increase physical activity, flexibility and strength. Memory, mood and overall health will also be improved. Classes include aerobics, stretching and strength training. Leaders can be older adults. All leaders must be CPR certified (if not REAL Services will provide training). All leaders must have the ability to perform range of motion and low-level endurance exercises, and be able to carry up to 20 lbs. All leaders must be able to be dependable during training and classes. Training is provided by the State at various times. Those interested in being contacted when the next training is offered please send information to lschrock@realservices.org.
Matter of Balance Program Leader: Co-facilitate with another leader, workshops for older adults who are afraid of, or have a history of falling. Help them learn techniques to reduce the fear of falling, increase activity levels and re-enter their lives. This program gives participants a combination of skills learned in both workshop and gentle exercise settings. Leaders can be older adults. All leaders must have the ability to perform range of motion and low-level endurance exercises, and be able to carry up to 20 lbs. All leaders must be able to be dependable during training and workshops.
SMP Program Volunteer
Help protect individuals and the future of our government programs by facilitating educational presentations to small groups, attending health fairs and talking one on one with individuals. Through outreach and education, the national SMP program hopes to empower seniors to prevent health care fraud. REAL Services will provide training. Presentation material is already developed and SMP materials are available to hand out at health fairs.