The Volunteer Network's mission: Strengthen our communities by partnering with agencies who have identified community needs. Promote and recognize volunteerism. Provide volunteer program development and leadership training assistance to agencies, businesses, schools, and organizations.

United Way's Volunteer Network is a vital community resource that links youth and adult volunteers with not-for-profit organizations that need help.

"One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something."     Henry David Thoreau, poet, writer, philosopher

Find Out How YOU Can Help the Hungry/Homeless in Our Area. Click .

Helping Hand Awards 2009 The votes are in, and this year's Helping Hand Award recipients have been chosen. Click here to see who is being honored at the award ceremony on June 16.

Celebration of Caring September 16, 2009 Company Work Day Click here for Agency Project Application

     ADULT OUTREACH

Economic Advocate YWCA TLP Program On-going, Monday-Friday, days and evenings 3 volunteers, minimum age 18 Volunteers would assist athe the Woman's Center with job applications, resumes, setting up an e-mail account, etc. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Tutors The Literacy Connection On-going Minimum age 18 Volunteer tutors take a 14-hour training workshop to prepare them to work one-on-one with adult literacy students. Tutors teach both English speaking and non-English speaking adults how to speak, read and write in English. Instruction is customized to the literacy level and goals of the students. Tutoring sessions are scheduled at the convenience of the tutor and the student. TLC recommends a minimum of 2-3 hours of instruction per week. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Welcome Center Volunteers House of Mercy Homeless Center On-going, staffed 24 hours/day by volunteers 17 volunteers, minimum age 18 Volunteers are needed to answer phones, greet visitors, take messages, assist residents, monitor activities, etc. Volunteers are asked to commit to 2 four-hour shifts or one overnight shift per month. Shifts are Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 12-4 p.m., 4-7 p.m. and 7 p.m.-7 a.m. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer
Hospice Volunteers Mercy Assisted Care On-going, Monday-Sunday 30 volunteers Hospice program is in need of volunteers to visit patients in their homes. Some travel may be necessary. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	In-Home Patient Care Volunteer HospiceCare Inc. All times of day, 4 hours per week 20 volunteers, minimum age 18 Provide companionship, respite and a caring presence to patients and their families in their home in the Rock County area. In addition, volunteers can assist patients and their families by rpoviding light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportatino and running errands. Patient care volunteers receive 22 hours of training before placement. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Life Review Volunteer HospiceCare Inc. Times and dates vary, 2-6 hours per project 12 volunteers, minimum age 14 Volunteers are trained to interview appropriate ospice patients in a recorded, buided life review process. Then, a life-honoring memento, such as a memory book, photo DVD, audio CD or written life narrative, is created from the interviews by another group of volunteers as a gift for the patient and family. Interview volunteers and project volunteers (with creative writing, scrapbooking and/or AV skills) are needed at this time. Those with computer skills are especially encouraged to get involved with this project. Teens are welcome! Call 757-3058 to Volunteer
Facility Patient Care Volunteer HospiceCare Inc. Days and evenings, 4 hours per week 20 volunteers, minimum age 18 Provide companionship and a caring presence to patients in community based residential facilities, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities in the Rock County area. Volunteers can assist patients by visiting, reading and attending facility activities. Patient care volunteers receive 22  hours of training before placement. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocate Sexual Assault Recovery Program Days and times vary 5 volunteers, minimum age 18 As advocates, we provide support and compassion to victims of sexual assault. We respond to calls through the crisis hotline as well as support sexual assault victims in local emergency rooms. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Shelter Coverage YWCA of Rock County On-going, Monday-Sunday, 7 hours/month, 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. or 5-8:30 p.m. 15 volunteers, minimum age 18 Volunteers needed within the YWCA Alternatives to Violence program. Responsibilities include answering the helpline, assisting residents with basic needs and providing referrals when needed. Training is provided. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer
Skills Teacher YWCA TLP Program Days and times yet to be determined 3 volunteers, minimum age 18 Volunteers are needed to run workshops for participants at the Woman's Center. These workshops might include resume writing, job skills, or other skills that would be pertinent to women's everyday lives. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Mentorships YWCA Woman's Center On-going, Monday-Friday, days and evenings 3 volunteers, minimum age 18 We are looking for volunteers from various fields to mentor women who are pursuing degrees, i.e., match a woman who is going for a nursing degree with a nurse. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Outings Helpers Catholic Charities On-going, days and times vary, weekends & evenings Volunteers are needed to help out with outings for developmentally disabled adults. We need people to help with making sure the participants are safe and enjoying their time. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

     ANIMALS

Class Volunteers S.M.I.L.E.S. (Special Methods in Learning Equine Skills) Call for information on summer and fall classes 15 volunteers, minimum age 13 Volunteers needed as horse handlers or student helpers, for one hour length class. There are a variety of day or evening class times available to volunteer. No experience is required, training is provided. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

Shelter Greeter Rock County Humane Society On-going, Monday-Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Help an animal find a lovign home. Meet and greet potential adopters at the Rock County Humane Society. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

     CLERICAL

Gift Shop and Receptionist Rotary Botanical Gardens On-going, days 6 volunteers, minimum age 18 Rotary Botanical Gardens would like volunteers to staff the gift shop area where duties may include, but are not limited to, answering calls, correspondence, data entry, newsletter mailings, etc. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Recruitment Assistant Rock-Walworth C.F.S. Head Start & Early Head Start February-July 3 volunteers, minimum age 18 Volunteers are needed to assist with work involved with Head Start recruitment. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Clerical Duties KANDU Industries, Inc. On-going, weekdays, 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. 3 volunteers, minimum age 18 Volunteers are needed answering phones, filing, data entry and with special projects. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer
Girl Scouts Girl Scouts of Badger Council Volunteers are needed on an occasional basis to work on special projects at the Girl Scouts office. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Receptionist Exchange Family Resource Center On-going, Monday-Friday 1 volunteer, minimum age 16 Clerical support is needed to answer phones, help with typing, organize the lending library and wash toys. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Office Assistant The Literacy Connection 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 3 volunteers, minimum age 18 Volunteers pick the mornings they want to help to answer phones and greet visitors. Computer knowledge a plus. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer
Receptionists HealthNet of Janesville On-going, clinics vary 7 volunteers, minimum age 18 HealthNet currently has a great need for reception volunteers. These volunteers will greet patients, answer phones, take messages, schedule appointments, pull charts, help with newsletter and sort donations. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Organizational Volunteer HospiceCare Inc. On-going, Monday-Saturday 7 volunteers, minimum age 14 Volunteers provide assistance to HospiceCare staff in the Janesville Office by performing a wide variety of office tasks, helping with special events, running errands and making deliveries. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Office Team American Red Cross On-going, Monday-Friday, 8:30- 11 a.m. Minimum age 16 Work with office staff by helping with mailings, answering phones, odd jobs, or completing data entry. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

     FOOD PROGRAMS

SHARE Volunteers SHARE June 27, July 25, August 22 and September 26, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 15 volunteers, minimum age 14 SHARE is a non-profit food buying club that offers good, nutritious products at reduced cost through a volunteer-run, community-based distribution system. Volunteers will be needed to assist with unloadign food, packing and handing out food orders and assisting those who need help. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

     GENERAL LABOR

Yard Work & Window Washing Nutrition and Health Associates Days and times are flexible 4 volunteers, minimum age 13 We need someone 1-2 hours per week to wash exterior windows, pick up grassy areas and parking lot of litter, sweep sidewalk, occasional rading, weeding and similar activities. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

Thrift Store Volunteers Edgerton Community Outreach Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. & Wednesday, 1-6 p.m. Volunteers needed to assist at the Thrift Store to benefit Edgerton Commmunity Outreach programs. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

Light Cleaning American Red Cross of So. Cent. WI 3 hours per week 1 volunteeer, minimum age 17 A volunteer is needed for light cleaning including vacuuming, dust mopping, etc. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

      HEALTH

Medical Volunteers HealthNet of Janesville Days vary 12 volunteers, minimum age 18 Assist with patients at the free clinic. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

      INFORMATION

Shelter Coverage YWCA of Rock County On-going, Monday-Sunday, 7 hours/month, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. or 5-8:30 p.m. 15 volunteers, minimum age 18 Volunteers needed within the YWCA Alternatives to Violence program. Responsibilities include answering the helpline, assisting residents with basic needs, and providing referrals when needed. Training is provided. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

      OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Disaster Action Team American Red Cross Times and days vary Minimum age 18 Help your neighbors and people across the country prepare for and recover from disaster events. Volunteers are needed as: Disaster Action Team Member (where a volunteer would carry a pager and be ready for a local emergency); Disaster Committee Member (specialize in an area, such as communications or logistics and lay a role in planning for and responding in large-scale events); Commmunity Disaster Education (learn about Red Cross disaster preparedness and speak to local groups about it). Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

      SENIORS

Facility Patient Care Volunteer HospiceCare Inc. On-going, daily 6 volunteers, minimum age 16 Provide companionship and a caring presence to patients in community based residential facilities, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities in the Rock County area. Volunteer can assist patients by visiting, reading and attending facility activities. Patient care volunteers receive 22 hours of training before placement. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Day Services Assistant KANDU Industries On-going, weekdays, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 5 volunteers, minimum age 10 Provide companionship, engage in games, help with arts and crafts, socialize and assist with community outings. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Nail Care/Manicures Cedar Crest Mondays, 3-4:30 p.m., or when available 3 volunteers, minimum age 16 Volunteers needed to assist with nail care; removing polish, filing and polishing nails. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer
Hospice Volunteer Mercy Hospice On-going, days and times vary 15 volunteers, minimum age 18 Visit with patients in their homes or our assisted living facility. Volunteers would play games, visit patients, share stories, fix a meal, help with household chores, discuss deeper thorughts and the meaning of life and make it possible for family to leave for a short period of time. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	In Home Care Volunteer HospiceCare Inc. On-going 7 volunteers, minimum age 18 Volunteers provide companionship, respite and a caring presence to patients and families in their homes. Volunteers can also assist by performing tasks such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation and running errands. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Wii Learning Cedar Crest Days and times vary Minimum age 15 Assist residents with playing the Wii system. We play bowling, baseball, golf and the Wii Music. Assist them in holding the controller, give them instructions if needed and encourage the residents. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer
Outdoor Visits and Walks Cedar Crest May-September, daily, 1 hour 15 volunteers, minimum age 15 We are looking for volunteers to take residents for walks outside during the spring and summer. Volunteers would walk thouighout the Cedar Crest grounds and sit and visit with residents. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Outings Assistant Cedar Crest June-September, weekdays 2-3 volunteers per outing, minimum age 16 Volunteers would help with outings, such as shopping at Wal-Mart, Rotary Botanical Gardens or Rock Aqua Jays shows, where they would assist pushing residents in wheelchairs, or help them with shopping, for example. Volunteers would meet Cedar Crest staff and residents at the destination. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Special Interest Groups Cedar Crest Inc. Days and times vary depending on group 20 volunteers Volunteers are needed for special interest group discussion and presentations on various topics such as: cake decorations, flower arranging, quilting or any topic that would be of interest to the residents. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer
Bingo Cedar Crest Mondays, 6 & 7:30 p.m., Fridays 9:30 & 11 a.m., and some Saturdays 9:30 & 11 a.m. 7 volunteers, minimum age 16 We are looking for volunteers to assist with bingo on Monday nights and Friday mornings. Assist in transporting residents to and from bingo and assist those needing extra help in playing their bingo cards. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Volunteer Ombudsmen Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care On-going, days and times vary 5 volunteers, minimum age 18 Volunteer Ombudsmen protect the rights of elderly people living in long term care facilities by making weekly unannounced focused visits to a facility, observe general conditions and help residents and families resolve concerns within the care facilities. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

      SPECIAL EVENTS

Special Olympics Bocce and Tennis Tournament Special Olympics Wisconsin June and July, call for dates and times 60 volunteers, minimum age 14 Individuals are needed to assist with the Special Olympics Bocce and Tennis Tournaments. They will be in Janesville in June and in Delavan in July. Volunteers would act as tennis or bocce officials, line judges, award presenters and lunch servers. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Civil War Living History Rock County Historical Society Friday & Saturday, July 17 & 18, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. 10 volunteers, minimum age 16 Reenacting on the grounds of the Tallman House. Volunteers would help with set up, tear down, ticket sales, food sales and bakers. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Ride 4 Red South Central WI American Red Cross July 19 15 volunteers, minimum age 16 Motorcycle benefit ride to raise money for our local disaster relief fund. We will need volunteers to help set up, serve food, assist riders with registration and other duties. Also looking for a band or DJ to provide music for the event. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer
Tallman Festival of Music & Arts Rock County Historical Society Friday-Sunday, July 31-August 2, 6 a.m.-7 p.m. 30 volunteers, minimum age 16 Volunteers are needed for a festival at the Tallman House. Volunteers would help with set up, tear down, selling tickets at the gate, water runners or serving cake and ice cream, etc. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

      SPORTS & RECREATION

Coaches Janesville Area Special Olympics Start date depends on sport chosen 3 volunteers, minimum age 21 Organize and coach a sport for athletes with cognitive disabilities. Possibilities may include cycling, golf, softball, T-ball and tennis for the summer season or volleyball fo rthe fall season. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

Special Olympics Bocce and Tennis Tournament Special Olympics Wisconsin June and July, call for dates and times 60 volunteers, minimum ate 14 Individuals are needed to assist with the Special Olympics Bocce and Tennis Tournaments. They will be held in Janesville in June and Delavan in July. Volunteers would act as tennis or bocce officials, line judges, award presenters and lunch servers. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

Management Jeam Member Janesville Area Special Olympics 8-12 hours per week 2 volunteers, minimum age 21 Athletic director and volunteer coordinator are both needed for our program. The Athletic Director manages sports schedules and coaches. The volunteer coordinator manages and recruits volunteers. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer

      YOUTH

America Reads Retired and Senior Volunteer Program 1 hour or more, weekdays 14 volunteers, minimum age 55 Reading is a key to success in education and life. Unfortunately, many children fall behind in school because they do not learn to read early and well. Did you know that four out of ten fourth-graders can't read to grade level? If you can read, you can help. We are looking for tutors and reading helpers to assist area elementary school students. Please make a difference in the life of a child and volunteer. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Community Based Mentoring Program Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rock County Any day that works best for the volunteer 40 volunteers needed, minimum age 16 Spend one-on-one time with a local youth, aged 6-14, doing everyday things together. Share your time and talents by making a difference in a child's life. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Boys and Girls Club Volunteer Boys and Girls Club of Janesville June 18-August 24, Monday-Wednesday & Friday, 12-6 p.m. 14 volunteers, minimum age 18 Volunteers are needed to play and interact with the kids in the guym, art room, games room, teen lounge or computer lab. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer
Childcare - Parenting Classes Exchange Family Resource Center Tuesdays, 6:30-8 p.m. 2 volunteers, minimum age 18 Assist us with providing childcare on Tuesday evenings during our parenting class. A background check is required. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Childcare Exchange Family Resource Center Fridays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. 2 volunteers, minimum age 18 Assist us with providing childcare during our Circle of Parents group. The parent group lasts one hour and is held once a month. A background check is required. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer
CASA Volunteer CASA of Rock County On-going, flexible schedule 9 volunteers, minimum age 21 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Rock County volunteers are trained community members who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the juvenile justice system. After successful completion of the screening process and the 30 hours of initial training, program volunteers are sworn in as "friends of the court." Call 757-3058 to Volunteer	Preschool Volunteer YMCA of North Rock County On-going, weekdays 3 volunteers, minimum age 18 Volunteers are needed to help in the preschool and to assist when the children go swimming. Call 757-3058 to Volunteer