Opportunities From: United Way of Cascade County

Join the Benefis staff in creating a positive environment that supports patients and their families. Benefis is seeking volunteers to serve in the surgical waiting room. Volunteer will help keep track of patients, answer phones, keep families notified, help families navigate the hospital, and assist physicians in locating family members post-surgery.

Volunteers will serve in the North surgery waiting room during either a morning or afternoon shift on weekdays. Qualifications include the ability to pass a background check, professional communication skills, willingness to maintain confidentiality, ability to use a phone and a computer, and the willingness to fulfill assigned tasks. Volunteers must be able to walk and stand for a few hours. Volunteers will receive training to prepare them for their tasks. Dress code is business casual.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Kathy Yarger at 406-455-5191 or kathyyarger@benefis.org.

Join the Benefis staff in creating a positive environment that supports patients and their families. Benefis is seeking volunteers to keep the information desk running smoothly. Volunteers will give directions to patients and visitors, provide wheelchairs as needed, answer phones, locate patient rooms for visitors, and answer questions.

Volunteers will serve at the North Tower entrance, the South Tower Entrance or the West Campus Entrance during either a morning or afternoon shift on weekdays. Qualifications include the ability to pass a background check, professional communication skills, willingness to maintain confidentiality, ability to use a phone and a computer, ability to push a wheelchair or escort visitors, and the willingness to fulfill assigned tasks. Volunteers must be able to be on their feet and move around the hospital for a few hours.  Volunteers will receive training to prepare them for their tasks and will have a guide to help answer questions. Dress code is business casual.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Kathy Yarger at 406-455-5191 or kathyyarger@benefis.org.

Join the Benefis staff in creating a positive environment that supports patients and their families. Benefis is seeking volunteers to help senior residents with activities in groups or one on one. All volunteers will be trained and supervised by  Life Enrichment Activities staff.

Volunteers will serve at Eastview, Westview or Grandview with morning or afternoon shifts available Monday through Friday. Qualifications include the ability to pass a background check, professional communication skills, willingness to maintain confidentiality, ability to use a phone and a computer, and the willingness to fulfill assigned tasks. Volunteers must be able to be on their feet and move around for a few hours. Dress code is business casual with no blue jeans and a provided name tag.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Kathy Yarger at 406-455-5191 or kathyyarger@benefis.org.

You can make sure that a child has enough to eat tonight. All you have to do is donate to the local school food pantries. These pantries provide children with food for over the weekends and, depending on their stock, other items such as toiletries. Studies show that fed children do better in school, and the pantries are one way to help feed hungry students. All you need to do to help is donate food and/or toiletries to a school pantry. For more information, contact Lisa Carlson at lisa_carlson@gfps.k12.mt.us.

Join CASA and make a child's journey through the social welfare system a little easier. Each CASA volunteer protects a child’s rights and ensure that their best interests are met so that in the overburdened social welfare system in Cascade County, abused and neglected children won’t slip through the cracks among hundreds of cases. CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers local citizens to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children. Appointed by a local judge, CASA guardians ad litem advocate for children to be in a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible.

No experience required. CASA provides training. Volunteers provide the heart and compassion to help ensure Powerful Voices to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children in court. CASA-CAN volunteer guardians ad litem work to ensure that our children are safe and have a permanent home as quickly as possible.

Potential volunteers must be at least 21 years old, complete a written application, and pass a background check.

New volunteers will receive 30 hours of Pre-service training to prepare them for their role. The average time commitment after initial training is 10 hours per month. CASA will provide additional support and mentoring as needed. A commitment of one year is required.

For more information or to volunteer, contact the CASA office at micasa@casacan.org or 454-6738.

Join CASA and make a child's journey through the social welfare system a little easier. Each CASA volunteer protects a child’s rights and ensure that their best interests are met so that in the overburdened social welfare system in Cascade County, abused and neglected children won’t slip through the cracks among hundreds of cases. CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers local citizens to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children. Appointed by a local judge, CASA guardians ad litem advocate for children to be in a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible.

No experience required. CASA provides training. Volunteers provide the heart and compassion to help ensure Powerful Voices to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children in court. CASA-CAN volunteer guardians ad litem work to ensure that our children are safe and have a permanent home as quickly as possible.

Potential volunteers must be at least 21 years old, complete a written application, and pass a background check.

New volunteers will receive 30 hours of Pre-service training to prepare them for their role. The average time commitment after initial training is 10 hours per month. CASA will provide additional support and mentoring as needed. A commitment of one year is required.

For more information or to volunteer, contact the CASA office at micasa@casacan.org or 454-6738.

Sunburst Unlimited, Inc., dba Gardens from Garbage, is a 501 3c non-profit that guides and educations our youth and community in developing sustainable food practices and encourages healthy eating highlighted by our Westside Orchard Garden. Our Westside Orchard Garden is a 2.2-acre plot where we grow, model and employ a variety of gardening methods, teach classes for adults, mentor kids raising their own vegetables, experiment with new and innovative methods for growing, and host seminars for groups.

Volunteers are highly encouraged at the garden. Opportunities range from helping kids to grow and harvest vegetables, helping out on garden picnic days or coming to the garden on weekends to help garden, pull weeds, extract honey or harvest vegetables. We also welcome whatever expertise skills you have, including marketing, website design, or graphic design to help our program grow.

Volunteers are always supervised out at the garden, so any hand on gardening skills can be taught. Since you may be working with kids, we cannot accept any volunteers at the garden with child endangerment charges. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Our garden operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. with occasional weekend work volunteer parties. Volunteers are encouraged to be out at the garden for at least an hour when volunteering.

You can become a volunteer by reaching out to our organization. You can contact Mike Dalton aka Captain Compost at 406-868-2359 or email us at sunburstunlimited@gmail.com subject: volunteering.

The Maclean Animal Adoption Center is seeking volunteers to serve as custodial and maintenance assistants. This is a great chance to help out the Center even if you aren't the best with animals. Volunteers will help with cleaning the public areas including sweeping, mopping, dusting and windows. Light maintenance may include hanging bulletin boards, assembling items, mowing grass and shoveling snow.

Volunteers should be physically able to perform a wide range of tasks and able to lift 50 pounds and have knowledge of using cleaning materials and equipment safely. They will be volunteering at our Center before, after, and during our hours of operation, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. You will be trained and have staff available for questions. Closed-toe shoes, long sleeved shirts, and jeans or custodian work clothes are suggested.

To volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator  Samantha at admin@macleananimaladoptioncenter.org or (406) 727-7387.

The GFPD volunteers provide support for the police department in several capacities. They monitor inmate phone calls, assist facilitating the Citizens Academy program, patrol on foot, bikes, UTV, and in a dedicated patrol car, enforce the City’s abandoned vehicle ordinance, general office support, event support, and proactive high visible patrols.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, pass a background check, and have a valid driver’s license and driver’s history. The GFPD will provide training and most of the uniform. Volunteers are asked to commit to 4 hours per week for one year.

To volunteer complete application at  https://greatfallsmt.net/police/volunteer-program.

For more information, contact Adrienne Ehrke at aehrke@greatfallsmt.net or call (406)455-8408

Serve with your local sheriff's office as a volunteer! The records office is seeking volunteers to help file reports, mark files for new offenders, scan reports into the database, convert old criminal files to a new format, and other office duties as time allows. Interested volunteers need to have basic computer skills, be able to alphabetize, and type. Volunteers must also complete a background check before beginning their duties, which the sheriff's office will oversee.

Volunteers will be serving at the main sheriff's office. Shifts are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays, and would prefer volunteers to establish a stable schedule. Staff will provide volunteers with training and be on hand to answer questions. Volunteers should be able to squat to reach lower shelves. The dress code is dress pants Monday to Thursday and jeans on Friday with no t-shirts or sweatshirts.

Volunteers will significantly help the records staff in updating the old files and completing the long process of converting all files into the same format. If you are interested, please contact Lisa at lmosley@cascadecountymt.gov or call 406-454-6840.

The Great Falls Senior Center is seeking volunteers for the following positions:

One doorkeeper from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday (one-five persons will be scheduled so we have one person each day.) 

Two volunteers per day for telephone reassurance and assistance volunteers (shift 1: 9 a.m. -Noon or shift Noon to 3 p.m.)  (looking for a number of people to do 1 day a week or 1-2 shifts a week.)

The volunteers need to be healthy and must keep our social distancing protocols.  Volunteers must wash hands very regularly. They will also help wash doors, chairs, phones, handles, etc after each use to help keep the center clean.

Anyone interested in helping out should call Bob at 454-6995 if they wish to help us at this difficult time.

The mission of the Young Parents Education Center (YPEC) is to empower teenage and young adult pregnant and parenting students (ages 13-30) to pursue educational opportunities that lead to independence and self-sufficiency and to promote positive parenting enabling their babies to develop to their fullest potential. Serving Great Falls since 1969, YPEC has three components to meet the varying needs of pregnant and parenting students and their children: family support, parenting education, and quality childcare.

Volunteers are a large part of their program, and there are many ways that you can help and be a positive part of a student's life. Volunteers are needed in the childcare center helping with infants and toddlers. You can volunteer to be a guest speaker for their parents and students during group sessions. Volunteers may also serve as mentors, sharing their experiences and professional history with the students.

To volunteer in the childcare center, you must be current on immunizations and be able to pass a background check. You will be asked to sign a code of conduct. Volunteers at the childcare center serve at your leisure from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Group is held every Thursday from 9 a.m.-10 a.m., and speakers must schedule in advance.

For more information or to volunteers, contact Shandy Peterson at 268-6665 or shandy_petersen@gfps.k12.mt.us.

The St. Vincent de Paul provides gently used items for sale to the public and makes items available to those in need during emergencies. The store's revenue goes to supporting St. Vincent de Paul's food bank and other local programs. Volunteers are critical to keeping the store stocked and open. There are several opportunities to help in the store in merchandise, organization and customer service. Help is also needed in the warehouse.

Volunteers have a variety of shifts available with the store operating Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the warehouse open from Monday to Saturday from9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Merchandiser volunteers will help sort items and create displays.

Volunteers will be trained for their tasks and have supervision on-site. Those interested need to be able to lift 5 lbs, stand for extended periods of time and have compassion for those in need of services. The dress code is clean and casual with jeans being fine though no open toed shoes.

To volunteer contact June Kavulla at junekavulla@gmail.com or call 761-0870.

Volunteers are needed at SVDP to help operate the Charity Work Station in their office. By keeping this staffed with volunteers SVDP will be able to put more resources into programs and helping clients. Volunteers will be trained to answer the phone, ring up voucher purchases for clients and speak with clients coming in for help.

The Charity Office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m.to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will receive training for their tasks and a staff member will be available should they need assistance. Those interested need to be able to lift 5 lbs, stand or sit for extended periods of time and have compassion for those in need of services. The dress code is clean and casual with jeans being fine though no open toed shoes.

To volunteer contact June Kavulla at junekavulla@gmail.com or call 761-0870.

The St. Vincent de Paul provides gently used items for sale to the public and makes items available to those in need during emergencies. The store's revenue goes to supporting St. Vincent de Paul's food bank and other local programs. Volunteers are critical to keeping the store stocked and open. Volunteers are needed to help keep the thrift store open.

Volunteers have a variety of shifts available with the store operating Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Staff will train and supervise volunteers in answering the phone, providing customer service and stocking shelves. Those interested need to be able to lift 5 lbs, stand or sit for extended periods of time and have compassion for those in need of services. The dress code is clean and casual with jeans being fine though no open toed shoes.

To volunteer contact June Kavulla at junekavulla@gmail.com or call 761-0870.

The St. Vincent de Paul provides gently used items for sale to the public and makes items available to those in need during emergencies. The store's revenue goes to supporting St. Vincent de Paul's food bank and other local programs. Volunteers are critical to keeping the store stocked and open. Donations are received and processed in the warehouse where more volunteers are needed.

Volunteers have a variety of shifts available with the warehouse open from Monday to Saturday from9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Warehouse volunteers will serve in the warehouse and receive donations from the public before sorting items for distribution.

Volunteers will be trained for their tasks and have supervision on-site. Those interested need to be able to lift 5 lbs, stand for extended periods of time, fill out donation forms and have compassion for those in need of services. The dress code is clean and casual with jeans being fine though no open toed shoes.

To volunteer contact June Kavulla at junekavulla@gmail.com or call 761-0870.

Come and join the Pea Pods Community and learn more about gardening, healthy foods, and meet a lot of great people. About half the food grown is donated to the Grace Home or the Food Bank; the rest goes to the gardeners for their own tables.

Pea Pods gardens focus on developing neighborhood pride and tearing down barriers of a diverse neighborhood. The project provides educational opportunities on gardening, nutrition, and horticulture. By gardening together, neighbors create and build a healthier neighborhood. The effort has had a direct, positive effect on helping eliminate poverty; weed out crime; foster healthy nutritional habits, and encourage residents to be good stewards of the land.  A strong sense of community comes from the first garden, for all stakeholders — funders, volunteers, food recipients, and growers.

Pea Pods thrives because of the dedication of its volunteers. Volunteers come from a variety of experience and all are necessary. It takes all types to make a garden grow. No experience necessary just an opportunity to tap into your passion to assist others to grow nutritious food and experience the holistic benefits from gardening.  Many volunteers are needed for both summer and winter seasons. The list of volunteer positions currently available as follows:

Interested volunteers should have the physical ability to do some light lifting, as to pull weeds and bag them; shovel mulch into a wheelbarrow, dump it out of the wheelbarrow and spread with rakes. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing for working outside and the weather of the day. Volunteer times need to be scheduled in advance so that the gate is open.

To find out more information about Pea Pods Gardens in Great Falls or to get involved, contact:June Kaluva at (406)761-0870 or email bookkeeper.svdpgreatfalls@gmail.com.

Volunteer opportunities abound at Foothills including opportunities assisting teachers in the classroom, driving and providing transportation for school events as well as facility maintenance, clerical support, and more. We also accept volunteers for service on our planning committees for events and activities as well as for athletic events and technology support.  If you are interested in assisting at Foothills, we can find a place to put your gifts and talents to work.

Volunteers must be 18 years old and complete a background check for eligibility to work within the school and complete and pass a ministry safe course. Those volunteering to assist with transportation must have a class B or C CDL.  In addition, volunteers should align with the FCCS Statement of Faith.

Volunteer time commitment varies by activity.  With our flexible scheduling, we can provide volunteer opportunities during the regular work day as well as evenings and weekends for various events.  We welcome volunteers for as many or as few hours as they wish to contribute.

To volunteer, please contact the FCCS Office at 406-452-5276 for additional information and paperwork or email fccs@foothillschristian.org

Join the Great Falls Pre-Release Center in helping people prepare for a new lease on life. The Great Falls Pre-Release Center is seeking volunteers to engage in helpful and appropriate interactions with felons returning to the community. This volunteer position will adhere to all the required Pre-Release rules which they will receive training on.

Some volunteers will do individual work with a resident as a mentor. This is always on a same-sex basis. The volunteers who serve as mentors may take their mentee outside the Pre-Release with proper approval to public venues.

Other volunteers work individually with residents on more specific issues, such as grief counseling, HiSET preparation, and reading and writing skills. These activities are conducted in the Pre-Release. Another volunteer opportunity is conducting classes on a variety of life skills such as cooking, crafts, yoga, healthy and mental health issues. Some volunteers run support groups for addressing addictions, trauma, and other challenges. Realistic, pro-social, and healthy events that help the residents gain confidence and coping skills, can become volunteer activities. 

Potential volunteers must be able to pass a criminal background check. The volunteers must be clear and sober from alcohol and drugs, and in stable mental condition. The ability to maintain healthy boundaries is very important. The volunteers must never have any inappropriate interactions with any residents as per PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act).  The volunteers must be able to follow directives and policies to ensure their safety. This includes the prohibition against any contraband or financial transactions. While not being too naive is essential, we are looking for people with a pleasant demeanor who are understanding, respectful, open-minded, have no alternative agenda, and have a genuine desire to help people transition successfully into the community. Volunteers must honor the confidentiality of the residents. Ability to work with a diverse population is a must, as is honoring the dignity and worth of each resident.

All volunteer activity is based out of the Great Falls Pre-Release. There are three campuses: Women's, East Campus Male and West Campus Male. The volunteer service times are very flexible and are worked around the schedule of the volunteer. All volunteers receive training and are under the supervision of Pre-Release staff. The dress code is business casual or smart casual, please no revealing clothing, flip flops or clothing with political logos, alcohol or drug logos or any logos that could be considered offensive.

The gift shop is a haven for people to escape, and the Great Falls Clinic Hospital is seeking fun, high energy volunteers to assist in the gift shop. The shop is beautiful; the pace is easy. We are a new gift shop, but we are popular and always full with just the right gifts cards, treats, and lovely floral arrangements. Duties: Assists in daily operations of the hospital shop, runs the register, opens and closes, pricing of merchandise, inventory, restocking of items, and maintains gift shop.

The ideal volunteer has good customer service skills, good verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail and good organizational skills, good telephone skills, mature, positive service-oriented individual. Previous experience in retail, customer service, and cash register use is preferred, but training will be provided. Volunteers will have supervision available for questions. The shop is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with shifts available. Dress code is professional casual.

Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community. Volunteering for this position in helping others can help the volunteer to reduce stress, combat depression, keep mentally stimulated and provide a sense of purpose. Volunteering does not have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of time out of a busy day.

If you have any Questions: Please contact Christell Benson 406.868.6797or chrysalis59401@yahoo.com.

Foster parents have the ability to give abused and neglected children a safe and stable home to start the healing process while their parents are working with Child & Family Services with the goal of reunification. Foster parents are called on to include the child in their case as a member of their family unit while giving recognition to the birth family’s rights.

Foster parents will work objectively with Child and Family Services Division of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services or other placing agencies to implement the particular plan for the child in their care. They must comply with all licensing or placement requirements and cooperate and support visitation with parents and siblings. Foster parents inform the child protection specialist about medical or behavioral problems, educational progress, and other matters regarding the child. They keep personal information regarding the child and birth family confidential. Foster parents help the child develop and understand the child’s cultural traditions, ethnic background, and religious beliefs. They parent according to the reasonable and prudent parenting standard.

Potential foster parents must complete application, pass a background check, complete all training, and successfully complete a SAFE Home Study. Training includes 8-hour Keeping Children Safe in person and 15 hours of CORE training online. Placement can be made once you are fully licensed. Once licensed, you may relicense each year as long as you would like to continue. Foster parents will be supervised by the Resource Family Specialist working with the family and the CPS worker. To be considered, you must be physically and mentally capable of caring for children.

To apply or for more information, please go to http://dphhs.mt.gov/CFSD/Fosterparent.