Opportunities From: United Way of Cascade County

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.

Volunteering connects to others Volunteering is good for your mind and body Volunteering can advance in a career Volunteering will bring Fun and fulfillment to your life Volunteer will impact the community and allow the volunteer to connect to the community and make it a better place, and increase social and relationship skills, People that come to the hospital are going thru a stressful time, volunteering to welcome them into a” Happy Place” or to say an encouraging word, does wonders for the volunteer as well as the family and friends that are full of uncertainty. A helpful Warm Hearted person will go a long way.

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.