| Author |
Message |
    
Alidah
| | Posted on Sunday, March 4, 2001 - 8:04 pm: |     |
I'm new to town and am investigating volunteer opportunities in Maplewood. Would anyone care to share any info/experiences?
Thank you. |
Dytunck
| | Posted on Sunday, March 4, 2001 - 10:45 pm: | |
Alidah,
There's a terrific new program called "Neighbors Unite To Shovel", or NUTS for short. This is a program where you show up at my house and voluntarily shovel my sidewalk, driveway, steps, and walk. I believe tomorrow and Tuesday are the first two meetings.
 |
Cfa
| | Posted on Sunday, March 4, 2001 - 11:10 pm: | |
LOL....that was a good one! |
Kmk
| | Posted on Monday, March 5, 2001 - 11:11 am: | |
I heard that St. Barnabas Hospital's Hospice program needs volunteers of all types (office staff etc.) They are located behind Whole Foods on Milburn Avenue. |
Uqbar
| | Posted on Monday, March 5, 2001 - 11:45 am: | |
Dytunk, I was there. Where was everyone else??? |
Patty
| | Posted on Monday, March 5, 2001 - 7:33 pm: | |
Welcome Alidah! A few ideas...Jersey Animal Coalition does regular "adoption days" on weekends; one of my friends does this. If you love animals, that would be great (763-7322). Community groups are always looking for people (check the Maplewood Online homepage, right side)i.e., the Strollers for all aspects of theatre, the Civic Association (which is now looking for people to help with 4th of July --baking+eating +sporting contests, entertainment, circus, etc.--contact Howard Gilman [internet address: Hamgilman]), and all the churches which have tons of service programs. Good luck. |
Mlj
| | Posted on Monday, March 5, 2001 - 8:53 pm: | |
Just another thought regarding Jersey Animal Coalition - they need volunteers to walk the dogs. |
Imacgrandma
| | Posted on Monday, March 5, 2001 - 9:22 pm: | |
St Barnabas can always use more volunteers. I was a Patient Unit Volunteer at Clara Maass, but the drive is rather long, so I'm switching over here. Also, Kessler needs volunteers, altho' reaching their volunteer coordinator can take some patience. I understand that there's one-on-one assistance for people who need help learning English, and Roland Bennett at the main library could help you with that. All the churches and synagogues have volunteer work. New Eyes for the Needy, in Short Hills, uses volunteers. And the list goes on and on. |
Alidah
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 6, 2001 - 10:44 pm: | |
Thanks all for your information.
Imacgrandma, what do you do at the hospital? How often do you go and how long are you there? |
Joancrystal
| | Posted on Thursday, March 8, 2001 - 8:03 pm: | |
Alidah:
There is so much to choose from. Lets try to narrow it down.
Do you prefer working with people? things? ideas?
one on one or in a larger group?
Do you have a hobby or skill you would like to pursue in your volunteer work?
Do you have a cause that you would like to work towards?
Do you want to do your volunteer work at home? in your neighborhood? in town? anywhere?
How much time do you want to spend a day? week? month? Do you prefer days? nights? weekends?
Do you want to do volunterer work with other members of your family or with friends?
The answers to these questions should lead you in the right direction. |
Goodolddays
| | Posted on Friday, March 9, 2001 - 3:09 pm: | |
Alidah..if you are really interested in becoming involved as a volunteer, two particular areas are presently in need of people on a local level. The Maplewood Volunteer First Aid Squad and/or the Maplewood Juvenile Conference Committee (JCC). Both have openings that need to be filled by folks who care and want to make a difference in the community. |
Eliz
| | Posted on Friday, March 9, 2001 - 5:06 pm: | |
What is the Juvenile Conference Committee? |
Alidah
| | Posted on Friday, March 9, 2001 - 8:03 pm: | |
What would a volunteer in the first aid squad do? I could answer phones but I don't think I could go on calls. Blood. You know. |
Goodolddays
| | Posted on Friday, March 9, 2001 - 11:30 pm: | |
Eliz..The Juvenile Conference Committee (JCC)serves under authority of the Superior Court,Chancery Division, Family Part, and consists of 6 to 9 (volunteer) members, appointed by the Presiding Superior Court Judge, County level. The JCC acts in the capacity of being an arm of that court and, in a strictly confidental manner, hears and makes recommendations regarding alleged juvenile offenders who have been referred to the committee (JCC) by the court.This concept of a JCC here in New Jersey dates back to 1948.
A truly rewarding volunteer involvement. |
Nakaille
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2001 - 4:07 pm: | |
The Child Placement Review Board is another child-oriented volunteer opportunity in need of caring adults. They help to make sure that the kids DYFS puts in foster care are there for appropriate reasons, that DYFS is doing the appropriate work (within the legal time frames) to either re-unify the family or locate another permanent home for the child, and that parents of these kids are getting the help they're supposed to. Unfortunately, a number of parents don't show up to these reviews which gives the Board a fair ('tho not perfect) idea of how invested the parent is in the kid! The volunteers serve in an advisory capacity to the court. I'm pretty sure they have evening hours (once or twice a month, total, I think) for volunteers to make it possible for more "working folks" to participate.
Bacata |
Eliz
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2001 - 9:21 pm: | |
Goodolddays/Bacata - I would be interested in volunteering for either the JCC or the Child Placement Review Board - do you have contact info for these groups? Thanks. |
Alidah
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2001 - 10:02 pm: | |
Joan Crystal: I'd like to do something for a couple of hours a week (at the most), where my time would be really needed. I've done "committee work" and found it unfulfilling. I'm looking for something more hands-on. No particular causes--just want to find an group in Maplewood in need that could really use an extra hand.
I've heard that the first aid squad needs help. I would be interested in finding out more about it.
Has anyone here done work with them? What are the options? |
Goodolddays
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2001 - 11:45 pm: | |
Nakaille.....your right, the Child Placement Review (CPR) Board is another volunteer assembly of folks from all walks of life.
Biz...I will forward those contact numbers to you tomorrow. |
Eliz
| | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 8:59 pm: | |
Thanks Goodolddays - I'll be looking for that info. |
Goodolddays
| | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 9:41 pm: | |
Eliz...apologize, as right now the Essex County contact person to call and request an application is not at hand. I will check tomorrow. In the meantime, why not call the Maplewood Police Dept.
and enter option #3..that's the Youth Aid Bureau.
I sure one of the Detectives could point you in the right direction. In the meantime, as I said, I'll get that Essex County - Family Court number. |
Imacgrandma
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 4:04 pm: | |
Alidah - At Clara Maass I worked from 9am-1pm on Wednesdays. I worked three foors (just not maternity). I ran errands for the nurses, filled patients' water pitchers, fixed their flowers, got them newpapers, magazines, hand-made pretty blankets that we stocked. I talked with them, fed them, got them extra food or such (with nurse's permission), translated for Spanish-speaking patients, etc., even may have saved a life one day when I prevented a patient from harming herself. Sometimes I just sat nearby and held their hand.
At St. Barnabas they are starting a tea cart in the cancer unit. I hope to be doing that. It ain't just tea! Until then I'll be in the dispatch room, a good way to get to know the hospital. You can be called on for errands, for discharging patients, etc. I plan to eventually work 3 hours once a week because I am also hoping to work with, I think it's called the Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, in their one-on-one visiting service. People apply to them, so they're "clients" and you go spend a few hours with them once a week just to talk or read to them, something like that. |
Joancrystal
| | Posted on Friday, March 16, 2001 - 10:31 am: | |
Dave:
How about a Volunteerism category where people could post their skills/interests/availability and local organizations could post their cries for help? |
Greenetree
| | Posted on Friday, March 16, 2001 - 2:41 pm: | |
The ACHIEVE program here in out local school district is always in need of tutors. We work with kids in all grades- everything from little ones needing someone to help with reading to HS students in need of chemistry help. The committment is 1 hour a week- Tues. evening or Sat. morning when school is in session.
I find this VERY rewarding- it doesn't get more hands on than working 1:1 with a kids & you see the results immediately.
If this is too much of a committment, twice a year, they also do SAT prep. It's small groups of kids & adults for a couple hours a week over a month long period.
Call Debra Prince (Coordinator) 378-9934 for more info.
P.S.- No blood is involved ;-) |
Alidah
| | Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2001 - 9:47 pm: | |
Thanks everyone for your information. I appreciate your taking the time to help me (and some others!) out. |
Joancrystal
| | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2001 - 12:35 pm: | |
Alidah:
To answer your question, the First Aid Squad is our town's volunteer emergency medical service organization. Staff take emergency medical calls, drive the ambulence, and serve as Emergency Medical Technicians.
If you want to know more about their current staffing needs, visit them at their headquarters at the other end of the pool parking lot. I don't if your "few hours a week" will meet their needs to cover shifts and have staff on call in emergency situations but you may be able to work something out. They should also be able to help you get EMT certification if you want it and don't have it already.
Anything you do for them will definitely be hands on and very much appreciated by all of us. |
Marcazimmermann
| | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2001 - 11:53 pm: | |
Alidah,
I've volunteered for the Community Coalition on Race and for the Maplewood Township Public Safety Committee. I have found both experiences to be fulfilling.
I understand your hesitation about committee work but there are many opportunities with government committees that you may actually enjoy. Call the Town Clerk's office to find out of any vacancies. Perhaps something will be a good fit. If not, the First Aid Squad is always in need. As stated above, I am sure your work there would be much appreciated. Good Luck and welcome to town! |
Coalition
| | Posted on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 9:05 am: | |
Volunteers are the core of the Community Coalition -- and luckily, there is no shortage of people in our towns who care about our future and want to get involved. If you'd like to join in, here is what you might consider:
Committees handle the greater part of our initiatives. Each committee meets monthly. We would be happy to share the schedule of the committee that you find of interest. We invite your participation in any of our activities:
-The Promotions/Marketing Committee is charged with leading our marketing program to raise awareness of the special qualities Maplewood and South Orange have to offer in order to attract potential homeowners to our communities. Within our towns, this committee has been successful in generating "good news" stories featuring our residents in local papers. This committee serves as the major public communicator for Coalition events, issuing relevant press releases and community communications. This committee also works with our publicist to generate national press about our community. New ideas are always welcome, with a special call to those with writing or public relations skills.
This committee has formed a subcommittee made up of real estate professionals in our two towns who work as advisors to several of our committees to assist us in reaching our goals. Real estate professionals are always welcome to join this group.
This committee also has a subcommittee focusing on the corporate and college relo community.
-Potential buyers are invited to visit our towns and receive a tour offered by our Touring Committee. This committee, made up of Coalition members and citizen volunteers, are not Realtors. They have designed a one-hour tour that introduces our guests to all areas of our towns. Committee members also follow-up with potential neighbors who have received our packet or tour. New tour committee members are always welcome.
-The Finance/Development Committee works to raise funds through grants and other funding activities to allow the Coalition to become self-sustaining and allow our activities to continue. This committee is very much in need of new members willing to develop fundraising events and programs.
-The Ordinance Review Committee compares and contrasts our municipal ordinances with model ordinances in several areas, e.g., solicitation for real estate listings, fair housing complaints, housing code standards, and economic development, in order to encourage ordinances that support pro-integrative moves and up-keep of housing stock. This committee is also charged with making recommendations to the municipalities to assist in attracting a diverse workforce to municipal employment and contract work. New committee members are welcome.
-The Neighborhood Association and Civic Life Committee focuses on the development and support of neighborhood associations, and works to promote greater participation by all sectors of our community in the general civic life of the Maplewood and South Orange community.
-The Schools Committee is charged with developing options that promote racial balance among the Districts' schools, and within the schools and their educational programs. This committee is particularly seeking individuals interested in assisting with research into appropriate models and policies for our district.
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research Committee suggests particular methods for assessing performance and impact of Coalition initiatives. This committee serves to identify baseline data and methods for updating and comparing sales activity, rental activity, housing prices, and the effectiveness of our brokers and marketing programs. New members are always welcome.
A subcommittee of the MER, the Real Estate Practices Committee works with a regional fair housing council, MUSE, to ensure compliance with fair housing standards. The Coalition's goal here is to recognize positive broker behavior, and bring to their attention negative or illegal acts. We realize that the Realtors are essential to our success, and seek to work in partnership with them, to the greatest extent possible.
The Financial Incentives Committee explores programs that use a variety of incentives to support pro-integrative real estate activity. Work on this committee involves researching programs and determining their applicability to our community.
The Interfaith Outreach Committee works with the religious communities of our towns to engender support and to serve as a vehicle for further communicating our goals. New members can assist in this activity.
Clearly, with so many activities, there is something to meet everyone's interests. If you have specialty skills, or the ability to make some other type of contribution, please don't hesitate to contact our Executive Director at (973) 761-6116, Extension 2. |
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