Volunteer Opportunities

American Red Cross
http://www.redcross-cmd.org/
The local chapter of the American Red Cross relies on a large network of volunteers to serve the needs of the Greater Baltimore community. Every year the Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters—including approximately 150 home fires every day. About 11 million Americans turn to the Red Cross to learn first aid, CPR, swimming, and other health and safety skills. Last year, more than 158,000 people volunteered to teach those courses. Half the nation's blood supply— six million pints annually—is collected by more than 155,000 Red Cross volunteers. Be a part of it. For more information on what Goucher students are doing with the Red Cross, contact Jennifer Bess (jbess@goucher.edu) or Santa Wallace (swallace@goucher.edu). Also, check out the link under CAUSE to learn more about American Red Cross Blood Drives on campus.

Timothy House
Timothy House is an affordable housing community for the elderly. Several times a semester, volunteers help with meals, visit with residents, and engage in recreational activities. For more information on what Goucher students are doing with the Timothy House, contact Jennifer Bess (jbess@goucher.edu) or Santa Wallace (swallace@goucher.edu). Also, check out the link under CAUSE to learn more about how to get involved with the Timothy House.

Sandtown-Winchester Habitat for Humanity
http://www.sandtownhabitat.org/
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

Habitat for Humanity and the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood of West Baltimore
Goucher is a partner with Habitat for Humanity and the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood of West Baltimore. This partnership invites Goucher volunteers to rebuild vacant houses, increase homeownership and improve the health of the community. Goucher’s Habitat team travels 3-4 times a semester to Sandtown on Saturdays to help families build homes and to assist in cleaning up streets. For more information on what Goucher students are doing with Habitat for Humanity, contact Jennifer Bess (jbess@goucher.edu) or Santa Wallace (swallace@goucher.edu). Also, check out the link under CAUSE to learn more about Habitat for Humanity opportunities.

Hampden Family Center
The Hampden Family Center welcomes volunteers to join in our efforts to enrich the lives of our youth and adults enhancing the quality of life for all in the community of Hampden. Goucher students can volunteer weekly, Monday-Friday, with the After-School Enrichment Program (ages 7-14) or the Computer and GED Education (for adults). For more information on what Goucher students are doing with the Hampden Family Center, contact Jennifer Bess (jbess@goucher.edu) or Santa Wallace (swallace@goucher.edu).

Yorkwood Elementary School
Yorkwood Elementary School is a Baltimore City public school located in North Baltimore. Goucher students work weekly with school staff and teachers, Monday-Thursday, to provide after-school tutoring and enrichment activities for elementary school students. For more information on what Goucher students are doing with the Hampden Family Center, contact Jennifer Bess (jbess@goucher.edu) or Santa Wallace (swallace@goucher.edu).

Upward Bound at Morgan State University
Upward Bound is a unique partnership between local Baltimore high schools, Morgan State University, and the U.S. Department of Education. Goucher students have the opportunity to volunteer several Saturdays out of the month with other area college students on academic tutoring for college-bound Baltimore high school students. For more information on what Goucher students are doing with Upward Bound, contact Jennifer Bess (jbess@goucher.edu) or Santa Wallace (swallace@goucher.edu).

International Rescue Committee
http://theirc.org/
Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. The IRC Baltimore offers the following volunteer opportunities for Goucher students:

• Acculturation Mentors - These volunteers spend regular time with a refugee family with the goal of helping them to acclimate to their new environment and become familiar with the local community as well as to improve their English skills.
• English Second Language Tutors - These volunteers spend regular time supporting refugee clients in their pursuit of improving their English skills; either as classroom support or private tutors.
• Refugee Youth Program Volunteers - These volunteers spend time with the younger refugee population in various ways, including after school programs, tutoring and mentoring.

For more information on what Goucher students are doing with the IRC, contact Jennifer Bess (jbess@goucher.edu) or Santa Wallace (swallace@goucher.edu). If you prefer to speak directly to the IRC, please contact Jessica Lee, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 410-558-3182 for more information.

St. Ambrose Center
http://www.vincentbaltimore.org/st_ambrose.html
Since 1972 St. Ambrose has been a focal point of the Southern Park Heights community in Baltimore City, working with the community to improve the lives of low-income individuals, families, and children. Each year, the Center reaches more than 40,000 persons with its broad scope of services. St. Ambrose offers an extensive variety of comprehensive, community-based day and evening programs and services. While helping to meet basic human needs is a vital part of the St. Ambrose mission, its principal focus is to provide resources to help individuals become self-sufficient, realize their potential, and achieve their life goals. For more information on what Goucher students are doing with St. Ambrose Center, contact Jennifer Bess (jbess@goucher.edu) or Santa Wallace (swallace@goucher.edu). To contact St. Ambrose Center directly, please call the Volunteer/Resource Coordinator at 410-225-0870.