Below is a list of local community service/outreach organizations. You can use the drop down box to select which types of organizations you are interested in, or simply view the alphabetized list below.
To submit an organization for inclusion in this list, please use this form.
The Achievement Academy of Durham empowers hard-working, at-risk students, who have dropped out of high school, to become productive, successful members of the community through obtaining a North Carolina High School Equivalency Diploma and postsecondary education. Our year-round daily school provides the education and support necessary for high risk, initially low reading, hard-working students living in poverty to become gainfully employed citizens. We pair formal education with the teaching of personal and leadership skills to turn lives around.
Examples of volunteer opportunities include:
Tutoring
Taking students on academic or career field trips
Arranging for a representative of the Achievement Academy to speak to your organization or congregation or by writing about us
Adopt a student – supply their books, help them meet their transportation, rent or emergency childcare needs
There are a number of diverse ways in which you can help the APS from hands-on animal care to front desk activities to helping outside the shelter. Visit their website to find out more information about how to get involved.
Through the Community Connections program, individual volunteers are matched with adults who have mental retardation or other developmental disabilities. The match is based on common interests, geographic location and support needs. These partners spend six to eight hours each month developing a one-on-one relationship, while using community resources or participating in leisure activities. These relationships allow the participants to experience activities and a special bond with a person outside of their immediate family or regular caregivers. It also reinforces to volunteers that friendships across the barrier of disability are possible. A one year commitment is required, where 6 to 8 hours per month are spent with your partner. Apply here .
The mission of Beyond The Classroom is to encourage cooperation and cross pollinating of a variety of life skills and insights between the public and private educational constituencies and the local business, sports, and arts communities.North Carolina is rich in business, arts, sporting and other resources and yet these resources rarely find their way into the classrooms in the public or private school systems where classroom learning could be blended with some real life applications.
Beyond The Classroom always needs people to speak, contact speakers, raise funds, and help organize presentations. If you have time to devote to any of these activities, please contact them.
Become a mentor and friend to a child. You can become a big brother or big sister spending a few times a month with a child, or you can mentor a child through their site-based program at a local school, find out more about the various opportunities.
Caring House is a home-away-from-home to adults receiving outpatient treatment at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center (DCCC). The average stay is 18 days, with our shortest stay being 1 day and our longest 25 weeks. Most guests are from North Carolina, but almost 1/3 are out-of- state visitors and a percentage of those individuals are from other countries. Caring House is able to open its doors by keeping our overhead costs low through our team of dedicated volunteers. We have a volunteer helping in our house from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Most Caring House volunteers work one three-hour shift weekly between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on a weekday. During that time, they may:
Answer phones and receive visitors.
Give tours of the house.
Check guests in and out of the house.
On occasion, transport guests without a car to the grocery store, or other destination.
Clean out kitchen refrigerators to make room for the food of new guests.
Write thank you notes for small donations.
Fill bird feeders, water and prune houseplants, cut and deadhead roses, etc.
Sort and re-shelve books in library.
Help with mailings by addressing and stuffing envelopes.
Some people or groups may choose a single focus. Possibilities include:
Organizing games, such as bingo, for guests
Preparing and serving dinner for guests on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday night.
Helping with preparation of newsletter.
Working with committee chairmen on annual fundraisers.
Providing a musical evening for guests: singing or playing a musical instrument.
Participating in the Great Human Race for Caring House.
Reorganizing the kitchen area or doing special cleaning of other common areas (screened porch, terrace).
Or you may choose to help by becoming a weekend manager. It is our policy to have either a member of the Caring House staff or a representative of Caring House on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Weekend managers receive a small stipend and stay at Caring House from 6:30 p.m. on a given Friday till 6:30 p.m. on Sunday of the same weekend.
The Carnivore Preservation Trust is a 55 acre wildlife sanctuary for tigers, leopards, jaguars, and other cats.
Volunteers are sought for
animal care
construction & maintenance
office work
gift shop staff
guiding tours
fundraising & marketing
If you are interested in becoming involved with CPT and the care of its animals, you should be willing to commit to 8 hours a month for at least six months.
If you cannot make this minimum commitment, please look out for GPSC CO trips to the CPT during the year!
At Duke University Hospital and Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center, our volunteers are a very vital part of the health care we provide to the more than half a million patients who visit us each year. Volunteers provide exceptional care and understanding by taking the time to give patients and their families the extra help and the listening ear they need so much during a hospital stay. In order to provide our patients with reliable, compassionate care, we thoroughly research all potential volunteers. Once a new volunteer is taken on board, we provide job-specific training. This training is conducted by seasoned hospital staff or experienced volunteers. Age-specific training is also required in order to help our volunteers better serve and communicate with the patients in their unit. Additional training is mandatory for certain, more demanding programs.We would like to invite you to become a part of the Duke Children's volunteer team. We are a close-knit team in which lasting friendships are built. Come enjoy the benefits of serving others. And join in our belief that health care is about people helping other people.
Contact the people listed below to learn more about individual opportunities and get answers to some of the general questions that pertain to all of our volunteer options.
Duke Raleigh Hospital volunteers work all over the facility. They operate computers, welcome the public, & provide information. They assist patients who have just had surgery and those who are going home. At Duke Raleigh Hospital we need people who want to work with patients and those who want to help with office jobs . . . there really is something for almost everyone.
After completing an application, volunteers will interview with the hospital's volunteer coordinator, complete a TB test, and attend orientation.
The hospital requests a minimum time commitment of four hours per week.
Duke University Hospital has over 30 volunteer programs. After identifying the program you are most interested in, you should contact the coordinator of that program directly to initiate the application process, which includes providing documentation of immunizations and a court release for a background check. You will receive training for the tasks and activities related to your program.
Most programs ask for a commitment of 2 - 4 hours per week for a minimum of one year.
More information on the programs listed below can be found here .
Adopt-a-Family Program
Best Buddy Program
Cancer Patient Support Program
Child and Adolescent Life Program
Children's Health Center Patient Support
Duke Ambassadors
Duke Center for Integrative Medicine
Duke Health and Fitness Center
Duke International Patient Services
Emergency Department
Eye Center
Eye Center Touchable Art Gallery
Eye Center Pediatric Art Cart
Gift Shops
Guest Services
Health Careers Exploration Program
Heart Center Patient Support Program
Hospice Volunteer Services
Hospital Auxiliary
Host Homes
Hospitable Hands
Intensive Care Waiting Rooms
Junior Volunteers
Kidz Need Hugz Program
No One Dies Alone
Oncology Recreation Therapy
Patient Advocate Volunteer Program
Patient E-Cards Program
Rainbow Volunteers
REMEDY at Duke
Ronald McDonald Family Room
Shop Cart Program
S.M.A.R.T. (Student Mentoring and Academic Reinforcement Tutoring) Program
Durham Crisis Response Center offers services to victims of domestic and sexual violence, including a 24-hour, confidential crisis line, short-term emergency shelter, hospital and court accompaniment, weekly legal clinics with local attorneys, support groups, short-term individual counseling, and referrals for job training, housing, childcare and other community services--all direct services are offered to the community free of charge. They also offer educational workshops and professional training for service providers, churches, schools, police, hospitals, civic groups and other community members.
Volunteers for the following programs must attend a 40 hour training, and MUST have own transportation, phone, and email/internet access. A three shifts per month minimum commitment for one year is required.
24-Hour Crisis Line Advocate - Answer a 24-hour crisis line to provide emotional support and information to victims of domestic and sexual violence, accompany victims to the hospital after an assault, and refer them to community resources. A special need exists for Spanish speaking advocates.
Hospital Responder
Child Care - Provide care and coordinate special activities for children during a planned morning, afternoon or evening in the shelter. We have a special need for childcare advocates during our weekly, early evening support groups. During these support groups, volunteers provide childcare so that women who have children can easily attend.
Community Educator - Provide and promote education, prevention and awareness about sexual and domestic violence to various community groups (schools, churches, etc.)
Court Advocate
Support Group Facilitator - We offer a variety of support groups to meet the different needs of our clients. Volunteers have the opportunity to assist and facilitate support groups.
Minimal training or requirements exist for the following opportunities:
Shelter Care Provider - The shelter, like any other home, requires routine maintenance, cleaning and overall upkeep. Volunteers are needed to assist staff and residents in maintaining the shelter.
Fund-Raising / Special Events Volunteer - Participate in a variety of events, doing everything from planning to publicity to welcoming guests at an event on an as needed basis.
Thrift Store Volunteer - Assist with Pennies for Change, DCRC’s benefit thrift store. Volunteers are needed to sort donations, straighten and create displays, clean, organize, and work with customers or client
Office Volunteer - Assisting with data entry, bulk mailings and other day-to-day administrative tasks.
One-day Project Volunteer - This opportunity is for people who want to volunteer but have schedules that don’t allow for it on a regular basis. One-day project volunteers participate in planned activities that can be completed in a single day, such as food/clothing drives, painting or other beautification projects, or community awareness events.
More than 200 adults give their time and energy to help serve Durham Regional Hospital employees, patients and visitors. Volunteers fill a critical need throughout the hospital, staffing areas such as the DRH Giftique, the Information Desk, the Flower Room, Patient Visitation, Escort, and various other areas. We couldn't provide the quality of services we do without the help of our volunteers. As a valued member of the Durham Regional Hospital Team, your volunteer efforts can truly make a difference in the lives of others. Durham Regional Hospital, which offers volunteer opportunities in direct and non-direct patient care areas, has five rewarding volunteer programs.
Patient Services: Patient services volunteers are specially trained to provide patient care support to medical staff on patient care floors such as the Intensive Care and Post-Partum Units and outpatient services departments including the Ambulatory Care Unit, Davis Ambulatory Surgical Center, Emergency Department, Food & Nutrition, Patient Registration, Pharmacy and the Radiation Oncology Clinic.
Concierge: Concierge volunteers are committed to providing a warm and welcoming environment to everyone who comes through the hospital doors. This group of individuals pride themselves in offering excellent customer service to patients and visitors. Their purpose is to help make the often anxiety-filled hospital experience a little easier.
Staff Support: Staff support volunteers donate their skills, time and, most important, their helping hands to assist hospital staff with a variety of projects and tasks that contribute to the quality of care and services provided at DurhamRegional. This group assists staff in many departments throughout the hospital including Education Services, Engineering, Health InformationManagement, Human Resources,Mailroom,Marketing, Patient Relations and Storeroom.
Volunteer Services/Auxiliary Support: Auxiliary support volunteers donate their skills, time and talents to assist the Department of Volunteer Services/Auxiliary.
Teen Program: Each summer the hospital offers volunteer opportunitiesfor teens, 14-18 years of age.
To become a volunteer, you will need to submit an application, interview with Volunteer Services and attend an orientation session.
The Durham Rescue Mission is a faith-based, non-profit organization that has been ministering to the needy and homeless in the Research Triangle for the past 30 years. The DRM offers a "helping hand up" to alcoholics, drug abusers, and others by meeting their basic needs: three hot meals a day, clean clothing, and safe shelter at the Men's Campus and Women & Children's campus. Counseling and vocational training are also provided. The DRM also runs a thrift store of donated items.
The DRM has various volunteer opportunities on a daily, weekly, monthly, or one-time basis, including:
serve as an ambassador of your church
being a kitchen helper and cooking meals
tutoring residents in reading and Microsoft Office software
El Centro Hispano is a grassroots, community based organization dedicated to strengthening the Latino community and improving the quality of life of Latino residents in Durham, NC and the surrounding area.
Do you want to help the Latino community in Durham? Do you have a couple of extra hours available here or there? If you answered yes to these questions, then El Centro Hispano needs you! Volunteers, whether bilingual, English-only, or Spanish-only, are always welcomed and needed at El Centro Hispano. You can volunteer morning, noon, and night .... occasional weekends, too! Countless opportunities are available, including:
General administrative assistance
Helping out in ESL classes...or maybe you would like to start your own ESL class?
Tutoring children after school
Participating as an interpreter in various events throughout the year
Working with the Volunteer Program, Health Program, or Membership office
No matter what you would like to do as a volunteer at El Centro Hispano, you will gain valuable experience working with us!
Habitat for Humanity has built over 200 homes in Durham since 1985. While graduate & professional students do construction work as a group on a regular basis, those who can't make the work trips or are otherwise interested in participating on an individual basis should:
Call or email Patt Hatcher before Saturday. If it's already after the Tuesday of the upcoming work week, a phone call is best to ensure that you get in touch with her. Her phone number is (919) 730-5859 and her email address is phatcher@durhamhabitat.org.
Email the listserv: habitat4humanity@duke.edu to let others know that you are going, as many prefer to go in groups.
Try to provide other volunteers with directions to the work site.
We're being granted this privilege of last minute sign-up because we've developed a reputation for being hard, industrious workers. In order to preserve this privilege, please respect Patt and the other volunteers by giving Patt a call in advance and working with her to determine the best work site for everyone.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience of with hope, strength, and joy. Fulfilling wishes for children in eastern North Carolina is possible because of the efforts of our many dedicated volunteers. As a non-profit we rely on the enthusiasm of our volunteers to help accomplish our mission.
Fundraising Volunteers - Will help identify and cultivate corporate and individual donors for the chapter. May also request contributions and sponsorships from businesses and individuals.
Office Volunteers - Assist with all workings of the office during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.) Support would include data entry, special projects, answering phones, mailings and other office-related duties.
Special Events Volunteers - Help at various fund-raising events throughout the year. Set-up, check-in, contest holes, and raffle tickets at the Bill Gaines Make-A-Wish Golf Invitational or answering phones, preparing pledge cards for mailing, and data entry at the Pennies From Heaven radio-thon. Additionally, external events sponsored by outside companies and/or organizations that take place throughout the year that may require a variety of volunteer tasks.
Wish Granting Volunteers - Help make the dreams of wish children come true through creativity and imagination. Visit the family and interview the wish child to determine the child's wish along with explaining the required paperwork.
Speaker's Bureau Volunteers - Introduce more people to the Make-A-Wish Foundation by conducting presentations to various clubs, civic organziations, corporate boards, foundation directors, youth groups, and schools. Requirements - Be an active volunteer for more than six months and must go through an interview process and give a five minute presentation.
Meals on Wheels of Durham, Inc. is a non-profit agency committed to enhancing the quality of life for eligible homebound adults in our community. Our mission is to serve the elderly, frail, disabled, convalescing and others who cannot provide proper nutrition for themselves. Dedicated volunteers deliver lunches to our clients each weekday, with the objective of improving the nutritional status and health of these individuals. It is our goal to provide the combination of nutritious meals and social contact that will help our clients to remain independent as long as possible.We cannot serve our clients without the help of the volunteers who deliver the meals. Volunteers are the heart and soul of our program, providing the warm, human touch that means so much to the homebound individual.
Regular and Substitute Drivers: As always, we are seeking meal delivery drivers who would like to be assigned a regular weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly route. Deliveries are made Monday through Friday from approximately 10:30 AM to 12 noon.
Administrative Clerical Volunteers: Front office volunteers have a chance to really see the big picture, and their help is critical to our program - there is always a need for volunteers to answer phones, stuff envelopes, or type - even if you can only help out one day each month, it makes a big difference.
Special Events Volunteer: If you prefer to become involved exclusively through helping with our Special Events, please consider joining our “Ready Pool” of Special Events Volunteer Staff. If you do so, we pledge to contact you only for the purpose of preparing and carrying out a Special Event. Many of our volunteers choose this route, and we are deeply appreciative of their efforts to make every event a successful one.
Independent Volunteer Opportunities: Even if it is not feasible for you to volunteer in any of the above capacities, we can still use your help in other ways. Please consider the following additional ways to contribute some of your time and energy to the mission of Meals on Wheels of Durham:
Raise awareness of our mission within the community. To read more about hosting an informal gathering around wine, coffee, or the like, please click here.
Become a food packer. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday from about 8:30AM to 10AM to help load up our coolers.
Coordinate car washes, yard sales, bake sales, lemonade stands, craft sales, donut sales, candy sales, etc. and raise money for Meals on Wheels of Durham.
Join the Senior Santa Project (Nov/Dec). During the Senior Santa Project members of the community donate gifts, or money to buy gifts, (such as socks, hats, slippers, winter pajamas, and other clothing) which will go to clients of Meals on Wheels of Durham - It is massive undertaking, and volunteers are needed in many capacities. Leadership opportunities include guiding the project, determining how the gifts will be distributed and the money will be used, recruiting other volunteers, etc.
Update the web site: Make routine updates to the Meals on Wheels of Durham web site.
Write grant applications.
Organize /Coordinate the gift wrapping fundraiser at Barnes & Noble (New Hope Commons 15/501).
Become a Board Member.
Motivate local companies to donate an in-kind product/service to Meals on Wheels of Durham. Alternatively, help motivate companies to invest in us financially, that we may be able to afford to purchase the food that we deliver each day.
Carry out a food drive or write to major food companies collecting only "Ensure" or "Boost"-type food supplement drinks or juice boxes.
The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences is one of the top ten museums in North America. Many exciting volunteer opportunities are available through which you can meet people, make friends and learn about the environment.
50% reduction in fees for many Museum public programs.
Waiver of enrollment fee if you act as a monitor on Museum field trips.
Opportunities for increasing your knowledge of natural history by participating in the volunteer training program and by attending field trips and lectures by noted speakers.
Opportunities to participate in volunteer trips.
Invitations to special Museum events.
Income tax deductions for travel expenses to the Museum.
The North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center (NCTRC) was founded in 1977, and is one of the oldest therapeutic riding programs in North Carolina. Today, NCTRC continues to bring the fun and excitement of horseback riding to children and adults with a variety of disabilities. With the help of specially trained horses and ponies, specialized equipment and, where needed, horse leaders and rider assistants known as "sidewalkers", our riders are encouraged and challenged to new levels of achievement. NCTRC's riding instructors and physical therapists provide both riding classes and individual therapy sessions at Clearwind Farm in Orange County.
Volunteers are a vital part of NCTRC’s programs
helping on a weekly basis as horse leaders and sidewalkers during our sessions of horseback riding
Partners for Youth (PFY) is a year-round mentoring and summer job program for middle and high school students (ages 14- 19 years) based in Southwest Central Durham. PFY is a uniquely comprehensive model which matches each participant with a team of four mentors. PFY strives to create long-term relationships and high-quality enrichment activities that affect every aspect of our students' lives. Our goal is to support and motivate each student as they develop their aspirations for the future and the skills they will need to become successful, contributing members of our community.
PFY surrounds each of the 25 students in the program with four mentors: one in the community, to be available for everyday advice and companionship; one in the student's school, to provide academic counseling and accountability; one in the student's summer internship, to offer advice and support in career pursuits; and one local college student, to meet with the student twice a week for tutoring. Through this comprehensive support network, the student can grow in as many ways as possible during their time in PFY.
Because the student is required to meet with each of their mentors over the course of each month, some discipline and willingness both to participate in events and to learn how to manage time is required of PFY students. Because of these requirements and the limited number of spaces available, there is an application and interview process for entry into the program. Learn more in the "To Participate" section of this website.
Tutoring-Based Mentor: Tutoring mentors meet with a PFY student twice a week for focus on that student's "challenge classes", two subjects that the student has identified as their most challenging subjects. Tutoring is held on Duke campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 - 5:15 pm. Tutors complete a short application form and are matched with a student, based on gender and subject matter. Because tutoring is held on Duke campus, most tutors are Duke students, but other college students and adults are eligible to apply as well.
REMEDY at Duke is a volunteer program run by Duke students and staff to recover usable surplus medical supplies for donation to areas of need overseas. REMEDY is affiliated with the Duke Global Health Instititute and cooperates with the Duke Chapter of Engineering World Health. REMEDY offers a cost-saving, charitable alternative to medical surplus disposal and storage. The program reduces waste while seeking to reduce health care disparities between rich and poor populations.
Volunteer to help collect, sort and pack donated materials. All volunteers will be oriented to the collections area and trained in proper handling and packing procedures. A group of volunteers usually meets every Sunday at 3:00pm at Duke North Hospital. However, individuals may volunteer at other times if they cannot attend the Sunday session. Our target group size is at least five people per week, which allows for a meeting time of 1-2 hours.
All volunteers must be 18 or older and complete Duke Hospital compliance and safety training in order to volunteer with REMEDY at Duke. Hospital staff and medical students will have received this training as part of their initial job or program orientation. Undergraduates and other Hospital volunteers must attend an orientation session through the Volunteer Services Office (http://www.dukehealth.org/PatientsAndVisitors/VolunteerServices/volunteering_at_duke). Please call 919-681-6088 to sign up for an orientation session.
All volunteers must wear a proper Duke Medical Center identification badge whenever on Medical Center premises and follow volunteer sign-in procedures as required by the Volunteer Services Office. ID badges can be obtained through the Volunteer Services Office.
One of the most unsettling questions a family facing weeks or months of treatment at a hospital away from home asks is “Where do we stay?”. In 2007, the Ronald McDonald House of Durham answered that question for nearly 800 families. With some of the country’s top medical facilities right in our backyard, and a growing reputation for excellence in healthcare - particularly for children - the Ronald McDonald House of Durham tries to meet the needs of the ever-increasing number of families whose children are being treated for serious illness. Families of pediatric patients, including moms, dads and siblings, are able to stay at the House. Seriously ill children receiving medical treatment at area hospitals often stay at the House as well.
Volunteer opportunities include:
Guest Service Volunteers - Work closely with staff and guest families by helping to answer telephones, register new families, perform light housekeeping tasks and lend a hand with special mailings and administrative needs. Adults may volunteer individually or as a couple.
Meal Groups - Groups of 15 people or fewer are able to provide, prepare (on- or off-site), serve and clean up a meal (breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner) for 50 people, plus volunteers (whom we encourage to eat with the families). This is a very rewarding opportunity and the impact of your service on families will be seen first-hand
Bakers - Smells like home when individuals or small groups bake cookies, brownies and other treats in our kitchen. This fun activity is a great way for scout troops or school clubs to directly experience the remarkable power of volunteerism
Handy Persons - Do you enjoy taking on odd jobs around your house, such as minor repairs or equipment upkeep? Durham’s “home way from home” has a “to do” list a mile long.
Family Room Volunteer - Located steps away from the pediatric and neo-natal intensive care units at Duke Children’s Hospital. This room provides parents an oasis with comfortable chairs, stocked kitchenette, shower, laundry facilities and internet access. Volunteers are needed to support families, register guests, answer phones and maintain the room for 3 hour shifts throughout each day.
A number of interesting opportunities for volunteer service are available. A volunteer may wish to work on the same project every week or to work on various projects from week to week. The following list suggests some of the options available to you. The Director of Volunteers will be glad to discuss any other interests you may have for service.
Horticultural: Unless otherwise specified, all horticultural opportunities occur weekdays, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. all year. Volunteers assisting with horticulture-related opportunities are asked to make a minimum commitment of 2 hours per week. Specific horticulture opportunities include:
Grounds Assistant: Learn planting skills, pruning techniques and other garden maintenance tips from the horticultural staff, as you help to maintain this premier 55 acre public garden. This opportunity enables you to work in all areas throughout the grounds.
Perennial Assistant: Various collections of perennials, planted throughout the grounds, need routine maintenance to keep this dynamic collection in excellent condition. Weeding, pruning, transplanting and dividing are among the tasks to perform in this area.
Propagation Assistant: Taking cuttings, collecting seed, dividing and transplanting are several of the needs to further the horticultural collections as well as preparing surplus plants for the plant sale.
Trails Assistant: Rake, sweep, remove broken and fallen branches and help to keep the many trails and paths throughout Duke Gardens safe for its many visitors.
Collections Assistant: "Adopt" specific collections of plantings and assume the maintenance requirements to care for them.
Rose Garden Assistant: Pruning, deadheading, fertilizing along with other general maintenance are needed to keep the 300+ rose collection thriving. The collections of David Austin Roses and selections of Asian species also need attention. April - November commitment.
Iris Garden Assistant: Weeding, staking, deadheading, and fertilizing the assorted collections of iris throughout the grounds. Help to maintain Duke Gardens' first plant.
Greenhouse Assistant: Maintain the horticultural greenhouses to ensure the plants have optimal growing conditions by assisting with weed control, pruning, planting, transplanting, watering and fertilization of various plants and reporting any insect or disease problems to the appropriate staff person.
Arboretum Assistant: Assist the horticulturist in maintaining this 20-acre collection of Asian and American plant species. Adopt specific areas within the arboretum and assume the responsibility and care of these plantings.
Nursery Assistant: Assist with maintaining the nursery of plants to prepare them for incorporation into the permanent collection through potting, watering, fertilization, weed control, pruning and mulching.
Terraces Assistant: Help maintain the historical core of Duke Gardens by providing hands-on maintenance in planting, watering, fertilizing, weed control, pruning and mulching. Work directly with staff to remove and install seasonal plantings.
Educational: Educating visitors about the Gardens is an exciting and rewarding way to help Duke Gardens achieve its mission.
Docent Guides are needed to lead school groups in the Gardens and in the children’s classroom. Docents are trained and are given support by staff. This is a great opportunity for those interested in working with children and sharing a love of gardening and nature awareness with them.
Horticultural Therapy & Theurapeutic Gardening - Volunteers make visits to Duke Medical Center Pediatric Units. They bring botanically related activities to pediatric patients and their families. This group also gets together periodically to share ideas, experiences, and to have advanced training.
Summer Youth Leaders - Youth are invited to become involved in our summer programs. We need a teenage helper for two weeks of our summer camp, and leaders in our Story Time Programs. Youth interested in working with younger children, learning about the Gardens, and willing to share an excitement for nature are welcome.
Workshop Instructor: Volunteers who are artistically inclined or who have a craft skill can share their abilities through participation in our adult educational series. Please do not be shy in sharing this interest with the Coordinator of Volunteers or the Director of Education.
Photography: Are you a botanical photographer at heart? Share your photographic ability through photographing plants, events, Garden projects and assembling and creating pictorial calendars, books, notecards, postcards and posters.
The Society of St. Andrew was formed in 1979 as an intentional community of two families called to life and ministry together in Christ. It has grown into an ecumenical, non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to leading others into lives of Christian community and service.
Gleaning is the traditional Biblical practice of gathering crops that would otherwise be left in the fields to rot or be plowed under after harvest: Because the food is unmarketable, some growers allow crews of gleaners to pick what is left after harvest to donate to those who are needy.
Most gleaning events take place on weekends where gleaners arrive in the fields around 8:00 a.m. and are on their way home by noon. Society of St. Andrew makes all arrangements with farmers, produce containers and food distribution. All that volunteer gleaners need to do is show up. Volunteer groups are encouraged to take food back to agencies or programs that they support in their local area. Apply to volunteer here .
The historic Carolina Theatre in downtown Durham was built in 1926 and is the last remaining performance hall of the original 13 once located in Durham. The theatre reopened in 1994 thanks to countless hours of volunteer leadership and assistance. The Carolina Theatre's ongoing film program , international live events and educational school day programming provide a diverse and quality-driven complement of arts. In programming our events, we focus on providing unique cultural opportunities, not found elsewhere in the Triangle, that are accessible and exciting experiences for everyone.
Volunteers are needed in the following areas:
Administrative Assistance
Data entry
Front Desk
Box Office Will-Call
Mailings
Community Outreach
Educational Workshops
Theatre Tours
Research Assistants
Educational Outreach Committee (Advises and supports the school day program)
Film Festivals
Planning Committees
Event Volunteers
Marketing and Development
Poster/Flyer Distribution
Receptions
Artist Merchandising
Carolina Theatre Booth at Festivals and Trade Shows
Ushers and Ticket Takers*
Live Performances (Take tickets, seat patrons and distribute playbills)
School-Time Performances (Seat school groups during daytime school performances)
Films (Take tickets for movies in Fletcher Hall and the Cinemas)
Would you like to become acquainted with memory impaired older adults and enrich their lives by volunteering at Community Life Adult Day Health Center? You may assist with the following:
Provide entertainment, sing-alongs, holiday music, decorations, conversation, etc.; Provide substitute help in the absence of sick or vacationing staff, or to allow staff to attend meetings or participate in on-the-job training;
Take adult day health clients on walks; Help with transportation and supervision for small group field trips;
Organize and develop a resource library, compile program ideas, research appropriate story books, copy music to tape, etc.
Share flowers or garden harvest for beauty, sensory stimulation programs;
Bring a pet to visit (well mannered and with appropriate shots, of course).
Assist with birthday celebrations, other special events;
Marketing.
Share the Adult Day Health Services story with anyone you think will listen (to Sunday School classes, Scouts, Senior Groups, etc).Health Promotion
You may also get involved in health promotion:
Help with a health screening (e.g., register seniors for flu shots, schedule blood pressure checks, etc.)
Share my expertise with older adults with regard to personal wellness.
Teach health promotion classes.
Call seniors to encourage them to attend health promotion activities.
You may also provide information and case assistance:
Help a senior citizen meet a specific, one-time only need (e.g., take Mr. Doe to shop for a pair of shoes, escort Ms. Jones to a doctor’s appointment, change a light bulb, clean gutters, pick up groceries, etc.)
Help the CSC determine the quality of Information and Case Assistance service by calling former clients and getting their feedback.
Man an agency booth at a public event.
Meet with a group from a local business as they tour the Center for Senior Life and consider giving to the United Way.
Work, in cooperation with the CSC and collaborating agencies to set up senior citizens support groups.
You may also help out at the Senior Center:
Help with a special event at a senior center (e.g., decorate for volunteer recognition breakfast, help with holiday party, help with Over 90s Party, etc.)
Teach a class at a senior center (e.g., Arts & Crafts, Photography, Poetry, Bird Watching, History, Computer Skills, etc.)
Tutor seniors on the use of computers and accessing the Internet.
Help the Council for Senior Citizens develop a Sister City project between seniors in Durham, NC and Durham, England.
Fill in as receptionist at the Durham Center for Senior Life an hour or two.
Our mission is to inspire economically disadvantaged students to dream big, strive for excellence in school and life, build strong character, and reach their highest potential as our future generation of citizen leaders. Our programs are aimed at creating a "Dream-Do-Achieve" learning environment and include Pioneer Scholars, Scholars to College, Summer Leadership Academy, The Girl's Club, Basketball Camp, Theater Camp, and many other community outreach initiatives.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Emily Krzyzewski Center. They provide vital support for events and programs, coordinate fund raising and community outreach and help out in the Center office. There are many ways you can touch the hopes and dreams of youth and families served by the Center. Let us know how you would like to help and we will work with you to match your interests and put your talents to good use. The online volunteer form is here .
Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina's mission. Individuals who volunteer have an opportunity to enhance their social and work skills, gain a sense of accomplishment, fulfill school and civic requirements and meet new friends. By volunteering, you make a tangible contribution to your community. For every hour worked by volunteers at the Food Bank, 317 pounds of food is distributed to our network of partner agencies who serve the 400,000 people at risk of hunger in our service area.
Warehouse volunteers: Warehouse volunteers help to sort and repackage 40% of our warehouse inventory. Groups and individuals can help with: sorting fresh produce into smaller boxes; repackaging products from food manufacturers and distributors; and, putting bulk items into family size portions.
Office Assistant Volunteer: Office Assistant volunteers assist our staff with filing, mailing, data entry, reception desk support, and clerical duties. Experience with computers is a plus!
Agency Site Monitor: Monitors assist staff in efficient management and monitoring of Food Bank partner agencies. Monitors visit the agencies to insure safe food storage, adequate record keeping, and good stewardship of Food Bank product, and they communicate Food Bank policies and procedures.
Speakers Bureau and Agency Fair Volunteer: The purpose of the Speakers Bureau program is to spread awareness about hunger in North Carolina and across the nation. Volunteers are trained to become advocates of the Food Bank and speak on behalf of the organization.
Special Events Volunteer: Special food and fundraising events, such as Heart of Carolina, National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive, and Hunger Relief Day at the State Fair, are always in need of volunteer support.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Kids Café: Kids Cafe provides children at risk of hunger with nutritious meals and academic and health education. Volunteer roles include: tutoring, meal preparation, educational activities, and mentoring. We prefer volunteers who can commit to the children by volunteering on a consistent basis.
TROSA is a comprehensive, long-term, residential substance abuse recovery program located in Durham, North Carolina. TROSA's purpose is to help substance abusers overcome their addictions, so there are a myriad of support groups and structured activities required for residents. By the time they graduate from the program, residents have a personal savings account, a donated and refurbished car, transitional housing, and marketable job skills.
Hundreds of people have volunteered with TROSA over the years to provide additional services to the residents in our program.
Urban Ministries of Durham has three primary programs:
The Community Shelter provides emergency shelter for 120-150 homeless people every night. The shelter includes 9 rooms, each with a private bath, for transitional shelter for families.
The Community Kitchen serves three meals per day seven days a week, without charge, to anyone who comes to our dining room.
The clothing closet and food pantry provide donated clothing to 1000+ people annually and groceries for at-home use to 350-400 people every month.
All individual volunteers are asked to commit to a regular schedule of at least once a month on the same day or days for at least 3 months.
Community Kitchen Volunteers - Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve breakfast and lunch weekdays at the UMD Community Kitchen. No experience required. Shifts of two hours or more weekdays between 7:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. are requested. Minimum age 15 years old (under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Most weekends and evenings are reserved by groups. Please, no walk-ins.
Community Clothing Closet - Small groups of volunteers are needed to help clients with clothing items, as well as to sort and hang clothing. Local churches, civic organizations, or any small group of 2-3 volunteers are appreciated. Training is provided. Shifts are two and one half hours, 1:00-3:30 p.m. Help is especially needed on Mondays.
Shelter Assistants - Friendly people are needed to answer the telephone, and to greet and provide information to visitors and clients. Volunteers will be oriented about Urban Ministries, and they will convey that information to the public. Volunteers are also needed to distribute supplies to residents, to assist staff, and to help monitor the shelter overnight. Shifts of two hours or more are available weekdays, weekends and evenings.
Data Entry Volunteers - Volunteers with computer skills are needed to assist in keeping databases up to date. This work must be done at Urban Ministries, not in the volunteer’s home. Two-hour or more shifts are available Monday through Friday.
The Women & Math Mentoring Program was created to inspire and encourage young women to continue their study of mathematics, and to learn about careers in which mathematics plays a key role. The Program links small groups of two to three 8th grade girls with local female professionals pursuing mathematics related careers. Through monthly interactions during the spring semester of the school year, the girls learn about their mentor’s job, career and lifestyle.
The Women and Math Mentoring Program is always seeking for new mentors. We are looking for professional women from the Triangle area who have careers in the fields of mathematics, science, technology, or other math-related fields. This is a great mentoring program and if you decide to participate you will find the experience quite rewarding! We are not math tutors!!
