Oklahoma City has several worthwhile volunteer opportunities to choose from.
There are a variety of worthwhile volunteer opportunities to choose from in the Oklahoma City area. The programs range from helping kids to come in contact with nature to medical assistance to helping to build homes for the unfortunate and reaching out to servicemen overseas. Whatever your interest and skill set, there is a volunteer opportunity for you in Oklahoma City.
Rebuilding Together
The Rebuilding Together project organizes volunteers and secured funding to rebuild or perform essential repairs on the homes of needy people over the age of 60 in the Oklahoma City area. Over 16 percent of the city population is projected to be aged 60 or older by the year 2020. Rebuild Together has repaired over 1600 homes since its inception in 1992 and each year on "Work Day" more homes are fixed. Each year volunteers are pooled from the local area and assessed according to skill level and assigned to different homes throughout the city to perform work like painting, cleaning, installation of new appliances and handicap conversions. Individuals are welcome to apply at no cost and no specific skill levels are required.
Infant Crisis Services
Infant Crisis Services works to provide the essentials to infants whose families are undergoing hard times. The service aids more than 1,000 infants every month and works to fight Oklahoma's ranking as 8th amongst U.S. states in childhood poverty. The federal and state aid agencies can take weeks or months to provide for newborns and infants, and so the Infant Crisis Service steps in during the interim to ensure constant care. Volunteers are always welcome and are needed in fields including client interviewers, food pantry operators, clothing sorters, greeters, events personnel, mother to mother assistance, baby shower hosts and translators for Spanish speaking clientele. Applications to volunteer are free and involve a background check.
Upward Transitions
Upward Transitions assists the needy, stranded or homeless to find their way, become self-sufficient and eventually lead productive lives in society. This nonprofit agency was founded in 1925 and today operates several programs within Oklahoma City. Volunteer opportunities with Upward Transitions include Community Outreach, Family Outreach and General Volunteer positions. The Travelers Aid Program is a unique volunteer opportunity as it is based in Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport and involves manning the information booths, answering phones, paging passengers and providing travel information and advice to passengers. Some volunteer positions with Upward Transitions have the double distinction of being assessed as internships by universities as well as charitable activities.
Oklahoma Brain Tumor Foundation
The Oklahoma Brain Tumor Foundation provides assistance of all kinds to families with members who have been diagnosed with brain tumors. The foundation has been in existence since the year 2000 and helps those in need with "financial, physical, mental and spiritual" assistance. The annual Race for Hope occurs in November and is a major event for the Oklahoma Brain Tumor Foundation which involves a 5k or 12k sponsored charity walk/run. During the race, funds are raised which enable other projects to continue. The foundation is always accepting volunteer applications and will try to place applicants based on their existing skill sets and schedules. One-time volunteers and fundraisers are also welcome to join for the annual Race for Hope.
Tags: Oklahoma City, Upward Transitions, Brain Tumor, Brain Tumor Foundation, Infant Crisis, Oklahoma Brain, Oklahoma Brain Tumor
