There are many volunteering opportunities at hand.
The following are some organizations that can benefit from your help. If you have some time off during the summer, consider giving of your time. It’s a wonderful feeling.
TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM MAZON PROGRAM: feeding the homeless
Volunteers from the congregation meet downtown on the third Monday of each month to prepare and serve food to the residents of the Homeless Assistance Center. Group meets at 3:00 p.m. at the Community Partnership for the Homeless, 1550 N. Miami Avenue. For more information contact Tamara Kaz.
ENVIRONMENT
1) CAPE FLORIDA RESTORATION PROJECT
The main objective is to restore Cape Florida, on the tip of Key Biscayne, which was fortuitously leveled by Hurricane Andrew and provided a unique opportunity to delete the exotic plants which had over-run the park and restore the area to its natural ecological condition.
PHONE: 305.547.1577
CONTACT: Kellie Westervelt, Program Director
SCHEDULE: Volunteers can work on exotic removal seven days a weeks. However Saturdays and Sundays are the main volunteer days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
COMMENTS: Students have consistently enjoyed their experiences at Cape Florida. Wear light-colored, comfortable, outdoor work clothes. A hat and sunscreen are also a good idea.
2) METRO-DADE NATURAL AREAS MANAGEMENT
Help protect and preserve Dade’s natural resources by volunteering to remove exotic plants, planting native species, and working to beautify Dade’s natural areas.
PHONE: 305.257.0935
CONTACT: Debbie Carr, Volunteer Coordinator, or Nancy Dufau
SCHEDULE: All workdays will start at 9:00 a.m. and end at noon on Saturdays.
COMMENTS: Maps are available from The VAC office to all sites.
3) THE KAMPONG
4013 Douglas Road, Coconut Grove
The Kampong is a botanical garden and the former home of Dr. David Fairchild.
PHONE: 305.445.8076
CONTACT: Larry Shockman
SCHEDULE: Volunteers may work Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m.- 12 p.m.
COMMENTS: It is suggested that volunteers wear comfortable, long pants, hats, and shirts. Directions: Take US 1 to Douglas Rd. and turn EAST, past Grant Ave. The entrance to the Kampong (on the bayside).is 100 yards after Main Highway.
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
1) HOMESTEAD HABITAT FOR HUMANITY,
Jordan Commons site
248th Street, on east side of US 1.
Jordan Commons is an model ecological community,
the first low-income, single-family housing community
geared toward protecting the environment and energy conservation.
PHONE: 305.247.0847
CONTACT: Scott Weinberger
SCHEDULE: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
TUTORING
1) JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER SCHOOL
3300 N.W. 27th Ave.,
PHONE: 638-5054
CONTACT: Debbie Samuels
The school at Dade’s juvenile detention center needs volunteer tutors to work with teens who are incarcerated. Tutors work on English, math, computer, and social skills.
SCHEDULE: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
COMMENTS: Previous volunteers have reported marked changes in their preconceived ideas and stereotypes which they previously held in regard to youth crime and inner-city youth.
2) NEW LIFE FAMILY CENTER
3620 N.W. 1st Avenue
New Life Family Center provides housing for homeless, intact families, and/or fathers and mothers with custody of children. They also house homeless single females.
PHONE: 305.576.5521, 305.573.3333
CONTACT: Rhonda Taylor
SCHEDULE: Volunteers can assist with the dinner service and then provide tutoring
Monday to Friday, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to the more than 20 children who live at the shelter. Weekend opportunities are available from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
COMMENTS: Volunteers should call one week in advance to schedule a time.
3) KID-CO
3628 N.E. 1st Ct. (just behind Denny’s off Biscayne Blvd & 36th St.)
CONTACT: Sylvia Lavilla
PHONE: 305.576.6990
OPPORTUNITIES: Volunteers work with children 6 to 18 months, 18 to 36 months, or three and four year-olds. This Head-Start-type program needs volunteers to provide nurturing care, prepare arts & crafts activities, and supervise children at play.
ANIMAL CARE
1)THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF GREATER MIAMI
2101 N.W. 95th Street,
Contact: Tammy Jo Perkins
PHONE: 305.696.0800
Always over-worked and under-staffed, the Humane Society needs your help!
OPPORTUNITIES: Volunteers work in the animal shelter bathing, grooming, cleaning, and exercising animals, and working with pet adoptions.
SCHEDULE: Monday to Friday; and Sat.
Volunteers are most needed in the mornings and evenings.
2) MIAMI MUSEUM OF SCIENCE,
Dept. of Zoological Sciences,
3280 South Miami, Ave., Miami, 33129
CONTACT: Amy Horadam
PHONE: 305.854.4247 ext. 256
OPPORTUNITIES: To assist with the care of the permanent collection of reptiles and raptors and with the injured and orphaned wildlife with the purpose of returning the animals to their native habitat. Specifically, volunteers clean cages, feed animals, wash dishes, mop floors, assist staff with medical treatments, receive animals brought in, teach environmental education, rescuing and releasing wildlife, and many other activities.
ORIENTATION: Training is provided and varies depending upon the type of volunteer duty. Typically, it is on-the-job for one to two weeks.
SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday, primarily during the morning hours from 7:00 to 11 a.m. Volunteers are also needed between 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
1)ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS
5555 Biscayne Boulevard
CONTACT: Cathryn Frye, 305.576.9676 or Wendy Unger, 305.759.8500
OPPORTUNITIES: ARC has several really interesting programs including a ceramics-based, art therapy program and “Project Thrive,” an early intervention program which provides care to mentally retarded infants and children.
SCHEDULE: Opportunities available from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
COMMENTS: For information on the art therapy program call Cathryn Frye. For Project Thrive, or other ARC information, contact Wendy Unger.
2) HORSES AND THE HANDICAPPED,
J.D. Equestrian Center, 6455 S.W. 122 Ave
CONTACT: Debbie Schott, 305.253.8371 or Jackie Ege, 305.382.8256
OPPORTUNITIES: Volunteers assist handicapped children ride ponies and horses and ensure their safety. This is a therapeutic program for the children.
SCHEDULE: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
COMMENTS: If you like children, animals, and being outdoors, this is the place for you. COMMENTS: Food preparation, food service, and clean-up. Maps available and recommended.
3) HOPE CENTER
666 S.W. 4th Street
CONTACT: Lillian DelVecchio, 305.545-7572
OPPORTUNITIES: This residential, educational, and vocational facility has many unique opportunities to work with mentally challenged children and adults.
SCHEDULE: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
FOOD WAREHOUSES
1) DAILY BREAD FOODBANK,
5850 N.W. 32 Avenue,
CONTACT: Rafael Vadia, 305.633.9861 x201
OPPORTUNITIES: (1) Assist in food salvage and food sorting; (2) Assist in fund-raisers and other special projects;
SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30p.m., Mon. to Fri.
COMMENTS: Volunteers must call 24 hours in advance. Small groups of students are encouraged to volunteer together.
HOMELESS SHELTER / SOUP KITCHENS
1) MIAMI RESCUE MISSION
2210 N.W. 1 Ave.
PHONE: 305.571.2273-
Try Peggy at home first to sign-up
CONTACT: Peggy Jacobs, 305.221.7099 SCHEDULE: Feeding Program: 11:00a.m.-1:00 p.m., 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
COMMENTS: Food preparation, food service, and clean-up.
2) CAMILLUS HOUSE
726 N.E. 1st Ave.
PHONE: 305.374.1065
CONTACT: Volunteer Coordinator
SCHEDULE: Small groups of students (3-5) are needed to work on the foodline serving hot meals to homeless individuals, Mon. to Fri. from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
3) NEW LIFE FAMILY CENTER
3620 N.W. 1st Avenue
PHONE: 305.576.5521, 305.573.3333
CONTACT: Rhonda Taylor
SCHEDULE: Dinner is served Monday through Friday, 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. with free time until 8:00 p.m.; and Weekends- Saturday and Sunday, 7:00 - 8:00 A.M., 12:00 Noon - 1:00 p.m., 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Volunteers can help serve and prepare food.
COMMENTS: Volunteers should call one week in advance to schedule a time. New Life Family Center provides housing for homeless, intact families, and/or fathers and mothers with custody of children. They also house homeless single females.
4) A WOMAN’S PLACE
227 N.E. 17th Street
CONTACT: Soundra Conklin or Carol Pratt
PHONE: 305.358.2063
OPPORTUNITIES: A day-care center for homeless or near-homeless women and families. Volunteer can assist in many areas including teaching parenting and health classes, assisting in clerical and organizational duties, mentoring, tutoring, developing creative projects- a mural, arts & crafts classes, etc., and working with a psychologist in role playing sessions with children.
SCHEDULE: Volunteers are needed Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays 1:30 - 5:00 p.m.
