When you think about the topic of volunteering in the Greater Nashua area there are probably only a few nonprofit agencies that come to mind. Volunteer Greater Nashua, a web portal hosted by United Way of Greater Nashua and The Telegraph is a great place to find a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, from office work, to sorting donated food, to gardening, to advocacy. Potential volunteers can search for opportunities by zip code, interest area, and more. We’ve listed several new opportunities featured on the site in this article. You can always find more on Volunteer Greater Nashua at http://www.volunteergreaternashua.org.

GREAT AMERICAN DOWNTOWN

Great American Downtown seeks to provide coordination, collaboration and partnerships that unify the entire Nashua community around a common vision for an attractive downtown that is vibrant, viable and truly reflects the character of our city. Great American Downtown creates and implements programs, projects and events that promote downtown Nashua as a destination for shopping, dining, business services, arts and culture, and as a residential community.

Now in its 26th year, the Winter Holiday Stroll is the region’s most popular community celebration, attracting a record 35,000 people in 2018. The Stroll is a free and family friendly tradition that includes a candlelit walk led by the Mayor of Nashua, the lighting of the City’s tree, diverse entertainment, street food vendors, children’s rides, and much more.

Volunteers are needed for the following tasks:

2-3 people from 1:30pm- 4:30pm on Monday November 25th to set up Santa’s Village to be used by families during the stroll. Location for volunteers to meet is 30 Temple Street Nashua NH. Parking at the surface lot is available in front of the building.

For more information, visit www.volunteergreaternashua.org and search for “Great American Downtown.”

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEW ENGLAND

Founded in 1918, the International Institute of New England (IINE) is one of the oldest and largest social service organizations for new Americans in the region. Their mission is to create opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement, and pathways to citizenship.

The International Institute of New England’s education program is looking for volunteers to assist in “English to Speakers of Other Languages “(ESOL) classrooms by supporting individual student learning needs in small groups and on-one-one tutoring on English language instruction. For more information, visit www.volunteergreaternashua.org and search for “International Institute of New England”.

THE CAREGIVERS

Clients of The CareGivers often live alone on fixed incomes and are without transportation or other means of service. It is thanks to The CareGivers, that their wishes to remain living at home are preserved, their health and wellness improve, and they positively engage in the world around them. Currently, the median age for CareGivers clients is 78, with 93% living alone and 85% female.

Adequate nutrition is a very real issue for the vulnerable people we serve. Subsisting on small fixed incomes, they often choose between filling prescriptions, heating their homes, or having food in their cabinets.

The CareGivers helps over 600 homebound elderly and disabled in in twelve NH communities maintain their independence and dignity through the spirit of volunteerism. All services are provided free of charge. Volunteers provide rides to medical and other essential appointments for those who cannot access reliable transportation, deliver food to those unable to shop on their own, or simply provide emotional support for individuals who would suffer from isolation and loneliness.

Volunteers are needed for the for the following tasks:

Caring Cupboard – This personalized mobile food pantry program provides and delivers free groceries to eligible neighbors in need. From taking and packing individualized food orders to personally delivered groceries, this program is totally volunteer-driven. Getting food from our cupboard to our clients’ kitchens is a dignified and nutritious way of helping make ends meet.

Caring Rides – This program is their single most requested service. Volunteers provide assistance and transportation to physician, dentist, and therapy appointments among others. Beyond the actual transportation, our trained volunteers wait with the care-receivers during their appointments, offering friendship and support. The program allows individuals to practice preventive healthcare and overcome the cost of transportation or physical barriers that would make such visits prohibitive. CareGiver volunteers also provide transportation for grocery needs and in addition, provide assistance with reading food labels, carrying grocery bags, and putting away groceries.

Caring Visits – This program addresses the needs of individuals who are homebound and have little social contact. Volunteer visitors are trained to address the special needs of those who are lonely or alone. Visits are usually conducted on a weekly or bi-weekly basis and range from 1-3 hours in length.

Caring Calls – CareGivers volunteers call those people who have expressed a desire to receive daily or weekly reassurance phone calls. CareGivers often has clients call one another for this task, thus helping people form “telephone friendships,” as well as making the person feel good about themselves because they are contributing to helping others. For more information, visit www.volunteergreaternashua.org and search for “The CareGivers”.

GIRLS INCORPORATED OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

For nearly 45 years, Girls Inc. of New Hampshire has inspired girls to be Strong, Smart and Bold. They provide girls throughout New Hampshire with life-changing experiences and real solutions to the unique issues girls face. Girls Inc. gives girls the tools and support they need to succeed, including trained professionals who mentor and guide them in a safe, girls-only environment; peers who share their drive and aspirations; and research-based programming.

At Girls Inc., girls learn to set and achieve goals, boldly confront challenges, resist peer pressure, and see college as attainable. Their programming focuses on healthy living (Strong); academic enrichment and support (Smart); and life skills and independence (Bold).

Girls Inc. is always looking for volunteers to help during after school hours throughout the school year. They need volunteers from 3:00PM – 6:00PM, Monday through Friday. Volunteers work one-on-one with girls providing homework support, assist the staff in Girls Inc. curriculum, or teach a skill they are passionate about. For more information, visit www.volunteergreaternashua.org and search for “Girls Inc.”

Sara Ceaser is the director of volunteer and community engagement for the United Way of Greater Nashua.

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