Many nonprofit agencies in the Greater Nashua area struggle to find enough volunteers to staff their facilities and run their events. Volunteer Greater Nashua, a web portal hosted by United Way of Greater Nashua and The Telegraph helps them get the word out to potential volunteers. Those interested in making a difference in our community can find a wide variety of tasks that nonprofits need help with. Projects from office work, to sorting donated food, to gardening, to advocacy are frequently listed on the site. Volunteer opportunities can be found by searching by zip code, interest area, and more. We’ve included several new listings featured on the site in this article. You can always find more on Volunteer Greater Nashua at http://www.volunteergreaternashua.org.

FRIENDS PROGRAM

The Friends Program is a nonprofit agency that recruits, trains and manages volunteers to meet community needs. Their mission is to strengthen communities by building relationships that empower people, encourage community service and restore faith in the human spirit. They accomplish this by providing youth mentoring, emergency housing and fulfilling the need of seniors and retired people to actively contribute to the community.

They need volunteers to become part of the Friends Foster Grandparent Program, which places caring seniors in classrooms and daycares to provide ongoing academic and emotional support to children. This unique volunteer role is perfect for those over 55 looking for ways to become engaged in their community, get out of the house, and experience a child’s admiration and love. The position offers a tax-free stipend that will not affect subsidies, in addition to mileage and meal reimbursements.

In the words of one teacher working with a Foster Grandparent, “Grammy Jean is just amazing! She provides so much support academically and emotionally. I love her like she is my own Grammy. We both love watching the children return each year to say hello and give hugs to her. She is unforgettable.”

For more information, visit www.volunteergreaternashua.org and search for “Friends Program”.

SOUTHERN NH RESCUE MISSION

The mission of the Southern New Hampshire Rescue Mission is “to help the hurting and homeless in Jesus’ Name by providing food to all and rescue, relief, and renewal services to men in Southern New Hampshire with a goal of being restored in relationship with God, reintegrated with society and reconciled with family.”

They offer:

Emergency Shelter: Up to 60 consecutive nights of warm shelter.

R12 LifeChange Program: A 12-month commitment to learn Biblical principles for recovering and reconciling relationships with God, self, and others.

Transitional Work Program: Learn Biblical principles for finance while saving money toward permanent housing and job stability.

Message and a Meal: Daily meals provided with a Gospel centered message and prayer.

Community Gift Center: Bi-weekly appointments for providing groceries and clothing to anyone in the community.

Showers for Men: Weekly opportunity for men in the community to get a warm shower.

Their volunteer opportunities include: Meal preparation and serving, Food and Clothing sorting, Facility Maintenance (Repairs & Cleaning), Landscaping, Providing Rides for appointments to their guests.

For more information, visit www.volunteergreaternashua.org and search for “Southern NH Rescue Mission”.

NASHUA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Founded in 1870, The Nashua Historical Society is a volunteer run, independent, non-profit organization and receives no operating support from the State of New Hampshire or the City of Nashua.The Historical Society’s motto is “Preserving the Past for the Future” and in support of its mission, the Historical Society collects, preserves and interprets materials pertaining to Nashua history. The Nashua Historical Society collects and preserves artifacts, properties, records and documents from Nashua, Nashville, and Colonial Dunstable. The Nashua Historical Society has acquired and maintains the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum, dedicated in 1972, and the Abbot-Spalding House, built in 1802-1804 and purchased in 1978. These museums with their collections are open to the public.

They need volunteers to help with the following projects: Buildings/Grounds, Membership/Volunteer, Collections, Newsletter, Education, Refreshments, Exhibits, Research, Fundraising, Special Events, Mailing Team, Technology, Marketing, Tour Guide, Writer for Grants & Charitable Donations.

For more information, visit www.volunteergreaternashua.org and search for “Nashua Historical Society”.

HARBOR HOMES

Harbor Homes, Inc is a private non-profit community benefit organization serving the southern New Hampshire region whose mission statement is to provide quality residential and supportive services to individuals and their families who are homeless. Affordable housing with supportive services is provided on-site to more than 700 households, through over 400 units of emergency, transitional, permanent supportive, and income-based rental housing.

Harbor Homes is a beacon for veterans who are homeless. The agency is built upon a core belief that individuality, dignity, self-respect and a safe place to live are key to a person’s ability to contribute to society.

Harbor Homes is currently looking for a volunteer for the Veterans Supported Employment Program. This position will be working with staff to help Veterans in find employment.  We encourage Veterans to volunteer for this position.

For more information, visit www.volunteergreaternashua.org and search for “Harbor Homes”.

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