Needs From: United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley

Connect Your Neighbors With Local Volunteering Options – Right from Home!

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Drivers are needed for fresh food delivery to the homes of students at Taft Elementary School.
Personal vehicles are required for deliveries. 
This activity usually takes 1.5-2 hours to complete.

Pickup of the groceries is located at our Volunteer Resource Center at 8133 Market Street Youngstown OH 44512

THIS REGISTRATION LINK IS FOR DRIVER VOLUNTEERS ONLY! 

Click here to view video of the opportunity 

Duties: Ensure that blood donors have a pleasant and fulfilling experience, from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave.  During a blood drive, whether you’re greeting donors, supporting safety protocols, answering questions or thanking them for their donation, your courtesy and professionalism will create a favorable impression that encourages ongoing donor support.    

Requirements and Commitment: Must be age 16+, commit to 1-2 shifts (4-6 hours) a month. Flexible schedule - volunteers get to choose which blood drives to staff! 

CLICK HERE for more information and to apply!

*Please identify your interest in the comments ("only packing," "only driving," or "both") as you complete the sign-up process.  It is important for our process to identify if you are driving in the comments section.

On the third Saturday of every month, we host our Satur-Day of Caring, where volunteers pack groceries and deliver them to people who are unable to leave their homes. There are two aspects of this opportunity; you can do either packing or deliveries, or both.

Delivery Drivers: AS OF NOW WE NEED 60 DRIVERS EVERY MONTH.  Drivers are asked to arrive between 9:30 am and 10:00 am. We suggest having two people per car. You will join the line of cars. When you pull up to the group of volunteers, open your trunk and unlock your doors so they can quickly get your vehicle packed. A staff member will then hand you a sheet of paper that lists the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the people you are delivering to. We use software that selects the most efficient route, so follow the order of the paper. Routes typically range from 6-8 stops. When you arrive at a house, ring the doorbell or knock on the door, put the groceries near the front door, and head back to your car. You could also call each person when you start your route to let them know that you'll be there soon. Some people may request assistance bringing in the groceries. Some people receive extra items; these will come in large brown paper bags, and you will be notified before you leave the Volunteer Center. Your list of names will include any special items that need to be dropped off in addition to the groceries.

Packing Groceries: WE DO NOT HAVE A LIMIT FOR PACKERS.  IF YOU ARE PACKING PARK AT LEE EYE CARE. IT IS NEXT DOOR TO US – 8135 MARKET STREET. IT IS VITAL YOU PARK HERE. OUR PARKING LOT WILL BE USED FOR DRIVERS. THERE IS A SIDEWALK FROM LEE EYE CARE TO OUR PARKING LOT. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CROSS THE ROAD. IT IS ON THE SAME SIDE AS OUR BUILDING. There is a #1 Cochran Helping Hands on the side of the building. But you can’t miss us. We ask that volunteers who pack groceries arrive at the Volunteer Resource Center located at 8133 Market Street Youngstown OH 44512 at 8:00 am. We will begin unloading the grocery trucks. Staff from United Way will explain the packaging process. This part usually lasts 1 hour, depending on the number of volunteers. If you are packaging and driving, a staff person will tell you when to pull your car up. 

When you complete your route, you are free to go home. 

This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by funds awarded to the Board of Mahoning County Commissioners under Assistance Listing No. 21.027 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Help support the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley through service at our Volunteer Resource Center! Service projects may include helping to prepare food distributions to the 29 Care Closets throughout the Valley, sorting new clothing shipments to take to students, or packaging school supplies. Depending on the current needs of outreaches, service projects may also include preparation for our monthly Saturday of Caring events or other specific needs.

Learn to prepare taxes and make a difference in your community at the same time. How can you make a difference? Simple. Volunteer to help your community by preparing taxes free of charge with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs.

You will receive training to provide free tax help for low-to-moderate income families who need assistance preparing their tax returns. As a volunteer, you will join the thousands of others who each year prepare millions of tax returns at thousands of tax sites nationwide.

How does this program work? As a committed tax volunteer you’ll be assigned to work with our United Way, first to receive training and then to begin volunteering at a location in your community. Training is offered both online and in person. Tax sites are generally open nights and weekends and the hours are flexible. You will surely find a volunteer site close to you.

THIS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY IS FOR EMPLOYEES OF AIM TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ONLY. 

Help support the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley through service at our Volunteer Resource Center! Service projects may include helping to prepare food distributions to the 27 Care Closets throughout the Valley, sorting new clothing shipments to take to students, or packaging school supplies.

AIM has four dates throughout the year with volunteer opportunities: 

Join our Vision Volunteer program at Sight for All United and help increase access to eye care in our community!

Volunteers will assist with providing vision screenings throughout the Mahoning Valley. No previous experience is required and volunteers will be able to choose dates and times that best fit their schedules. Currently we are doing 3-4 screenings per month, each lasting around 2-3 hours. Most screenings take place during weekdays, though sometimes we have evening and weekend opportunities available too. Volunteers will be provided with training so that they can conduct basic vision screenings. Eye care is important for education and overall quality of life, and just a few hours of your time can have a huge impact on someone’s life! For more information, please contact Diana Palardy at dianap@sfau.org or 330-301-7436.

Please join us as an event-based volunteer for a meaningful day in the community! Volunteer alongside Red Cross volunteers, fire departments and partners to install FREE smoke alarms in homes and present fire safety educational information to individuals and families.

No prior experience is necessary; we'll provide all the training you'll need upon arrival. Sound the Alarm home fire safety, free smoke alarms installation events will be held rain or shine, please dress in layers and closed-toe, comfortable shoes. Volunteers will begin at rally points at locations in the community and then disperse to identified neighborhood(s) in a volunteer team with a minimum of 2-4 people. View HFC Volunteer Team Quick Reference Guide PDF to prepare for your volunteer experience.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED?  Visit www.soundthealarm.org                                                                                                        CLICK “FIND AN EVENT” to volunteer near you!

Search for events by zip code & complete volunteer registration!

Event Activity Date Start Time End Time Activity Location

Home Fire Preparedness: Toledo, OH 04/05/2025 10:00 AM 2:00 PM 1111 Research Drive, Toledo, OH 43614

Home Fire Preparedness: Youngstown, OH 04/12/2025 9:30 AM 2:00 PM 1322 W. Western Reserve Road, Youngstown, OH 44514

Sound the Alarm Akron, OH 04/25/2025 12:00 PM 3:00 PM 501 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44303

Sound the Alarm Garfield Heights, OH 04/26/2025 9:30 AM 1:30 PM 5115 Turney Road, Garfield Heights, OH 44125

Sound the Alarm Massillon, OH 04/26/2025 9:30 AM 2:00 PM 2813 Lincoln Way W., Massillon, OH 44647

Sound the Alarm Cleveland, OH 05/03/2025 9:00 AM 1:00 PM 9900 Denison Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102

Sound the Alarm Liberty Township, OH 05/03/2025 9:30 AM 2:00 PM 125 Fair Street, Findlay, OH 45840

Sound the Alarm Toledo, OH 05/03/2025 10:00 AM 2:00 PM 1010 Dorr Street, Toledo, OH 43607

Sound the Alarm Louisville, OH 05/09/2025 8:30 AM 12:00 PM 215 S. Mill Street, Louisville, OH 44641

Sound the Alarm Akron, OH 05/09/2025 9:00 AM 12:30 PM 501 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44303

Sound the Alarm Cleveland, OH 05/10/2025 9:00 AM 1:00 PM 925 E. 152nd Street, Cleveland, OH 44110

Sound the Alarm Sandusky, OH 05/10/2025 9:30 AM 2:00 PM 600 West Market Street, Sandusky, OH 44870

Sound the Alarm Ravenna, OH - UH Portage Partner Event 05/16/2025 9:00 AM 12:00 PM 6847 N. Chestnut Street, Ravenna, OH 44266

Learn to prepare taxes and make a difference in your community at the same time. How can you make a difference? Simple. Volunteer to help your community by preparing taxes free of charge with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs.

You will receive training to provide free tax help for low-to-moderate income families who need assistance preparing their tax returns. As a volunteer, you will join the thousands of others who each year prepare millions of tax returns at thousands of tax sites nationwide.

How does this program work? As a committed tax volunteer you’ll be assigned to work with our United Way, first to receive training and then to begin volunteering at a location in your community. Training is offered both online and in the classroom. Tax sites are generally open nights and weekends and the hours are flexible. You will surely find a volunteer site close to you.

There are many ways an individual can volunteer with Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, Inc. To learn more, visit this link: https://goodwillyoungstown.org/volunteer/.

Youngstown Radio Reading Service (YRRS) is a private, non-profit station broadcasting readings of local newspapers, magazines, best-selling books along with presenting talk shows and special interest programs to people experiencing visual impairment across Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. We invite you to join our team and help your community.

THIS LINK IS ONLY FOR VOLUNTEERS COMING INTO THE VOLUNTEER RESOURCE CENTER THAT HAVE BEEN TOLD TO USE THIS LINK WHILE SIGNING IN AT THE CENTER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!

This position supports the Regional Disaster Cycle Services (DCS) department. Most of the 60,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are local, personal disasters like home fires. Disaster Action Teams (DAT) provide emotional support, financial assistance, and information to help families begin the process of recovery. The Disaster Action Team (DAT) Duty Officer ensures timely activation and monitoring of local and regional DAT responses. The Duty Officer supports the DAT program either at the chapter/territory or region level.

All Chapter and Satellite Offices throughout the Northern Ohio Region

Leadership

Functional

Required:

Preferred:

CLICK HERE to apply!

This position supports the Regional Disaster Cycle Services department. Disaster Action Teams provide 24-hour emergency response to local disasters, particularly house fires, ensuring that those affected have access to resources for basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing. DAT Members participate in all DAT program support and capacity building activities necessary to ensure effective service delivery during a DAT response.

This position is responsible for the tasks involved in the Disaster Action Team program including:

In collaboration with DAT Leadership, once trained to operational ability, may remain active as long as required training is maintained and engagement criteria met. 

Minimum on-call shift requirement is equivalent to 24 hours per month and is scheduled based on personal availability. Shift length is structured with daytime shifts 8am-4:30pm or evening/overnight shifts 4:30pm-8am.

Volunteers are highly encouraged to sign up for more shifts to ensure coverage, strong personal engagement and gain valuable learning experiences. Volunteers commit to being available during registered shifts and communicates availability conflicts with DAT Leadership.

When a call comes in, volunteers are expected to work as part of an assigned team to respond to local disasters within two hours; delivering immediate direct client assistance with support of on-scene lead to assess additional resource/support needs.

CLICK HERE for more information about this position!

With the anticipated hurricanes and the ongoing western wildfires, we have an urgent need for volunteers who are willing to train now and potentially deploy  (14-day commitment) to a Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation. 

 Shelter Support 

Compassionate and committed individuals are needed to support sheltering efforts this disaster season. Shelter volunteers support the day-to-day activities within a shelter which may include working in reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information or other vital areas within a shelter. Free online training will be provided.  

With the anticipated hurricanes and the ongoing western wildfires, we have an urgent need for volunteers who are willing to train now and potentially deploy  (14-day commitment) to a Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation. 

 Disaster Health Services  

Are you a licensed healthcare professional? If so, we also have a high need for health care workers to provide assistance and healthcare to shelter residents. Free online training will be provided and you can also obtain your CE credits. Licenses needed include: RN, LPN, LVN, EMT, Paramedic, MD, DO, PA, NP, APRN.  

Provide companionship to seniors through conversation, playing games, reading, etc.

Locations:

Requirements:

The Senior Support Action Group is looking for volunteers to assist with the delivery of food boxes to homebound seniors and other disabled persons.

Volunteers use their personal vehicles to pick-up boxes of food on the first and/or third Thursday of each month. Boxes can be picked up at The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown anytime between 9am - 12pm. Each route takes about 60-90 minutes to complete.

Requirements:

- Complete enrollment form

- Provide copy of valid drivers license and auto insurance

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the deliveries are no contact for the health and safety of the senior client and volunteers.

If you are interested or wish to learn more about this and other volunteer opportunities, please contact Leah Sakacs, the program coordinator, at 330-261-2631 or lsakacs@fcsohio.org

Provide companionship to homebound seniors over the phone by making weekly check-in calls to inquire about their well-being and to provide conversation. Calls can be made at any time of day, for any duration, and frequency that is convenient for the volunteer.

Requirements:

Provide transportation for seniors to doctor appointments, farmers markets, and grocery stores in Mahoning and/or Trumbull counties.

Requirements:

Community Educator: Present prepared training materials on topics related to Alzheimer's and other dementias.

Caregiver Support Group Facilitator: Co-facilitate a support group for family members, friends, and caregivers of individuals who have dementia or Alzheimer's.

Requirements:

The AmeriCorps Seniors Advisory Council assists in the volunteer recognition and community outreach activities as well as fundraising efforts for the Foster Grandparents and Retired & Senior Volunteer Programs in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. The committee meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 3:00 pm.

Interested persons should have experience in community outreach, volunteer management, fundraising, and/or working with seniors.

Assist the American Red Cross at blood drives, including greeting potential donors, taking temperatures, and assisting with registration. Must be able to commit to a shift of at least 4 hours.

Requirements:

Disaster Response Team: Assist the American Red Cross by responding to home fire and other disasters. Must be able to commit to a total of 24 hours of being on-call per month.

(Mental) Health Services Provider: Secure resources as an American Red Cross volunteer to meet (mental) health needs of people affected by disaster, including coordinating with physicians, shelters, emergency aid, etc. Must be able to commit to two-weeks' work of on-call time during a three month period.

Requirements:

Assist Habitat for Humanity in building and repairing homes in Mahoning, Trumbull, and/or Columbiana counties. No prior experience is required, and all tools and safety equipment are provided.

Requirements:

Deliver meals to homes of individuals in Mahoning and/or Trumbull counties. Supplemental insurances and a small mileage reimbursement are provided to volunteers.

Requirements:

Assist with meal prep, set-up and clean-up, and meal distribution.

Requirements:

Act as a positive role model for students by providing mentorship and tutoring support.

Locations:

Requirements:

Provide administrative support to any of the following agencies by answering phones, filing, greeting guests, etc.

Requirements:

Duties: Call clients to conduct follow-up interviews regarding their disaster caused needs and enter data. Provide clients with recovery planning, connection to local resources and overall hope during a difficult time in their lives.    

Commitment: 1 shift (3-7 hours) a week 

Duties: Volunteers provide health-related services and secure resources to meet the health needs of people affected by disaster and of the volunteer workforce providing disaster relief. They assist families and individuals following local disaster responses by coordinating with physicians, pharmacies, and durable medical equipment providers to replace lost items. During a Disaster Relief Operation, this role will support sheltering, emergency aid, outreach activities, and the Integrated Care Condolence Team 

Commitment: 2 weeks of on-call duty every 3 months. 

Duties: Volunteers provide short term crisis management for those who have been impacted by local disaster. This includes members of the affected community as well as other members of the Red Cross workforce experiencing the stress of disaster response. They provide interventions to people impacted by a disaster, help facilitate long-term recovery, and assist the development of partnerships with local mental health agencies.  

Qualifications: Currently licensed mental health professional, current school psychologists and school counselors, current psychiatric nurses, retired mental health professionals. 

Commitment:  2 weeks of on-call duty every 3 months 

-Build brand name

-Digital media

-Social Media

-Graphics and design