Program Overview

Our Volunteer Program
We believe that the combination of professional services provided by our staff and the helping hands and attention of volunteers is unbeatable. Our trained volunteers contribute their time and or services an average of twice a week.

Learning opportunities for all ages
Folks of all ages and walks of life are among the hundreds of volunteers that we welcome each year. Opportunities for the Disabled state-of-the-art facilities create a dynamic learning environment for those who want to gain knowledge or share their own.

Volunteers at Opportunities for the Disabled are placed in various settings. Although volunteers cannot choose their activities, every effort is made to match each individual with an appropriate and satisfying assignment.

Opportunities for the Disabled is a friendly place where volunteers are appreciated and regularly thanked. The annual Volunteer of the Year Awards recognize the outstanding service of volunteers. 

Taking volunteerism seriously
Opportunities for the Disabled  takes our volunteer program seriously and we ask our volunteers to do the same.

Here are key requirements:

Commitment: Volunteers must commit to at least 200 hours of service within one year or a summer term. To ensure the volunteer time is productive, individuals should be able to work at least four hours per session.

Age: Volunteers must be 15 years or older. There is no maximum age. We have many volunteers in their 70s and 80s.

Screening process: All volunteers are carefully screened and thoroughly trained, to ensure we have a mutually successful and rewarding relationship.  

Potential volunteers must fill out an application, come to the Volunteer Resources office for a personal interview, have a screening interview and provide required ID and documents.

Interviews are by appointment only.

Top 20 Reasons to Volunteer with Opportunities for the Disabled

1. It Feels Good! Volunteering means your doing something that you do not have to do. It's helping others, and that will give you a satisfaction like no other!

2. It Helps Your Community! Volunteering is improving your community. Like the anti-littering phrase: "Trash your city, trash yourself," "Help your city, help yourself!"

3. You Meet New People! Through volunteering, you can meet other people who like to volunteer. Then you can volunteer together and make great new friends!

4. You're Contributing to Society! Society has given you so much: schooling, parks, libraries, and much more. Since society has given you all that, it would be nice to give back a little.

5. It Looks Great on a Job Application! Most jobs want people with job experience. However, if you are trying to get a first job, you have none, and not many employers will hire you. If you volunteer, you can gain job experience through that.

6. It Looks Great on a College Application! Most colleges want well-rounded students: students who are academic, social,and active in their community. Volunteering is an excellent way to show that you are active in your community!

7. You Can Apply for Special Awards! There are several special awards offered to those who volunteer regularly. Some of them are from the President himself!

8. You Could Get in the Newspaper! If your local newspaper notices that teens are volunteering more and more and they just might come to interview you for a hot story! Just think: you could be famous!

9. You Can Learn Good Public Relations Skills! When volunteering, you meet new people, talk to journalists, talk to radio personalities, and sometimes public officials! When you volunteer you learn much-needed life skills that you'll use forever!

10. You Will Get Respect! People are going to appreciate that you are giving back to your community, especially those tax payers who pay for your education, parks, and other services!

11. Gain Job Experience -Volunteer experience looks great on a resume. Also, some of the work you do could lead to a job doing similar work.

12. Improve Your Health and Self-Esteem Volunteering to help others has been shown to reduce stress, give you hope, and boost your self-esteem.

13. Meet Real Community Needs -Helping people learn to read, or get basic food, clothing, shelter or furniture makes a huge difference! Whether the project is planting a tree or tutoring children, the community will look and feel better.

14. Gain Entrance to College -Colleges and universities today are looking for applicants who have more than high grades. They are looking for well-rounded people who have volunteered to make a difference in their communities.

15. Meet New People and Establish Friends, Connections and References-When you work alongside others, you really get to know them and become friends with them. Also, adults at organizations where you volunteer can connect you to great opportunities and provide you with a useful reference for a job or college.

16. Gain New Skills and Develop Talents-Whether you enjoy working with computers, children or seniors, any interest you have can be developed through volunteering.

17. Spread Positive Energy and Hope-Just like random acts of kindness, when you volunteer, your energy and efforts affect the whole community in a positive way.

18. Make the World a Better Place-If you see problems in your community that you feel need addressing, do something about them. By volunteering, you do make a difference and help make the world a better place.

19. Personal Growth-By taking on new tasks you'll learn more about people and life.

20. It's Fun!-Volunteering will bring laughter and smiles into your life

Thank you for your interest in helping Opportunities for the Disabled. Please fill in the form beleow and our Volunteer co-ordinators will contact you within 2 business days.

Current Opportunities:

These are the four general categories of involvement:

Leadership volunteers
Includes trustees; board committee members; advocacy volunteers; event chairs and committee members; research advocates; leadership ambassadors

Administrative volunteers
Includes receptionists; data entry and mailing volunteers; newsletter production volunteers. equipment recycling and distribution

Program volunteers
Includes public awareness campaign leaders; information and resources gathering (I & R) volunteers, nursing home or school speakers.

Fund-raising volunteers
Includes Disability Resource Guide Distribution; Helping participants; event participants who recruit others to participate or to sponsor them; event volunteers; and major gifts solicitors