Get Involved! Volunteer Opportunities in the City
Many City programs need volunteer support to provide services to residents. Learn more about how you can get involved in serving your community today!
Visit Volunteer Alexandria for a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities in Alexandria, and for assistance in fulfilling court-mandated community service requirements."
Featured Volunteer
Troy Seals
"I challenge the adults in the community to become a volunteer. You may be thinking that you do not have enough time, but somewhere between my job, wife, and two kids I was able to find the time."
- Mentor, iMovie Mentor's Program
Alexandria Library
Get Involved in A Library!
Volunteers comprise an important part of the library’s operation and perform a variety of duties. For information on becoming a library volunteer, please call the branch where you wish to volunteer and ask for the volunteer coordinator.
- Beatley Central, 5005 Duke Street - Volunteer Coordinator, Linda Ruiz at 703.519.5900
- Barrett Branch, 717 Queen Street - Volunteer Coordinator, Nick Kerelchuk at 703.838.4555
- Burke Branch, 4701 Seminary Road - Volunteer Coordinator, Nelson Cuellar at 703.519.6000
- Duncan Branch, 2501 Commonwealth Avenue - Volunteer Coordinator, Renee DiPilato at 703.838.4566
www.alexandria.lib.va.us
Alexandria Mentoring Partnership
Alexandria Mentoring Partnership Seeks Mentors
Mentor a child, change two lives! Help a child stay on the right track by becoming a mentor. Mentoring helps improve graduation rates, enhance self-esteem, and change behavior. Mentoring also decreases crime and gang involvement, substance abuse, and teen pregnancy. We have the kids, we need the adults! Mentor a child one to two hours a week, and change two lives for a lifetime. Visit alexandriava.gov/Mentoring for more information.
iMovie Mentors Program Seeks “A Few Good Men”
The iMovie Mentors program is looking for male volunteers to serve as mentors. No movie making or mentoring experience is needed. iMovie Mentors pairs boys with men to produce short movies. Mentors make a one-year commitment to the program and attend Tuesday evening workshops, from April to November, to establish a mentoring relationship, learn the fundamentals of filmmaking and help the boys acquire life and technological skills. The workshops include the use of Apple technology and lessons in digital video, storyboarding and film editing. Movies will be presented at a community film festival. To be added to the annual mentor orientation Evite list, send an e-mail to iMovieMentors@alexandriava.gov. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/iM2.
SOHO (Space Of Her Own) Program Seeks Mentors
SOHO is an art-based mentoring program that allows local low-income pre-teen girls to attend workshops with mentors; together they participate in team-building activities, develop life skills, and learn about artistic concepts and techniques. Based loosely on popular HDTV programs, SOHO culminates in remodeling of the pre-teen's bedroom. Each mentor is responsible for designing the new room, incorporating her mentee's artwork, and ample lighting and study space, using a shoestring budget of just $250. An art exhibit and reception features a before-and-after bedroom renovation video. Each mentor commits to a year-long relationship with her mentee, to attend 90% of the Thursday evening sessions from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., to spend a weekend on a room renovation, and to complete eight hours of community service with her mentee. For more information on the SOHO program and volunteer opportunities, visit alexandriava.gov/SOHO. If you are interested in volunteering, please e-mail SOHO@alexandriava.gov.
Alexandria Sheriff's Office
Are you compassionate, dedicated and have a gift or talent to share? If so, the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office has a need for you! Several volunteer opportunities exist for motivated people who can teach a class, mentor an adult, lead a reading or discussion group, or teach important life skills to Alexandria Detention Center’s inmates. Volunteers are welcomed who can lead an ongoing program activity (such as an art or reading class, self-esteem group, or as a librarian), or conduct one-time talks, discussions or classes. Professional skills are not needed, only a heart to make a difference. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Cherye Echane at 703.746.5079 or e-mail cherye.echane@alexandriava.gov.
Boards and Commissions
The City of Alexandria has a strong commitment to citizen participation as evidenced by the number of citizen boards and commissions established by City Council. These bodies compose a formal system through which citizens can advise City Council on all major issues affecting the City. Boards and Commissions are responsible to City Council and appointments are made by Council at their regular legislative meetings. Position vacancies are advertised in the local newspapers and through civic associations. Applicants for commission vacancies may obtain application forms and further information by calling the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council at 703.746.4550 or visiting alexandriava.gov/Boards.
Department of Community and Human Services
Volunteers are needed to serve in a variety of roles:
- Representative Payees: Payees receive Social Security checks and pay bills for persons with an intellectual disability or mental illness. A separate bank account is opened with automatic deposit and there are few monthly transactions. The duties require two hours per month, per account. For more information, contact Jennifer Cohen-Cordero at 703-746-3484 or jennifer.cohen@alexandriava.gov
- Guardians: Guardians are court-appointed decision-makers, regarding matters such as personal care, health care, therapeutic care, living conditions, transportation and recreation, who make decisions for a person with disabilities. The duties require two hours per month. For more information, contact Jennifer Cohen-Cordero at 703-746-3484 or jennifer.cohen@alexandriava.gov
The Fund for Alexandria’s Child
This organization, along with the Department of Human Services, helps children who are in foster care or at risk of abuse or neglect to experience the richness of life through activities such as camping, field trips, sports and dance, art or karate lessons. The Fund of Alexandria’s Child is looking for volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable children in our community. If you are interested in planning and providing resources and activities for foster children and children at risk of abuse and neglect, please contact Suzanne Kratzok at 703.746.5663 or e-mail suzanne.kratzok@alexandriava.gov.
Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is looking for people who are empathetic, diplomatic, assertive and skilled communicators to be Volunteer Ombudsmen. Ombudsman are assigned to visit a local nursing home or assisted living facility, working to ensure that the residents’ rights are protected and helping residents with problems that they are unable to resolve alone. Ombudsmen dedicate four hours per week for one year. Visits occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. On-going training and support are provided. For more information, please call 703. 324.5861.
- The Hispanic Orientation and Education Program The Hispanic Orientation and Education Program is seeking volunteers to teach survival English and citizenship instruction to Hispanic adults. The classes meet Mondays and Wednesday evenings, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Volunteers must commit to one or two evenings per week for the period of mid-October through the last week of May. Training/orientation will be provided. For additional information, please call Ricardo Drumond at 703.746.5712 or email at ricardo.drumond@alexandriava.gov.
Parent Volunteers Needed for the “Let's Talk” Parent Newsletter
The Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy is seeking parent volunteers to join the editorial board of the “Let's Talk” newsletter to help write and edit content. “Let's Talk” is a quarterly newsletter written by and for parents and caregivers to provide information on talking to children about sex and other related topics. To view the current edition, visit alexgetreal.com and check out the New Features box. For more information, contact Becky Griesse at rebecca.griesse@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5030.
www.alexgetreal.com
- The Alexandria Domestic Violence Program Seeks Shelter Volunteers
As a program that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, volunteers play a key role in providing services to those affected by domestic violence. Volunteers interact directly with individuals in need—an opportunity that many find extremely fulfilling. Shelter Supervisor volunteers at the Battered Women's Shelter are needed. Primary responsibilities include answering the crisis hotline and supporting women and children residing at the safe house. Volunteers are needed weekends, holidays and daytime weekdays. Volunteers must complete 40 hours of training to become a Shelter Supervisor.
The Alexandria Domestic Violence Program is also looking for volunteers to assist with the Children's Support Group on Tuesday evenings and with the children's activities at the Battered Women's Shelter. Volunteers must complete 40 hours of mandatory training focused on the unique needs of children who have witnessed violence in the home.
The Alexandria Domestic Violence Program (DVP) is dedicated to the fair, compassionate and respectful treatment of all survivors of intimate partner violence regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. For more information, please contact Jen Clayton at 703.746.4911 or e-mail jen.clayton@alexandriava.gov.
- Sexual Assault Center Seeks Hotline Volunteers
The Sexual Assault Center is looking for compassionate listeners, both English speaking and bilingual, who would be comfortable providing support and resources over the phone to sexual assault survivors and their families. Volunteers also accompany victims to the hospital and/or police station. Our program requires volunteers to complete 40 hours of training to become a hotline companion and, while the initial training commitment is intensive, volunteers are asked to complete just two hotline shifts per month. Volunteers take evening or weekend shifts from home or anywhere accessible by phone. The Spring 2012 Training class begins in February and interviews are being held in January. If you want the chance to make a difference, contact Stephanie Shea at 703.746.3127 or e-mail Stephanie.shea@alexandriava.gov for more information.
- The Walk to Fight Breast Cancer Needs Volunteers
Alexandria's Office on Women is seeking volunteers to help set up, cheer participants along the route, distribute food and other items to walkers, and clean up on Saturday, October 24. For more information, contact the Walk Coordinator at 703.746.5030 or visit www.alexcancerwalk.com.
alexandriava.gov/DCHS
For more information about volunteer opportunities, call 703.746.3484, or e-mail jennifer.cohen@alexandriava.gov.
Health Department
Be Prepared. Be Empowered. Join the Medical Reserve Corps!
Alexandria MRC is seeking volunteers to support public health in an emergency or disaster. Join the Alexandria Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) to receive free preparedness training and participate in drills and exercises. Seventy- percent of our volunteers are non-medical, so anyone can apply! MRC offers training on a variety of topics, including public health, emergency management, CPR, First Aid, and more! As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to support day-to-day public health activities by working with various Health Department clinics, the environmental health division or the emergency planning department.
The initial time commitment is a two-hour orientation. After that, you to decide how much time to devote. Orientation sessions are held monthly, usually on a weeknight or a Saturday morning. For more information, contact Katherine Deffer, MRC Coordinator, at 703.746.4978, email Katherine.Deffer@vdh.virginia.gov, or visit alexandriava.gov/MedicalReserve.
Office of Historic Alexandria
Looking for a creative outlet or a way to offer your services to the community? Hundreds of volunteers provide their time, skills and expertise each year to assist in many areas of work within the Office of Historic Alexandria and its museums and historic sites. Study artifacts, conduct museum tours, use your computer skills, tabulate research findings – these are only a few of the dozens of ways to contribute your time, talents and energy. A few opportunities are listed below, or for more information go to Volunteer with Historic Alexandria.
Alexandria Legacies
The City of Alexandria’s Oral History Program, Alexandria Legacies, is seeking volunteers to help collect the oral histories of long-time Alexandria residents. The City has been collecting oral histories since the early 1980s, and there are many more stories to be heard. Responsibilities include conducting an interviews and/or transcribing an interview. Volunteers are also welcome to interview long-time Alexandria residents they know personally. New volunteers are required to attend a training session. To learn more, please e-mail Jen Hembree or call the Archaeology Museum at 703.746.4399.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Needs Volunteer Tour Guides
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal St., is looking for Volunteer Tour Guides who love history and enjoy working with the public. No experience is necessary! Volunteers are required to contribute one morning or afternoon per month. Volunteer benefits include free admission to more than 30 historic house museums, a shop discount, free garage parking (while on duty), discounted admission to museum lectures, a subscription to the museum newsletter, and invitations to annual volunteer parties, field trips and exhibit openings. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, call 703.746.4242.
Volunteer at the Alexandria Black History Museum
The Alexandria Black History Museum needs volunteers who have an interest in history, and in particular, Alexandria’s African-American history and culture, to staff the reception desk, greet visitors, handle phone calls and help with special projects. Volunteers are asked to commit to one three-hour shift every other week. The museum, located at 902 Wythe Street, is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the Museum at 703.746.4356.
oha.alexandriava.gov
Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
Volunteers are an important part of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. Without volunteers the Department would be limited in the programs and activities it offers. Cultural Arts, Senior Citizen, Special Events, Therapeutic Recreation, Youth Sports, Recreation Center Advisory Councils, and the parks are just a few of the areas that depend on volunteers.
If you would like more information about volunteering, call 703.746.4343 or email I want to Volunteer.
alexandriava.gov/Recreation
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