Volunteer
You want to do your part. You’re ready to give back. You like being helpful and want to make a difference in the lives of people here in our community. Hmmm…Sounds like you’d be a good volunteer!
There are many ways to get involved at Bell . Tell us what you like to do, what inspires you, what you’re good at, and we’ll help you find a way to plug in.
Some options may include (but are certainly not limited to): coordinating a collection of goods, teaching a craft or life skill, assisting with clerical tasks, weeding & planting, picking up and/or organizing donations, giving haircuts, putting together a peer2peer fundraiser, and helping out with special events and program activities.
Internships are also available for students to gain experience, hone skills and build a portfolio.
Ready? Step one is is to fill out a Volunteer Info Form. Have questions or want more information, contact Outreach Coordinator Janel Fox at 717-848-5767, ext. 1515.
All Bell volunteers must be capable of interacting with community members, agency staff, and service users in a pleasant and professional manner. Sensitivity to challenges faced by individuals with mental, intellectual, and economic disability is essential.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Contributing Writers
Meet the people of Bell and help us tell their stories. We’re looking for volunteers with a passion for listening to people’s life stories, and the ability to shape what is heard into written word. All ages (9 and up) welcome to apply. Essays, poems, songs, Q+A.; your style. Use the online volunteer info form to apply.
Spruce Up Spaces
Lend some good old-fashioned elbow grease to move out furniture and scrub apartments to make them ready for new residents. Often this can happen with advanced planning; sometimes it might be a last minute request for help. If you are flexible and willing to get dirty, imagine how good it will feel to be of service to a family transitioning from homelessness into one of our apartments until they’re ready to move into an independent living situation! This is a great group project for industrious young people and as a meaningful team building exercise or service opportunity. Each experience would likely last two to three hours.
Special Event Volunteers
Jump in on all of the fun that is Bell’s Big Bed Race – our springtime event to raise funds for Bell’s emergency, transitional, supported and residential housing programs. The Bed Race is scheduled for the second Saturday in April and we need volunteers for all aspects of promoting and carrying out the event.
Duties may include attending planning sessions, preparing and/or distributing materials, pre-event promo, making phone calls, assisting with mailings, and event day hands-on help. Creativity, flexibility, and an ability to interact with community members, agency staff and service users in a pleasant and professional manner, and present a positive image of Bell. Hours will vary depending on level of commitment.
Administrative Rock Star for the Community Engagement Team
If you know your way around a computer, don’t mind picking up the phone to make calls, have great attention to detail, and enough self motivation to work independently, this could be the volunteer position for you.
Your work will include data entry, some basic online research, and making direct calls to established Bell supporters to clarify information. Work will primarily happen at our main Bell office in downtown York. Anticipated weekly commitment of five to 10 hours.
Notes of Good Cheer
Share the joy of receiving cheerful greetings by writing your best wishes in cards to send to Bell program recipients. Contact Janel Fox at jfox@bellsocialization.com for details.
Some volunteer opportunities with Bell require background checks and/or clearances to assure the safety of children and individuals with disabilities with whom we work. You will be made aware prior to accepting a position if that is a requirement for your role. These are FREE checks which you complete online. To speed up the sign on process, you are welcome to bring your clearances with you to your interview.
Background Check ChildLine Clearances
Bell’s mission is to provide an environment of support and empowerment where people can improve their quality of living.
We do this to get closer to our vision of a community where people are valued and respected and live with dignity.