Community Building: Volunteerism
Individual and Group Opportunities 
With a wide range of service offerings, Neighborhood House offers an equally wide range of volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups. Select one option or combine several to create your ideal volunteer experience. Join us today!
Do Something Good for Children
At Neighborhood House, thousands of children gain the skills needed to combat social stereotypes and reach their full potential through arts, sports and tutoring services. Volunteers are needed in a variety of ways throughout the year and you can make a big impact in a short amount of time as an individual or as a group. You can form a group and host a School Supply Drive and help low-income children start the school year with the tools they need to succeed, or create Birthday Bags and make the many children who use the Neighborhood House Food Shelf feel extra special on their birthday. You can also participate individually in a regularly scheduled program and work one-on-one with students as an after-school tutor or summer camp counselor. No matter what you choose to do, or how you choose to help, the children at Neighborhood House will be grateful to you.
Get Physical with Outdoor Activities
If you are looking for something to do outside, we have a great way to enjoy the spring, summer and fall months while giving back to the community, whether on-site at Neighborhood House or out at a Farmer’s Market. If you are looking to get your hands dirty, visit the Neighborhood House Community Garden and plant flowers and vegetables. Or enjoy giving back to the community when you help collect unsold food from local farmers on Sundays during the St. Paul Farmer’s Market (http://www.stpaulfarmersmarket.com). The food is brought back to the Food Shelf to distribute the following day. There are endless possibilities so call today to learn more about these and other opportunities!
Fight Hunger in the Food Shelf
Providing healthy foods to local families fulfills a basic need in stabilizing lives. Nourish Neighborhood House families in need of ideas on how to cook the foods they receive by helping make soup bags with multi-lingual instructions for cooking. Or, assemble seasonal bags for local families to be distributed during times of great need. These bags can are also used during power outages and natural disasters. The food shelf is a fantastic way to connect to your local community and the diverse populations who need an extra helping hand. Every volunteer is critical to the success of Neighborhood House!
Success Story
2011 Volunteer of the Year: Gary Steinman
In 2006, Gary Steinman decided to start volunteering through a conversation with his friend, Eric Levinson. In those five years, Gary has become a dedicated volunteer, beloved by participants and staff alike. He is known for his frequent and constant attendance volunteering in a variety of ways with an array of programs, but mostly Gary is known as an exceptional teacher.
He has a deep concern and passion for the betterment of each youth and adult participant with whom he works. Smart, fun and charismatic, he works well with everyone, particularly as a "homework helper" in the Youth Center. He celebrates successes and acts as a mentor to students who push boundaries, taking pride in their accomplishments both large and small. In an effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service offerings Neighborhood House provides, Gary attends meetings as a volunteer to ensure best service delivery for the students he teaches.
At one time, Gary's two daughters and his late wife, Jane, volunteered for Neighborhood House also, but last November Gary lost his wife. His commitment to Neighborhood House was unwavering, however, and he continued to channel positive energy into his volunteer work and his work as a "friend-raiser" for Neighborhood House. Gary helps spread the word about the good work of Neighborhood House, therefore fostering new relationships that help sustain our vital programs.
This year, Gary was named the Neighborhood House Volunteer of the Year and honored for his exceptional contributions during the 2011 Annual Awards Ceremony. Thank you to Gary, his friends, and family for celebrating this special day of recognition with us. | | 