Opportunities From: Alachua County

This opportunity is for staff to record when volunteers come in for their one-hour hour training session. This includes hands-on demonstrations and a tour of the building.

This will include a hands-on demonstration, tour of the building, and we will go over the different types of opportunities we have for our animals. Only volunteers with a registered account are allowed to attend. If you would like family members or friends to attend with you, they must also make an account and sign up for an open spot.

Minors 16 years and older must have a parent or guardian present if they do not have reliable transportation onsite. Uber, Lyft, or other transportation services do not qualify as reliable transportation. If a parent or guardian is transporting a minor, they are required to stay with the minor and go through the onboarding process as well. 

Requirements:

This will include a hands-on demonstration, tour of the building, and we will go over the different types of opportunities we have for our animals. Only volunteers with a registered account are allowed to attend. If you would like family members or friends to attend with you, they must also make an account and sign up for an open spot.

Minors 16 years and older must have a parent or guardian present if they do not have reliable transportation onsite. Uber, Lyft, or other transportation services do not qualify as reliable transportation. If a parent or guardian is transporting a minor, they are required to stay with the minor and go through the onboarding process as well. 

Requirements:

The Alachua County Crisis Center offers 24/7 crisis and suicide intervention services to all residents of Alachua County. These services include 24/7 crisis phone counseling and mobile response care teams, as well as emergency walk-in services and ongoing counseling during regular business hours. Additionally, the Crisis Center provides support during community trauma responses and community education and outreach.

The Alachua County Crisis Center is accepting applicants for Volunteer Crisis Line Counselors. The training includes 80 hours of in-depth training in active listening, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention. Training is held over Zoom and starts with an initial Saturday followed by Tuesday and Thursday evenings for eight weeks.

Alachua County Veteran Services hosts multiple events throughout the year for Veterans and are seeking volunteers to help with the various tasks before, during, and after the event. Example events include: the Veterans Stand Down and Resource Fair on March 4, Memorial Day Ceremony on May 31, and Veterans Day Celebration on November 11.

The Saving My Alachua annual environmental art contest is open to all K-12 students enrolled in public, private, or home schools in Alachua County. The contest is a great way for kids to learn more about their local environment while showing off their artistic talents.

Volunteers are crucial to the success of this popular program! Our volunteers can assist with a variety of tasks including curating artwork, organizing the awards ceremony, and drafting content for the calendar. Dates and times are flexible (with the exception of the Awards Ceremony, which takes place near Earth Day). We can use help during our work hours 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.

We are seeking volunteers at least 55 years young to help special needs children in your community by providing them with the love, encouragement, support and assistance they need. Our Foster Grandparent Volunteers go into classrooms or child care centers during the school/center hours.

For more information on how to become a Foster Grandparent, please call (352) 264-6730.

Eligibility: 

Benefits:

Funded by the AmeriCorps Seniors and the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners.

See website for the volunteer application: http://alachuacounty.us/depts/css/victimservices/pages/volunteerinfo.aspx

Caring and compassionate people looking to make a difference in our community and in the lives of those hurt by sexual violence can volunteer with the Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center.  Our program has two volunteer tracks to pursue - serve as a Helpline Counselor, answering our 24/7 rape crisis helpline, or a Community Ambassador, promoting awareness at community events.

​Volunteer Community Ambassadors assist program outreach staff by representing our agency at local outreach events, explaining program services to community leaders, and generally promoting awareness about sexual violence and local resources.  Additionally, volunteers help organize and prepare for events and assist staff with performing general office duties as needed.

Ambassadors must complete a short in-house training, which takes place at our program's offices located at 218 SE 24th Street, Gainesville, FL.  Potential volunteers must complete a level 2 background check, which is paid for by the program, before beginning their service.

Upon completing their training, Community Ambassadors are expected to participate in 2 hours of outreach work each week.

For more information on becoming a Community Ambassador, contact Cassandra Moore at (352) 264-6712, camoore@alachuacounty.us.

Caring and compassionate people looking to make a difference in our community and in the lives of those hurt by sexual violence can volunteer with the Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center.  Our program has two volunteer tracks to pursue - serve as a Helpline Counselor, answering our 24/7 rape crisis helpline, or a Community Ambassador, promoting awareness at community events.

Volunteer Helpline Counselors answer our program's 24/7 helpline, covering evening, weekend, and holiday shifts when our offices are closed.  Volunteers carry a County-issued cell phone and respond to victims and citizens in our community seeking crisis counseling and resources. Callers range from victims in crisis to friends and family members seeking information on how to support their loved one.

Potential helpline volunteers must successfully complete 40 hours of online and in-person training, comprised of roleplays, readings, and quizzes, under the supervision of program staff.  In-person training takes place at the program's offices at 218 SE 24th Street, Gainesville, FL.  Potential volunteers must complete a level 2 background check, which is paid for by the program, before beginning their service.

Upon graduating training, volunteers must commit to a minimum of 36 helpline shifts over the course of 9 months.

For more information on becoming a Helpline Counselor, contact Laura Kalt at (352) 264-6762. 

Complete an online application: http://alachuacounty.us/depts/css/victimservices/pages/volunteerinfo.aspx

Inspire wonder and capture the magic of our natural resources with youth and adults in our educational programs! Volunteers will work with schools, community centers, and camps to inspire the next generation of scientists and environmental advocates. Programs focus on pollution prevention, water conservation, and springs protection.

Help us reach the community at fun and interactive events! Volunteers will represent the Environmental Protection Department, tabling to connect with residents and promote educational campaigns. Availability on weekends is crucial to reach our community.

Help us care for rain gardens at public elementary and middle schools! This may include working alongside enthusiastic students!

Duties Include: 

Work with us to protect our community's precious water resources! Volunteer activities may include:

Trail monitors are our eyes and ears within the preserves. They check our trail heads for brochures and clean up any branches or trash left behind. They walk the trails to report any needs (tree down, trimming/mowing needed, maintenance required on infrastructure).