YSS Mentoring Programs

School-Based Mentoring: At YSS they empower youth by providing education to build healthy minds and bodies; counseling to overcome life's challenges; and stability to focus on the future.

Activity: As a mentor, you are a friend, advocate, self-esteem builder and more. Mentors meet with their mentee once a week during the school day to work on establishing and reaching goals, playing games, and building their bond as a mentoring match!

Mentors are also expected to maintain contact with a mentoring facilitator on a monthly basis. Mentoring facilitators provide support and work to ensure that the program remains a positive and impactful experience!

Time commitment: These 30-60 minute sessions are held once a week.

Location and scheduled times:

• Story County (Ames, Nevada,  Gilbert,  and Collins/Maxwell)

• August 2023 – May 2024

For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890.

 

Teen Club Volunteer

 Impact volunteers have a genuine interest working with youth, are patient and positive, engage in activities, and help youth develop positive peer and adult relationships by being a role model.

Activity: Impact Teen Club is a youth-driven program that promotes leadership opportunities, youth voice & choice, skill building activities, reflection, and relationships for 6th-8th graders. A typical day starts after school with homework and snack, group game, and Community Service Learning project. 

Time commitment:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 3:30pm-5:00pm

• Wednesday: 1:30pm-5:00pm

            Locations: Collins-Maxwell School and Colo-Nesco School
 

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Raising Readers in Story County: Reading Buddies is a free out-of-school literacy development program for 1st and 2nd graders for the Fall of 2023.  
Reading Buddies:-Volunteers provide literacy sessions for children who are starting first, second, and third grades in the FALL of 2023. Volunteer tutors will meet with students for personalized reading sessions

to help with their literacy skills.  

Time commitment: These 45 minute sessions are held twice a week and supervised by the RRSC Reading Program Site Facilitator. 

Location and scheduled times:
Sessions begin the week of September 11, 2023, and run through the week of November 13, 2023.
Ames Public Library, Northminster Church in Ames, North Grand Mall in Ames and Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada.
The site in Nevada offers 2 sessions each day.  
Time is Monday and Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:30. 
Volunteer training occurs on the first day of the program without children present.

For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890.

 

Volunteer for Story Pals:

The Story Pals program provides quality reading experiences and supports the development of language and early literacy skills. The intended goal is to increase participant readiness for school and help lay the foundation necessary for them to become proficient readers. 

Location and scheduled times: 

• September 12, 2023 and runs through November 16, 2023  

• Nevada's program occurs on Tuesday and Thursdays at 9 - 10 or at 1 - 2                                   

For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890

                                                                                                   Reiman Gardens

 Reiman Gardens is gearing up for our annual pumpkin stenciling and carving event in October. Every year, hundreds of jack o' lanterns are featured throughout the Gardens during our annual Spirits in the Gardens community event. This year, Spirits in the Gardens will be held over two weekends: October 13-15 & October 20-22

Event Dates & Times

• Tracing:  Use pre-cut stencil patterns to draw designs onto pumpkins. This is a critical step before the carving begins!

  • Wednesday, October 4: 12 - 8 PM

  • Thursday, October 5: 12 - 8 PM

  • Friday, October 6: 12 - 8 PM

  • Sunday, October 8: 12 - 6 PM

• Gutting: Help us gut pumpkins quickly with our ingenious gutting method. This activity can get messy, so we have goggles, lab coats, gloves, and head and shoe covers available for volunteers to use.

  • Wednesday, October 11 & 18: 8 AM - 6 PM

  • Thursday, October 12 & 19: 8 AM - 6 PM

• Carving

  • Wednesday, October 11 & 18: 12 - 8 PM

  • Thursday, October 12 & 19: 12 - 8 PM

  • Friday, October 13 & 20: 10 AM - 2 PM

• Placing: Place the pumpkins throughout gardens with our staff.

  • Friday, October 13 & 20: 2 - 4 PM

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The Community Academy: 

(2901 S Loop Dr Suite 3410, Ames)

The Community Academy develops and offers year-round, community-based, extracurricular programming that meets the needs of youth in the community.

The after-school program is looking for volunteer tutors to work with young kids in a mentorship setting, teaching kids various subjects, assisting with schoolwork, and hosting events. Most lessons are active, where the kids are rarely sitting down. Contact RSVP for more information, 515-292-8890.

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Mustard Seed Community Farm:

Mustard Seed Community Farm is dedicated to sustainable, simple living, love of our neighbor, and creating a community in which everyone can participate in growing and eating delicious, healthy, locally produced food.

Location: The farm is about 10 miles north and 5 miles west of Ames.

They are in Boone County, on W Ave, just a half mile south of E18 (130th St)

Specifically they are looking for:

• Tuesday and Friday mornings for the harvesting and food-packing.

• Wednesday, Friday and Saturday afternoon are more flexible, laid back times.

•  People interested in delivering food to pantries.

• Non-harvest areas include deliveries, carpentry jobs, and farm maintenance.

• Home-based remote projects also are available, such as thank-you note writing.

Perk: Volunteers receive a box of diverse, seasonal produce at the end of each shift.

For more information, please call RSVP 515-292-8890.

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PrepWise Teachers:

RSVP is looking for volunteers interested in leading disaster preparedness lessons to the community. A representative from PrepWise will teach you how to lead training sessions in the Story County area using their online software. Once trained, you will host your own training sessions to help people prepare themselves for different disasters. If you have any questions,  please contact RSVP at 515-292-8890 and ask to speak with our volunteer coordinator, Casey.
 

Households of Bethany:

Bethany has several Volunteer opportunities available.

• Affordables Thrift Store (630 Pennsylvania Avenue, Story City) is seeking Thrift Store Clerks. Volunteers are needed to sort price, clean, and stock donated merchandise. Volunteers will assist in creating displays, testing electronic donations, cleaning and maintenance of store, and more! Shifts are available Monday-Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm, or 1:00pm -5:00pm and Saturdays 8:30am to 2:00pm or 12:00pm to 3:30pm.  If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact RSVP at 515-292-8890.

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• Front Desk Greeters. Volunteers will greet visitors at the front door and assist them to where they need to go. This position is Monday through Friday 10:00am to 2:00pm.You can volunteer once a week or once a month.  If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact RSVP at 515-292-8890.

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• Wheelchair Assistants. The volunteer will assist residents getting to and from the church service by pushing their wheelchairs. This position is on Sundays from 9:30am to 11:00am. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact RSVP at 515-292-8890.

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• Plant Tender.  The volunteer will water the indoor plants in the main areas, remove dead leaves, re-pot as needed. This position is once a week and anytime that works with your schedule.

        If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact RSVP at 515-292-8890.

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Care Initiative, Hospice:

(Various locations) Care Initiatives is a non-profit organization committed to providing compassionate care forIowans through all of life’s health transitions.

They offer rehabilitation, skilled nursing, long-term care, and hospice care to Iowans.

Friendly visitors are needed for Hospice clients. Volunteers will offer a variety of support in meaningful ways such as reading, playing music, playing games, or simply listening. Training is provided to begin. Staff is there for ongoing support as you serve. Visits will occur in homes or in a residential care facilities.   Days and times are determined by the volunteer and client. As a hospice volunteer, you will bring presence and companionship to patients and families in Iowa.  For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890.

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ACCESS:

Assault Care Center Extending Support and Services:

A nonprofit offering service for survivors of abuse and those in housing crisis.

• Office Volunteer Monday through Friday.  Hours available: 9:00am-1:00pm or 1:00pm-5:00pm. The number of shifts and days are up to the volunteer. The volunteer will perform a variety of tasks depending on project deadlines. This will include answering phones and other administrative tasks as assigned by the Volunteer Coordinator. Must present a professional appearance, be dependable and punctual, and maintain confidentiality of ACCESS’s staff, volunteers, partners, clients and donors. Contact RSVP for more information, 515-292-8890.

 

Heartland of Story County:

Do you enjoy driving?  Volunteers are needed to deliver a hot lunch to the senior’s home. In conjunction with Mary Greeley Medical Center, Heartland Senior Services provides Home Delivered Meals to individuals throughout ALL of Story County. Heartland Senior Services is seeking volunteer drivers for the outlying towns in Story County. You would pick up the meals at Mary Greeley Medical Center West Staff Entrance and deliver to the designated drop off location, and to the clients listed on the route. Monday through Friday 10:00 – 1:00. For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890

 

Mary Greeley Hospital:

Volunteers are needed for the following areas:

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• Home Delivered Meals (Shifts available Monday-Friday from 10:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.)  Volunteers for Meals on Wheels help by delivering meals to Ames residents over the lunch hour. Typical routes include 5-10 stops that are arranged as much as possible by geographic location. 

• Ambulatory Care Services Information Desk (Shift available Monday –Friday 1:00 p.m. to 3p.m.) Duties include greeting guests, checking-in patients, answering the phone, communicating with staff, patients and visitors, light clerical work, straightening up the waiting area and assisting patients and visitors as needed.

• North Information Desk (Shift available Tuesdays from 12-4 p.m.)  This volunteer is the first person to greet many patients and visitors to the medical center. It requires very good customer service. Volunteers direct visitors to patient rooms and other areas of the medical center, and answer a multitude of questions

• West Information Desk:   (Shift available Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.) This volunteer is the first person to greet many patients and visitors to the medical center. It requires very good customer service. Volunteers direct visitors to patient rooms and other areas of the medical center, and answer a multitude of questions.

 

MICA (Mid-Iowa Community Action):

• 230 SE 16th St, Ames) Mid-Iowa Community Action, Inc. (MICA) is a private, non-profit organization serving children and families in central Iowa. MICA’s emergency food pantry works to make sure that families don’t have to worry about putting food on the table. Volunteers are needed for a couple different positions at the pantry. Both of these positions are available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of a 2 hour shift during those time frames. For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890.  Clerical: They are looking for a clerical position to assist individuals and families during check-in.  Pantry: They are looking for volunteer for the food pantry to assist with stocking the pantry shelves and compiling family orders. 

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Overflow Thrift Store:

All items at Overflow have been donated from the local community - people just like you! They believe community collaboration is the key to solving complicated local and global issues. The stores take secondhand goods, sell them for affordable prices, and donate the profits to help our local and global partners. Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of a 2 hour shift.  Shifts are available Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00pm and Saturday 10:00-4:00pm. For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890.
             North: (202 S Duff Ave, Ames) The North store is looking for help at the register, and to sort, clean, and stock donated merchandise.  If you like clothing, shoes and toys, the North store would be great for you. 

              South: (125 Kitty Hawk Dr. Ames) If you like home décor, furniture and electronics, and tinkering with repairing items, the South store is for you. 

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RSVP Volunteer Driver Transportation Program:

You can make a difference in the lives of Story County residents by becoming part of a pool of volunteers who provide occasional rides to those in need of transportation. Priority is given to seniors needing rides to medical appointments. This service is provided entirely by volunteers who use their own vehicles.  Ames and Nevada drivers are needed to help riders.

Please call RSVP at 515-292-8890 for more information.

 

Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army needs your help with their Food Pantry & Market. They are looking for volunteers Monday - Friday from 12:30 to 3:30pm. You can choose one day a week or multiple days a month to volunteer.  If you aren't available for an entire shift, they are able to adjust to fit your schedule. Your role would be to prepackage the food for their clients, stocking shelves, sorting baked goods and making snack packs for kids. To learn more or get involved call RSVP at 515-292-8890. 

Delivery Drivers: Volunteers are needed to deliver food packages from the  Food Pantry at the Ames Service Center to Story County neighbors in need. Delivery times are flexible based on volunteer availability.  Substitute volunteers are needed as well.

 

Suncrest Home Health and Hospice:

Volunteers are needed for the following areas:​

• Friendly Visitors- If you have a minimum of 1-2 hours a week to spare, or once or twice a month you can make a huge difference with an older adult seeking companionship by visiting him or her in their home or in a residential care facility. Volunteers will offer a variety of support in meaningful ways such as reading, playing music, playing games, or simply listening. Days and times are determined by the volunteer and client.  Call RSVP to get involved with this opportunity 515-292-8890.

• Card/Letter Writing- Here’s an opportunity to make a difference by writing letters to hospice patients. Suncrest Home Health and Hospice in West Des Moines is looking for people to write letters or send cards to patients. So many are feeling lonely and need something to look forward to.  Contact RSVP at 515-292-8890 for more information.

• Fidget Blankets- Suncrest is looking for volunteers to make fidget blankets to help Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients who become agitated, refocus on something else. Blankets should be lap size and have 5-7 eye catching activities (zippers, pockets, Velcro, ribbon, etc.). No small objects that could be choked on please! Call RSVP to get involved with this opportunity 515-292-8890.

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Story Medical Senior Care Center:

 Looking for volunteers who are interested in making a difference in the lives of Senior Care residents. Volunteers are needed for several different activities.   

• Ladies’ Tea on the second and fourth Thursday of the month for one hour. They are looking for individuals who are interested in working with older adults on a variety of creative projects.  The volunteer will help plan and execute the event.  This event offers a great opportunity for the group to spend some time and share a little love with our seniors who come together for a snack, games, crafts and social activities. Volunteers must be compassionate, thoughtful, and interested in being a part of a creative and therapeutic environment that fosters meaningful connections and community

• Friendly visitors needed. Days and times are determined by the volunteer and resident. Volunteers are needed for a friendly One-to-One visit. Volunteers will offer a variety of support ranging from providing companionship and comfort, reading, writing letters, reminiscing, playing games, doing puzzles, listening to music, reading, or taking walks.  This is a very rewarding and flexible position. Training is provided.

• Juice Cart assistant needed. Day and time determined by the care center and the volunteer. The volunteer provides snacks, beverages, and a smile to the residents.  Overall, the volunteer makes the residents day a little brighter.  This is a flexible position.

• Mens’ Coffee on the second and fourth Thursday of the month for one hour. They are looking for individuals who are interested in working with older adults on a variety of creative projects.  The volunteer will help plan and execute the event.  This event offers a great opportunity for the group to spend some time and share a little love with our seniors who come together for a snack, games, crafts and social activities. Volunteers must be compassionate, thoughtful, and interested in being a part of a creative and therapeutic environment that fosters meaningful connections and community.

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Good Neighbor:

Volunteers are needed for the following positions. 

• Clerical support: Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 1pm- 4pm. And Tuesdays 10am -1pm. Volunteers will assist at the reception area, answer phones, assess client needs, and distribute vouchers. A cheerful attitude and ability to respect the confidentiality of all those who visit Good Neighbors is a must.  You can volunteer for one shift or several shifts. They prefer the volunteer commit to a three hour shift. For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890.

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• Financial Volunteer: 1 - 4 times per month, to be arranged with Good Neighbor Director and other Good Neighbor Financial Volunteers. Flexible times. Duties include deposits and write requested check to pay for operating expenses and assistance from the Good Neighbor bank account.  Must be experienced in using Quick Books. For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890.

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Nevada Food-at-First:

First United Methodist Church, 1036 7th Street, Nevada

Every Monday and Thursday over 200 free meals are cooked, and packaged for people in Nevada and eastern Story County. There are four ways you can help:

• Meal Delivery:  Volunteers are needed to deliver free meals to neighborhood locations.  Nevada Food at First is seeking volunteer drivers for the outlying towns in eastern Story County.  Meals are picked up in Nevada between 4:45-5:45 PM and delivered to designated drop off locations.  Drivers are currently needed in Collins, Zearing, and McCallsburg.  Choose one day a week or multiple days a month to volunteer.

• Meal Preparation -- Seeking volunteers to help prepare meals on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:00-5:00 PM.  Choose one day a week or multiple days a month to volunteer.  Other food prep days/times can be arranged.  

• Meal Packing -- Seeking volunteers to help pack meals on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:30-6:00 PM.  Choose one day a week or multiple days a month to volunteer.

• Food Rescuers -- Volunteers are needed to pick up food from Dollar Fresh (Nevada) that would otherwise be discarded.  Pick up is at 10:30 AM Sunday-Friday and 9:30 AM on Saturdays.  Food is transported to the Nevada First United Methodist Church where it is weighed and safely stored until distribution to area food pantries can be arranged.  Training is provided.  Choose one day a week or multiple days a month to volunteer.

• For more information, please call RSVP 515-292-8890.

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•                                                                        United Way of Story County:  

• Blast Back to School: In partnership with The United Way of Story County RSVP is looking for volunteers to help set-up the backpack event and pack backpacks!  Location: Ames Middle School 3915 Mortensen Rd, Ames. When: Thursday, August 10, 2023. There are three opportunities. If you are interested in helping with any of these tasks, please contact RSVP at 515-292-8890.

• Set up for the event 10:00am-12:00pm, 

• Backpack Packing 1:00pm-3:00pm or 3:00pm-5:00pm and 

• Deliver backpacks to Nevada Elementary School 5:30pm-6:30pm.