The Family Support and Treatment Center needs volunteers to give one-on-one attention to children staying in their 24-hour crisis nursery.
Volunteers are needed to serve a three-hour shift in the nursery once a week. A four-month commitment is requested. Volunteers are especially needed for afternoon and evening shifts.Volunteers may help with activities such as reading, playing games with children and helping them with crafts.
Volunteers are especially needed during the summer months because fewer university students are available to volunteer. Joy O'Banion, director of the Family Support and Treatment Center, said the number of people helping in the nursery determines the number of children the nursery can care for at one time. Legally, the center's nursery must have a ratio of one adult to four children. By using volunteers, the center is able to help more children.
Individuals who help weekly at the nursery are asked to attend one training session. The training session is offered every Tuesday from 3 to 4 p.m.
Groups are also needed to help at the center with one-time projects. Large groups can help clean, vacuum, dust, wash windows and do yard work. Two to three weeks' advance notice is preferred to accommodate large groups of volunteers.
The Family Support and Treatment Center is committed to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Besides running the crisis nursery, the center offers counseling for victims of incest, parent education services, support groups and prevention programs.
Other volunteer opportunities are available throughout Utah County. Some of these opportunities are listed below.
- Collect and donate school supplies. Community Action is in need of the following items: paper, folders, binders, crayons, pens, pencils, erasers, facial tissue, glue, scissors, rulers, and other school supply items.
- Brighten the day for nursing home residents. Several local nursing homes are looking for individuals and groups of volunteers to visit with, read to, or help write letters for the residents.
Volunteers are also needed to help with bingo, crafts or games. The amount of time a volunteer spends is flexible, Monday through Sunday.
- Provide office help. The American Cancer Society needs volunteers to help with light office work and answering phones. Volunteers are asked to commit to four hours per week for at least a month. Shifts are flexible from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
For more information about these and other volunteer opportunities throughout Utah County, call the United Way Volunteer Center at 374-8108.