Opportunities From: United Way of the Mid-South

We all have seen the tremendous strain our healthcare professionals and first responders have been under as they continue to respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic.  Your gift of a meal at a local precinct, fire house, or hospital is an easy way to show that you care.  Choose to purchase the meal from a locally owned restaurant and you will be doubling your impact by supporting local business owners who also need our support during these unprecedented times.

Here is what you should do.

1.  Select a local precinct, fire house or hospital in your area. 

2.  Once selected, contact them and let them know what you would like to do.  Be sure to ask them how many meals to prepare.

3.  Let them know when you plan to arrive and include a thank you note or a note of encouragement to let the first responders know how much their work means to you. 

4.  Be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by post to social media and tag us @UWMIDSOUTH using the hashtag #VolunteerUnited. 

 

 

If you are unsure if you can commit to 13 weeks, try volunteering as a COACH MENTOR for a day, with LITE Memphis.   Our coach mentors work with high school students for about an hour and a half each week for 16 weeks in either the fall semester or the spring semester.  This position is for the Sunday 1 to 3 PM session during the full 16-week program. Volunteers who select this opportunity must be able to commit to a majority of the 13-week semester.

Mentors help students build entrepreneurial ideas and learn career skills through the LITE curriculum. Each mentor meets virtually with a group of 6 students along with another mentor and a staff member. Meetings are held on Sunday afternoons. 
We are usually looking for coach mentors in July to start with our August through December cohort and in December to start with our January through May cohort. View our other opportunities to sign up to be a back-up Coach Mentor!

Let a teacher know how much we appreciate their dedication to our kids.  Put together a little gift box for your favorite education professional.  Things to include: a nice note of thanks or encouragement, snacks, cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, teacher tools.  Take a picture of yourself with your beautiful Teacher Thank You Box before you deliver it to the classroom and post to social media with the hashtag #BetheChange901.  Be sure to respect all local social distancing guidelines, of course! 

 

 

Are you a talented musician?  Would you like to spread the joy of your musical talent with seniors and other isolated vulnerable populations?  Consider playing music outside the hospital, retirement home, or care home for vulnerable populations.  Reach out to a residential center that you know, or reach out to United Way for a list of organizations that would love to hear you play.  Be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by posting to social media using the hashtag #BetheChange901.  

 

Do you love to bake?  Do your kids love to try to help you bake?  Put their energy to work and bake some cookies or make a sweet treat.  Then drop the treats at the door as a nice surprise for an elderly neighbor or a local first responders.  Be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by posting to social media using the hashtag #BetheChange901. 

 

Do you want to make your neighbors smile while beautifying your neighborhood?  There are so many easy ways to make a difference right where you live.  Plant some flowers or a tree.  Pick up trash around your neighborhood or at a local park.  Mow a neighbors lawn.  Whatever you do to prettify your neighborhood, be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by posting to social media using the hashtag #BetheChange901. 

 

Everyone loves getting flowers!  Make someone’s day by sending them flowers.  You can cut fresh flowers from your own garden or support a local flower business or Farmer’s Market.  Send the flowers with a note of appreciation to a special someone in your life.  Be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by posting to social media using the hashtag #BetheChange901.

In this time of great need, your junk could be another person’s treasure.  Shelters are in need of small appliances, household items, cleaning supplies, and so much more.  Animal shelters are in need of animal care supplies.  Homeless outreach operations are in need of socks, casual wear and outerwear once the season’s change.  Diaper ministries are in need of diapers and baby care supplies.  While you are cleaning out your closet, stop to consider if your unwanted items could be donated to a local charity.  United Way would be happy to help connect you with a local agency that would appreciate your donations.  When dropping off your donations, be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by posting to social media using the hashtag #BetheChange901. 

 

Become A Birthday Hero - Birthday Heroes help the children in our residential programs celebrate their special day while they are in our care. Heroes can schedule to have a “Birthday Snack Pack” delivered to the campus for a group to enjoy in their cottage or courtyard. A “Birthday Snack Pack” should include a snack (pizza, wings, sub sandwiches, etc.), beverage and dessert for a group of 12-14 youth. Birthday Heroes also have the option of sponsoring a birthday celebration for a cottage or courtyard, with a gift of $75.

For More Information, Contact The Volunteer Program at Volunteer@youthvillages.org or call 901.251.5000.

 

Virtual Zoom Entertainment - Can be designed for individual and/or group performances, live or recorded.

Ideas include Magicians or Musicians - Youth Villages is always looking for creative talent for our youth to enjoy watching.

Please note: Virtual Volunteering options vary depending on the program matched with the volunteer group. Due to HIPAA regulations, all virtual video calls must be received via audio only during normal business hours, Monday-Friday. Engagements will be scheduled for a maximum time frame of 30 minutes, due to varying attention spans of our youth.  All subject matter and music choices will need to be approved by the Youth Villages Volunteer Program prior to the engagement.

For More Information, Contact The Volunteer Program at Volunteer@youthvillages.org or call 901.251.5000.

 

Host a Game Day for our youth. 

Games can be designed for individual and/or group play. Some suggestions:

Jeopardy - We all dream of going on the show and playing the game but now you actually can, from the comforts of your home or office. You can use Jeopardy Labs or create a game board yourself! Family Feud - Play the fast-paced game based on the hit game show. Guess the most popular responses to survey questions, along with your team mates, in order to score the most points. Trivia - Host a trivia game remotely! Trivia is a great way to have fun and learn new facts at the same time. Name That Tune - Play a sample from some family-friendly songs while our youth listen and try to “Name that Tune!” Bingo - The volunteer(s) will be the caller(s) while our youth race to cover their boards to be the first to shout BINGO!

Please note: Virtual Volunteering options vary depending on the program matched with the volunteer group. Due to HIPAA regulations, all virtual video calls must be received via audio only during normal business hours, Monday-Friday. Engagements will be scheduled for a maximum time frame of 30 minutes, due to varying attention spans of our youth.  All game questions, subject matter and music choices will need to be approved by the Youth Villages Volunteer Program prior to the engagement.

For More Information, Contact The Volunteer Program at Volunteer@youthvillages.org or call 901.251.5000.

 

Have a talent in art? Host an art session for our youth to enjoy. We will supply our youth with the materials needed and you’ll guide them step-by-step to create their masterpiece.  This can be a recorded video or a live session. 

Please note: Virtual Volunteering options vary depending on the program matched with the volunteer group. Due to HIPAA regulations, all virtual video calls must be received via audio only during normal business hours, Monday-Friday. Engagements will be scheduled for a maximum time frame of 30 minutes, due to varying attention spans of our youth.

For More Information, Contact The Volunteer Program at Volunteer@youthvillages.org or call 901.251.5000.

 

Most of us know someone that has been in isolation either in a nursing home, hospital or other residential setting that has restricted visitation due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.  Reach out to someone you care about to let them know that you are thinking about them.  A few kind words and a pretty card will be a reminder to them that they are not alone and that we are all in this together.  Engage your children in coloring a picture or crafting a card to make this activity a family affair.  Be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by posting to social media using the hashtag #BetheChange901.

You don't have to wander far from home to make a difference and beatify your community.  Consider having a clean-up or beautification project in your own neighborhood.  Grab some gloves and a garbage bag and set out on a walk-about picking up the rubbish you find.  When you get back home, take a picture of yourself with what you've gathered and post it on Facebook.  Make sure you tag Memphis City Beautiful and United Way of Mid-South and we will share your photos on our page.  

Want to go the extra mile and make your neighbors smile? Plant some flowers or herbs or get creative and decorate a fun DIY sign to adorn your garden.  We can't wait to see what you do! 

Social Media Ambassador Description

Fayette Cares is looking for social media-savvy people to help us spread the word about our mission to serve individuals experiencing domestic violence. Your network of friends, family and co-workers could help us connect with new supporters who are interested in supporting our work.  Social Media Ambassadors are social media professionals, technology enthusiasts, networked individuals, and/or social media users who utilize their online communities to help promote Fayette Cares and to promote our mission to empower those in need with solutions to end homelessness, break the cycle of domestic violence, and create stability and self-sufficiency from crisis.

WHO CAN BE A SOCIAL MEDIA AMBASSADOR?

The cream of the digital crop: Innovative users of digital technology who have shown leadership and creativity in their use of interactive tools to move their businesses and their clients’ businesses forward.

Community leaders: Leaders who are passionate and committed, and believe in the mission of Fayette Cares.

Committed and passionate people:  Everyday people who are comfortable utilizing social media networks to spread the mission of Fayette Cares to empower those in need with solutions to end homelessness, break the cycle of domestic violence, and create stability and self-sufficiency from crisis.

Marketing Volunteer

Fayette Cares is looking for a marketing volunteer to help us raise awareness of our cause and fundraise for our operations.  This internship will develop your marketing skills while you gain experience with the unique challenges of a nonprofit organization.  As a marketing intern, you will collaborate with our marketing and administrative teams. You will be expected to check in regularly with leaders and team members.  Your contribution will help broaden our efforts and expand our audience.