Volunteer Opportunities: Share your time. Change a life.
Without the support of community volunteers, Waypoint could not continue to inspire over 20,000 individuals to move forward in their lives each year. Whether you are interested in working directly with clients or supporting programs from behind the scenes, Waypoint has a variety of volunteer opportunities to help turn your passion into action to better our community.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
Coordinated Entry Greeter: volunteers will assist in supporting households impacted by homelessness or those at risk of experiencing homelessness to stabilize and/or secure permanent housing and connect them to additional resources. Volunteer shifts are available Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Child Care for Tenant Academy: Volunteers are needed to provide child care for children whose parents are attending Waypoint's Tenant Academy. Tenant Academy is a free 9-hour training course that offers financial guidance, information, and support that can lead to sustainable housing.
Tenant Academy Facilitator: Waypoint's Housing Services is seeking volunteers familiar with tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities to facilitate a nine-hour Tenant Education course once a month. The nine-hour course is stretched over three days (3 hours/day) and is held either at the main Waypoint building or the Cedar Rapids Ladd Library on the Southwest side of Cedar Rapids. Days and hours may vary from month to month. Volunteer responsibilities include:
- Facilitate a nine-hour tenant education course; group sizes typically vary from 5-15 individuals
- Teach participants basic skills to be a successful tenant, such as effective ways to communicate with a landlord, basic budgeting for rent and utilities, rights and responsibilities of a tenant and landlord, how to receive a security deposit back, how to search for safe, stable housing, etc.
- Work with Waypoint staff to schedule speakers from the community (i.e. Iowa Legal Aid, credit counselors, etc.) to present during class time
Volunteers must be available monthly or bi-monthly to facilitate this course and have reliable transportation to either the main Waypoint building or the Ladd Library. Prior to facilitation, volunteers must complete an online "Rent-Wise" training. Volunteers must be comfortable with public speaking and have experience as a rental tenant or a landlord to be well-versed in tenant and landlord laws.
KidsPoint Classroom Aide: Volunteer classroom aides are caring, enthusiastic individuals who assist with various activities in the classrooms. You will be helping with educational activities, arts-n-crafts, physical fitness, or whatever activities are happening in the classroom. Volunteers must be able to commit to a consistent weekly schedule, but the number or hours required are flexible. Volunteers must be at least 16 years-old and pass a criminal background check. Previous child care experience is preferred, but not required.
KidsPoint Mentor: A KidsPoint Mentor is caring, responsible adult who serves as a trusted friend and role model to students at KidsPoint's before/after school care sites. Mentors will encourage the development of important academic and life skills and positive choices within the children's lives. Mentors will support a specific site by providing homework help, activity support, and guidance to all students. Volunteers must be at least 16 years-old and pass a criminal background check. Previous child care experience is preferred, but not required.
Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy & Support: Waypoint, the comprehensive domestic violence victim service provider serving Benton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque, Jones and Linn counties, is looking for volunteers to assist individuals experiencing controlling, abusive partners. Ideal candidates are non-judgmental, compassionate, encouraging, and empowering. After passing an initial interview, 20 hours of free online must be completed with additional role specific training to be completed with an advocate. Volunteers must be at least 18 years-old and be able to commit to at least 1 volunteer shift per month.
Volunteers may support victims:
- In medical and legal settings, providing emotional support, information, resources, and further assisting victims in navigating the legal and medical system; medical advocacy requires being on-call for emergency room response
- Over the phone, providing emotional support and resources/referrals during business hours, and in individual and group settings
Events: Volunteers make it possible for Waypoint to host several fundraising events and awareness campaigns throughout the year. Volunteers can serve on event planning committees for The Gentleman Campaign, Celebrate Waypoint!, and Tribute to Women of Achievement or assist with preparation and day-of-event needs for Waypoint Wonderland.
Group Volunteering: Group volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year to support Waypoint’s programs and administrative teams. Groups can assist with sorting and organizing donations and other projects depending on the current need. Waypoint also participates in United Way’s Day of Caring.
