Youth Opportunities

The Office of
Volunteer Services
links citizens with opportunities to share their time with city government. The office recruits, places, tracks and recognizes volunteers for their efforts.

2009 Summer Youth Volunteering Directory

This directory is updated as new information is received. Updated: 6-15-09

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri
Contact: Ellen Greer
573-874-3677 ext 203
ellen.greer@bbbs.org
Age range: 18+
Times: varies, 2-3 hours per week
Duties: Participate in SOAR (Successful Opportunities in Academics and Recreation) participating in weekly activities with a child. One volunteer must have a license and access to a car.

Boone County Council on Aging
Contact: Kortney Sebben
573-443-1111
bcca03@centurytel.net
Age range: 15+
Times: Sats., 9am-12:30pm or weekday eves. June, July or Aug.
Duties: Mowing, raking, hedge trimming, weed pulling, gardening, clearing of yard debris and painting at the homes of senior citizens.

Boone Hospital Center
Contact: Barb Shettlesworth
573-815-3472
bshettle@bjc.org
Age range: 14+
Times: Once a week commitment; shifts are M-F 8am-noon or noon-4pm during summer
Duties: Clerical duties, deliver newspapers, surgery carts & medical equipment; assemble packets for patients, transport of patients and equipment. Apply online at www.Boone.org.

Boys & Girls Club of Columbia
Contact: Valorie Livingston, Executive Director
573-874-1697
valorielivingston@yahoo.com
Times: 7:30am-5:30pm M-F during the summer (10 Weeks)
Duties: Program Aids, assisting with programs, activities, and field trips for the Boys & Girls club youth

Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center
Contact: Karen Grindler
573-875-8556
cedarcreektrc@gmail.com
Age range: 12+
Times: Wed. 1-7 p.m., Thurs. 1-7 p.m., Fri. 3-7 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. - noon; Volunteer training is Monday, June 15, 6-8 p.m.
Duties: Assist individuals with disabilities as they participate in equestrian therapy. Horse experience is not necessary but certainly appreciated.

Central Mo. Food Bank
Contact: Lauren Bax
573-474-1020
laurenb@centralmofoodbank.org
Age range: 18+ Those under 18 need to be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Times: Mon.- Thurs. 9 am- 9 pm; Fri. 9- 5 pm; Sat. 9- 3 pm
Duties: Sort and repackage bulk food items.

City of Columbia - Public Works Volunteer Program
Contact: Andrea Shelton
573-874-6271
amshelto@GoColumbiaMo.com
Ages: 13+
Time: Monday-Friday early afternoons; Saturday mornings and afternoons
Duties: Assisiting instructors of classes with administration of eco-presentation to young children, directing traffic, distrubiting materials, and greeting those attending classes and events.

City of Columbia - Public Works/Stormwater
Contact: Columbia's Stormwater Program
874-7250
Age range: all ages welcome
Times: Evenings and Weekends
Duties: Volunteers conduct stream cleanups and apply “Dump No Waste... Drains to Stream” decals on storm drains to inform citizens about water quality issues. All training and adult supervision is provided.

City of Columbia - Volunteer Services- Youth in Action
Contact: Leigh Britt or Marilyn Preston
573-874-7499
volunteer@GoColumbiaMo.com
Age range: 12-15
Times: Varies
Duties: Participate in a wide variety of structured and supervised volunteer activities through the Youth In Action program.

Columbia Art League
Contact: Diana Moxon
573-443-8838
artleague@centurytel.net
Age range: 14+
Times: June 5th 11am-6pm, June 6th 10am-4pm, June 7th 10am-6pm
Duties:Greet Artists; Assist artists with display set up/ take down; Counting visitors; Helping in the Children's Creative Tent; Selling soft drinks.

Columbia Parks & Recreation
Contact: Erin Carrillo
573-874-6341
EDCarril@GoColumbiaMo.com
Times/Duties: Third Wednesday evening of each month to help with Family Fun Fests and the second Friday of each month for movie nights; both at Flat Branch Park; other dates as needed

Columbia Parks & Recreation
Contact: Janel Twehous
573-874-7467
jlt@GoColumbiaMO.com
Age range: Twelve to Fifteen
Times: Varies
Duties: Serve as a junior lifeguard; shadow a lifeguard in day-to-day operations working with children as a swim instructor aide.

Columbia SAFE KIDS Coalition
Contact: Lezlie Dahlke
573-884-3660
www.safekidscolumbia.org
Age range: All Ages Welcome
Duties: SAFE KIDS has activities year-round and welcomes assistance from youth groups.

Coyote Hill Christian Children's Home
Contact: Kari Salmon
573-874-0179; email: kari@coyotehill.org website: www.coyotehill.org
Age range: 16+
Duties: Mentoring; reading with younger children (age 5); fishing at our lake (can provide poles); washing windows; deep cleaning houses; yard work; Open House assistance in September (direct/park cars, help at the food and drink table); tutoring during the school year.

Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital
Contact: Nathan Witt
573-814-6000, ext. 52538
Nathan.Witt2@va.gov
Age range: 15+
Times: M-F, 8 am-4:30 pm
Duties: Assist staff with clearical work such as filing, typing, and general office support; Provide support for the Veterans' Canteen Service retail store by restocking shelves and maintaining appropriate inventory levels; assist the Office of Information and Technology or nursing staff.

PACE: Performing Arts in Children's Education
Contact: Angela Howard
573-443-0541
thomas.howard@mchsi.com
Age range: 12+
Times: weekends
Duties: Painting and building sets for their shows; light sewing for costumes; assisting to secure stage properties.

Preferred Hospice of Missouri
Contact: Terra Welch
573-499-4540
Twelch.col@perferredhospice.com
Age range: 15+
Dates/Times: M-F 8am-5pm
Duties: Assist administration; Patient Companionship; Create craft projects.

Shalom Christian Academy & Day Care
Contact: John Fonville
573-875-6527
sca6903@socket.net
Age range: 14-15
Duties: Help with daycare or summer camp (fishing, bowling, roller skating, hiking, tours).

Show-Me State Games
Contact: Jean Hough
573-884-2946
1105 Carrie Francke Dr. #1
houghj@missouri.edu
Age range: 13+ with responsible adult
Times: Saturdays and Sundays during State Games Events
Duties: Timing, recording scores, handing out water, etc.

Sustainable Farms & Communities Columbia Farmers Market Pavilion Project
Contact: Casey Corbin
573-823-3663
informationcafe@gmail.com
Age range: 13+
Times: Sat. mornings late March thru late Nov; 10 min-2hrs; 7:15-11:45 pm as well as other special event times
Duties: Call for details.

The District
Contact: Persephone Dakopolos
573-442-6816
info@discoverthedistrict.com
Age range: 14+
Times: Thursday evenings in June & September; 5- 8 pm
Duties: Assist with set up and take down of Art-Rageous Fridays, 9th Street Summer Fest, and the Roots & Blues Barbeque Festival.

The Peace Nook, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks
Contact: Any Peace Nook Staff Person
573-875-0539
mail@midmopeaceworks.org
Age range: 8th grade and older
Times: M-Sat - 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sun. - noon to 6 p.m. 2 hours per week are greatly appreciated.
Duties: This is a non profit retail store that needs volunteers to assist customers, aid staff with inventory, check in orders, clean, dance, sing, laugh, etc.

The Wardrobe
Contact: Carol Smith
573-442-3260
csmith@tranquility.net
Age range: 14+
Times: Sat-9 am-12 noon.
Duties: Volunteers help sort and stock donated items.

TRYPS Children's Theater
Contact: Jill Womack
573-449-4536
tryps@mac.com
Age range: 14+
Times: Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. beginning June 18
Duties: TRYPS will have volunteer opportunities for students interested in technical theater: prop making, set building, scene painting, and state lighting at Rock Bridge High School's Performing Arts Center.

University Hospital
Contact: Kay Steward
573-882-4714
ryboltc@health.missouri.org
Age range: 14- 18
Duties: There are several volunteer opportunities available assisting staff with all types of patient services. Call for details.

Voluntary Action Center- Lunch in the Park
Contact: Cindy Mustard
573-449-6959
Dir@vacmo.org
Age range: 12+
Times: June 11-Aug. 17 11:30am-1pm
Duties: Help serve lunch to children at Douglass Park with the Lunch in the Park program.