In this series, our nonprofit accounting staff share some great ways to give back, support nonprofits, and create good in your local community. With offices in Colorado, Michigan, and the East Coast, Altruic Advisors is connected to many different communities through our remote-working team of auditors and accountants. Today, we’re focusing on opportunities to assist nonprofit organizations near our administrative headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
2019 is almost here! If your New Year’s resolution is to give back to your community, there are many opportunities to volunteer with local nonprofit organizations in Ann Arbor. No matter where your interests lie, you can find an organization that would appreciate a helping hand. Here are a few example of ways to volunteer in the new year:
Humane Society of Huron Valley
If you’re an animal lover, volunteering with the Humane Society of Huron Valley might be a rewarding way to start the new year. HSHV has a four-level system for volunteers: “Paw 1” (cleaning and laundry, event staffing, support services), “Paw 2” (hands-on animal enrichment, Humane Education services, Veterinary Clinic support – requires 10 hours at the “Paw 1” level), and “Paw 3 & 4” (additional training to become adoption counselors, customer care volunteers, advanced animal trainers and handlers). Volunteers of all skills and talents are welcomed. Volunteers must be aged 18 or older, although HSHV also has a Junior Volunteer program for youth aged 12-17. Looking for other ways to help? Foster families provide temporary in-home care for animals until they are ready to return to the shelter or be adopted.
Project Grow Community Gardens
It might be cold and dreary outside right now, but registering to volunteer with Project Grow will give you something to look forward to throughout the dark days of winter. Project Grow facilitates community gardens throughout Ann Arbor, providing the space, education, and inspiration to make organic gardening accessible to all. As the longest standing community gardening organization in the nation, Project Grow now facilitates more than 15 sites with over 350 individual plots. Volunteer opportunities may include helping with the Compost Education Center, seed swap, plant sale, tomato tasting, educational classes, and more. Project Grow will begin taking applications for the 2019 season in January. Email info@projectgrowgardens.org to receive a reminder when registration opens.
Community Action Network
Community Action Network (CAN) partners with children, youth, and families from under-resourced Washtenaw County neighborhoods to offer programs that educate youth, stabilize families, and build community. Volunteer opportunities vary by the season – current opportunities for winter/spring 2019 include volunteering with CAN’s after school program, assisting families with collecting food at the Bryant Market, partnering with elementary school students to design and build a STEM-based art project, and helping students develop their literacy skills. Ongoing volunteer opportunities are also available at the Bryant, Hikone, and Green Baxter Court community centers, and Mitchell and Brick Elementary schools. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and complete an application, background check, and online training on CAN Academy.
Shelter Association of Washtenaw County
Volunteers are at the heart of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County. SAWC is the primary provider of services and emergency shelter for homeless individuals in Washtenaw County. From mid-November through March, the Shelter offers special winter programs, including a Warming Center at the Delonis Center in Ann Arbor, a rotating shelter hosted by faith-based congregations, and assistance with the coordination of the MISSION Daytime Warming Program. Volunteers at the Shelter Association’s Delonis Center may assist with many different tasks, including front desk check-ins, laundry, food service, answering phones, and connecting with clients. There are several regular, year-round volunteer opportunities, in addition to other volunteer opportunities that allow you to set your own schedule and time frame.
Start the new year right by committing your time or talent to helping others in the Ann Arbor community!