Needs From: The Volunteer Center of Whatcom County

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Volunteer at the Severe Weather Shelter in Downtown Bellingham!

In response to our community’s homelessness crisis and the coming winter season, the Whatcom Volunteer Center is recruiting volunteers for Bellingham’s Severe Weather Shelter. Volunteers will have a chance to help keep unhoused neighbors safe and warm during dangerously cold weather. 

The temporary shelter will open when overnight temperatures are forecasted to fall to 32 degrees in Bellingham. The shelter will be available to open, dependent on weather, from late November through March 2025. Notification of the Severe Weather Shelter activation will be given 48 hours or more in advance.  

Volunteers will be helping people in need by serving hot meals, distributing bedding and supplies, and helping to keep the shelter space organized and welcoming. Volunteers will also support periodic trash pickup in the area surrounding the facility. 

Volunteer shifts: 5-8pm OR 6:30-9:30amWe are looking for a pool of on-call volunteers to be available within 48 hours notice to work one of the 3-4 hour shifts available each time the shelter opens. Volunteer shifts will be sent out, and you will have the option to sign up whenever you are available. 
Volunteer Requirements: Volunteers must be over 18 and have access to reliable transportation, including during severe weather events. Additionally, volunteers will be asked to complete a background check with Whatcom Volunteer Center.Volunteers will be required to obtain a Food Handlers Permit. 
Training: Volunteers will receive training in de-escalation and crisis intervention. This will be one 4 hour in-person training plus a 7-8 hour self-paced online training which can be completed remotely.
Questions? Contact:
Genevieve Quigley

The Volunteer Center of Whatcom County 

genevieve_quigley@oppco.org

*The Severe Weather Shelter is operated by the Whatcom Health and Community Services Department. The Whatcom Volunteer Center (a division of Opportunity Council) provides volunteer management, recruitment and support services in partnership with the County.

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Opportunity Council 60th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser VolunteersJoin us for an evening that honors six decades of community action and looks ahead to the next chapter. Together, we’ll gather at the Hotel Bellwether Ballroom for dinner, music, and celebration. More than a party, the gala is a chance to carry forward a legacy: making sure help shows up when and where it’s needed most.We need your help! Help us celebrate 60 years by volunteering for this event. We are looking for volunteers for setup, check-in, photo booth, and take down. This is a one-day opportunity. Volunteer dress code is businesses casual.Sign Up Here! Here are the positions we are recruiting for. Volunteers are welcome to sign up for several shifts throughout the evening. Check In TableShift Time: 3:30 PM - 9 PM Job Description: Greet guests as they arrive, assist with event check-in, distribute name tags or materials, and provide directions to seating or event areas. Volunteers should be friendly, organized, and comfortable using guest lists or check-in software.

Coat CheckShift Time: 3:30 PM - 11 PM Job Description: Receive, tag, and store guest coats and belongings. Monitor items throughout the event, check return tickets, and ensure guests receive the correct items upon departure. Volunteers should be organized, attentive, and customer service–oriented.

Welcome Team Shift Time: 3:30 PM - 9 PM Job Description: Greet guests after check-in, offer champagne, guide them to their tables, and provide an overview of the event. Work with the check-in team to sell additional raffle tickets. Volunteers should be outgoing, knowledgeable about Opportunity Council’s work, and comfortable with customer service and light sales.

Photo BoothShift Time: 3:30 PM - 10:30 PM Job Description: Assist guests with the photo booth, help break the ice to encourage participation, and create a fun, welcoming atmosphere for memorable photos. Volunteers should be outgoing, playful, and comfortable engaging with groups.

Take DownShift Time: 10:30 PM - 11:30 PM Job Description: Assist with gathering gala supplies such as centerpieces and décor, help with photo booth takedown, and organize and pack up event materials. Volunteers should be organized, dependable, and comfortable with light lifting and moving supplies.Sign Up Here! 

Description: (Bilingual Mentors Needed, but not required for this volunteer position) Position Summary:   The Opportunity Council’s Early Learning and Family Services (ELAFS) department is recruiting mentors in Whatcom and Island counties for Economic Security for All (EcSA) – a yearlong program designed to help families and individuals gain financial literacy and improve their employment opportunities. EcSA provides financial education, coaching and monetary incentives for the families and individuals in the program. Participants with children will also receive age-appropriate curriculum to help the entire family gain financial knowledge and skills. Both parents and children will actively participate. As a mentor, you will help to coach families through an individualized plan that includes group learning and one-on-one opportunities. Our participants will also have access to the service of the Northwest Workforce Council to help them explore job training opportunities and the participants can work with NWC to research employment options.  You can make a difference in the lives of our enrollees. Mentoring will consist of providing one-on-one financial coaching using our financial toolkit and collaborating with the enrollee(s) to develop goals in a Family Resiliency Plan.   Responsibilities:   Mentors will be trained to work closely with a participant to develop goals to improve financial health while providing needed social and emotional support. We prefer mentors who can commit to assisting an EcSA participant for the entire year of the program. Mentors will meet one-on-one, through Zoom, phone calls or text, with a selected family an average of 10 hours of mentorship, creating financial goals, and virtual Knowledge Night attendance.   Training: Training is provided, and no previous experience is required to volunteer as a mentor. Prior to being matched with a family, all mentors will receive quality training in poverty culture, goal setting, financial coaching, and the financial tool-kit with continued support and opportunity for personal and professional development from staff and coordinators. Our mentors will attend virtual financial training in January 2025 for 6 weeks, then begin working with program participants through January 2026.Requirements:   Applicants must be dedicated, supportive, patient, and flexible individuals who are willing to be an advocate for a family regardless of difference in lifestyle, beliefs, culture, or background. As a mentor, it is important to have good listening skills, initiative, and the ability to maintain confidentiality. Applicants should also demonstrate an interest in supporting low-income families through one-on-one coaching.   To Apply:  Apply online at https://www.oppco.org/howtohelp/volunteer/, please specify “EcSA/Project X-It Mentor” in the “Special Skills” field of the application.  Please contact our EcSA/PX Specialist at kevi_veldman@oppco.org or call at (360) 305-5999 with any questions.

Looking for EcSA volunteers in Island County!  Description: (Bilingual Mentors Needed, but not required for this volunteer position) Position Summary:   The Opportunity Council’s Early Learning and Family Services (ELAFS) department is recruiting mentors in Whatcom and Island counties for Economic Security for All (EcSA) – a yearlong program designed to help families and individuals gain financial literacy and improve their employment opportunities. EcSA provides financial education, coaching and monetary incentives for the families and individuals in the program. Participants with children will also receive age-appropriate curriculum to help the entire family gain financial knowledge and skills. Both parents and children will actively participate. As a mentor, you will help to coach families through an individualized plan that includes group learning and one-on-one opportunities. Our participants will also have access to the service of the Northwest Workforce Council to help them explore job training opportunities and the participants can work with NWC to research employment options.  You can make a difference in the lives of our enrollees. Mentoring will consist of providing one-on-one financial coaching using our financial toolkit and collaborating with the enrollee(s) to develop goals in a Family Resiliency Plan.   Responsibilities:   Mentors will be trained to work closely with a participant to develop goals to improve financial health while providing needed social and emotional support. We prefer mentors who can commit to assisting an EcSA participant for the entire year of the program. Mentors will meet one-on-one, through Zoom, phone calls or text, with a selected family an average of 10 hours of mentorship, creating financial goals, and virtual Knowledge Night attendance.   Training: Training is provided, and no previous experience is required to volunteer as a mentor. Prior to being matched with a family, all mentors will receive quality training in poverty culture, goal setting, financial coaching, and the financial tool-kit with continued support and opportunity for personal and professional development from staff and coordinators. Our mentors will attend virtual financial training in January 2025 for 6 weeks, then begin working with program participants through January 2026. Requirements:   Applicants must be dedicated, supportive, patient, and flexible individuals who are willing to be an advocate for a family regardless of difference in lifestyle, beliefs, culture, or background. As a mentor, it is important to have good listening skills, initiative, and the ability to maintain confidentiality. Applicants should also demonstrate an interest in supporting low-income families through one-on-one coaching.   To Apply:  PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS: 360-679-6577, x2137 Apply online at https://www.oppco.org/howtohelp/volunteer/, please specify “EcSA/Project X-It Mentor” in the “Special Skills” field of the application.  Please contact our EcSA/PX Specialist at kevi_veldman@oppco.org or call at (360) 305-5999 with any questions.

  The Maple Alley Inn garden provides fresh, organic produce for the Maple Alley Inn meal program, which provides free hot meals to anyone in the community who needs them.  The garden is located at Faith Lutheran Church, at 2750 McLeod Rd. We are in need of folks who can help with planting, cultivating, and harvesting our crops.  Work parties are Mondays 10am – Noon, Wednesdays 4-6 and Fridays 10-Noon.  We have great team leaders and value your time and effort! Please apply by filling out an application here! https://www.oppco.org/how-to-help/volunteer-application/ *note* please specify Maple Alley Inn Garden Volunteer