Volunteer Opportunities

Vanessa Behan is in need of volunteers in the following areas:

Child Care

Days/Times:  7 days a week (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Duties:  Child Care volunteers assist House Parents on a limited basis by participating in child care and routine activities under the direction of the staff.  Volunteers interact with children during playtime; assist staff in daily activities such as serving meals, putting the playroom and other areas of activity in order, and soothing/nurturing children at nap and bed times.  Volunteers work one 3-hour shift/week, and work the same shift (day and time) every week. Volunteers must commit to serving a minimum of 45 hours or for at least 6 months. Please review the minimum qualifications and steps for volunteering for this position.

Certified House Parent

Days/Times:  7 days a week (7 a.m. - 11 p.m.)
Duties:  Certified House Parent (CHP) volunteers receive additional training and have a broader scope of child care responsibilities than the traditional child care volunteer.  In addition to the activities listed above, the CHP participates in all aspects of child care, including diapering, bathing, and food preparation.  CHP Volunteers work one 4- or 8-hour shift/week, and work the same shift (day and time) every week.  Certified House Parents must commit to serving a minimum of 100 hours, or for at least six months. Please review the minimum qualifications and steps for volunteering for this position.  

Receptionist

Days/Times:  Monday-Friday/8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Duties:  Answering the phone and greeting/assisting visitors, clients and donors.  Volunteers work one 4-hour-shift/week and work the same shift (day and time) every week. Opportunities for on-call receptionists are also available.

Kitchen Assistant

Days/Times: Flexible 3-hour shifts daily to begin between 8a and 10am. We are looking for a minimum commitment of at least one shift per week for six months.
Duties: Kitchen Assistant will prep meals and snacks for up to 20 children and adults from daily menu; maintain proper stock rotation in pantry, refrigerators and freezer; assist with inventory and maintenance of purchasing log.

Prior experience cooking for groups of various sizes is preferential, but please contact us if you have other experience and think this might be a great volunteer position for you!

Click here for full details, hours, and requirements and if you are interested in applying please contact Shauna at shauna@vanessabehan.org.

Community Relations/Awareness and Fundraising

Days/Times:  Varies depending on the event or project.
Duties:  Opportunities exist for publicizing the Nursery through speakers bureaus, attending outside community events, and working on various fundraising activities.  Some of the events are Vanessa's Promise Tours, Santa Express, Pumpkin Ball, Burgers with a Heart, I Give for Kids annual appeal and the Rosauers Open Bank of America Pro-Am Golf Tournament.

Janitorial

Days/Times:  Minimum 4 hours/week (same day/time is preferable from week to week)
Duties:  Assist with light janitorial work throughout the Crisis Nursery facility.

Light Maintenance

Days/Times:  Varies on an as needed basis.
Duties:  Responsible for minor repair and maintenance of the Crisis Nursery facility.

Internship/Practicum Opportunities

Please click here to access our Intership/Practicum application.

Other Options

If you would like to help the Nursery in another way, please contact the Volunteer Department at 509.535.3155 or by clicking here.  We'd love to discuss options with you!

To apply for a volunteer position, please submit a volunteer application.