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As Alaska's largest city with 260,000 people,
Anchorage's location along the Cook Inlet gives
it a natural harbor alongside beautiful mountains.
Prince of Peace Mennonite Church has been a presence
in Anchorage since 1989. Its more than 20 members
sponsor the Anchorage Service Adventure unit, which
began in February 1997.
Volunteer
The volunteer must enjoy working outside in varied and harsh weather conditions. The volunteer must also possess a strong work ethic and enjoy working hard each day. The ability to comfortably operate various machines such as snowmobiles, all terrain-vehicles, trucks, chainsaws is desirable. Basic computer skills are also beneficial. Must be willing to learn new skills and participate in various trainings as needed. The ability to work independently is beneficial, but specific responsibilities can be adapted to specific interests and abilities of the volunteer.
Weekly routines can be varied but are seasonally based. Some tasks include grooming winter trails, working in a shop, fixing and maintaining equipment, and trail maintenance.
Opportunities exist for assisting with outdoor events around Anchorage as well as possible overnight trips outside of Anchorage. The opportunity to work at a BLM managed educational science center also exists; if a volunteer is seeking a more educational or interpersonal focus.
The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Anchorage
provides various services for children and youth including
providing recreational sports programs, after school
activities for youth and early childhood education
program.
- Athletics Assistant Coordinator- The
athletic assistant will assist the athletic coordinator
with the organization and operation of various sports
programs. This position does include some
office work. Depending on one's interest, schedule
and program needs, other responsibilities could
include coaching or assisting with the after-school
program for youth and children. If you have and
interest in athletics and physical education, this
may be the service assignment for you. (full-time)
- Rotating Teacher Assistant- Assist
teachers in the early childhood education program
in carrying out classroom activities with toddlers,
preschoolers and school aged children. This
position may include helping school aged children
with their homework in the after school program.
If you enjoy working with children and have an interest
in daycare or teaching, this would be an ideal service
location. (full-time)
- Miscellaneous Positions- The Boys
and Girls Club has a wide variety of programs and
services. They are willing to work with your gifts,
talents and interests to make a good fit with those
wanting to work with these young populations (preschool
through high school).
General Assistant
This position requires a desire and the patience to work with the elderly. There will be involvement in the daily activities and outings of the members. This may include doing exercises, assisting with meals and meal/snack preparation, doing craft projects, going bowling, going to parks and outdoor activities. General office work may also be required. If you enjoy keeping company with older adults, and are interested in social work or health care, this may be a good fit for you.
AWAIC is a
temporary shelter for abused women and their children.
This position begins as a clerical one of making copies,
filing, working with fund-raising and other community
outreach programs, and gradually moving into other
positions of specific interests to the volunteer,
such as giving presentations in schools, writing grants,
working in the shelter with children, etc. Your
work here may also include involvement in the Moving
Forward program which helps shelter women and their
children resettle outside the shelter. This
work mainly includes finding furniture and apartments
for resettlement as well as helping the women and
their children moving into these apartments. If you
are interested in social work this might be a good
location for you. (full time)
Challenge Alaska is a therapeutic recreation program
especially for people (usually adults) with some sort
of mental and/or physical disability. The position
consists of some office work, but mostly you will
be interacting with the clients on sled dog runs,
working out at the gym, biking, hiking, canoeing,
rock-climbing, skiing (water & snow), camping,
and at weekly book club meetings, etc. A major
aspect of this position includes assisting in the
planning, coordination and support of the world's
largest hand-cycle and wheelchair race (267 miles),
starting in Fairbanks and ending in Anchorage.
If you are the kind of person that enjoys the outdoors,
is comfortable being with people who have disabilities,
and are interested in therapeutic recreation, rehabilitation,
or work with the physically/mentally disabled in our
society, this would be an excellent service assignment
for you. (full-time)
Habitat for Humanity
is a worldwide organization dedicated to building
affordable housing for families in need.
- Warehouse manager and construction assistant-
This position is a blend of office work, public
relations, community involvement and warehouse management
in the winter months, and construction assistant/volunteer
supervisor in the summer construction season. Expertise
in any one area is not required, only a willingness
to learn and actively participate. One of
the most rewarding parts of this assignment is working
alongside the families in building their houses.
If you are a hands-on type of person and have an
interest in the building trades, this might be the
service option for you. (full time)
- Family services coordinator- This position is mainly comprised of office work and strong interaction with the families (of many cultures) who will be receiving a house through Habitat. In this position you would be working closely with recipient families to help coordinate their "sweat equity" hours (each family is supposed to earn between 400 and 500 hours of work toward their house). You will also be working with recipient families on choosing the characteristics of their house and coordinating their home owner's education classes. You will also be working occasionally alongside the families at the construction site as they participate in the construction of their home. The responsibilities above are not 100% yours to bear alone. You will be strongly supported by the Habitat staff in this work. Knowing a little Spanish and/or an Asian language will be helpful for this work, but not a requirement. If you are interested in social work, construction and different cultures, this might be a good fit for you.
The Food Bank of Alaska provides food to the entire state of Alaska in an effort to prevent hunger.
- Warehouse Assistant
This position involves gathering, packaging, organizing, storing, and dispersing food products to agencies that use the food to feed those who do not have adequate resources to meet their nutritional needs. In this position you will have a lot of hands on work and help to both disperse food to local agencies come to the warehouse to pick up their food, or package food to be sent out to bush Alaska. An interesting aspect of this work is meeting and working with individuals from a local halfway house who are doing their community service with the Food Bank of Alaska. Other than this interaction, this is a job that is “behind the scenes” although very necessary to meeting the hunger needs of Alaskans. If you are the kind of person who does not like sitting at a desk, this may be a good service opportunity for you. (full time)
- Office Assistant
The food bank is willing to utilize someone in the office as well. If you are the type of person who enjoys clerical type work, this might be a nice option for you.
Head Start is a child development program offered to preschool children from low-income families.
- Teacher’s Aide - Kid’s Corps, Inc., Head Start
The Teacher’s Aide is an assistant to the classroom teacher and should enjoy being with 3 and 4 year-olds. Responsibilities include providing supervision to children and assist with keeping children safe while being transported on Head Start buses. This position provides an opportunity to be a patient and loving Christian role model. (part/full-time)
St. Francis House assists low-income families with services that include food and clothing.
- Food Pantry Worker – Catholic Social Services
The Food Pantry Worker is primarily responsible for maintaining the food pantry and works with the director in supervising volunteers. This position involves a lot of direct contact with clients. (part/full time)
Homeward Bound is a residential facility for homeless men recovering from alcoholism.
- Program Assistant
The person in this position interacts with clients on a daily basis and acts as a presence when other staff are otherwise occupied. This job includes going on outings with the clients to re-integrate them into society, such as going out to eat or watch a movie. Other duties are going grocery shopping, going to the food bank, doing minor house repairs, assisting with meal preparation, and lots of misc. work. Most of the clients are Native Alaskans, an excellent opportunity for someone interested in native cultures. Because of the nature of this position a male applicant is preferred. For more information, see the web site at www.ruralcap.com. (part/full-time)
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