Volunteering is a great way to serve others, gain experience, and make a difference in someone's life. It is an excellent opportunity for college students to gain resume experience, for retirees to stay busy and much more. If you're from the Lubbock area and looking to serve, please consider these agencies.
1. Meals on Wheels
www.lubbockmealsonwheels.org/
(806) 792-7971
Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver warm lunches to senior citizens and disabled persons. As a Meals on Wheels volunteer, you'll brighten the day of someone who may not see another person the whole day. You might also volunteer by helping with fundraising and office work. They are always needing friendly people to serve the community. A one-hour orientation is required and you must be available at around 11 am on a weekday. You can volunteer as often or as little as you'd like.
2. Children's Home of Lubbock
www.childshome.org
(806) 762-0481
The Children's Home of Lubbock serves as a home for children who are in foster care, and may have been abused/neglected. They have a sponsorship program where you mentor a child or sibling group through one-on-one visits and outings. There are also various other ways to serve including transporting children to appointments, teaching a class or craft, and more You must pass a background check. It is an excellent chance to truly make a difference in a child or teen's life.
3. CASA of Lubbock
www.lubbockcasa.org/
(806) 763-2272
If you'd like to advocate for child who has been abused or neglected, then CASA is a wonderful opportunity to serve. As a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), you will visit with a child or sibling group, attend CPS meetings, attend monitored family visits, and possibly testify at hearings. You must attend volunteer training and have no criminal record. It is a great resource for social work/psychology/law students to gain experience, or for anyone who wants to help a child.
4. My Father's House
www.myfathershouselubbock.org/
806-799-0990
My Father's House offers shelter and life skills training and support to women in need. There are multiple volunteer opportunities available. One is to serve as a mentor, where you are matched with a student/resident in the program and offer advocacy, support, encouragement, and role-modeling. If you would like to help a women in need, this is a great place to serve.
5. Hospice of Lubbock
www.hospiceoflubbock.com/
(806)795-2751
If you think you can comfort and assist someone who is terminally ill, consider volunteering with hospice. They need volunteers to help with visits, as well as office work, fundraising, and helping in the thrift store.
6. Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Lubbock
www.bigbrothersbigsistersoflubbock.com/
(806)763-6131
Volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the most influential volunteer opportunities. You will truly make a difference in a child's life. As a Big Brother/ Big Sister you will mentor a "little" and must commit to spend an average of 1-2 hours a week with him/her. They also have "Big Couples" who mentor a child. There is also a "BIg Lunch Buddy" program where you spend your lunch hour with your little at least once a week. If you have some free time and would like to big a role model and friend to a child, Big Brothers/Big Sisters is a great program.
7. Hearts & Hooves of Lubbock
(806) 543-6368
Hearts and Hooves is an organization that helps people and children with special needs through pet therapy with a miniature horse. They need volunteers to feed, groom, and bathe the horses. This is a great opportunity for families (or individuals) to help an excellent organization.
8. Ronald McDonald House
www.rmhcsouthwest.com/
(806) 744-8877
The Ronald McDonald house provides temporary lodging to out-of-town families while their critically ill child is receiving treatment. They need volunteers to help prepare meals, bake desserts, and help with chores. If you'd like to help families in need, this is the perfect place to serve.
9. Salvation Army
(806) 765-9434
The Salvation Army provides food, counseling, clothing and more for Lubbock's homeless and needy families/individuals. They need volunteers to help serve the evening meal from 5-7 pm daily. If you'd like to help those in need, consider the Salvation Army.
10. Family Promise
(806)744-5035
Family Promise provides temporary shelter to families with children. They need volunteers on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 am to 5 pm to encourage families in crisis situations.
11. South Plains Food Bank
spfb.org
(806) 763-3003
The South Plains Food Bank helps thousands of families of every year by providing food, meals and education. They need volunteers to help distribute and package the food, as well as help in other areas. If you have a few hours to make a difference, the food bank is a great place to serve.
12. Contact Lubbock
www.contactlubbock.org
(806) 765-7272
Contact Lubbock is a crisis/suicide hotline serving the South Plains area. If you are a good listener and like to comfort others, this is a great opportunity. Volunteers must complete 30 hours of training. This is an excellent way to assist others, and gain valuable experience.
13. Lubbock Rape Crisis Center
www.lubbockrcc.org/
(806) 763-3232
The Lubbock Rape Crisis Center provides advocacy and support to persons who have been the victim of sexual assault. They need volunteers to answer the hotline, provide support at the hospital, accompany victims at court hearings and more. If you'd like to make a difference and get valuable experience, the Rape Crisis center may be for you.
14. Women's Protective Services of Lubbock
www.wpslbk.org
(806) 748-5292
Women's Protective Services provides emergency shelter, advocacy, counseling, and much more to women who have been abused. They need volunteers for a variety of jobs including answering the hotline, helping at the shelter, and more. They help abused men as well as women. If you'd like to serve individuals in this situation, this is a great agency to check out.
15. Family Guidance and Outreach Center of Lubbock
www.lubbockparentconnection.org
(806) 747- 5577
The Family Guidance and Outreach Center offers support and mentoring to children, has classes, helps clients find referrals and more. They need volunteers to mentor mothers, educate on Shaken Baby Syndrome, help with fundraising, and much more. If you'd like to make a difference in a family, give them a call.
These are just a few of the opportunities available. Volunteering is beneficial not only to the community, but to the volunteer as well. If you decide to give just a few hours of your time, you will improve the lives of others and yourself. Its a priceless gift you can give others!
This article was published by Rachel Carpenter.
