Community Resources

AARP Tax Aide Programs

Programs sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that provide tax preparation assistance for persons age 60 and older, particularly those who are confined to their residences or retirement communities. The service, which is also known as Tax Counseling for the Elderly or TCE, is provided by volunteers trained by the IRS.

Property Tax Information

Programs that provide information and guidance for people who need to understand the property tax laws as they relate to individuals in their situation. Most states have provisions for property tax relief, but they vary widely in form. Some jurisdictions levy the tax and provide a true refund of all or a portion of the paid tax; some exempt the property altogether; some defer the property tax until after the death of the owner and then recoup the tax from the proceeds of the sale of the property; some have a blanket exemption in which all property owners over the age of 65 are exempt from all property taxes regardless of income; and some allow a tax credit to be applied toward the income tax for qualified property owners. In the latter situation, individuals not paying income tax may receive a refund of the property tax credit amount or no refund at all, depending on the tax laws of the jurisdiction. Most states determine eligibility for property tax relief by looking at combinations of age, income, disability and veteran status.

Property Tax Payment Assistance

Programs that provide financial assistance to enable people to pay all or a portion of their property taxes with the objective of preventing them from becoming homeless. Property tax payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

State Income Tax Information

Programs that provide information and guidance for individuals who need to understand the state tax laws as they apply to people in their situation.

Tax Forms

Libraries, post offices and other organizations that maintain supplies of blank tax forms for people who need them and/or maintain archives of past versions of tax forms for reference purposes. Included are organizations that provide copies of federal and state tax forms for individuals, businesses, corporations and other entities; property tax relief application forms; rent rebate and renter's tax credit application forms; property value reassessment application forms; utility tax exemption application forms and other similar documents. Also included are organizations that maintain Internet websites that have copies of tax forms that can be downloaded.

Taxpayer Information Lines

Programs that provide telephone information for taxpayers who want to listen to prerecorded information about any of a variety of tax types, order tax forms, check the status of their refund, establish a monthly payment plan for outstanding tax liabilities, get information about available tax assistance programs, obtain assistance in completing their tax forms or request information or assistance on other related issues. Also included are organizations that make tax information available via a website on the Internet.

VITA Programs

Programs that utilize trained volunteers to help older adults and low-income individuals and families complete their tax return forms.

Animal Adoption

Programs that place stray and homeless domestic pets with people who are willing to provide for their care; find homes for wild burros, horses or other animals who are being removed from their natural environment; or place retired race horses, show horses, greyhounds and other animals when their racing or show careers have come to an end. Included are websites where animals available for adoption can be listed.

Animal Control

Programs that pick up and impound or return to their owners domestic animals who have strayed from their homes. Also included are programs that enforce leash laws and animal sanitation ordinances and those that handle complaints regarding domestic animals who have bitten someone or are otherwise making nuisances of themselves. Most animal control programs are unable to handle nuisance wildlife unless the animal is sick or shows symptoms of rabies.

Animal Lost and Found

Programs that assist people who have lost their pets to obtain information, if available, about the pet's location. These programs may provide registration services and identification tags which inform people who find a lost pet about who to call, and/or may maintain an information network to match details on lost pets with details about those people have found.

Animal Shelters

Programs that provide protection and care for unwanted pets or stray animals, and hold them for a specified period of time to provide an opportunity for owners to claim them prior to offering them for adoption. Included are shelters that euthanize the animals if not adopted within a specified amount of time, as well as "no kill" shelters that will keep the animals until they are adopted.

Emergency Veterinary Services

Programs that provide 24-hour emergency veterinary and critical care services which may include onsite lab procedures, radiology, surgery, monitoring and hospitalization for seriously ill or injured animals.

Feral Cat Management Programs

Programs that trap feral cats who cannot be tamed and placed into homes, neuter or spay them and, after a day of recovery, release back them onto the street to live out the remainder of their lives. The program reduces the feral cat population by halting the production of litters rather than capturing and killing the animals.

Foster Care/Temporary Shelter for Animals

Programs that arrange for the temporary placement in animal care facilities or private homes of homeless animals who are awaiting adoption or who are too wild and need gentling prior to being adopted; or for animals whose owners are in emergency situations which may include facing foreclosure, being homeless, being incarcerated, having an accident or a medical emergency, being in a domestic violence situation or having to leave home for a shelter.

Neuter/Spay Services

Programs that surgically alter animals to prevent them from reproducing. "Spay" refers to the surgical removal of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes of a female animal; "neuter" refers to the surgical removal of the testes of a male animal.

Pet Care Services

Programs that provide pet-related supplies or services which enable pet owners to acquire a pet and/or take care of their pet's needs.

Service Animals

Programs that provide and train recipients in the use of animals who have been taught to help individuals who have disabilities increase their mobility and independence and/or maximize their ability to communicate effectively.

Sick Animal Care

Programs that provide physical examinations, dental care or treatment services for animals who are ill, injured or otherwise in need of care.

Veterinary Care Expense Assistance

Programs that pay the veterinary expenses, including prescription costs, of people who cannot afford to make the payments themselves and whose pets would otherwise be unable to receive necessary medical care. Also included are programs that provide vouchers which enable eligible individuals to obtain veterinary care including prescriptions for their pets.

Occupational/Professional Associations

Programs that promote the interests of a specific trade or profession and provide informal educational and professional development opportunities under the auspices of a membership professional or occupational group or association, often through the medium of journals, periodicals, professional conferences, trade shows and expositions and other similar gatherings. Some of these programs may also establish standards which relate to the qualifications and performance of members and may accept and investigate complaints from the public concerning the practices of members; may maintain a service which refers the public to member individuals, groups, agencies or businesses; and may act as advocates for their own members, for association goals and/or for the recipients of their services.

Planning/Coordinating/Advisory Groups

Governing boards, advisory boards, commissions, committees and other groups that provide advice, guidance and, in some cases, formal oversight, for public and private organizations that are responsible for the provision of services to the community; that assess existing social conditions and problems and develop and assist in the implementation of specific strategies for meeting the human service needs of the community; and/or which assist community agencies and organizations to coordinate the provision of services in an efficient, nonduplicative way. Also included are entities that are composed of community agencies which have an established networking relationship that provides a collaborative approach to addressing specific identified community needs and problems.

Charities/Grantmaking Organizations

Organizations that solicit contributions, endowments and other financial support from public and private sources which are used directly by the organization to provide human services for eligible residents of the community or which are utilized to provide the total or supplementary financial support for human service programs of community agencies and organizations. Also included are governmental and quasi-governmental entities that manage the allocation of public monies to public and private human service providers.

Service Clubs

Organizations whose members are business and professional men and/or women, housewives, students, military dependents or other individuals who have a common interest in improving the life of the community, which raise funds through events such as barbecues, theater parties, art shows or telethons to finance any of a wide variety of community service projects that have been selected by the membership. Most service clubs are chapters of national or international organizations.

Veteran Membership Organizations

Programs whose members are veterans who have joined together on a voluntary basis to promote mutual interests. Activities may include advocacy for the preservation and expansion of earned privileges and benefits, testimony before Congress on issues affecting veterans, awards and other measures for promoting appreciation of and recognition for veterans and their accomplishments, community service programs, and social activities for members. Some organizations may provide active support for the democratic principles of religious and political freedom; offer benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, credit cards and financial planning services for members; or maintain special burial funds to help indigent veterans and their families.

Animal Food/Supplies Donation Programs

Programs that accept pet food, water and food dishes, leashes, crates and other pet-related supplies, and keep them for use in their own program or donate them to other nonprofit organizations for their own use or for distribution to the people they serve.

Appliance Donation Programs

Programs that accept new or reconditioned refrigerators, freezers, stoves, washing machines, clothes dryers and other large appliances, refurbish them if necessary, and keep them for use in their own programs, donate them to other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve, or sell them to raise money for agency programs.

Food Donation Programs

Programs that accept canned food and other food resources and keep the food for use in their own programs or donate it to food banks, food pantries, meal programs and other community-based food programs for distribution to the people they serve.

General Clothing Donation Programs

Programs that accept new or secondhand clothing, repair the items if necessary, and keep the clothing for use in their own programs, donate it to shelters and other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve, or sell it to raise money for agency programs. These programs accept donations of all types of clothing including children's clothes, work clothes, maternity clothes and shoes rather than specialize in a particular type of clothing.

Medical Supplies Donation Programs

Programs that accept first aid kits, bandages and other medical dressing, ostomy supplies, incontinence supplies, compression hosiery, hernia supports, bed pans and other medical supplies and keep them for use in their own program or donate them to other community-based organizations for their own use or for distribution to the people they serve.

School Supplies Donation Programs

Programs that accept notebooks, pens, pencils, calculators, book bags and other school supplies and keep them for use in their own programs or donate them to other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve.

Toy/Game Donation Programs

Programs that accept new or secondhand toys, games, puzzles and other similar items; repair them if necessary; and keep them for use in their own program or donate them to toy lending libraries, family shelters, foster care programs and other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve.

Business Assistance Services

Programs that provide information, technical assistance, training, contract acquisition assistance and other types of services that support the start-up, competitiveness and growth of local businesses.

Business Financing

Programs that provide venture capital, loans or grants or other forms of financial support for individuals or groups who want to establish or expand the operation of a business.

Community Development Corporations

Nonprofit community-based organizations formed by residents, small business owners, faith congregations and other local stakeholders to revitalize low and/or moderate income communities through initiatives whose objectives are to eliminate slums and blight, prevent deterioration of existing structures, conserve and expand affordable housing, restore and preserve properties of historical or architectural interest, create jobs, recruit and support small businesses, improve and expand vital social services, engage in long-term community planning and meet other local development needs.

Housing Development

Programs that monitor and analyze the current housing environment in a community and provide support for the development, finance, management and preservation of a mix of decent, safe and affordable housing for individuals and families of all income levels. Housing development programs improve the livability of communities, expand home ownership opportunities, build a strong tax base, encourage safe streets and empower neighborhoods and communities to flourish.

Minority Business Development

Programs, usually provided by members of the business community, that offer technical assistance or other forms of management support to encourage the establishment and growth of businesses that are owned and operated by individuals or groups who are representative of an ethnic minority, women or another minority population.

Nonprofit Corporation Development

Programs, usually provided by members of the business community, that offer technical assistance or other forms of management support for individuals or groups who want to establish a nonprofit agency or expand the services of an agency that operates on a not-for-profit basis. Nonprofit organizations are entities that serve a sacramental function, provide services for the public benefit, provide advocacy services, operate primarily for the mutual benefit of their members or are private foundations whose primary function is to transfer funds to other nonprofit organizations.

Small Business Development

Programs, usually provided by members of the business community, that offer technical assistance or other forms of management support for individuals or groups who want to establish or expand the operation of a small business enterprise or venture. Also included are organizations whose purpose is to protect the interests of small businesses and assure that they receive a fair share of government purchases, government contracts, subcontracts and sales of government property.

Tourism Development

Programs that provide tourism marketing and development strategies for local communities. Also included are programs that provide incentives for the development or expansion of tourist facilities, usually cultural or historic sites, areas of scenic beauty or distinctive natural phenomena, theme parks, amusement parks, venues for theatrical or music productions, botanical gardens, and cultural and educational centers.

Election Information

Programs that publish and/or distribute information regarding the position of rival candidates in an election, voter guides that may summarize the pros and cons of specific ballot measures, sample ballots, precinct boundaries, the location and hours of polling places, and other details regarding the content or the mechanics of the election.

Political Organizations

Groups of individuals with common political goals who have gathered together on a voluntary basis to work for the election of specific candidates for public office or to encourage the implementation of public policies that represent their ideological point of view.

Voter Registration Offices

Government offices that provide copies of voter registration applications and maintain official records of individuals who have exercised their right to participate in the election process by registering to vote. Included are the local Registrar of Voters offices and other government offices through which people can obtain and file their registration forms; and offices that are responsible for managing online voter registration. In order to qualify, people must be citizens; age 18 or older; and residents of the state, county/municipal district or precinct for at least 30 days. People are required to re-register if they change their names, their addresses or their party affiliations.

Federal Government Agencies/Departments

The principal executive divisions of the federal government of the United States, headed by a secretary who is a member of the President's cabinet, the agencies within them and the independent establishments and corporations that fall outside the cabinet structure.

Federal Government Information Services

Programs that provide information about U.S. government offices and services that interested individuals can access on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. In some cases, assistance is available to help identify and locate an appropriate office.

United States House of Representatives Offices

The offices of elected members of the United States House of Representatives, the lower house of the United States Congress. U.S. Representatives represent people in a state congressional district for a two-year term.

United States Senate Offices

The offices of elected members of the United States Senate, the upper chamber of the Congress of the United States. The Senate has 100 members, two from each state, and one third of the Senate is elected every two years.

Emergency Rescue

Programs that provide emergency rescue operations and/or lifesaving activities for people who are stranded, lost, accident victims or exposed to other life threatening dangers.

Fire Services

Programs that are responsible for preventing, investigating, controlling and extinguishing fires. Activities include fire safety education, firefighting, investigating the causes of suspicious fires, maintaining equipment and trained firefighters necessary for a quick and efficient response to fires when they occur, and enforcing fire codes which protect lives and property from fires and explosions arising from the storage, handling and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices, or from conditions hazardous to life and property in the use or occupancy of buildings or other premises.

Fire Stations

Locations throughout the community which house fire equipment and personnel.

Law Enforcement Agencies

City, county, state or federal government agencies or university departments that are responsible for preserving peace, protecting life and property, preventing and detecting crime and apprehending and arresting suspects. Also included are special purpose public police forces that have full peace officer powers but only within limited jurisdictions, e.g., public parks, public transit facilities, public housing projects, local school district campuses.

211 Systems

A collaborative group of local comprehensive and specialized information and referral providers who have agreed to coordinate information and referral service delivery to provide seamless access to information about community resources via the three digit number assigned for this purpose, 211. Depending on the size and nature of the community, 211 systems may consist of only a few organizations that provide information and referral or may include a diverse array of organizations that furnish some type of I&R. Some of these organizations may supply a very specialized type of I&R service (e.g., for people with disabilities or older adults), while others may provide a comprehensive range of assistance. The coordination of all I&R services and programs within a community and, where relevant, beyond, constitutes the 211 system.

311 Services

Programs that have implemented 311 as a dialing code to help people access non-emergency police and other local government services such as public works, animal control and code compliance.

Comprehensive Information and Referral

Programs that maintain information about the full range of human services and which function as the primary source of information about and linkage to human service providers in the community.

Specialized Information and Referral

Programs that maintain information about community resources that are appropriate for a specific target group or human services sector (for example, youth programs or addiction services) and which link individuals who are in need of specialized services with appropriate resources and/or which provide information about community agencies and organizations that offer specialized services.

311 Services

Programs that have implemented 311 as a dialing code to help people access non-emergency police and other local government services such as public works, animal control and code compliance.

City Government Departments/Offices

Divisions of city, town, township, borough, village or other local government units that are responsible for overseeing the delivery of designated services to the public and managing other municipal government functions.

City Government Information Services

Programs that provide information about city government offices and services that interested individuals can access on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. In some cases, assistance is available to help identify and locate an appropriate office.

County Government Departments/Offices

Divisions of county governments that are responsible for overseeing the delivery of designated services to the public and managing other county government functions.

County Government Information Services

Programs that provide information about county government offices and services that interested individuals can access on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. In some cases, assistance is available to help identify and locate an appropriate office.

Governor Offices

The office of individual who has been elected as the chief executive official of a state in the United States and territories of the United States. Governors serve terms ranging from two to four years; are usually restricted to two terms in office; and possess veto powers, powers to call special sessions of the legislature, powers to grant pardons and reprieves, and many other appointive, administrative and financial powers.

Local Officials Offices

The offices of individuals who have been appointed or elected to a town, city, county or other local public office for a specified tenure and who are thereby in a position to exercise that portion of the sovereign functions of government that are conferred on that office. Forty-eight of the 50 states have operational county governments. Connecticut and Rhode Island are divided into geographic regions called counties, but they do not have functioning governments. Alaska calls its counties boroughs and Louisiana calls them parishes. Cities and towns may also have other designations including townships, boroughs and villages.

State Government Agencies/Departments

The principal executive divisions of state government in the United States including state offices, departments, divisions, bureaus, boards and commissions, that are responsible, by law, for the management and control of public business and property.

State Government Information Services

Programs that provide information about state government offices and services that interested individuals can access on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. In some cases, assistance is available to help identify and locate an appropriate office.

Concealed Weapons Permits

Programs that issue permits which authorize individuals to carry guns, knives, tasers and other personal protection devices on their body and in their vehicle. The specific nature of the weapons which require a carry permit varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Death Related Records/Permits

Programs that issue, maintain and, where appropriate, provide access to or copies of documents that relate to an individual's death.

Divorce Records

Programs that maintain and, where appropriate, provide access to or copies of the official document that dissolves a marriage relationship between two people.

Driver Licenses

Programs that issue permits which provide written authorization for an individual to operate a motor vehicle on public roads and highways following successful completion of a written and/or driving examination and a vision test. These programs also renew driver licenses that are about to expire, replace driver licenses that are lost or stolen, and process name and address changes.

Fishing Licenses

Programs that issue permits that provide written authorization for individuals to take fish from public waters during approved fishing seasons.

Hunting Licenses

Programs that issue permits that provide written authorization for individuals to pursue, shoot, kill, capture, trap, snare or net game birds, game fowl or game animals during approved hunting seasons. Included are licenses for archery hunting using a bow and arrow; hunting with muzzle loading firearms, rifles, shotguns or handguns; crossbow hunting (which may be illegal in some jurisdictions); and trapping game using traps, deadfalls or other devices. Hunting license requirements vary from state to state and may include provisions for completion of hunting/trapping safety courses.

Land Deeds/Titles

Programs that issue, maintain on file, retrieve and, where appropriate, provide access to the official document that transfers ownership of land from one individual to another or which otherwise provides evidence of the individual's entitlement to the property.

Land Records

Programs that maintain for use by the public, real estate maps which show the owner, the assessed value and the legal description of the property.

Law Enforcement Records/Files

Programs that maintain and, where appropriate, provide access to records and/or files kept by federal, state or local police agencies, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the courts or other agencies that relate to the investigation of individuals or organizations suspected of criminal activity; the commission and reporting of crimes; the arrest of criminal suspects; the indictment, conviction and sentencing of criminal offenders; and/or the confinement, probation/parole and release of offenders.

Marriage Licenses

Programs that issue permits, which are usually addressed to the minister or magistrate who is going to perform the ceremony, that provide written authorization for two people to marry. Also included are programs that maintain copies of marriage licenses and make copies available upon request.

Passports

Offices that issue passports, i.e., documents which identify citizens, which serve as written authorization from government authorities for citizens to travel abroad and which, in effect, request foreign powers to allow bearers to enter and pass freely and safely.

Artist Services

Programs that provide technical services, subsistence funding, studios or living facilities and/or other services for individual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and other performers; or support organizations that produce, present, or support, dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater, visual and related arts.

Arts Centers

Multidisciplinary community centers that display or sell local artist’s work; provide studio, living and/or office space for artists; offer access to artist/artisan demonstrations, workshops and classes that focus on any of a wide variety of art forms; provide indoor or outdoor venues for plays, poetry readings, musical performances, book discussions and other special events; do outreach to schools and other community organizations; and offer other services that make the arts more accessible to the community.

Cultural Heritage Programs

Programs that support and celebrate the diversity of the community's social, artistic and intellectual inheritance.

Drop In Centers

Programs that provide an alternative, non-residential environment that people with any of a variety of issues can visit on an informal basis to find mutual support and access to social and recreational activities. People can drop by whenever they like without the need to make an appointment and have the option of participating in whatever activities are currently underway.

Historic Preservation

Programs that acquire, protect, maintain and, where necessary, restore buildings, structures, art and cultural objects, landscapes, sites or entire districts that have historical, architectural, archaeological, engineering, cultural, or artistic significance for the enjoyment and edification of current and future generations.

Historical Societies

Organizations that preserve the historical heritage of a particular county, city, township, town or other specific geographic area. Activities include preservation and restoration of historic and archaeological sites located within the jurisdiction; restoration or reconstruction of historical buildings; collection, preservation and publication of local historical material; dissemination of historical information; and promotion of historical work in the community. Historical societies may operate museums, libraries and archives; conduct historical research; study local cultures; and sponsor historical programs and exhibitions.

Libraries

Facilities which house a collection of materials including books, manuscripts, journals, government documents and nonprint formats such as paintings, musical recordings, videotapes, films and data files on magnetic tape which are organized to provide physical, bibliographic and intellectual access to a targeted group of people and which generally make available staff to provide services and programs related to the information needs of the targeted group.

Museums

Institutions that acquire, preserve, research, exhibit and provide for educational use, objects or artifacts of artistic, cultural, historical, scientific or technological significance which are presented in a popular and fairly non-technical manner. Collections may include works of art; objects and artifacts that are related to the study of zoology, biology, botany, mineralogy, geology and other natural sciences, history, archeology, science and technology; materials related to motion pictures, sports, music, theater and other aspects of the arts and popular culture; memorabilia and other collectibles; or material relating to the history and achievements of a particular cultural or ethnic group. Most museums have auxiliary services which enhance the museum experience for visitors.

Nature Centers/Walks

Programs that offer guided or self-guided walks or drives through parks, beach areas, wildlife preserves and other natural settings to acquaint participants with particular aspects of their environment and to increase their understanding of and appreciation for ecological balance.

Physical Fitness

Programs that provide activities for people who want to improve their strength, flexibility, endurance, muscle tone, reflexes, cardiovascular health and/or other aspects of physical functioning.

Public Parks

Tracts of land that are acquired and maintained by governmental entities and made available to the public as places of beauty or for recreation.

Recreation Centers

Centers, often operated by the local community department of parks and recreation, that offer, at a single location, a variety of recreational facilities such as athletic fields and courts, a gymnasium, a swimming pool and locker facilities. Recreation centers usually offer an organized program of activities for community residents of all ages and provide all necessary equipment.

Recreational/Leisure/Arts Instruction

Programs that provide classes or individual lessons for people who want to develop an appreciation for or competency in a particular recreational, artistic or leisure-time activity.

Senior Centers

Multipurpose centers that serve as focal points for older adults in the community and which offer, at a single location, a wide variety of services and activities that are needed by and of interest to this population.

Sightseeing/Guided Tours

Organizations that provide morning, afternoon, evening or full-day excursions which enable visitors to see local places of interest in a city or surrounding areas, usually under the auspices of a guide who is knowledgeable in the history, landmarks, culture and natural history of the area. Also included are local places of interest such as historic homes and neighborhoods, public buildings, theater complexes, race track stable areas and other points of interest that are open to the public on a regular or special open-house basis and which may provide guided tours.

Swimming Facilities

Programs that develop, maintain and make available to the public, swimming pools which may be equipped with diving boards of various heights, slides and other equipment.

Travelers Assistance

Programs that provide supportive services including information and emergency assistance for tourists, travelers or other visitors who have encountered problems, need directions or trip planning services to reach a destination or require information about the local transportation system.

Y Facilities

Programs that provide for the spiritual, social, mental and physical development of children and youth and their families through a broad-based program which includes classes, recreational activities, fitness programs, leadership development opportunities, camping, youth clubs, parent-child programs, youth employment support services, cross-cultural exchange programs, community involvement opportunities and a variety of other activities that give participants a chance to develop a wide range of interpersonal relationships, strengthen family ties and to achieve a satisfying degree of personal growth.

Zoos/Wildlife Parks

Programs that house a collection of living animals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects and other wildlife, often in enclosures that replicate their natural habitats, for the purposes of conservation, research, education and public viewing. Zoos are dedicated to the protection of threatened and endangered species and the habitats in which they live, provide a safe environment for their reproduction and coordinate breeding and reintroduction programs to help ensure their continued survival in the wild. They also offer a wide variety of educational programs which help people of all ages develop an appreciation and concern for the world of nature. Also included are wildlife parks in which flocks and herds of animals roam on acres of enclosed land, and petting zoos which allow youngsters and adults to mingle with, handle and feed a variety of farm animals and gentle exotic animals.

Volunteer Opportunities

Community organizations that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite knowledge, skills and experience who are willing to offer their services and work on a full or part-time basis without remuneration on projects or in positions that benefit the organization itself or the people it serves. Many agencies that provide volunteer opportunities also offer intensive training in the tasks that are required for the job.

Volunteer Recruitment/Placement

Programs that identify individuals who have chosen to work on a full or part-time basis without remuneration in one of the human service fields and which systematically evaluate the skills, talents and personalities of recruited volunteers and match them with human service agencies that need voluntary support.

Volunteer Service Programs

Programs that provide employment opportunities for people who are willing to volunteer their time at low wages (or without remuneration) to work on social and economic development, environmental improvement or public safety projects throughout the U.S. and developing countries.

Volunteer Training

Programs that prepare individuals who have chosen to work on a full or part-time basis without remuneration in one of the human service fields for the specific type of volunteer activity in which they are interested. The program includes an orientation to and training in specific roles and responsibilities, and may include information about the general role, functions and policies of a specific agency if the volunteer is aware of his or her placement.