Jobless Volunteers

In light of today's dwindling economy and President Obama's call to be of public service, people all over the country have been looking for ways to fill their newly found free time by volunteering. Non-profit organizations have encountered a large influx in the number of volunteers in a somewhat catch-22 situation: they have all they help they could possibly need (and then some), but no funding from the government to fully take advantage of the new workforce.

In an article by the New York Times, Julie Bosman follows this trend in a number of non-profits in the New York area and talks to some of the volunteers. Most of the people were at the top of their game when economic struggles hit their company and they were laid off. From working 100 hours a week to nothing, the recently unemployed are looking for a positive way to fill their days while also searching for job opportunities.

“It’s sad but true,” Ms. Ceccarelli [senior Vice President at United Way] said , “but the irony is that sometimes it’s almost more work to find something for a volunteer to do than to just turn them away.”

While most non-profits are doing their best to take advantage of the volunteers, they are also bracing themselves for when the economy picks up again and they lose this large group of skilled workers.

Empower Campaign

The Empower Campaign was started last year by Andria Sherrow after she returned from spending a period of time in Africa. She wanted to start a program that would help the African children receive an education and provide an opportunity to build a future.

"The Empower Campaign is a holistic, school based initiative designed to help all children, including orphans and vulnerable children, receive a quality education in Africa. We accomplish this through a four tiered approach with our partner schools in Africa:

1. 1.Provide a safe and sound place to attend school by building and reconstructing debilitated schools.
   

2. 2.Provide educational materials for students attending school.
   

3. 3.Provide one meal per day for all children attending school.
   

4. 4.Provide access to health care and information at school."

The Empower Campaign was started at Ohio University in collaboration with Alpha Phi Omega. They raised money and awareness by selling jewelry made out of recycled materials by the women in Africa and screening movies to raise awareness. Volunteers attend a brief training session to become qualified to sell the jewelry and then work the tables around campus.

The Empower Campaign has spread to Ohio State University, Miami University, Bowling Green State University and the University of Dayton. Each of these schools conduct jewelry sales and also come up with fundraising ideas; for example, spaghetti dinners and benefit concerts.

Since it has grown, the Empower Campaign has become its own student group on campus and any student can join forces and help raise awareness and money to send to these children. 14 million children under the age of 14 have been orphaned from AIDS and only 18% of eligible children have access to education in sub-Saharan Africa.

To get involved, contact Andria Sherrow at andria@empowercampaign.org.

Belts Breaking Bondage

Belts Breaking Bondage is a movement that is being started by Christina Conrad, a senior Social Work major at Ohio University. The goal of this movement is to raise awareness and funds for human trafficking as it exists abroad and in the United States.

What inspired you to start Belts Breaking Bondage?

It is funny to say this, but "Lifetime" s what really changed my life and view of the world. They made a movie called "Human Trafficking" and when I watched it I was utterly horrified. This sparked my interest in the tragedy. I couldn't believe that such evil was going on in the world.

Why has this problem impacted you personally so much?

The thought of women being raped is so difficult for me to think about. I am not a very sexual person and have only had sex once with a serious boyfriend and still did not enjoy it. I mean, if it was painful and I couldn't enjoy it with someone I loved, how could I ever imagine just how excruciating it would be to be raped?

How widespread is this problem?

There are an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 men, women and children trafficked across international borders each year. Between 14,000 and 18,000 of these people are trafficked into the United States annually.

What do you think of the people who help propagate human trafficking?

The men that buy prostitutes don't care about anything but pleasing themselves secually and they think they have the right to treat and mutilate any girl however they want because they paid for her.

Have you had any other personal experiences with the problem besides what you saw on Lifetime?

I was in Amsterdam in March of 2008. While I was there I decided to see what the Red Light District looked like. It was just horrible to me to see women completely exposed and exploited. There were buildings with three stories of windows the size of doors where women just danced naked.

How did this affect you?

The more I thought about it, the more the these horrors weighed on me. I started conducting a lot of research, but this just made me feel more terrible because I was learning about how horrible human trafficking was and was not doing anything about it.

What motivated you to get moving on the issue?

I set a goal for myself. I told myself that I would not let the following Sunday come until I had an idea of how to be an activist.

What was the inspiration for your movement (Belts Breaking Bondage)?

I was an itern for the Empower Campaign last year and we went to an international festival where we were instructed to wear something for the country we were representing. I used some old fabric and made waist belts for the team. At the convention, some women came up to us and ended up buying the builts right off of our waists for $7!

How much does it cost to create each belt?

The fabric is usually $5 per yard and five belts can be made from one and a half yards of fabric. The belt loops are created from curtain holders and are also relatively inexpensive. Each belt is very cost effective for raising money and awareness about human trafficking.

How do you plan to make the belts?

I've already hosted one sewing party with members of Alpha Phi Omega who came together to create a number of new belts. We will begin selling these belts next quarter.

How have you been raising awareness on campus?

I'm hosting a screening of the film "Sex Slaves," a documentary about human trafficking. I have already spoken to a bunch of organizations on campus and within the past two weeks we have generated genuine interst in almost every end of the campus. We have theater majors making productions, sororities philanthropy chairs taking this on as a project, graphic design students making logos and posters, people attending events, crowds at movie screenings and regular students going above and beyond to tell others. It is really amazing.

Where will the proceeds be going next quarter?

There are so many great organizations that need help, I felt like I couldn't pick just one. As a group, we're going to decide on one cause per moth to donate the profits to. For now, we are focusing on an organization in Columbus that is in the process of building a shleter for trafficking victims.

Service Locations

Sometimes people are wary to put themselves out there and get involved, but knowing exactly who they need to talk to and where they need to go can be a big motivator. This map contains the addresses and information about different service projects in the Athens area. Click on the map and drag to find the markers and see where places are located.

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ATCO Craft Night

One of the other weekly projects that Alpha Phi Omega does with ATCO is Craft Night every Tuesday at Rollerbowl. There is a group of five ladies who get together with three or four volunteers to make crafts and do other activities. This is a project that is fun and easygoing - as long as you have some semblance of creativity, you can help brainstorm ideas and join in the craft-making extravaganza.

At Rollerbowl, ATCO has plastic containers filled to the brim with colorful paper, beads of all colors and shapes, wire, paint, stickers, glitter and anything else you could possibly need. The main thing for volunteers to do is to pick a project to do and pull the supplies out so everyone can work on it. Most of the time the craft ladies are able to independently do the work, but volunteers are there to help if needed.

If there are extra supplies, volunteers are able to join in the fun and make their own crafts as well. I have a green piggy bank with jewels, a key chain that was made for me by one of my ATCO ladies, a tie-dyed shirt that I love and other knick-knacks around my apartment.

Tie-dying shirts was probably one of my favorite projects to work on. For this craft, we went to Passionworks Studio and set up the supplies there because we did not want to get dye and such all over the bowling alley. We arranged to have a couple extra volunteers at the project and a few more ATCO ladies came to tie-dye (some of them do not appreciate the amount of noise at Rollerbowl). We all got to hang out, tie-dye and talk. The ladies were sharing their techniques while we got everything together and helped them dye their shirts individually. Jeff Bierlein who runs most of the ATCO programs came as well and took the shirts until they could dry and returned them the next week.


ATCO Craft Night is a good opportunity to be creative and is mainly a bonding experience and an easy way to socialize for an hour every Tuesday afternoon.

Monday Lunch at UMC

Monday lunch is a weekly service opportunity that is offered at United Methodist Church (UMC) on College St. in Athens. Volunteers arrive starting at 9 am to help prepare the food for that day's lunch. Most volunteers sign up for one hour shifts and can prepare, serve, eat or clean up the food depending on when they arrive.

This service project has become increasingly important during the current economic crisis. The lunch provides an opportunity for people who are a part of the lower-income bracket to save money on at least one meal a week.

"Most of the people serve don't have a strong support group," explains Brendan Heil, an occasional volunteer at Monday Lunch. "They don't have the means or they don't have family, friends or other connections in the area."

John Gedeon, a regular volunteer at the Monday Lunch program, says that a wide variety of people participate. "There are lots of foreign exchange students, people who rely on free meals, students as well as teachers."

Gedeon explains the experience as similar to "cooking with Grandma." The long term staff who organize the meals figure out what type of meal can be made from the food donations that usually come from the Athens Food bank and then split up the duties. They then share their cooking knowledge with the people who help prepare the food. Also like grandma, they insist that no one leaves hungry, volunteers included.

"Serving at Monday Lunch is different from other free meal programs," Gedeon says, "It's not the rich serving the poor. Everyone is always so nice and everyone eats as a community."

When asked why he goes to Monday Lunch, Heil says that it is an easy job to do and a good way to give back to the community. It is also a convenient service project being on College St. and a manageable volunteer opportunity to add into a hectic schedule.

Gedeon relates his love for Monday Lunch with his love for cooking. This aspect is what initially got him interested in the project, but the people and the friendly atmosphere are what keep him going back for more.

Half of the volunteers at any given shift at Monday Lunch are from Alpha Phi Omega, while the other half come from various organizations or individual interests around campus.

Last Chance Corral

Last Chance Corral is a place that offers shelter and help to horses that have been neglected, abandoned or abused. They offer psychological and/or physiological help to these animals. Most of the horses that stay at the Last Chance Corral have been given away because the owners either could not or did not want to care for them anymore. Full-time employees provide treatment and care to the animals, while volunteers help with the maintenance and necessary duties of running a shelter.

A lot of times, by the time the horses reach the Last Chance Corral they have not received the kind of love they need to be healthy and happy. Last Chance offers a place where they are constantly surrounded by loving volunteers and staff members who work to rehabilitate them. After they are healthy enough to move on, Last Chance finds the horses a home that suits their needs and skill level.

Every Sunday morning a group of volunteers from APhiO goes to the barn at the Last Chance Corral. They help clean the barn and sweep out the stalls. I know, this does not sound like the ideal way to spend a lazy Sunday morning, but the volunteers who go once usually return on a regular basis. Not only are they making it possible for the Last Chance to function, but they also get to spend time with the horses and bond with fellow volunteers.

Picture Slideshow

Good Works

Good Works is a community of hope, the only homeless shelter in 9 counties in Appalachia. They provide food, shelter and training for the future to individuals and families in need. The really special thing about Good Works is that they are not merely passing out freebies; the residents work together in a give-and-take relationship that will benefit them in the future. For example, in the Transformation Station at Good Works, residents help rebuild and fix cars or other technology so it can be used to help other people, as well as training them with tools that can be used in a work field.

Good Works is a project that was started by Keith Wasserman while he was a student at Ohio University. He opened up his basement on Elliot St. to local homeless people and the whole system grew from there. Volunteers can volunteer on a quarterly basis to help prepare the meals, spend time with residents, help with work training programs (teaching word processing, etc.), organizing the food cupboard and much more. They even have programs for groups who want to spend a weekend at the house to experience the faith-based living at Good Works.

To become a volunteer, you must contact Good Works and set up a tour. After that you fill out an application and you are on your way to a fulfilling life experience. Visit their website for more details. www.good-works.net

This quarter I have been planning a 5K with Brendan Heil through Alpha Phi Omega to support Good Works. The run/walk is on February 28th at noon and is $15. We are also putting on a benefit concert on Thursday, February 26th at Buffalo Wild Wings where all the proceeds will go to Good Works. Two-thirds of the money they need to run the different houses in Athens comes from donations. They really rely on our help to keep it running, so please come if you can!

Related Web sites

Most of the service projects I have talked about have related Web sites. I included a link to the St. Bernard Project and this is definitely one that is worth visiting if you are interested in going to New Orleans to help rebuild. Liz McCartney, the founder of the St. Bernard Project, recently won the CNN Hero of the Year award for all the work she has done to help rebuild. There are stories about all the families they have helped, newspaper articles that have mentioned the project and much more.

Liz McCartney and our group from Winter 08

The St. Bernard Project works to get families who are especially in need back into their homes. This usually includes elderly homeowners and single parents. Visit this site if you are willing to donate time or money to this nonprofit organization.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Athens also has a website that contains information about volunteering and fundraisers that are being put on to benefit BBBS. This site is http://www.bbbsathens.org/.

ATCO has a website about the different programs they host for employing adults with disabilities and how you can get involved. It also lists the phone number and office hours if you are interested in contacting them. http://atcoinc.org/

New Orleans

While doing service in Athens is an awesome way to learn more about the community and the people who live in it, going other places to volunteer is a way you can teach the community something new. One way to do this is to arrange a service trip that takes you outside of your comfort zone and into a whole new place.

It all started after Hurricane Katrina. There was devastation, loss and bureaucratic excuses plaguing New Orleans. The quote by Margaret Mead pretty perfectly summarizes the situation: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." In the absence of a strong force to cure the problems that were endlessly piling up, individuals and small groups from all around the world came together to fill in the gap.

A group of APhiOers took the opportunity to help out just a few months after the hurricane. They drove through the streets that were littered with debris, houses that slanted at strange angles and went to work with the St. Bernard Project gutting houses. Since that initial trip, we have organized five more trips to go down and volunteer over a break. I have participated in two such trips. Every time we come back with new experineces and new life lessons that overwhelm us and empower us to do more.

The first time I went down, our group of fifteen people split up and worked on three separate sites. Two groups put up dry wall and our group put in floors, painted molding and put in doors. I've done little more than hold a hammer for my dad prior to going on this trip, and suddenly I was drilling and using power tools. My second trip (this past winter break), we did mold remediation for a house that was gutted and then sealed for three years. Let's just say damp wood, warm summers and insects do not lead to healthy living conditions.

The satisfaction of bringing a family one step closer to getting back into their was almost as motivating as the stories we heard from residents. They shared personal stories and experiences and welcomed us whole-heartedly into the unique community that can only be found in New Orleans.

We will continue to go back until they cease to need our help and, even after that, we will probably go down to visit the families that have accepted us into their hearts. This spring break I'm going again and the summer and winter are always good opportunities to go back as well. If you'd like to join us (or arrange your own trip) let me know and I can get you the contact information. Also visit stbernardproject.org.

Volunteer sites

Many areas in Ohio are in need of help and volunteers are ready and willing to be of service. A problem arises when there is an information gap between the two groups. To help solve this problem, different sites and blogs have come to life with lists of contacts and opportunities.

One such blog is done through Ohio.com when you visit the "Volunteer Opportunities" page. On any given day there is a list of the different organizations that need extra assistance and do not have the money to pay staff members. This site is very detailed, giving the hours of help needed, the contact information and details about the volunteer opportunity. People have the ability to post comments about the different projects or give advice to future volunteers. This is a definite perk about this blog because people who are on the edge can get more information outside of the organization they wish to volunteer for.

Organizations that need help can contact Ohio.com to get their information posted and let people know about their needs.
Servenet.org is another blog that connects interested volunteers with opportunities in different areas. This site allows you to search any zip code with projects posted. This is a very useful site if you move to a new area and want to find a community of like-minded, service-oriented individuals to spend your time with.

Not only does it include local service projects, but also connects you to long term volunteer programs. There is information about Americorp and other volunteer organizations and programs that can require a 10 month to 2 year dedication to service. This is also a good way to find opportunities for after graduation if you're not interested in entering the "real world" right away.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Athens is an awesome opportunity to learn more about the area and come face to face with the struggles that people face everyday through the eyes of a child. This pure look at life can be intense at times, but, more than anything, it makes you glad to be a positive force in the community.

To start off with BBBS, paperwork is filled out and an interview is conducted. The paperwork includes a background check and your records after getting fingerprinted at the police station. The interview is an important tool used to match you up with a little that you can mentor and share interests with.

The last step before meeting your little is a training course that details the role you are going to take in this child's life. It includes information about what you should do if a child reveals that their home or caretakers are unsuitable or abusive in anyway and what appropriate conversations are like with a young child. They also explain how important you will be in the life of this child and how devastating it could be if you abandon your visits after developing a relationship with your little.

Littles are usually children who need extra help in school or do not get enough attention at home or are considered at-risk youth. My little falls in the second category. She lives with her aunt and uncle, cousins and siblings and tends to have trouble feeling heard at home. I visit her once a week during her lunch break at West Elementary and have been her big since the beginning of my sophomore year. Another program option is arranging activities with your little outside of school hours. Bigs have the opportunity to take their little to the movies, ice skating or any number of events. You get to choose based on your availability and how comfortable you feel.


There are SO many children who wish to have a Big just at West Elementary. If you think you could give the time, definitely take it into consideration. For one hour a week, you can really make a big difference.

If you are interested in becoming a Big or learning more about the program, contact Tara Gilts at taragilts@gmail.com.

ATCO Bowling

The crash of pins, cheers, victory dances. High fives all around, all except for one person who has two thumbs way down. "Paul! You're on my team! You're supposed to be happy when I get pins down!" Paul chuckles, hands his respirator tank to me and we grab his bowling ball so he can knock down some pins of his own.

Paul has Down's syndrome and has been on my ATCO bowling team all year, along with Brian, Dawn and Blair, a fellow APhiOer. League bowling is every Wednesday from 5 pm until 7 pm at Rollerbowl at the end of Palmer St. We play two games against a different team each week. At the end of the quarter, the points are totaled and prizes are awarded to the best team, individual player, most improved, etc. For our team, the motto is "It's pins!" We have been described as the Cincinnati Bengals of bowling. Some days we're awesome, other days we're lucky if anyone breaks 100...

Many of the ATCO bowlers are in wheelchairs and require the use of a ramp to get the ball down the alley. Blair and I set up the ramp for Brian, grab the heaviest ball at Rollerbowl and set it up just right. Once you find the sweet spot, you can get a strike every time you put the ball on the ramp. The holes have to be pointing in just the right way and the ramp has to be just left of center. Last quarter Brian got the highest score for the season after we worked together to get him a whopping 6 strikes (two turkeys!) in one game.
Here is an example of bowling with a ramp (usually volunteers hold the ramp steady and put the ball in place. If the bowler needs extra help, we lift their hand so they can touch the ball so it rolls down the ramp and alley)



Hanging out with my friends at league bowling is a cathartic experience. You get to take a step away from homework, work and useless worries and just enjoy the time. Everyone has their silly moments and frustrations, but it can all be turned around with the next roll of the ball just by knocking down a few more pins. Working with people who have mental and/or physical disabilities can be intimidating if you've never done it before, but all you have to do is recognize that we're all people who enjoy attention and like to be part of a group. Once you realize this, you can relate to anyone (handicapped or not). It's all about stepping outside of your bubble!

League bowlers or league helpers are constantly in demand. An extra pair of hands to set up the ramps, grab the bowling balls or even to just sit and chat while everyone else is bowling is always appreciated. Jeff Bierlein is in charge of ATCO and is always looking for more help. His e-mail address is ac317@seorf.ohiou.edu.

Service as a fresh start

Athens, Ohio is seen as a college town overrun by crazy Ohio University students taking advantage of the freedom of leaving home. The endless opportunities and ability to reinvent yourself is intoxicating on its own, but after the initial rush, the thrill tends to wear off and many people are left feeling lost and looking for a way to feel needed. Some become involved in academic clubs, sororities or fraternities and find a connection there. For me, I found the answer in doing service.

Doing service in the Athens area is a way to learn and experience the unique community we live in. It is quite possible to go four years without venturing out of the cozy confines of the OU campus: living in dorms, going to class, partying on the weekends. This bubble can easily become your whole life. By taking a step outside and acknowledging that we live in Appalachian Ohio, one of the poorest areas in our nation, it can be overwhelming and empowering. You can do something about it. You can help.

One of the great ways to do this is to find out who needs help and how you can get involved. To figure this out, I joined Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity. It is a group where guys and girls who are motivated to do something more with their college experience can come together and do service to the campus, community and nation. We get involved with ATCO, an employment and training center for adults with disabilities; Big Brothers Big Sisters at the local schools; Good Works, the only homeless shelters in 7 counties in Appalachian, Ohio; Passionworks, Monday Lunch and so much more.