ANC: Housing  

Programs

Volunteer Partners

Volunteer with Wednesday Morning Senior Coffee

• Purpose: Provides a place for older members in the community to enjoy ‘pretty good coffee and great conversation’. Topical in nature and featuring speakers on a wide variety of subjects, the program increases participants’ knowledge about their community and those who live here.
• Job Title: Seniors Program Volunteer
• Location: Meet at ANC or another site, as needed
• Key Responsibilities: The Seniors Program Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:

1. Pick up and drop off seniors before and after the program.
2. Set up the food and beverages.
3. Clean up at the end of the program.

• Reports To: Leslie at 517-999-3918 or at leslier@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
• Length of Appointment: Volunteers are asked to make a long term commitment (min. 1 semester).
• Time Commitment: The Seniors Coffee runs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 on Wednesdays. Volunteers are needed from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers are asked to make 1 – 2 hr commitments on weekly basis.
• Qualifications:No previous experience is necessary. Those who stay during the program should be comfortable interacting with older people.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an general orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. Seniors Program Volunteers will be trained in how the program works, how to set up the program’s physical space, and how to clean-up and organize at the end of the program.

Volunteer with Bread Basket

• Purpose: The Bread Basket Program is a weekly distribution of bread to neighborhood residents, at no cost to them. The direct service area of the Allen Neighborhood Center has a high proportion of food stamp recipients and people with low food security. The Bread Basket program provides a source of free bread and produce to people who are in need of it.
• Job Title: Bread Basket Volunteer
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center, other Bread pick-up sites
• Key Responsibilities: The Bread Basket Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:

1. Greet people coming into the center and make them comfortable.
2. Help to wrap bread.
3. Set-up the physical space for the program.
4. Sign-in neighbors who come to pick up their bread.
5. Monitor the program throughout the day, making sure the center stays clean and organized.
6. Clean-up and put away the Bread Basket area.

• Reports To: Kevin at KevinM@allenneighborhoodcenter.org or {367-2468 Ext. 2006}
• Length of Appointment: Volunteers are asked to commit to this position for at least two months.
• Time Commitment: The Bread Basket Program runs on Tuesdays from 1:00 – 6:00. Set up takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Volunteers are asked to make a 1 - 2 hour weekly or bi-weekly time commitment.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary. Volunteers who will be helping to pick up the bread must have a valid driver’s license. Those helping to sign-in neighbors and monitor the program should be comfortable interacting with others.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. Bread Basket Volunteers will be trained in how the program works, how to set up the program’s physical space, and how to clean-up and organize at the end of the day.

Volunteer with Bread Basket

• Purpose: The Bread Basket Program is a weekly distribution of bread to neighborhood residents, at no cost to them. The direct service area of the Allen Neighborhood Center has a high proportion of food stamp recipients and people with low food security. The Bread Basket program provides a source of free bread and produce to people who are in need of it.
• Job Title: Bread Basket Volunteer
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center, other Bread pick-up sites
• Key Responsibilities: The Bread Basket Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:

1. Greet people coming into the center and make them comfortable.
2. Help to wrap bread.
3. Set-up the physical space for the program.
4. Sign-in neighbors who come to pick up their bread.
5. Monitor the program throughout the day, making sure the center stays clean and organized.
6. Clean-up and put away the Bread Basket area.

• Reports To: Kevin at KevinM@allenneighborhoodcenter.org or {367-2468 Ext. 2006}
• Length of Appointment: Volunteers are asked to commit to this position for at least two months.
• Time Commitment: The Bread Basket Program runs on Tuesdays from 1:00 – 6:00. Set up takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Volunteers are asked to make a 1 - 2 hour weekly or bi-weekly time commitment.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary. Volunteers who will be helping to pick up the bread must have a valid driver’s license. Those helping to sign-in neighbors and monitor the program should be comfortable interacting with others.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. Bread Basket Volunteers will be trained in how the program works, how to set up the program’s physical space, and how to clean-up and organize at the end of the day.

Be an Outreach Event Assistant

• Purpose: Be a presence at local events to inform the community about the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs.
• Job Title: Outreach Program Assistant
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center and/or throughout Lansing.
• Key Responsibilities: Assist in outreach at major events throughout Lansing and/or at the Allen St. Farmers Market.
• Reports To: Sarah at sarahs@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
• Length of Appointment: Varies
• Time Commitment: Varies for large events and Wed. from 2:30 to 6:30 May-Oct. for farm market outreach. Email Sarah when interested in volunteering.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. A specific training will be given on doing outreach within our community.

Be an Outreach Intern for Canvass

• Purpose: Go door-to-door on the Eastside of Lansing to gauge the needs and interests of the community and to provide information about the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs.
• Job Title: Outreach Worker / Intern
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center and the streets of the Eastside of Lansing.
• Key Responsibilities: Communicate with a diverse population. Listening to the concerns and interests of the neighborhood. Provide links to community or ANC resources that are appropriate (training provided).
• Reports To: Sarah at sarahs@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
• Length of Appointment: Canvassing begins in April and continues until the end of October.
• Time Commitment: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 5pm-8pm and Friday 1-4, between April and October. Volunteers are expected to be present at two of the three canvassing shifts a week.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 and able to be outside and walk around for 3 hours at a time.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. Canvassing volunteers will be training before going into the streets. This will involve one general information meeting, one on-site training, and in the streets training for a few shifts before actually speaking with community members. Snacks and beverages are also provided.

Hunter Park Revitalization Crew

• Purpose: The purpose of our Hunter Park Project is to create a community gathering space where neighbors come for recreation, socializing, and to learn about nutrition, landscaping and gardening.
• Job Title: Hunter Park Revitalization Crew
• Location: Meet at ANC or Hunter Park as needed
• Key Responsibilities:

1. Help in all areas of landscaping various locations within the parkland.
2. Prepare park for various events during the year including setting up equipment and tear down.
3. Be willing to be crew leader for planting and tending flower bed site.
4. Adopt a flower bed area around one of the entrance signs or at the pool sign area.

• Reports To: K’Anna at kannab@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
  Length of Appointment: Months when gardening is available, preferred volunteers would like to create relationships within the community.
• Time Commitment: Varies, but a few hours once a week during the warm months.
• Qualifications: Gardening skills preferred but not as needed as a genuine willingness to help! Volunteers who will be helping to pick up supplies must have a valid drivers license.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. There will be an orientation and training for new volunteers involved in the garden programs.

Teach Youth about Gardening

• Purpose: The Youth Garden is designed to teach children the joys of growing and harvesting homegrown vegetables. To educate about making and eating healthy choices. Growing food together in the community can and will create the neighborhood we imagine.
• Job Title: Youth Garden Volunteer
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center varies locations on the East side of Lansing.
• Key Responsibilities: The Community Garden Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:

1. Help youth plant and tend various gardening sites, working with a few students at a time.
2. Help supervise gardening work teams at the GH, at Hunter Parklands or local farms
3. Assist in the classroom during Garden Club learning activities (kindergarten through 5th grade).
4. Adopt a youth garden site for the summer to be responsible for weekly tending, watering, and harvesting.
5. Work with YSC garden teams at Farmer’s Market or on garden related projects.
6. Assist in the training and supervision of Student Farmer program members (ages:14-17)
7. Be willing to provide transportation to local farm sites for Student Farmers.

• Reports To: K’Anna at kannab@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
  Length of Appointment: Spring, Summer, and Fall months
• Time Commitment: Months when gardening is available, prefer volunteers who would like to create relationships within the community. Days and time varied.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary. An interest in gardening is preferred. Physically able to perform landscape maintenance. All volunteers working with children must submit to a background check.

GardenHouse Crew

• Purpose: Support ANC’s urban farming initiative at the GardenHouse. Help create a ‘growing culture’ here on the Eastside.
• Job Title: Gardenhouse Crew
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center varies locations on the East side of Lansing.
• Key Responsibilities:

1. Be involved in all or some aspects of running a green house.
2. Maintenance of building, equipment, and gardens
3. Use your gardening skills to weed, water, plant, tend, mulch, compost in and around the GH Develop or work with the workshop leader.
4. Be a garden “mentor” to neighbors in the GH and in the community at large Garden mentors for people in the community.
5. Offer to use your truck to haul gardening supplies, example woodchips/soil/mulch.
6. Offer plants for the annual Plant Swaps or work the event.
7. Have some construction skills and tools to help with small building projects.
8. Assist gardening Workshop leaders or be a workshop leader!

• Reports To: K’Anna at kannab@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
  Length of Appointment: Months when gardening is available, preferred volunteers would like to create relationships within the community.
• Time Commitment: Varies, but a few hours once a week during the warm months.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary. Volunteers who will be helping to pick up supplies must have a valid drivers license. Any volunteers that wish to work with children must submit to a background check.

Newsletter Support

• Purpose: The Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC) publishes a monthly newsletter with a distribution of 3,500 copies. The newsletter provides timely and relevant news and information to 3500 residents each month.
• Job Title: Newsletter Volunteer
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center and Lansing’s Eastside Neighborhood
• Key Responsibilities: The Newsletter Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:

1. Help cut, fold, or distribute flyers to local businesses.
2. Monitor the copier while the newsletter is printing, including folding and sealing newsletters.
3. Distribute newsletters

• Reports To: Franny Howes (367-2468 Ext. 2007)
• Length of Appointment: About 9-10 hours a month
• Time Commitment: To the last Tuesday and Thursday of the month from 3:30 to 6:00, and there will be pizza provided (dates will vary, we will be looking at the calendar and scheduling our delivery days ahead of time)
• Qualifications: No experience is necessary for those assisting with the Newsletter production. Though it is important to have volunteers with ability to do neat and precise work. Those who wish to contribute to articles to the newsletter must contact Franny for approval.
• Support Provided: All Newsletter Support Volunteers are provided with an orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and how to perform the necessary job functions.

Newsletter Mailing Support

• Purpose: The Allen Neighborhood Center publishes a monthly newsletter with a distribution of 3,500 copies. Volunteers are often needed to help with preparing newsletters for mailing.
• Job Title: Newsletter Mailing Volunteer
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center and Lansing’s Eastside Neighborhood
• Key Responsibilities: The Office & Newsletter Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:

1. Help cut, fold, or distribute flyers to local businesses.
2. Monitor the copier while the newsletter is printing, including folding and sealing newsletters.
3. Distribute newsletters

• Reports To: Franny Howes {367-2468 Ext. 2007}
• Length of Appointment: About 5-6 hours a month
• Time Commitment: The morning (9:00-12:00 or until we finish) of the Friday of the last week of the month.
• Qualifications: No experience is necessary for those assisting with the Newsletter production. Those who wish to contribute to articles to the newsletter must contact Franny for approval.
• Support Provided: All Newsletter Support Volunteers are provided with an orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and how to perform the necessary job functions.

Youth Service Corps Adult Volunteer

• Purpose: Youth Service Corps members provide services including chore assistance to seniors and others, delivering newsletters throughout the neighborhood, as well as assisting other service organizations with activities that serve the neighborhood.
• Job Title: Youth Service Corps Volunteer
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center, varied locations on the East side of Lansing.
• Key Responsibilities The Youth Service Corps volunteers may be asked to help with the following:

1. Supervise and work beside youth in gardening and greenhouse activities.
2. Work with youth in varies community service activities.

• Reports To: Don at donm@allenneighborhoodcenter.org or 517-367-2468 Ext. 2001
  Length of Appointment: Summer Months, times varying during the school year
• Time Commitment: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 5:40 PM, and 1:30 to 3:30 during summer vacation, hours vary during the academic school year.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary. All volunteers wishing to work with children must submit to a background check. Parents welcome as volunteers! Student volunteers also welcome, with backgrounds in anthropology, sociology, social work, education or any other related field helpful.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. There will also be a brief training session for Youth Service Corps Volunteers prior to volunteering.

Kinship Care Support Group Volunteer

Purpose: The purpose of the Kinship program is to provide a monthly educational and supportive gathering for relatives that are raising another family member.
• Job Title: Kinship Care Support Group Volunteer
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center
• Key Responsibilities: The Kinship Care Support Group may be asked to help with the following:

1. Set-up the physical space for the program.
2. Watch over children during that might be at the meeting.
3. Take minutes during the meeting.

• Reports To: Francine at francinew@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
• Length of Appointment: Volunteers are asked to commit to this position for at least six months.
• Time Commitment: The second Saturday of each month from 1-3:30
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary. Volunteers must set up a time to interview with program coordinator before volunteering. Volunteers wishing to work with children must submit to a background check.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. Kinship Care Group Volunteers will be trained in how the program works, how to set up the program’s physical space, and how to clean-up and organize at the end of the day.

Farmers Market Volunteer: Kids' Area

• Purpose: Takes place on Wednesdays from May through October connecting Eastside residents with fresh local produce. A total of 13-20 volunteers is needed every week to make the Farmer’s Market a success. The Kid’s Area is not designed to be a babysitting or drop off service. Its aim is to be a safe area for children to play during the market.
• Job Title: Kids Area Assistant
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center
• Key Responsibilities: The Kid’s Area Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:

1. Greet people coming into the Kid’s Area.
2. Help create a safe and fun environment for children during the market.
3. Might be asked if there are not a lot of children to support other market activities.

• Reports To: Hollie at hollish@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
• Length of Appointment Volunteers are asked to commit to this position for at least two months.
• Time Commitment: The Kids Area runs at the Farmer’s Market which are held Wednesdays from 2:30– 6:30. 1-2 volunteers needed per shift. Contact Hollie for shift lengths before the market begins.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary. All volunteers wishing to work with children must submit to a background check prior to service.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. The Farmer’s Market also has two orientation sessions at the beginning of the season (volunteers only need to attend one session). If volunteers cannot attend either session, a one-on-one orientation will be scheduled prior to volunteering.

Farmers Market Volunteer: Kids' Area

• Purpose: Takes place on Wednesdays from May through October connecting Eastside residents with fresh local produce. A total of 13-20 volunteers is needed every week to make the Farmer’s Market a success. The Kid’s Area is not designed to be a babysitting or drop off service. Its aim is to be a safe area for children to play during the market.
• Job Title: Kids Area Assistant
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center
• Key Responsibilities: The Kid’s Area Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:

1. Greet people coming into the Kid’s Area.
2. Help create a safe and fun environment for children during the market.
3. Might be asked if there are not a lot of children to support other market activities.

• Reports To: Hollie at hollish@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
• Length of Appointment Volunteers are asked to commit to this position for at least two months.
• Time Commitment: The Kids Area runs at the Farmer’s Market which are held Wednesdays from 2:30– 6:30. 1-2 volunteers needed per shift. Contact Hollie for shift lengths before the market begins.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary. All volunteers wishing to work with children must submit to a background check prior to service.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. The Farmer’s Market also has two orientation sessions at the beginning of the season (volunteers only need to attend one session). If volunteers cannot attend either session, a one-on-one orientation will be scheduled prior to volunteering.

Farmers Market Volunteer: Parking

• Purpose: Takes place on Wednesdays from May through October connecting Eastside residents with fresh local produce. A total of 13-20 volunteers is needed every week to make the Farmer’s Market a success.
• Job Title: Parking Volunteer
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center
• Key Responsibilities: The Parking Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:
• Float and help patron of the market locate parking spaces on busy days.
• Reports To Hollie at hollish@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
• Length of Appointment: TBA
• Time Commitment: Parking volunteers will take place at the Farmer’s Market which are held Wednesdays from 2:30– 6:30. Contact Hollie for shift lengths before the market begins.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary. Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. The Farmer’s Market also has two orientation sessions at the beginning of the season (volunteers only need to attend one session). If volunteers cannot attend either session, a one-on-one orientation will be scheduled prior to volunteering.

Farmers Market Volunteer: On Going Sign Promotion Volunteer

• Purpose: Takes place on Wednesdays from May through October connecting Eastside residents with fresh local produce. A total of 13-20 volunteers is needed every week to make the Farmer’s Market a success.
• Job Title: On Going Sign Promotion Volunteer Location: Allen Neighborhood Center and varies places on the Eastside of Lansing.
• Key Responsibilities The On Going Sign Promotion Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:

1. Volunteer to put signs in their front yards to remind neighbors about the market.
2. Assist in an email list to keep track of all signs
3. Assist in mapping of the signs and addresses to provide maximum exsposure for the market.

• Reports To: Hollie at hollish@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
• Length of Appointment: TBA
• Time Commitment: On Going Sign Promotion volunteers should contact Hollie for shift lengths before the market begins.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary. Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. The Farmer’s Market also has two orientation sessions at the beginning of the season (volunteers only need to attend one session). If volunteers cannot attend either session, a one-on-one orientation will be scheduled prior to volunteering.

Farmers Market Volunteer: Greeting and Counting

• Purpose: Takes place on Wednesdays from May through October connecting Eastside residents with fresh local produce. A total of 13-20 volunteers is needed every week to make the Farmer’s Market a success.
• Job Title: Greeter and Counting Volunteer
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center
• Key Responsibilities: The Greeting and Counting Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:

1. Sit at each entrance and count every patron.
2. Last shift volunteers will give the counter back to the coordinator before they leave
3. One of those will be a floater who may do random tasks and help relieve other volunteers.

• Reports To: Hollie at hollish@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
• Length of Appointment: Volunteers are asked to commit to this position for at least two months.
• Time Commitment: Greeting and Counting will take place at the Farmer’s Market which are held Wednesdays from 2:30– 6:30. 3 volunteers needed per shift. Contact Hollie for shift lengths before the market begins.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary. Must be comfortable moving around and being outgoing.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. The Farmer’s Market also has two orientation sessions at the beginning of the season (volunteers only need to attend one session). If volunteers cannot attend either session, a one-on-one orientation will be scheduled prior to volunteering.

Farmers Market Volunteer: Food Tent

• Purpose: Takes place on Wednesdays from May through October connecting Eastside residents with fresh local produce. A total of 13-20 volunteers is needed every week to make the Farmer’s Market a success. The food tent area is a place where food and health related information and activities take place.
• Job Title: Food Tent Volunteer
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center
• Key Responsibilities: The Food Tent Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:

1. Engage in conversations about food
2. Assist in getting information out about nutrition and healthy eating choices.

• Reports To: Hollie at hollish@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
• Length of Appointment: TBA
• Time Commitment: Food Tent will take place at the Farmer’s Market which are held Wednesdays from 2:30– 6:30. Contact Hollie for shift lengths before the market begins.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. The Farmer’s Market also has two orientation sessions at the beginning of the season (volunteers only need to attend one session). If volunteers cannot attend either session, a one-on-one orientation will be scheduled prior to volunteering.

Farmers Market Volunteer: Tent Set-up and Take Down

• Purpose: Takes place on Wednesdays from May through October connecting Eastside residents with fresh local produce. A total of 13-20 volunteers is needed every week to make the Farmer’s Market a success.
• Job Title: Tent Take Down/Set Up
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center
• Key Responsibilities: The Tent Take Down and Set Up may be asked to help with the following:

1. Be able to move tent equipment
2. Assist in tent set up/ take down
3. Fill water jugs
4. Move cement blocks

• Reports To: Hollie at hollish@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
• Length of Appointment: TBA
• Time Commitment: Food Tent will take place at the Farmer’s Market which are held Wednesdays from 2:30– 6:30. Set up will take place from 12:30-230pm and Take Down from 6:20-7:00pm.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. The Farmer’s Market also has two orientation sessions at the beginning of the season (volunteers only need to attend one session). If volunteers cannot attend either session, a one-on-one orientation will be scheduled prior to volunteering.

Farmers Market Volunteer: Sign-Making

• Purpose: Takes place on Wednesdays from May through October connecting Eastside residents with fresh local produce. A total of 13-20 volunteers is needed every week to make the Farmer’s Market a success.
• Job Title: Sign Making Volunteer
• Location: Allen Neighborhood Center
• Key Responsibilities: The Sign Making Volunteer may be asked to help with the following:

1. Come in before or at the market and make signs
2. Preferred to have knowledge of construction equipment

• Reports To: Hollie at hollish@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
• Length of Appointment: TBA
• Time Commitment: Sign Making will take place on or before the Farmer’s Market which are held Wednesdays from 2:30– 6:30. Contact Hollie for shift lengths before the market begins.
• Qualifications: No previous experience is necessary.
• Support Provided: All volunteers will be given an overall orientation to the Allen Neighborhood Center and its programs. The Farmer’s Market also has two orientation sessions at the beginning of the season (volunteers only need to attend one session). If volunteers cannot attend either session, a one-on-one orientation will be scheduled prior to volunteering.