Volunteer
Share your time & talents
Help Build a More Equitable Future!
Thank you for your interest in sharing your time and talents with Community Action Network (CAN)!
Our volunteer opportunities are based on the needs of each unique neighborhood with which CAN partners. You can learn more about each CAN site through the 'locations' tab above.
Working with Children & Youth in CAN's Educational Programs
After School Program Mentor
This is a good fit for someone looking to be a strong role model for children in K-12 grades during our After School Programs.
After School Program Mentors build meaningful, supportive relationships, help implement CAN's educational curriculum, encourage children's healthy social-emotional skill development, provide academic/homework support, and cultivate an environment honoring inclusion, flexibility, and collaboration. Mentors receive pre-volunteering training and ongoing support/check-ins from team members.
Commitment:
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A minimum of 2-3 hours a week with a consistent weekly schedule for a semester or more.
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After School Program operates Monday-Thursday, typically between 3-6pm (may vary by site), September-May.
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There is some flexibility, so please reach out to make sure we find the best fit.
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All adults (18+) working with our children & youth will complete a background check.
After School Program enrichment support
This is a good fit for a person or group who wants to attend a portion of the After School Program to provide activities that enrich the robust curriculum already provided to children in CAN’s educational programs. Examples include reading literacy, naturalist activities, general homework help/tutoring, art, and other talents you may want to share with youth.
Commitment: Depends on volunteer availability and CAN community needs.
All adults (18+) working with our children & youth will complete a background check.
"I volunteered with the CAN summer program at Brick Elementary...and that work basically saved me...everyone in those classrooms brightened my day and summer! ...I am forever grateful for the experience of working with CAN."
-Rachel L.
"One of my favorite aspects of the program is the (After School) program is the enthusiasm of the staff...and the energy the students bring every day." - Susan M.
Working with Family Stabilization through CAN's Food Distributions and Pantries
Food Distribution Partner
This is a good fit for a person or small group interested in supporting food security and family stabilization efforts. Food distribution partners help with unloading the food truck, inspecting and organizing food, making bags of food, and distributing food to community members. Below are the times each site typically has volunteer opportunities for food distribution partners:
Arrowwood Hills- 2nd Friday of the month from 8:30 am-Noon
Brick- Thursdays from 9 am-11 am
Bryant- Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays from 9 am-Noon and/or 11 am-2 pm
Creekside Court- 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 1 pm-3 pm
Green Baxter Court- Every other Wednesday from 12:30 pm-2:30 pm (from 7/12/23)
Hikone- Every other Wednesday from 12:30 pm-3 pm (from 7/19/23)
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Working with CAN's General Community Projects
and donating to CAN's annual drives
General Community projects and drives for agency needs
People who volunteer at CAN have a large range of interests and abilities. Our team is excited to explore where your interests and abilities intersect with the needs of each community center and its residents. Examples of ways volunteers have partnered with CAN include:
Community Projects:
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Community clean-up/trash pick-up events
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Working with CAN families to prepare community gardens for winter or spring and/or general landscaping around the community centers
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Deep cleaning CAN community centers
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Painting community center walls (touch-ups or repainting entire rooms)
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Donating nutritious meals/snacks for kids to enjoy during our After School Programs
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Collecting food, personal care items, and cleaning items for families to receive through CAN's emergency food pantries
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Volunteering during and donating items for community center events and parties. This could include donating meals/snacks, party supplies, serving food, or leading fun activities at parties.
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Assisting with renovation or center updates (including furniture assembling or dissembling, which requires some mechanical/tool know-how)
Annual Agency Drives:
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Providing food for summer camp
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Providing school supplies
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Providing Thanksgiving meal baskets and gift cards
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Providing holiday gifts to children based on their unique wishlists
Please contact volunteers@canwashtenaw.org
if you have any questions
Want to support the great work of CAN but not able to volunteer at this time?
Don't worry--there are other ways you can help!
You can support CAN by providing a financial contribution, signing up to give while you shop,
donating items/goods, becoming a corporate sponsor, and advocating for CAN's work
within your communities
Find out more information by clicking the buttons below.
