Volunteer & Intern Opportunities

The agency depends a great deal on the support of volunteers and interns from the community.  We offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to meet your interests and needs:

as well as upcoming events

For the potential volunteer/intern, we offer:

Paid co-ops or internships are also available for the student interested in a relief, direct care position.

To apply, please complete a volunteer application.....click here.  Please mail the completed application to:

                   Human Resources

                Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara

                   2393 Niagara Falls Blvd.

                   Niagara Falls, NY 14304

Should you have any questions regarding our volunteer opportunities please contact Kristen Cook at (716) 297-6400, ext. 256 or kcook@buffnet.net .

Board & Standing Committees

Volunteer positions are available on the board of directors, which meets monthly and provides oversight, guidance and financial direction to the agency.  Board members will serve a three-year term beginning in June 2007.  Standing committee positions are also available and focus on personnel, finance, guardianship, nominating and the various programs offered to people with disabilities. If you are interested, complete the Board of Director Application or the Committee Application available here.  Please consider offering your time and talents and return your completed application by the Friday, February 22, 2008 deadline.

Advocacy Program

Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara is recruiting caring individuals who are interested in becoming advocates and enhancing the lives of people with developmental disabilities. An advocate provides advice to help individuals with disabilities to make important, everyday decisions that improve the quality of their lives.

Volunteers should be patient, supportive and good listeners. Parents, family members and friends of individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as staff members from other human service agencies, are encouraged to consider an advocacy role.

Therese Mudd, Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara’s immediate past chairperson of the Board of Directors and member of the Advocacy Consultant Group, says “it is helpful for volunteers to have an understanding of disability issues and concerns, but anyone with a desire to help is welcome.”  This program stems from federal regulations and state policies which specify that advocates must be appointed to represent individuals who have no other person in their life to assist them in attaining their rights.

“This is a great opportunity for newly retired people who find themselves with free time,” Mudd said. “I would recommended this to anyone looking for an opportunity to expand their own lives.”

Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara is aggressively working to ensure that each consumer who is in need of an advocate is well matched to a trained volunteer.

The agency will conduct thorough training so every advocate becomes an educated and informed supporter to promote independence, inclusion and productivity for individuals with disabilities.

People with disabilities will benefit from having an objective individual in their lives who is trained in the advocacy role, educated in understanding their rights and needs, and focused on the individual’s wants and desires.

For more information about the advocacy program please contact Sally Garde at 716-297-6400 or sgarde@buffnet.net.  If you would like to apply to become an advocate please fill out the volunteer application and return it to:

                             Sally Garde

                             Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara

                             LPO Box 360

                             Niagara Falls, NY 14304

Speakers' Bureau

Our employees possess a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience in working with people with developmental disabilities and educating the community.

We would appreciate the opportunity to come to your business, organization, service club, church or school, to share information on a topic of your choice.

Our presentations can be formal, informal or round-table discussions and can accommodate small to large size groups.  Programs are offered free of charge to any organization in need of a speaker, but a donation to the Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation, Inc. is appreciated.

To receive a Speakers' Bureau directory or for more information please contact Roxane Albond-Buchner (716) 297-6400 ext. 261 or ralbondb@buffnet.net.

Niagara Floral Center & Greenhouse

The Niagara Floral Center & Greenhouse at Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, 2510 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield, depends upon support from the our friends and the private sector to provide horticulture therapy for people with developmental disabilities.

Since 1996, this program has provided on-the-job training and therapy to nearly 150 individuals each week. They take pride in their work, enjoy the activities associated with the greenhouse and love to see the results of their efforts. Additionally, they assist in selling the plants and floral products to the public, which is their true reward.

Do you have a green thumb or just love “playing” in the dirt?  We have the perfect place for you to use your talents! The Niagara Floral Center & Greenhouse at Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara is seeking volunteers to assist with gardening, planting, nurturing, weeding and other activities at the greenhouse and nature trail for at least four hours a week.   Volunteer positions are available year-round from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Monday - Friday. There are opportunities to work side-by-side with our consumers or work independently.

To apply, complete and return a volunteer application.....click here

Host a Meeting at Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara

Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara is opening its doors to organization seeking to hold a meeting offsite. Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara offers two sites in Niagara County.

Call the site that you are interested in hosting an event to make arrangements.

The use of a building is free of charge, but a donation to the Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation, Inc. is appreciated.

For more information about how you can make a difference....click here