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:
 |
direct work with
individuals with disabilities |
|
recreational
activities |
|
Niagara Floral
Center & Greenhouse |
|
clerical/office
work |
|
fundraising and
community events |
|
intern opportunities in specialized areas, i.e., physica |
|
serve on
agency or foundation board of directors |
For the potential volunteer/intern, we offer:
|
on-going
volunteer opportunities as well as one-time events |
|
flexible hours
& schedules |
|
complete
training & orientation |
|
Locations
throughout Niagara County |
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 Patty McClaister at (716) 504-2625, or
pmccalister@opportunitiesunlimited.org
.
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
2010. 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 Tuesday, March 23 deadline.
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, member of Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara’s 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 program participant who is in need of an advocate
is well matched to a trained volunteer.
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@opportunitiesunlimited.org.
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
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 ralbond@opportunitiesunlimited.org.
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 and 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
program participants or work independently.
To apply, complete and return a volunteer
application.....click here
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.
1555 Fashion Outlet Blvd. Niagara
Falls, NY 14304 (716)
297-6400 †
Newly furnished Board Room which seats
20 persons †
Cafeteria which seats 60 persons † Catering available |
107 Heath Street Lockport,
NY 14094 (716)
434-4050 †
New state of the art facility †
Board Room which seats 22 persons †
Training Room which seats 16 persons †
Kitchen area with seating for 40 persons † Refreshments available |
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
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CopyrightŪ Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara 1999
Last modified 08/25/10