Volunteer Opportunities in Laurel and Nearby

There are many volunteer positions are available in Anne Arundel County, and a few of these volunteer opportunities from the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center are listed below.

If you do not see an opportunity that fits your needs, contact the volunteer center by emailing ask.aacvc@outlook.com or calling 410-897-9207. Check out the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center website for even more opportunities.

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• Anne Arundel County Public Schools, 5th International Parent and Community Leadership Academy — Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ Office of School and Family Partnerships is looking for candidates for the fifth International Parent and Community Leadership Academy (IPCLA), which begins February 26, 2015. The six-week academy is aimed at improving communication between AACPS and international families and diversifying the pool of leaders in schools and the community who can better support the academic achievement of English Language Learners. Meetings will be held at the Parham Building, located at 2644 Riva Road in Annapolis. Participants will identify and discuss challenges facing international students and their families, gain a better understanding of AACPS programs and initiatives, learn about the responsibilities of the Board of Education, and outline methods for better communication with international families. Participation is free, and sessions are held on six Thursday mornings. More information, including an application form (in multiple languages), can be obtained through Laura Gardner at 443-624-8607 or lmgardner@aacps.org.

• Baltimore Community ToolBank — The Baltimore Community ToolBank stewards an inventory of hand, power, and gardening tools for lending at nominal charges to charitable organizations to increase the impact of their mission-related efforts in the community. Volunteers are needed (individually or in groups) to help with a variety of tasks relating to warehouse and tool organization and maintenance; these include tool assembly, repair and maintenance, and inventory and warehouse management and tool lending program support. For more information, contact the ToolBank at baltimore.volunteer@toolbank.org or 410-244.5565. See website: www.baltimore.toolbank.org/ under “Get Involved” for more information and to fill out an application.

• Baltimore Neighborhoods, Inc. (BNI) — Help BNI promote fair housing for all people in the Baltimore Metro area, including Anne Arundel County. Volunteers, 21 years of age and up, are trained to visit housing properties and meet with real estate representatives to inquire about the rental and sale of housing. A detailed report is then written and collected. Volunteers are generally asked to perform tests at specific locations and dates that vary according to project needs, however there is some flexibility. Volunteers must complete one 2-hour training session. Depending on funding, BNI provides a stipend for reports that are completed according to our guidelines. Contact Kerry Ose at kose@bni-maryland.org or 410-243-4468 to register. See website:www.bni-maryland.org.

• Baltimore Regional Transportation Board / Baltimore Metropolitan Council — This organization of the Baltimore region’s elected executives, representing Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties identifies regional interests, such as air and water quality programs, emergency preparedness, transportation planning, data systems, and more. The organization collaborates on strategies, plans, and programs to improve the quality of life and economic vitality of the Baltimore region. Volunteers are being sought to serve on the Citizens Advisory Committee and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Group; also needed are interested individuals to review and respond to public comment opportunities. For more information, contact Monica Haines Benkhedda at comments@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500. See website at: www.baltometro.org.

• Coordinators of Volunteers of Anne Arundel County (COVAAC) — COVAAC is a networking group made up of people managing volunteer programs in nonprofit organizations and agencies providing services in Anne Arundel County. The organization provides an opportunity to meet to talk about issues of importance, to hear from leading authorities in the field of volunteer program management, and to share promising practices. For more information contact Fay Mauro, Vice President, at 410-897-9207 orfay.aacvc@outlook.com. See website at: www.covaac.org.

• The Metropolitan Washington Ear — This organization located in Silver Spring, MD provides free multi-media reading services for visually impaired, blind, or physically disabled people who cannot read print. They help to bring visually impaired people into the mainstream, rather than segregating them from society. For information about opportunities, contact 301/681-6636 during business hours or email info@washear.org, or visit their website, www.washear.org. Volunteers ages 18 and up can help out in a variety of ways.

• TEAM DNR — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites adults interested in teaching students about Maryland’s natural environment to become a part of TEAM, Teaching Environmental Awareness in Maryland. Volunteers should have an outgoing personality, a strong environmental ethic, and a desire to teach 45-minute to 1.5-hour lessons in classrooms. Although no prior teaching experience is necessary, volunteers MUST attend a three-session TEAM training before beginning. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have their own transportation. TEAM currently offers free classroom programs on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, streams and macro invertebrates, oyster reefs, horseshoe crabs, and Maryland watermen. To learn more, visit dnr.maryland.gov/education/teamdnr.

-- Opportunities and descriptions courtesy of the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center. Photo via Dnr.state.md.us