Opportunities From: United Way of Central Iowa

Link Associates supports individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families who are well below poverty level income and struggle on a daily basis to meet their basic needs.

A food basket, Holiday meal items, or gift cards will help make their Holiday Season a little brighter!   A meal can be for the Thanksgiving Holiday or Christmas Holiday. There is also the opportunity to provide gifts for the Christmas Holiday if you are interested.

Please respond to receive a list of most current meal/ food and gift items needed!

You don't have to be Vince Lombardi to make a huge impact in the Special Olympic sports world. Help adults and youth with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities discover their athletic potential by coaching, supervising, and supporting them in a variety of sports and events. We have coaching opportunities for people who are passionate about people and sports, including basketball, weightlifting, track and field, swimming, soccer, bocce ball, softball, golf, volleyball, and bowling.

No formal skills are needed, just a positive attitude and the ability to support and encourage participants in their efforts. Link Associates will provide required training in First Aid, CPR, universal precautions, introduction to ID/DD and mandatory reporter. Volunteers must also complete an application, including a background and abuse check.

Going to the movies, shopping at the mall, eating out. These aren’t exactly activities you would chalk up as charitable, but when you’re a residential volunteer that’s exactly what they are. Link Associates needs patient and friendly volunteers to assist our Residential Counselors as they provide support for individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities on community outings. Have some fun out in the community while enriching the lives the adults we serve.

Volunteers need to complete a Link Associates Volunteer Application, which includes a background check. You will also need to complete the required agency trainings offered by Link Associates to make sure you’re ready and able to provide the most good possible.

Help others find their calling! Join our team in providing quality vocational day programs to those with intellectual disabilities. Whether you read to clients, assist with work tasks or crafts, or go along on community outings, you will bring a sense of purpose and joy to others! Getting started is simple! Process includes the Link Associates Volunteer Application form, background checks, and agency trainings.

Love to read? Or is gardening more your thing? How about cooking? Link Associates has all sorts of fun ways for volunteers to get involved. We offer activities such as book club, cooking club, gardening group, games, music, swimming, field trips, and more, and we need fun-loving volunteers to help make these activities run smoothly. Join us between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and have some fun while giving back.

To get started, volunteers need to complete an application with background checks and participate in a volunteer orientation. Any necessary training will be provided.

Introduce others to the world of art! As a volunteer for Community Art Connection, you’ll have the opportunity to present your artwork to a group of 25 adults with intellectual disabilities and lead a hands-on, art-related activity. Anything from painting to flower arranging, sing-a-longs to drama-your talents will truly be appreciated. Join us just one evening or sign-up to come every month or two - you decide. The artists at Link Associates are waiting for you!