Opportunities From: United Way of Central Iowa

Toys, toys, toys! Every year, the Families Forward Holiday Toy Pantry serves up to 1,000 children in the Des Moines Metro. These children's families are struggling to make ends meet, and the toys they receive at the Toy Pantry may be the only gifts that they receive. Won't you help make a child's Christmas bright? Toys are needed by Friday, December 12, 2025.

Click here to see our entire shopping list. 

The Families Forward Holiday Toy Pantry serves all children ages 0 to 18.

Most Needed Items:

Drop Off Location & Hours:
Families Forward Child Development Center
1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines Iowa 50315
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm

Donation Drop Off at Hartford Avenue:
Pull up by the back door of the yellow Child Development Center. Open the gate
behind the Child Development Center and go to the very last door. The door is up 5
steps, and the glass window says “Administrative Office”. Ring the doorbell and
someone will accept your donations. Please have gift card(s) in an envelope and hand
directly to our staff.

Questions or To Schedule a Drop Off: For questions or to schedule evening and weekend drop offs, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Thank you for your interest in supporting the families at Families Forward this holiday season!         

To sign up to help, click here!

We have two ways you can support Iowa's most vulnerable children & families experiencing homelessness:

You may choose to support both programs.

We ask that all gifts remain unwrapped so families can experience the joy in picking items out and wrapping them for their loved ones.

Please contact Melanie Wright with any questions.
Office: 515-244-9748 | Email: melanie@familiesforward.org

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Thank you for your interest in supporting the families at Families Forward this holiday season!

To sign up to help, click here!

We have two ways you can support Iowa's most vulnerable children & families experiencing homelessness:

You may choose to support both programs.

We ask that all gifts remain unwrapped so families can experience the joy in picking items out and wrapping them for their loved ones.

Please contact Melanie Wright with any questions.
Office: 515-244-9748 | Email: melanie@familiesforward.org

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Help us provide warm coats and winter-wear for those struggling financially in our community.  We believe everyone has the right to be warm and be protected from the cold Iowa winter weather. The following new and gently-used items are needed: 

Drop Off Location:  1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines IA 50315

To schedule a drop off, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404. Please allow 48 hours for scheduling.

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Every year, at our Holiday Toy Pantry, we provide hats and gloves for the 1,500 children receiving gifts at our event. These children's families are struggling to make ends meet. We need your help to make sure that these children have the warm essentials that they need for the cold winter days ahead. The Holiday Toy Pantry will start on 12/07/2024. 

Donation Drop Off Information:

For questions, contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Thank you for your interest in preparing dinner(s) for the families staying at New Directions Shelter. 

Dinners are primarily needed on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Dates Dinners Are Currently Needed:

October

November

December

This opportunity involves preparing (or buying) and donating a well-balanced, child-friendly dinner. The meal needs to feed up to 20 people (mostly children). Food needs to be dropped off by 4:00 - 4:30 pm on the designated day. Meals are just dropped off; there is no serving involved. We do have the ability to heat/re-heat as needed. Drinks and/or desserts are not required but are appreciated.​More information will be provided to you after sign up, or contact Melanie Wright if you have any questions.

Office Phone 515-244-9748 | Email: melanie@familiesforward.org

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Families Forward Child Development Center is having a Fall Party for kids on Friday, October 31st. Our child development center welcomes 58 children ages newborn through 5.

Donations are needed for the event. Donations should be dropped off by Wednesday, October 29th. 

If you have any difficulties getting signed up to bring items, please email: missy@familiesforward.org

The following items are needed: 

Questions: Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404 or by text at 515-346-8895. We can provide suggested retailers or online links to purchases supplies. 

About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.

Volunteers are needed to organize our donation area and do light cleaning in our shared living spaces (living room, dining room, and kitchen). ​Volunteers would be organizing clothing, personals/toiletries, feminine hygiene products, diapers, cleaning products, school supplies, food items, and much more. We provide basic necessities every month for up to the 77 families staying in New Directions Shelter, The Home Connection, and our other housing programs.​

​This is a great project for a single person to work on, or you can sign up to bring a group (up to 10 people at a time). Volunteers should be 10 and older. Youth 14 years of age and younger should have an adult on site with them while volunteering. 

Questions? Sign up to receive more information or contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404.

About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help, including an overview about poverty in the Des Moines metro. We provide a unique cultural and economically diverse volunteer experience. 

Information for First-time Volunteers: Click here for information about parking, how to check in when you arrive, and much more. 

Note: This program does not accept court-ordered community service, but our food pantry does. 

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Need a project to do at home? We need bags for the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry. Recycle your old t-shirts into no-sew t-shirt bags.  We can use over 120 t-shirt bags per day, so we welcome large donations of these bags. (We are now serving 6,000 to 9,000 people per month.)  

Making no-sew t-shirt bags is a great project that you can do from home and allows you to re-purposes an old t-shirt.​ No-sew t-shirt bags are sturdier than plastic bags, can hold more food items, and be re-used.  This project is also kid-friendly and environmentally friendly.

We also need used plastic grocery bags, paper grocery bags and cloth bags. 

Drop Off Location: 1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines IA 50315

For Instructions: Click here to view the instructions to make the bags.

Questions? Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) Has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Have a large group that is looking to volunteer together? We’d love your help! We welcome groups of up to 75 volunteers at one time. We can only host one large volunteer group per day. Our calendar can fill up quickly.

Volunteer shifts range from 2 – 8 hours. (You choose.) Volunteer opportunities include:

For more information or to sign up: Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.

About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help, including information about the work our organization does to support the community.  

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) Has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Volunteers are needed to assist with picking up food donations for the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry at various retailers and grocery stores. We are looking for volunteers that could help on a regular basis (either weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly). Volunteers should be 18 years old or older. 

Hours available for this position are:

Volunteers would help in the following way:

To Volunteer: Contact Missy Reams for scheduling at missy@familiesforward.org, or by phone at 515-989-8404, or by text at 515-346-8895.

About Bidwell Pantry: At the Bidwell Pantry, we provide basic necessities to families in need. Help families “shop” through our free building for food, personal care items, clothing, and household items. Serving up to 6,700 individuals per month, Bidwell provides hope to families and helps them bridge the gap, so that they can spend their hard earned money on other necessities besides food and clothing.

About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help, including an overview about poverty in the Des Moines metro. We provide a unique cultural and economically diverse volunteer experience.

Information for First-time Volunteers: Click here for information about parking, how to check in when you arrive, and much more.

About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.

Volunteers are needed to help families get food, clothing and other basic necessities at the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry. Training is provided when a volunteer first arrives.       

Volunteers help in the following way each day:   

Volunteers needed Monday through Friday (day time and evening shifts) and some Saturdays.  

Volunteers should be 5 years of age or older to volunteer. Youth 12 years of age and younger should have an adult on site with them while volunteering. 

Questions: Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404 or by text at 515-346-8895.

About Families Forward Bidwell Pantry: At the Families Forward Bidwell Pantry, we provide basic necessities to families in need. Help families “shop” through our free building for food, personal care items, clothing, and household items. Serving 6,000 - 9,000 individuals per month, our pantry provides hope to families and helps them bridge the gap, so that they can spend their hard earned money on other necessities besides food and clothing.

About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help, including an overview about poverty in the Des Moines metro. We provide a unique cultural and economically diverse volunteer experience.

Information for First-time Volunteers: Click here for information about parking, how to check in when you arrive, and much more. 

About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.

The Bidwell Pantry needs used plastic grocery bags to help bag up the pantry guests’ groceries. The Bidwell Pantry serves 6,000 to 9,000 individuals per month. With the rising costs of food and supplies, you can help make a difference more than ever.

We also accept used paper grocery bags and cloth bags. We are currently serving between 100 to 150 families per day and need 2-3 bags for each person's groceries.  

Drop Off Location:  1203 Hartford Avenue, Des Moines IA 50315

Questions:  Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or call 515-989-8404.

About Families Forward:  Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) Has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Host a Clothing Donation Drive to help provide clothing and needed items to those struggling financially in our community. The Families Forward Bidwell Pantry serves between 6,000 to 9,000 people each month, so all sizes and ages of clothing are welcome. (All items are free to those that come to our pantry.)  

Scheduling a Drop Off

Needed Items (New or Gently-Used):

About Families Forward:  Families Forward has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.​

Our Mission

Repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives.

Our Vision

Safe homes and communities for everyone.

Experience. Expertise.

For 30 years, we have been dedicated to helping low-income homeowners with critical home repairs and modifications for accessibility. We work every day to rebuild homes, striving to make them safe and healthy for local families.

No cost, ever to the family.

On average, our homeowners live at or below the poverty level and are forced to choose between food, medicine and shelter needs. We provide these critical home repairs at no cost to qualified homeowners. Rebuilding Together is often the last resort to preserving their homeownership – their only personal asset.

Our partner sponsors provide funds and/or an optional volunteer day to provide much needed repairs to homes. Your company or group can sign up today and we will match your team with a family in need!

Thanks to the generosity of our partners, our network moves the needle on addressing the low-income families living in unsafe and unhealthy homes across our community. Our efforts to rebuild lives and communities would not be possible without their continued support.

Partner Sponsor benefits are numerous:

Volunteers prepare a meal to serve shelter clients for dinner. Needs to feed up to 35 people.

Meal Provider Guidelines: 

The Pet Project helps keep pets with their families and out of shelters through proactive programming. 

We are looking for someone with great organizational skills who would like to join our active all-volunteer board to manage our pantry. The position includes scheduling shifts, training new volunteers for pantry work or special activities, and keep the pantry shelves organized to ensure we use the food with the closest expiration date first. The role would partner closely with the Inventory Manager position.

Our organization does not require a financial commitment to join the board, but we actively participate in the operation and serving our clients. We ask that members support our activities and provide a level of donation they are comfortable with.

Commitment would be to attend one-hour board meeting monthly, work a pantry shift on Saturday each month, attend the pantry committee meeting every six weeks, and flexible hours to organize product and volunteer needs.

The Pet Project helps keep pets with their families and out of shelters through proactive programming. 

We are looking for someone with experience managing social media accounts and updating a Wordpress website who would like to join our organization as a volunteer (possibility for board membership if desired)! Our current social media manager needs some help to be able to accomplish everything we want to do. The common actives include creating posts, managing our social media account, and updating our website as needed.

If you prefer just volunteering without a board commitment, this work is volunteer and can be done fully remote if desired.

Optional board opportunity:

Our organization does not require a financial commitment to join the board, but we actively participate in the operation and serving our clients.

Commitment would be to attend one-hour board meeting monthly, work a pantry shift on Saturday approximately every other month, and flexible hours to manage the finances.

Disaster Action Team: While big hurricanes and wildfires get the most news coverage, smaller disasters are no less devasting to the families affected. Most of the 60,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are smaller disasters like home fires. As a Disaster Action Team volunteer, you can help comfort and support people in your community by meeting any immediate needs such as food, shelter, clothing or supplies and connecting them to long term recovery services. We supply all the training you need. For more information or to apply go to: https://www.redcross.org/volunteertoday

Scan QR code to be a Red Cross volunteer!

Disaster Health Services Team: During large disasters, you can use your professional skills as a licensed healthcare provider to deliver hands on care and education to shelter residents. Free online training will be provided and can count towards nursing continuing education units. If the need arises, volunteers are asked to commit to multiple local shifts of 4-12 hours each. For those able to travel outside of their local area, a commitment of at least 10-14 consecutive days, working 8- or 12-hour shifts is required. Qualified licenses include RN, LPN, LVN, EMT, Paramedic, MD, DO, PA, NP, APRN. Only RNs have full scope of practice. For more information or to apply go to: https://www.redcross.org/volunteertoday

Scan QR code to be a Red Cross volunteer!

The IRC in Des Moines seeks multiple volunteers to teach required Cultural Orientation classes, where newly arrived refugees learn important information about life in the US and Iowa

TITLE: Cultural Orientation Volunteer

LOCATION: Des Moines, IA                   

START DATE: Ongoing

DURATION: Minimum 3-month time commitment, background check required

SCHEDULE: Cultural Orientations are held 4-6 days a month on Thursdays and Fridays, typically between 10-4. Shifts are available 10-1 and 1-4. Scheduling is flexible depending on availability.

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.  

The Des Moines, IA office was opened in July of 2022, serving more than 200 refugees in its first year. Our operations expanded to Iowa City with our office opening in February 2024. The Health and Wellness Coordinator supports clients in navigating complex medical and benefits systems, and designs and connects clients to programs and resources that improve their quality of life.

The IRC in Des Moines seeks volunteers to teach Cultural Orientation classes, where newly arrived refugees learn about the basics of life in the U.S. Wide-ranging topics such as emergency services, transportation, and school are covered so that refugees can begin to thrive in their new environment. Volunteers will also help newly arrived refugees explore their neighborhoods and provide follow-up support for individuals needing additional one-on-one assistance.

This is an unpaid volunteer position.

Go to https://irc-global.my.salesforce-sites.com/volunteer and complete the application. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to iowa@rescue.org. Once your application is received, a staff member will contact you for a brief interview. You will then receive a link to complete a background check. Finally, you will be contacted to attend a required volunteer training. 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. 

IRC in Des Moines is seeking multiple Child Care Volunteers to assist with supervising and entertaining children in the office while their parents participate in programmatic learning in cultural orientation.

TITLE: Childcare Supervision Volunteer

LOCATION: Des Moines, IA                   

START DATE: Ongoing

DURATION: Minimum 3-month time commitment, background check required

SCHEDULE: Cultural Orientations are held 4-6 days a month on Thursdays and Fridays, typically between 10-4. Shifts are available 10-1 and 1-4. Scheduling is flexible depending on availability.

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.  

The Des Moines, IA office was opened in July of 2022, serving more than 200 refugees in its first year. Our operations expanded to Iowa City with our office opening in February 2024. The Health and Wellness Coordinator supports clients in navigating complex medical and benefits systems, and designs and connects clients to programs and resources that improve their quality of life.

The IRC in Des Moines seeks volunteers to assist with child care and supervision during Cultural Orientation programming for parents. Classes range from 1- 6 hours, depending on the topic, and could be held in and out of the IRC Des Moines office. Children range in age from babies to teens. The Cultural Orientation classroom is located directly next to our private childcare room. 

This is an unpaid volunteer position.

Go to https://irc-global.my.salesforce-sites.com/volunteer and complete the application. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to iowa@rescue.org. Once your application is received, a staff member will contact you for a brief interview. You will then receive a link to complete a background check. Finally, you will be contacted to attend a required volunteer training. 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. 

TITLE: Health & Wellness Program Volunteer

LOCATION: Des Moines, IA                   

START DATE: Ongoing

DURATION: Minimum 3 months time commitment

SCHEDULE: Flexible, but at least 2 - 4 hours per week Monday – Friday, between 9-5 PM.

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.  

The Des Moines, IA office was opened in July of 2022, serving more than 200 refugees in its first year. Our operations expanded to Iowa City with our office opening in February 2024. The Health and Wellness Coordinator supports clients in navigating complex medical and benefits systems, and designs and connects clients to programs and resources that improve their quality of life.

Under the supervision of the Health & Wellness Coordinator, volunteers will assist caseworkers in driving clients to medical appointments and identifying resources and relationships with agencies in the community that can expand offerings, activities, and health resources for IRC clients.

RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

This is an unpaid volunteer position with an opportunity for reimbursement for using a personal vehicle.

Go to https://irc-global.my.salesforce-sites.com/volunteer and complete the application. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to iowa@rescue.org. Once your application is received, a staff member will contact you for a brief interview. You will then receive a link to complete a background check. Finally, you will be contacted to attend a required volunteer training. 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. 

The IRC in Des Moines seeks volunteers to work with resettlement staff to assist refugees during their first 90 days in the United States. Volunteers will assist the case manager in welcoming refugees resettling in Des Moines by being part of the team that sets up their new apartment or house!

TITLE: Welcome Committee: Housing Set Up Volunteer

LOCATION: Des Moines, IA                   

START DATE: Ongoing

DURATION: Minimum 1-month time commitment

SCHEDULE: Flexible (mostly on call) most setups occur Monday – Friday, between 9-5 PM, but can also happen on weekends. A typical housing setup takes 2-5 hours.

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.  

The Des Moines, IA office was opened in July of 2022, serving more than 200 refugees in its first year. Our operations expanded to Iowa City with our office opening in February 2024. The Health and Wellness Coordinator supports clients in navigating complex medical and benefits systems, and designs and connects clients to programs and resources that improve their quality of life.

The volunteer will assist the case manager to prepare and furnish apartments for new refugee families. Volunteers will not be required to purchase anything.

This is an unpaid volunteer position with an opportunity for reimbursement for using a personal vehicle.

Go to https://irc-global.my.salesforce-sites.com/volunteer and complete the application. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to iowa@rescue.org. Once your application is received, a staff member will contact you for a brief interview. You will then receive a link to complete a background check. Finally, you will be contacted to attend a required volunteer training. 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. 

The IRC in Des Moines seeks volunteers to work with resettlement staff to assist refugees during their first 90 days in the United States. Volunteers will assist the case manager in completing required services to help clients integrate into their new communities such as bus training and ESL registration during the client's first 90 days.

TITLE: Refugee Resettlement Volunteer

LOCATION: Des Moines, IA                   

START DATE: Ongoing

DURATION: Minimum 1-month time commitment

SCHEDULE: Flexible, 2-4 hours a week Monday – Friday between 9-5 PM.

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.  

The Des Moines, IA office was opened in July of 2022, serving more than 200 refugees in its first year. Our operations expanded to Iowa City with our office opening in February 2024. The Health and Wellness Coordinator supports clients in navigating complex medical and benefits systems, and designs and connects clients to programs and resources that improve their quality of life.

The IRC in Des Moines seeks volunteers to work with resettlement staff to assist refugees during their first 90 days in the United States. Volunteers will assist the case manager in completing required services to help clients integrate into their new communities.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

This is an unpaid volunteer position with an opportunity for reimbursement for using a personal vehicle.

Go to https://irc-global.my.salesforce-sites.com/volunteer and complete the application. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to iowa@rescue.org. Once your application is received, a staff member will contact you for a brief interview. You will then receive a link to complete a background check. Finally, you will be contacted to attend a required volunteer training. 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. 

The IRC in Des Moines seeks multiple volunteers to work with our Matching Grant (employment) Case Manager to teach Employment Readiness classes and assist with completing employment-related tasks such as job applications and rides to interviews.

TITLE: Employment Program Volunteer

LOCATION: Des Moines, IA                   

START DATE: Ongoing

DURATION: Minimum 3-month time commitment

SCHEDULE: Flexible, 2-6 hours a week Monday – Friday between 9-5 PM.

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.  

The Des Moines, IA office was opened in July of 2022, serving more than 200 refugees in its first year. Our operations expanded to Iowa City with our office opening in February 2024. The Health and Wellness Coordinator supports clients in navigating complex medical and benefits systems, and designs and connects clients to programs and resources that improve their quality of life.

The IRC in Des Moines seeks volunteers to work with our Matching Grant (employment) Case Manager to complete required aspects of the program, such as Employment Readiness classes, job applications, transportation to interviews, completing paperwork, and other activities that will help clients succeed in their new jobs. 

This is an unpaid volunteer position with an opportunity for reimbursement for using a personal vehicle.

Go to https://irc-global.my.salesforce-sites.com/volunteer and complete the application. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to iowa@rescue.org. Once your application is received, a staff member will contact you for a brief interview. You will then receive a link to complete a background check. Finally, you will be contacted to attend a required volunteer training. 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. 

Help the IRC in Iowa (Des Moines and Iowa City) mobilize the community in support of our clients! Work in support of the Development and Community Engagement Team, by creating and disseminating content that engages the local communities we work in. We need help with making flyers and posting them around town, creating social media content, helping with events and more

TITLE: Community Engagement Volunteer

LOCATION: Des Moines, IA (mostly virtual)                

START DATE: Ongoing

DURATION: Minimum 2-month time commitment

SCHEDULE: Flexible, (mostly virtual support) 1-3 hours a week Monday – Friday between 9-5 PM. Occasional weekend event support.

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.  

The Des Moines, IA office was opened in July of 2022, serving more than 200 refugees in its first year. Our operations expanded to Iowa City with our office opening in February 2024. The Health and Wellness Coordinator supports clients in navigating complex medical and benefits systems, and designs and connects clients to programs and resources that improve their quality of life.

Work in support of the Development and Community Engagement Team, by creating and disseminating content that engages the local communities we work in. 

This is an unpaid volunteer position.

Go to https://irc-global.my.salesforce-sites.com/volunteer and complete the application. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to iowa@rescue.org. Once your application is received, a staff member will contact you for a brief interview. You will then receive a link to complete a background check. Finally, you will be contacted to attend a required volunteer training. 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. 

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is looking for a few licensed groomers who would be willing to donate their time at least once a week! 

Shifts are 2 hours in length. 

Flexibility with days.

Join our team and our fight to get our fur kiddos out of the shelter and into loving homes!

Grooming licensure or current enrollment in grooming school required

Volunteer profile required. Please email mapplegate@arl-iowa.org if interested!

Shelter Service Associate: During large disasters, you can support the day-to-day activities within a shelter which may include working in reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information or other areas within a shelter. Free online training will be provided. If the need arises, volunteers are asked to commit to multiple local shifts of 4-12 hours each. For those able to travel outside of their local area, a commitment of at least 14 consecutive days, working 8- or 12-hour shifts is required. For more information or to apply go to: https://www.redcross.org/volunteertoday

Scan QR code to be a Red Cross volunteer!

Dog walking Volunteers needed!

Looking for a great way to stay active, get some fresh air, and cumulate those endorphins while also helping some homeless pups?! Dog walking is for YOU!

ARL Dog walkers provide enrichment and exercise to the dogs  throughout the shelter. As a dog walker, you will take dogs outside for bathroom breaks and exercise, providing them with a break from their kennel while they wait to be adopted by their FURever families!

Requirements::

Must be able  to handle medium to large size dogs

2 hours every other week 

Shift times vary!

We could use dog walking assistance at our ARL Main campus at 5452 NE 22nd street as well as our DMAS Campus at 1441 Harriet St!

This is a  volunteer opportunity that requires training. Training is required and must be set up ahead of time through the volunteer department.

Please email volunteer@arl-iowa.org if interested!

Be the connection between those with an extra bed and those without. Join the FreeStore in their mission to provide furniture to families who are starting over. Use your ability to communicate and get folks organized as you receive calls from potential donors and coordinate pick-up of items.

Our pick-up teams rely on someone like you to create an efficient schedule so we can fill our warehouse and help more people. Working from home, volunteers receive calls for two weeks followed by six weeks off, and so the rotation continues. By fielding these important phone calls, you will help women who are leaving domestic violence shelters and other difficult circumstances.

Hope Ministries Thrift Store is great for small group’s 5-10 people.

Revenue from Hope Ministries Thrift supports Hope Ministries’ programs and services for men, women and children who are homeless, hungry, abused or addicted. Therefore, whether you are shopping at our stores, donating items that can be sold, or volunteering your time, you are helping support our food, shelter and recovery services!

We have two locations:

4640 Merle Hay Rd

500 E Army Post Rd

We invite you and your group of 5-10 people to volunteer for 3-4 hours at a time on our Corporate Friday’s of the month (every Friday is a Corporate Friday ;)

Possible duties include:

- Receiving and receipting donated items

-Sorting donated items into categories

-Tagging items into categories such as clothing, housewares, accessories, jewelry, etc.

-Testing electric items

-Preparing items for sale and putting items out on the sales floor purging unsold items from the sales floor

We would love to have you, thank you for your consideration.

If you’d like to schedule a Corporate Friday Volunteer shift please contact me, Leslie Green lgreen@hopeiowa.org or 515-265-7272