Find Local Community Partners interested in Adult Education and Literacy below.
Janet Gilcrest, BART chair ~ bensonrefugeetf@gmail.com ~ (402) 990-4360
5410 Corby St., Omaha, NE 68104 ~ https://www.facebook.com/omaharefugees/
The Benson Area Refugee Taskforce, BART, is a group of volunteers from Benson who work with refugees. We provide citizenship tutoring to refugees. Furthermore, we have clothing drives throughout the year for our 3 times a year Clothes Closets for refugee families. We are always trying to think of new ways to help the refugee communities succeed. Since we are entirely volunteer based, we need volunteers for everything that we do. Citizenship classes are Sun pm at St. Paul UMC at 3 pm. Clothes Closets are 3x/year on a Saturday morning, with set-up during the week before. Citizenship tutoring follows lessons in a book most students have limited English.
David Hilber ~ bensonplantrescue@gmail.com ~ (402) 933-3867
7224 Maple St. Omaha, NE 68134 ~ Facebook Page
The Benson Plant Rescue (BPR) engages in organic recycling to combat global warming. Proceeds from plant sales fund the Community Produce Rescue’s (CPR’s) mission of food reclamation and assist the Omaha Public Library with children’s books and computers.
Since 1999, BPR-CPR has rescued plants/produce from retailers/gardeners. This North Omaha effort to improve the community with low cost plants (BPR) and FREE produce (CPR) has expanded into a nationally recognized model of environmental innovation.
BPR’s all-volunteer staff not only sells plants but dispenses knowledge about their care and culture, making this more like a neighborhood club than a garden center. Our motto says it all: “Growing Community, Not Just Plants.”
Miah Sommer, Executive Director ~ miah@thebikeunion.org ~ 402-238-5890
1818 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68102 ~ http://www.thebikeunion.org/
The Bike Union and Coffee provides workforce development and life skills for young adults impacted by the foster care system. 100% of your purchases go toward supporting our community programming. We have a unique approach to volunteering. Our greatest need is awarenesses of the stats that young adults who have aged out of foster care face. We ask volunteers meet with us over coffee and we can share some facts about foster care with them. With that knowledge, we hope they will invite someone for a coffee meeting at The Bike Union and share these statistics. In this way more and more people hear about foster care and how supporting The Bike Union can help alleviate this problem.
Linda Robincheau, Volunteer Coordinator ~ lrobincheau@catholiccharitiesdm.org ~ 712-256-2059 ext. 101
1215 N Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA ~ https://www.ccomaha.org/program-and-services/domestic-violence
Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program provides domestic violence and sexual abuse services to anyone faced with these issues through our 24-hour emergency shelter, crisis phone line, court advocacy, educational groups and outreach to under-served populations in nine counties surrounding Council Bluffs in southwest Iowa.
Types of Service: Assistance with daily activities, child care, collect or distribute clothing and personal care items, domestic abuse outreach, environmental clean up/yard or garden work, music or art activities, non-partisan advocacy work, office support or clerical and computer work, tutor or teach
Requirements: Background check
Dave Vankat, Senior Director & Community Relations ~ davev@ccomaha.org ~ (402) 829-9238
3300 North 60th Street, Omaha, NE 68104 ~ https://archomaha.org/discover/
Catholic Charities ministers to the greatest and most fundamental needs of our community. Since 1926, Catholic Charities has had a rich tradition of serving and advocating for the voiceless, hungry, addicted, abused, and forgotten individuals and families annually throughout the area.
At Catholic Charities, we . . .
-give shelter and safety to battered women and children
-feed the hungry
-assist immigrants during times of need
-develop new small business owners
-listen to and counsel people with mental illness
-partner new mothers with experienced mentors
-promote health and recreation to children and seniors
-reunite adoptive families
-support and guide those faced with untimely pregnancies
-teach children
-seniors and families life skills
Requirements: Some volunteer roles require background checks or bi-lingual (Spanish) ability.
Ramon Caldaza, Executive Director ~ director@sucentrolatino.com ~ (712) 256-6009
300 West Broadway Ste 16 Council Bluffs, IA 51503 ~ www.sucentrolatino.com
Our mission is to educate and empower Hispanic/Latino individuals and families towards a self-sufficient, safe and healthy life
Ty Nared ~ tnared@dospace.org ~ 402.819.4022
7205 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68114 ~ https://dospace.org
The future belongs to those who understand technology, and the only way to ensure we’ll be part of this future is to dramatically change technology access and education in Omaha. Do Space is a one-of-a-kind concept: It’s a community technology library, a digital workshop, and an innovation playground filled with new opportunities to learn, grow, explore and create. Do Space offers a variety of opportunities for volunteering and contributing to the success of our organization. Volunteer roles range from assisting with programs to providing high-level tech expertise to those that need it. We strive to be a welcoming environment for the community to participate in the organization’s mission. Visit our website to apply: https://www.dospace.org/volunteer/
Samantha Brown ~ sambrown1@creighton.edu ~ 402-280-3310
814 N. 20th Street Omaha, NE 68102 ~ https://www.creighton.edu/student-success/trio/educationalopportunitycenter
The TRiO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) serves low-income, first-generation adult learners right here on Creighton’s campus. The EOC helps adults in the Omaha community advance their education goals through GED classes, tutoring, resume creation, academic advising, and financial aid counseling. The EOC is looking for volunteers to assist as tutors for GED students. Volunteer tutors are needed Monday-Thursday, any time between 9:00am-4pm. Tutoring appointments are generally 1-2 hours.
Sonia Gray, Volunteer Manager ~ sonya@incommoncd.org ~ (402) 933-6672
1340 Park Ave, Omaha, NE 68105 ~ https://incommoncd.org/join/
inCOMMON alleviates poverty at a root level by uniting + strengthening vulnerable neighborhoods. Because the greatest strength of any neighborhood are the residents who call these places home, we’re committed to transforming neighborhoods through neighbors. Through a variety of community-based and resident-led initiatives, residents are finding ways to rebuild their neighborhoods together, as well as setting a community course away from poverty and toward sustainable futures for themselves and their families. Volunteers are a vital part of all of our activities! For some volunteer opportunities, certain qualifications are beneficial (i.e. Spanish-language skills are beneficial to an ESL tutor), but we also have many opportunities available that do not require special skills–there is a place for everyone!
Wildey Rodriguez ~ (402)444-6529 ~ wrodriguez@interculturalseniorcenter.org
5545 Center St, Omaha, NE 68106 ~ https://www.interculturalseniorcenter.org/
The Intercultural Senior Center is a non-profit organization that strives to improve the dignity, quality of life and physical well-being of seniors from around the world through advocacy, education, access to social services, and cultural enrichment activities that benefit the entire community. We envision an Omaha that values the wisdom and experience of our diverse elders and creates opportunities for them to embrace and enhance their community.
Efren Garcia ~ EGarcia@latinocenter.org ~ 4821 South 24th Street Omaha, NE 68107 ~ 402-733-2720 ~ https://www.latinocenter.org/get-involved/
The Latino Center of the Midlands provides a magnitude of bilingual services that focus on educating the community through a three main programs and one main partnership. We also seek to enhance the lives of the Heartland Latino Community by supporting the education and development of our youth and adults; promoting comprehensive engagement of our families in all facets of their lives; and by fostering leadership through a variety of services and activities.
Volunteers perform tasks as teaching a class, assisting a class, tutoring, child care and activities. As well as helping with major events where volunteer help is needed. Health & well-being services, financial education, social education, physical education, behavioral health education, adult basic education, advocacy services, youth truancy prevention services, youth groups services, and many other educational services are provided along with workforce assistance.
Healthy Kids Club is looking for 1-2 volunteers per day, Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30pm. This service opportunity is a great fit for anyone interested in healthy eating & lifestyle, public health, and/ or medicine. Volunteers must pass a background check. Spanish speaking volunteers are especially helpful!
Upcoming Get out the Vote phone banking opportunities are November 17 3pm-5pm, November 22 3pm-5pm and December 15 3-5pm.
Skills: Bilingual (Spanish & English) preferred, but not required for all volunteer roles
Jamilia Parker, Director of Family Engagement Services ~ jparker@learningcommunityds.org ~ 402-964-2585
1612 N. 24th Street Omaha, NE 68110 ~ https://learningcommunityds.org/
Together with school districts and community organizations as partners, we demonstrate, share and implement more effective practices to measurably improve educational outcomes for children and families in poverty.That all children within the Learning Community achieve academic success without regard to social or economic circumstance.
Katie Weber, Program Coordinator ~ katie@golearnall.org ~ 402-502-0698
8610 W Dodge Road Omaha, NE 68114 ~ www.golearnall.org
Our mission is to provide adult education (Literacy, GED, English as a Second Language, classroom and one-on-one tutoring). Classes are offered from 9:30am-7:30pm and volunteers are welcome at any time.
Summer opportunities:
Summer session starts June 7th and finishes July 29th. All classes will be remote and hosted on our online curriculum, Burlington English. We are capping class size at 10 students to give students the opportunity to participate fully in class.
At this moment, we anticipate needing 2 Advanced ESL class teachers and 1 Intermediate ESL class teacher. These classes are all on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5:30-7:00 PM. Anyone interested in teaching would do a volunteer orientation with Katie and additional training on using the Burlington English curriculum with an employee at Burlington. Anyone who might be interested can call or email Katie.
Morgan Mattson ~ 402-301-1891 ~ mmattson@lfsneb.org
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. is always in need of volunteers to assist with a variety of programs teaching job skills, mentoring children and adults, sorting donations, facilitating support groups and organizing community events. Volunteers are also needed to assist with refugee services; mentoring, tutoring, apartment set-up, and shopping. We also have opportunities for childcare, clerical support and special events. Lutheran Family Services matches volunteers to programs based on the volunteer’s location, skills and interests. Flexible hours and volunteer sites make volunteering at LFS convenient. We always welcome occasional volunteers and groups.
The Global Roots program is seeking volunteers interested in gardening/ farming on a regular or one time basis. The Global Roots program provides access to land, resources and support to refugee farmers in Nebraska. All service is outside and socially distanced.
To apply to volunteer visit our Volunteer Hub website: lfsneb.volunteerhub.com
Morgan Mattson, 402-578-7224, mmattson@lfsneb.org
Volunteer application:
Shelby Larson, Manager of Community Engagement ~ (402) 934-9700 ~ shelby.larson@omahahealthykids.org
5006 Underwood Avenue, Omaha, NE 68132 ~ https://omaha.net/omaha-healthy-kids-alliance
Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance is a nonprofit organization that works to create a Healthy Home for every child. Our main goal is to bring awareness and education to families in the city about environmental hazards, green and Healthy Homes, and lead poisoning. We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to help us accomplish our goal of creating Healthy Homes for every child in Omaha and beyond.
Volunteers with OHKA can:
1. Host a Healthy Home House Party: This is a great way for you to have some fun with your friends, learn about Healthy Homes and help support an incredible cause. At the party, our staff can help you make green cleaning supplies and natural home improvement remedies, teach you and your friends about Healthy Homes and our work, and you can adopt one of our families to help them make their home safer and healthier.
2. Do a Healthy Home Clean-Out: Once a month, we need volunteers to help us clean out a basement, clear out a living space, clean up a backyard or organize a living area for one of our families. We provide the supplies including haz-mat suits (when needed), gloves, dumpsters and cleaning equipment. Volunteer Clean-Out days usually occur on a Saturday morning for 2-3 hours.
3. Volunteer for Rundee: Rundee is our annual 5K run that is a fundraiser and awareness builder for OHKA. Volunteers help manage the course, staff the stations and cheer on the runners and walkers.
4. Help OHKA in the office: We are always in need of help to organize our supplies, manage the front desk, edit grants, or serve on a committee. Let us know what you’re good at and we will try to make it work!
5. Outreach events
Jody duRand, Partnership Manager ~ (402) 554-3385 ~ jdurand@omahalibrary.org
UNO Community Engagement Center, 6001 Dodge St #223B, Omaha NE 68182 ~ www.omahalibrary.org
Volunteers are welcome at any of our twelve locations. If you would like to volunteer and are able to commit to at least 6 months please visit the website at omahalibrary.org, scroll to the bottom of the homepage and click on Volunteer. You will find links for Adults and Youth.
Jacqueline Washington, Program Director ~ Jacqueline.Washington@ops.org ~ (531) 299-9395
3230 Burt St, Omaha, NE 68131 ~ Visit the Website!
The Independent Study Program (ISP) is part of the Multiple Pathways Program. ISP provides opportunities for students ages 17-21 to earn credit toward graduation in a homework based, self-paced, individualized environment. We need volunteers to help tutor students in Math, English, Social Studies and Science during the day, Mon – Fri, between 8:00am and 3:00pm and during the evenings for Adult High School Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4-7 pm. We are only 2 blocks from Creighton!!!
Requirements: Omaha Public Schools 2019-2020 Volunteer Application (designate Independent Studies Program/ Adult High School)
Glenn Simonsen ~ glenn.simonsen@ops.org ~ 531-299-0220
Yates Community Center, 3260 Davenport St, Omaha, NE 68131
Teaching English conversation and grammar to adult immigrants.Volunteers will work with small groups under the direction of a classroom teacher.
Claire Yocom~ Volunteer Coordinator~ cyocom@refugeeempowerment.org ~ (402) 677-4803
3610 Dodge St, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68131 ~ https://refugeeempowerment.org/volunteer/
The mission of the Refugee Empowerment Center is to resettle and empower refugees to become self-sufficient through direct services and educational programs. REC envisions a world where communities welcome all refugees and immigrants. We see ourselves as catalysts in the work of building welcoming communities. We aim to build relationships and a cross-cultural understanding between the Omaha and refugee communities. We are a community-based, Nebraska 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
Volunteers are key to our success in helping resettle newly arrived refugees and equipping them with the skills they need to be self-sufficient. We have a variety of ways you can help including providing transportation to social security, medical appointments, job interviews and other first 90 days transportation needs. Also setting up housing; helping set up household goods, etc. ESL class help and other assistance for newly arrived refugees. Training is provided!
Requirements: REC general volunteer training
LaJoanna Newsome ~ (402) 898-6000 ~ LaJonna_Newsome@usc.salvationarmy.org
10755 Burt Street. Omaha, NE 68114 ~ https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/omaha/
The Salvation Army seeks volunteers to help improve lives in our community. Various one-time and on-going opportunities including TurkeyFest, Toyland, and bell ringing. Volunteer numbers vary depending on the event. Some registration is required prior to volunteering.
Victoria Hecker, vhecker@sppsaints.org, Family Enrichment Coordinator
In person or virtual: TBD, Spanish helpful
We are focused on building a community of parents who drive their own education and progress. We support them as they work towards concrete goals in whatever area of their families’ lives they feel it is needed. We have four components to our program: Education for the children through the school; PACT time (where parents join their children in the classroom); Parent Time (focused on helping parents form a community, develop family literacy skills, and learn about family topics of their choice), and adult education (GED and ESL).
We are seeking volunteers to support the Adult Ed component by working with small groups of parents. At times, this will involve conversation practice; at other times, easy-to-follow lesson plans will be provided so that the volunteer can help the parents work through and practice new concepts.
Timothy Walker ~ timothy.walker@ops.org ~ (402) 898-9145
3215 Cuming St, Omaha, NE 68131
(Formally known as Yates Community Center, now located at the OPS TAC building.)
The OPS Parent Education Program’s mission is to teach refugees, immigrants, and other community members skills that will help them be successful in the Omaha Community.
The OPS Parent Education Program offers:
• ESL Classes: Conversational English and Citizenship Class
•Computer Lab: Learn English and computer skill at the same time.
• Early Childhood Center: Four Early Childhood classes are offered to assist children in school readiness.
The OPS TAC building is walkable from Creighton’s campus. Volunteers are welcome and needed to help provide tutoring in classes, assist adults in studying for their Driver’s License exam, and teaching students how to use the computer. Classes are in the mornings. Volunteers must complete an OPS volunteer application.
