Volunteer Now: Braille Assistant; Sew Crazy

To sign up for any of these volunteer opportunities or to learn more about volunteering, check out the United Way Volunteer Center. The following volunteer opportunities are available through the United Way of Waukesha County:

VITA Greeter, La Casa De Esperanza, Waukesha
La Casa de Esperanza´s VITA Program offers FREE tax preparation services for low-to-moderate income individuals and families who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Volunteers are needed to escort clients from our main reception area to the VITA waiting room, tax preparer room and anywhere else in the building. Requirements: Volunteers must be 18 years or older. Must be able to walk for long periods (3-4 hours), use stairs, as well as escort clients in the elevator; deal with the public in a helpful and supportive manner, including customer service skills; friendly, dependable, flexible, and a team-player; volunteer a minimum of 3-4 hours per week for the Volunteer Tax Program from approximately Mid-January through April 15, or at a minimum Mid-January through the end of February; bilingual is helpful, but not required. Contact Karen Oates, (262) 832-1536.    

Sew Crazy Event, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, Waukesha
Be a Girl Scout Event Volunteer and share your passion, have fun, and positively impact girls' lives. Assist or lead a group of 15-20 girls in grades 2-3 in simple hand sewing. Activities are already created and materials provided. May require additional set up and clean up time beyond the scheduled event. Staff will provide a detailed confirmation prior to the event. Requirements: Volunteers must be 18 years or older. All volunteers must complete a brief application and background check. Contact Megan Buehler, (414) 443-3913.    

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Speakers, Waukesha Co. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Waukesha
The AODA Speaker Program works with clients who have alcohol, drug dependency and other addictions. Volunteers are recovering people who regularly visit area facilities (Waukesha County Jail, Waukesha County Huber Facility, Lawrence Treatment Center, Waukesha County Alcohol Education Series, Waukesha County Mental Health Center, and the Century House half-way house) to reach out to those who are considering abstinence or are new in recovery. As a volunteer, you will partner with a veteran volunteer to visit these facilities to share your experience, strength and hope with men and women who suffer from alcoholism and other drug addictions. This can be a very rewarding opportunity that gives you the chance to make a difference in someone's life. Requirements: Volunteers must be 18 years or older and be comfortable talking to people about their experiences with alcohol and drug abuse situations. Contact Tom Cozzens, (262) 696-9091.    

Braille Department Assistant, Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement (ABLE), Waukesha
Volunteers are needed to help give blind people the self-sufficiency and independence that many of us take for granted. Fill out request forms, organize requests, proofread, burst, bind, and mail braille books, duplication and clerical duties. This is an ongoing and long-term commitment. We ask a minimum of 4 to 5 hours per week on Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday, sometime between the hours of 9am to 4pm. Training will be provided. Requirements: Must be 18 years or older, available weekdays. Contact Kathy Bruening, (414) 286-5172.     

For more information on United Way in Waukesha County, call (262) 547-8459 or visit   www.UnitedWayWaukesha.org/volunteer or www.VolunteerWaukesha.com