Family Service of Central Indiana, Inc

Business Support / Clerical
Volunteers support Family Service staff by making copies of printed materials, filing case records and other items, assisting with mailings, calling clients to conduct satisfaction surveys, and performing other tasks as they arise.

Commitment:  Minimum of eight hours a month for at least one month
Location: Family Service downtown office
Schedule:  Flexible within regular business hours

On-Call Volunteers
These activities offer flexible schedules and volunteers will be called upon during their stated availability. Volunteers who work directly with clients will be asked to undergo limited criminal and child abuse background checks. Volunteers who will be helping to move clients will need to be able to life heavy objects. All volunteers will be asked to participate in at least one activity every two months for at least one year.

Community Outreach
Family Service offers a variety of programs, and families in the community need to learn that these services are available to assist them. Volunteers in this role primarily help staff agency fairs, which involves providing basic information about Family Service to members of the general public on a one-on-one basis.

Commitment: Agency fairs usually last three to five hours and are often scheduled during evenings and weekends
Location: Opportunities exist throughout our service region of Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties.
Schedule: Volunteers are “on-call” and staff agency fairs as their schedules allow
 
Domestic Violence Victims
Volunteers co-facilitate support groups for domestic violence victims. This responsibility involves preparing agendas and activities from approved curricula for weekly sessions; educating group members about domestic violence/relationship abuse, available community resources, and the cycle of violence; and maintaining detailed and accurate notes about issues discussed, options presented, and outcome reached for all participants. Support group leaders do not act as counselors or advocates, but instead help provide a supportive environment. Comprehensive training is also provided to all volunteers. Survivors of domestic violence/abuse who have been violence free for a minimum of two years are encouraged to apply.

Commitment: Attendance at two-hour group meetings for at least one year after training is completed
Location: Support groups meet throughout Marion County
Schedule: Group meetings last about two hours and take place during weekday afternoons and evenings as well as Saturday mornings
 
Older and Challenged Adults
“Adopt” an elderly client or adult with special needs. This opportunity provides a special chance to give support and companionship by visiting clients in their homes. While each person has different needs, volunteers typically provide companionship, read, assist with simple house and yard chores, and run errands. Although not required, some volunteers take their clients on outings to museums, movies, etc.

Commitment: Two visits a month that are at least two hours long (weekly visits preferred) for a minimum of six months
Location: Clients live throughout Marion County
Schedule: Very flexible as visits can be scheduled anytime that is acceptable to both the volunteer and the client. Also, visits do not have to be the same time each week.
 
Parent Mentors
Do you consider yourself a "seasoned parent"? Do you stay at home with your kids or have some extra time during the week that you'd like to offer to parents who may need a little extra mentoring or coaching? We are looking for caring, experienced parents who can offer guidance and support to parents in our community who may need a little extra help parenting their children. Mentors will provide education to families in that family's home around parenting skills and appropriate discipline, meal planning and nutrition, and housecleaning and maintenance. Parent mentors should be parents to children who are older (at least school-age) so that they can offer some breadth of experience to other parents. Training is provided.

Commitment: Weekly for at least six months
Location: Families live throughout Central Indiana
Schedule: Volunteers and families can create their own schedules based on availability.
 
Special Events
Volunteers are needed to serve on the planning committees for Family Service’s two fundraising events -- November’s Stand Up for Families and April’s Salute to Families. Committee members are involved in all elements of the event from selecting the menu, to finding special items for the auction, to securing sponsorships.

Commitment: Five to ten hours per month and attendance at the event itself
Location: Meetings and events take place in Indianapolis
Schedule: Committee meetings are held monthly and many tasks are completed outside of meetings. April’s Salute to Families is held on a Friday morning and November’s Stand Up for Families is held on a Saturday evening.
 

Do you have another skill or idea to offer our volunteer program? Simply fill out our volunteer inquiry form and we will contact you with further information.