Needs From: Volunteer Center of Greater Battle Creek and Kalamazoo

Join our children's Dreamery Center food services team in preparing delicious, nutritious, farm-to-table meals.

DAY:  Any day, Monday-Friday

Hours:  Any shift between 9 am and 3 pm. 2-3 hour shifts are preferred but not required.

Location: Kitchens at both the Downtown and Edison Children's Dreamery Center.

Qualifications:

1. 18 years of age

2.  Must have basic kitchen skills.

3. Interest in food, cooking, and children’s nutritional health

4. Must be able to work with people of diverse backgrounds

Responsibilities:

1. Assist with food prep

2. Help with dishwashing, sanitizing surfaces, and keeping the kitchen clean

3. Delivering food to the classrooms (Downtown Only)

4. Stocking shelves and organizing supplies

5. Supporting creative kitchen projects

6. Willingness to assist with other tasks as needed

Physical Requirements:

1.  Standing, lifting, bending, twisting  

2.  Must be able to lift up to 10-15 pounds

Position Training and Requirements:

1. Volunteers must agree to fingerprinting for our Edison         Center Kitchen. YWCA covers all expenses for printing.

2.  Required Children’s Dreamery Center training

3.  General understanding of YWCA Mission

Help create a calm, comforting environment during naptime for our youngest children. As a baby naptime volunteer, your quiet presence and gentle care provide a sense of security that supports healthy rest and development. This peaceful time benefits both babies and volunteers, offering a unique opportunity to slow down, connect, and experience the healing power of nurturing care.

Days: Any day Monday-Friday

Hours: 12 pm to 2 pm

Location: Children's Dreamery at Edison

Qualifications: 

1. A genuine love for infants and a calm, nurturing demeanor

2. Patience and the ability to remain quiet and observant during rest periods

3. Dependability and punctuality

4. Ability to follow safety protocols and guidance from classroom staff

5. Physically able to sit, stand, and move quietly as needed

6. Willingness to complete a background check and any required training

7. Prior experience with infants is helpful but not required

Responsibilities:

1. Support a peaceful, quiet environment during naptime

2. Gently comfort and soothe infants who may stir or need reassurance

3. Monitor babies while they sleep, noting any concerns and alerting staff as needed

4. Follow all safety guidelines (sleep positioning, crib checks, etc.)

5. Assist with preparing or cleaning up the nap area as directed by staff

6. Maintain confidentiality and uphold the YWCA’s mission and values

Follow all YWCA policies and guidelines to ensure the well-being of infants and the Integrity of the program.

General understanding of the YWCA’s mission and values. A

FINGERPRINT IS REQUIRED. YWCA COVERS THE EXPENSE OF THE FINGERPRINT.

Training: Complete online training, including Safe Baby Sleep

Provide nurturing, attentive care and support for infants in a safe and positive environment, in alignment with the mission and values of the YWCA.

Position: Infant Room Volunteer

Day: Any day, Monday-Friday

Time: Any time between 8:00 am and 10:30 am and/or 12 pm and 3 pm

This position does not require volunteers to be scheduled Monday-Friday, nor volunteer all day. We offer flexible days (s) and Hours(s) within the listed times.

Responsibilities:

Feed, rock, and comfort infants as needed (no diaper changes required).

Attend to infants’ needs and promptly notify staff of any diapering needs. Create a warm, supportive, and safe atmosphere for all children.

Maintain strict confidentiality of any sensitive or personal information obtained through the role.

Follow all YWCA policies and guidelines to ensure the well-being of infants and the integrity of the program.

General understanding of the YWCA’s mission and values.

A FINGERPRINT IS REQUIRED. YWCA COVERS THE EXPENSE OF THE FINGERPRINT.

Training:

Complete online trainings

Safe Baby Sleep

Position: Classroom Support                                                                      DAYS: Any day, Monday-Friday.                                                                    HOURS: Flexible between 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Edison Dreamery: Infants and toddlers up to 2.5 years of age

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If you’re passionate about helping children thrive, believe in equity and inclusion, and want to be part of a joyful, mission-driven team, this opportunity is for you. The Dreamery Classrooms are where play, learning, and community come together. We’d love for you to be part of the magic. ________________________________________________________________ Mission Statement:   Eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.  

Primary Function: As a Classroom Support volunteer, you’ll play a key role in helping our Dreamery Classrooms come to life! Support young children’s learning and development in a nurturing, play-based environment. This is a hands-on, heart-first opportunity to make a lasting impact on children in their earliest years.    

Qualifications:                                                                                        1. Must be 18 years of age                                                                      2. Patience and calm demeanor                                                                3. Must be able to sit, bend, twist, and lift up to 20 pounds. 4. Openness to work with people of diverse backgrounds 5. Willingness to complete all required ILC training. 6. Agreement to fingerprint. YWCA covers all expenses related to this test.   

Volunteers are not meant to substitute for employees; instead, they are invited to join us in assisting staff with needs.         

Responsibilities:

1. Assist with classroom needs, to create a warm, welcoming, and engaging classroom environment                                                              2.  Provide helpful, encouraging support to children                             3. Model positive behavior and best classroom practices          4. Observe children to ensure their safety and well-being          5. Maintain confidentiality and respect for families, staff, and children                

Training Requirements:                                                                      

1. Gain a general understanding of YWCA's Mission                               2. Understanding of the principles of racial equity and inclusion  3. Completion of the following online training modules:                      -Bloodborne Pathogen                                                                               - - Safe Sleep                                                                                          -- - ---- - Health and Safety for Childcare Providers Module C                            - Health and Safety                                                                                 4. Shadow Staff in the classroom

Position: Classroom Support                                                                      Hours: Any day, Monday-Friday. Flexible Hours between 7:30 am and 5:50 pm.

If you’re passionate about helping children thrive, believe in equity and inclusion, and want to be part of a joyful, mission-driven team, this opportunity is for you. The Dreamery Classrooms are where play, learning, and community come together. We’d love for you to be part of the magic.

________________________________________________________________

Mission Statement:   Eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.  

Primary Function:  

As a Classroom Support volunteer, you’ll play a key role in helping our Dreamery Classrooms come to life! Support young children’s learning and development in a nurturing, play-based environment. This is a hands-on, heart-first opportunity to make a lasting impact on children in their earliest years.    

Qualifications:  

1. Must be 18 years of age

2. Patience and calm demeanor

3. Must be able to sit, bend, twist, and lift up to 20 pounds.

4. Openness to work with people of diverse backgrounds

5. Willingness to complete all required ILC training.

6. Agreement to fingerprint. YWCA covers all expenses related to this test.  

Volunteers are not meant to substitute for employees; instead, they are invited to join us in assisting staff with their needs.  

Responsibilities:  

1. Assist with classroom needs, to create a warm, welcoming, and engaging classroom environment                                                              2.  Provide helpful, encouraging support to children throughout the day                                                                                                                    3. Model positive behavior and best classroom practices          4. Observe children to ensure their safety and well-being          5. Maintain confidentiality and respect for families, staff, and children                

Training Requirements:                                                                       1. 1. Gain a general understanding of YWCA's Mission                               2. Understanding of the principles of racial equity and inclusion  3. Completion of the following online training modules:                     

-Bloodborne Pathogen                                                                               - - Safe Sleep                                                                                          -- - ---- - Health and Safety for Childcare Providers Module C                            - Health and Safety                                                                                 4. Shadow Staff in the classroom until training is completed.          

Cradle Mission: The Cradle collaborative encompasses a solid commitment from community partners, several healthcare institutions, key funding agencies, local academic institutions, multi-denominational faith-based organizations, and both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations: all engaged for the reduction of racial disparities of infant mortality rates in Kalamazoo.

YWCA's Cradle team is looking for volunteers to help sort baby items and pack baby bags for community events.

What: Baby Item Sorting & Baby Bag Packers

This position will require sitting, some standing, bending lifting small items, packing small items in baby bags such as diapers, lotion, and more.

Position: Basic Administrative Tasks

Program: Improiving the Lives of Children

Department: Early Childhood Education

Location: Positions available at our Downtown and Edison Dreamery Centers

Days: Any day, Monday-Friday

Hours: Flexible between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm.

Join our mission by supporting our behind-the-scenes efforts in our Improving The Lives Of Children program.

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Mission: eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice and dignity for all

Primary Function: Keep our Early Education program running smoothly by assisting with essential administrative tasks.

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Qualifications:

1. Attention to detail and organizational skills

2. Ability to follow directions and work independently

3. Must be able to work with people from diverse backgrounds

3. Dependable

4. Previous office experience is helpful but not required

5. Agree to fingerprinting. YWCA covers this expense

Responsibilities:

1. File program-related forms and documents

2. Make photocopies of materials as needed

3. Assist with other light office tasks and errands as assigned

4. Maintain confidentiality and organization of sensitive paperwork

Training:

1. General understanding of YWCA's Mission

Join our children's Dreamery Center food services team in preparing delicious, nutritious, farm-to-table meals.

DAY:  Any day, Monday-Friday

Time:  Any shift between 9 am and 3 pm.  2-3 hour shifts are preferred but not required.

Location: Kitchens at both the Downtown and Edison Children's Dreamery Center.

Qualifications:

1. 18 years of age

2.  Must have basic kitchen skills.

3. Interest in food, cooking, and children’s nutritional health

4. Must be able to work with people of diverse backgrounds

Responsibilities:

1. Prepping fresh fruits and veggies from local farms

2. Assisting with meal prep

3. Washing dishes, sanitizing surfaces, and keeping the kitchen sparkling

4. Stocking shelves and organizing supplies

5. Supporting creative kitchen projects  

Physical Requirements:

1.  Standing, lifting, bending, twisting  

2.  Must be able to lift up to 10-15 pounds

Position Training and Requirements:

1. Volunteers must agree to fingerprinting for our Edison         Center Kitchen. YWCA covers all expenses for printing

2.  Required Children’s Dreamery Center training

3.  General understanding of YWCA Mission

YWCA Kalamazoo is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Founded in 1885, today YWCA Kalamazoo offers survivor services, early childhood education, and maternal/child health services, and pairs its direct service work with policy and systems change.

YWCA Kalamazoo is forming its first, designed to inform and support the Board of Directors and each of the board committees to provide anti-racist, feminist, and trauma-responsive organizational governance.

The Governance Committee will be responsible for reviewing bylaws and committee charters, supporting board performance assessment, and providing support and recommendations for improved board and committee effectiveness. All YWCA Kalamazoo board committees are comprised of board members, staff members, and community members who volunteer their time. We are currently seeking applications from volunteer community members to join the Governance Committee. Candidates with any of the below experiences are especially encouraged to apply: Have expertise and experience implementing anti-racist and feminist equity principles Have been a past participant in a YWCA program Have lived experience as a person with one or more marginalized identities YWCA Kalamazoo board committee members are unpaid nonprofit governance volunteers. The committee designs the length, frequency, and venue for its meetings. Committee members must reside in the Kalamazoo area and are asked to commit to a three year term.

When you contact YWCA Kalamazoo, you will be asked to provide responses to the following-

Prompted questions: Why do you wish to join the YWCA Kalamazoo Board Governance Committee?

In what ways do you believe your lived experience will inform your leadership on this committee?

What experience and/or expertise do you hold in anti-racist, feminist, and/or trauma-responsive principles?

While the committee meeting schedule and venue are set by the committee itself, committee meetings will occur at least quarterly and may be as frequent as monthly.

Committee members are asked to commit to a 3-year term. Are you able to commit your time to this volunteer leadership role?

Volunteer/Group Position: Transitional Housing Repairs
Department: Victim Services/ Operations
Location: Off-Site
Director: Director of Housing
Position Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
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Mission Statement: Eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity
for all.
Primary Function: Provide support to the Housing Rehab team. Perfect opportunity for groups and individuals. This includes general housing repairs, flooring, painting, and more.
Qualifications:
1. Must be 18 years of age.
2. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds.
3. Must be able to work with people of diverse backgrounds.                                                      4. Some knowledge of housing repairs, painting, and flooring helpful but not required. Training will be provided by housing professionals.
Responsibilities:
1. Assist the housing director and staff with housing repair needs, including but not limited to landscaping, painting, flooring, and other minor repairs.

Training:

1. Training for projects is provided by the housing director and staff.

2. General understanding of issues related to racial and gender issues and injustice, equality, equity, and Women’s Rights. YWCA will provide training.

3. General understanding of YWCA Mission.

 Volunteers are not meant to replace staff, but to work beside them and assist where needed.

Volunteer Position: Sexual Assault Supportive 

Department:  Victim Services

Program: Emergency Response Team

Director: Emergency Response Services

Hours: Monthly Sign-Up for On-Call Shifts - Allows flexibility

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Mission Statement: Eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Primary Function: Provide emotional support and resource information to the survivors of sexual assault. Training is provided for this on-call position.

Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Training Requirements:

Training Covers:

 Volunteers are not meant to replace staff, but to work beside them and assist where needed.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DO A BODY GOOD.

We provide healthy, delicious, fun, and nutritious food to the children in our Dreamery Centers. We would love to have you spend an hour or two during the week, slicing, dicing, and peeling fruits and vegetables.

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Volunteer Position: Fruit and Veggie Crew

Department: Improving Lives of Children

Program: Dreamery Centers

Location: 353 E. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI

Director: Director of Food Services

Position Hours: Any day, Monday-Friday

Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Mission Statement: Eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Primary Function:  Provide support and assistance with cleaning, peeling, slicing and dicing, and packaging fresh fruits and vegetables. Kitchen organization and sanitation. This position is ideal if you enjoy working in the kitchen. This is a fun and fantastic volunteer position!

Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Training Requirements:

 Volunteers are not meant to replace staff, but to work beside them and assist where needed.