Volunteer Opportunities

People who are involved at the Center say that the opportunity to volunteer is what makes our Center unique. Your friends and neighbors, with staff support, make the Center work. Volunteers serve in leadership and advisory roles, operate Senior Center Television, teach classes, lead activities, coordinate a retail shop, staff the library, coordinate a garden club, enter data into the computer, entertain the community and much, much more.

To find out how you can get involved as a volunteer at the Center, either contact Susan Rogusky, the Center's Volunteer Specialist, by phone at 356-5224 or email Susan at susan-rogusky@iowa-city.org, or Michelle Buhman, the Center's Program Specialist, by phone at 319-356-5222 or email at Michelle-Buhman@iowa-city.org

Or complete the volunteer application form below and mail it to:

Iowa City Senior Center
28 S Linn Street
Iowa City, IA 52240

Volunteer Application Form

Volunteer Opportunities at the Senior Center

Below is a list of potential volunteer opportunities for students and/or community volunteers at the Senior Center. The Center also houses other agencies that serve older adults in different capacities. Included is information about their volunteer opportunities, the contact person and their phone number.

• Work as a program assistant helping plan special programs, e.g., style shows, guest speakers, panel discussions, fundraisers etc. (Contact: Michelle Buhman)
• Work in the Eldercraft Gift Shop. To keep the shop open seven days a week, many volunteers are needed to work a shift or two each month.
• Market the Eldercraft Gift Shop, a consignment shop where all items are made by local elder craftspersons.
• Teach classes, e.g., computer classes, applied arts, visual arts, arts appreciation, art exhibits, literature & writing courses, health & fitness programs, dance classes and/or organizing monthly evening dances, ceramics, quilting, woodworking, needle craft, cooking, support groups, foreign languages, current issues presentations and/or discussions, and anything else one might have in terms of skills to share. (Contact: Michelle Buhman)
• Perform activities such as assisting seniors with video production skills (video taping and editing),
• Assist with special projects, i.e., volunteer recognition event, annual anniversary celebration, annual quilt raffle, etc

Contacts for Senior Center Volunteer Opportunities

Senior Dining and Home Delivered Meals Program

Contact: Heather Binggeli, Home Delivered Meals Manager, (319) 338-0515 or e-mail at hbinggeli@elderservicesinc.com .

Senior Dining: Flexible days: weekly, biweekly

Home Delivered Meals: Weekly, biweekly

Elder Services Inc.

Elder Services, Inc. provides programs, services, and resources to assist persons age 60 and over in Johnson county and east central Iowa to stay active, independent, and safe in their own homes.

•  CHORE/HOME ASSISTANCE SERVICE: Involves, but is not limited to: lawn mowing, leaf raking, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, light house keeping, running errands, snow shoveling and other chore related activities. Does not include any personal care! Contact Chad at 338-0515.
  • Description of volunteer opportunity: Elder Services Home Assistance Program is in need of both regular volunteers and volunteers for seasonal projects. Regular volunteers are needed to help seniors in the Iowa City/Coralville area with grocery shopping, running errands, transportation to medical appointments, light housekeeping and outdoor work. Seasonal volunteers are needed for projects such as leaf raking, snow shoveling and hanging holiday lights.
  • Type of Volunteer: All volunteers must be dependable, polite and enjoy working with the elderly. Regular volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, fill out an application and complete a background check before receiving assignments. Seasonal volunteers may be under 18 but must be accompanied by a supervising adult. School and church groups are welcome for seasonal projects.
  • Type of Volunteer: All volunteers must be dependable, polite and enjoy working with the elderly. Regular volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, fill out an application and complete a background check before receiving assignments. Seasonal volunteers may be under 18 but must be accompanied by a supervising adult. School and church groups are welcome for seasonal projects.
  • Hours of volunteering: Variable depending on the need.
• FRIENDLY VISITOR PROGRAM: Matches individual with homebound seniors to visit on a weekly basis. Requires a minimum of a 1-year (school year) commitment. Contact Joan Cook, 356-5218 or email at jcook@elderservicesinc.com

Visiting Nurse Association - Health Suite

The VNA provides a plethora of health-related services that require volunteer involvement. Some require specific skills and are good placements for individuals in the health services field, but positions for individuals to help with registration for yearly flu are available. Contact the Visiting Nurse Association at (319) 337-9686.