Are you looking for a meaningful opportunity to give back to the community? Volunteering with the Durham Center for Senior Life is a great way to use your talents to enhance the lives of seniors in Durham County. DCSL offers a number of ways to get involved. We believe that tapping into an individual’s skills and knowledge creates a more meaningful experience for both the volunteer and the community served. There is always something to do! Consider the many ways you can volunteer:

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Class Instructor — Lead weekly exercise or arts and crafts classes or begin a new class! Current exercise classes include yoga, total body workout, Tai’ Chi, belly dancing, line dancing, aerobics, and exercise boot camp. Current arts and crafts classes include watercolor painting, crocheting, ceramics, jewelry-making, and quilting. Time Commitment: Weekly, Ongoing
• Lunch & Learn Instructor — Teach an instructional seminar on health/wellness related issues concerning older adults.
  Time Commitment: One Time
• Office Assistant — Help with important mailings, data entry, and filing.
  Time Commitment: As needed/Ongoing
• Special Events Committee Member — Help with the planning and facilitation of annual DCSL fundraising events.
  
  

  Volunteer Spotlight

  Gwen Cowan is DCSL’s Volunteer of the Year for 2010. She has been instructing the line dancing class for more than a year. She had no previous experience, but she stepped in and now successfully leads a large class! Gwen faithfully leads her group once, and sometimes twice, a week with endless enthusiasm. Thank you for your commitment, Gwen!
  Time Commitment: Ongoing
• Volunteer Ambassador — Serve as the first contact person to greet people, give tours to new comers, train seniors on exercise equipment, help with publicity and other day to day operations.
  Time Commitment: Ongoing
• Telephone Reassurance — Make reassurance calls from the Durham Center for Senior Life to home-bound seniors  that live alone.
  Time Commitment: Ongoing
• Adult Day Health — Assist with the Adult Day Health program by working with seniors during the day to help them remain in their homes with family members.

How do I Become a Volunteer?

DCSL has ongoing and one-time volunteer opportunities for everyone, including both groups and individuals. First, check out the opportunities to find a volunteer job that interests you. Next, fill out a Volunteer Application. Individual volunteers must submit this application to the Volunteer Coordinator and complete a short (about 30 minute) orientation. During orientation, the Volunteer Coordinator will discuss opportunities that match a volunteer’s availability, skills, and interests. Large groups should contact the Volunteer Coordinator directly to discuss volunteer opportunities with DCSL.