LIFEgroups, as you consider serving in the community, remember, you are representatives of Christ and His local church. Please exude joy and give no less than your absolute best in whatever the service opportunity requires (Colossians 3:23) – our community’s perspective of Jesus and our local church is created/changed/sustained by you and how you serve.
Practical to do’s
- ALWAYS FOLLOW THROUGH with what you say you will do – this includes being there on the date and time and accomplishing what is expected
- Pray individually and as a group for the work you are going to do, prior to the volunteer opportunity – we don’t just want to do work that means something on earth through serving our community
- Take a moment as a group, and ask if you can pray for and with the Volunteer Coordinator(s) or whoever is getting you set up to volunteer once you get there
- In the midst of the work – be kind and display and speak the love of Jesus
- In the midst of the work – be praying for and looking for opportunities to impact people for the sake of the gospel (as allowed by the organization you are volunteering with)
Idea
- Invite an unsaved person that a group member is connected with, to serve with your group.
Questions? Contact Discipleship Pastor, Steve Lytle.
Listing of Opportunities
*This is a living page and will be continually added to/taken away from
A number of opportunities can be found at https://unitedwaymedina.galaxydigital.com/. Click on “Volunteer Now” to see the needs. You may have to do research on the needs to see if they are for groups or individuals.
Care Package: Encourage someone spiritually by sending a care package and note of encouragement with a verse of scripture.
Family Devotions: Prepare a devotional and share it with family.
Notes of Encouragement: Write and distribute four notes to encourage someone and specifically point people to Jesus.
Nursery/Babysitting: Provide childcare for neighbors or c0-workers to go on a date.
Public School Bible Study: Take part in leading a Public-School Bible Study Group or bring a new person to the study group.
Team Gospel Presentation: Participate with a group to take the gospel outside the walls of the church in a spoken presentation of the Gospel.
Tract Distribution Team: Participate in an organized distribution of Gospel tracts at a location outside your local church.
Visitation: Visit others for the purpose of ministering to their needs.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Pick a neighbor or neighborhood and have your LIFEgroup gather to rake leaves, help with lawn work, shovel snow, etc. (of course get homeowners permission first)
Hold a neighborhood ice cream party, block party, fall party, etc. for your LIFEgroup to organize, promote and execute
HELP THE ELDERLY
Visit a nursing home as a group to just spend time with the people in it. Take a small gift (ie. a small vase of flowers) with you for each person you visit.
HOMELESS SHELTERS
Haven of Rest
Description – The purpose of Haven of Rest is to serve and glorify God through Christ-centered, life-changing programs of love and compassion that respond to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of men, women and children without regard to their race, color, creed or social standing.
Contact Name – Jan Pluck
Phone – 330.353.1563
Website – https://havenofrest.org/
Office Hours – 8-4:30 Monday-Friday
Address – 175 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44308
Volunteer Opportunities – Call to get volunteer opportunities for groups – there are many including cards of encouragement, washing vehicles, making beds and serving food to weeding the grounds, sorting canned goods, cleaning rooms, cleaning projects, and much more! Check out https://havenofrest.org/get-involved/volunteer/ for more information.
The City Mission
Description – The City Mission empowers men, women, and children in crisis to overcome their unique, complex paths to homelessness. Because no one person’s needs are the same, we create individualized, comprehensive programs to assist clients in building their stabilized and independent future. Our mission to reach hearts and change lives in Cleveland has not waivered since 1910, and we will continue to provide basic needs, critical recovery resources, and practical paths to a sustainable future to all seeking help and hope here. Our Mission: To provide help and hope to all people through the transforming power of God’s love. Our Vision: is to be a catalyst for positive change in Cleveland resulting in the radical transformation of individuals and communities for generations to come.
Contact Name – Ask for Volunteer Director
Phone – 216.431.3510
Website – https://www.thecitymission.org/how-you-can-help/
Volunteer Opportunities – Call to get volunteer opportunities for groups
HOUSING
Habitat for Humanity
Description – Habitat for Humanity of Medina County was established in 1991 as a non-profit Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate substandard housing locally and globally by building and renovating simple, decent, affordable homes to sell to low-income families Habitat is dedicated both locally and globally to construct, rehabilitate and preserve homes; advocate for fair and just housing policies; and provide training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.
Contact Name – Cheryl Boyer
Phone – 330.722.4494
Website – http://www.medinacountyhabitat.org/
Office Hours – Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8am-4pm
Address – 620 E Smith Road, E-6A Medina, OH 44256
Volunteer Opportunities – Call to get volunteer opportunities (build sites, lunches for build sites groups, restore help, etc.) for groups. Check out http://www.medinacountyhabitat.org/volunteer for more information.
FOOD
The Salvation Army
Description – With ‘heart to God and hand to man’, The Salvation Army strives to meet the basic needs of all who come seeking help. Taking immediate care of the basic human needs of food, shelter, clothing and safety is an important first step in the development of a more positive and permanent life change in the people we help.
Contact Name – Cristina Spencer
Phone – 330.722.6488
Website – https://neo.salvationarmy.org/northeastohio/Medina
Office Hours – Monday-Friday 9-4pm
Address – 425 West Liberty Street Medina, Ohio 44256
Volunteer Opportunities – Wednesday night meal food prep – 1:30-3:30 and/or service 4-6:30pm. Last full week of each month meals take place every day. Bell Ringing begins in November – check their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/tsamedina/ – for sign up information.
Cups Cafe
Description – Cups is a connecting place where guests can expect to find coffee, comfort, conversation, and so much more. It operates as a free community cafe to connect the physical, mental, social and spiritual needs of people (with a focus on young people) and their families with free resources, connect them to Jesus Christ and His church.
Contact Name – Tim Van Arsdale
Phone – 330-241-5990
Website – http://www.cupscafe.org
Hours open – Mon-Fri 10am-4pm; Sat 11am-1pm
Address – 126. N Court St., Medina, OH 44256
Volunteer Opportunities – Call to get serving opportunities
Feeding Medina County
Description – Feeding Medina County’s mission is to educate, engage, and lead our community in creating an environment where no one goes hungry. We nourish our community with essential programs that put food on the table for children, families, and seniors who are at risk of hunger.
Phone – 330.421.4816
Website – http://www.feedingmedinacounty.org/
Address – 650 W. Smith Rd. C-8 Medina, OH 44256
Volunteer Opportunities – Call to get volunteer opportunities for groups. Check out http://www.feedingmedinacounty.org/ and click on Get Involved for information.
PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTERS
Oasis of Hope
Description – The mission of Oasis of Hope Pregnancy and Parenting Support Center is to glorify Christ by affirming the sanctity of human life through education, promotion of sexual integrity, support, and services to meet the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of pregnant, parenting, post-abortive and other individuals and families searching for hope. We are a 501c3 organization, run solely by committed staff and volunteers, and supported by the community.
Phone – 330.723.3600
Website – https://www.oasisofmedina.com/
Office Hours – Monday 10-2pm, Tuesday 10-5pm, Wednesday 10-5pm, Thursday 10-2pm
Address – 710 N Court St, Medina, OH 44256
Volunteer Opportunities – Call to get volunteer opportunities for groups.
Oaks Family Care Center
Description – Our ministry has provided free family support services to our community since 1998. All pregnancy programs are provided free of charge. We are dedicated to providing support services focused on meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our clients. Services include: FAMILY BUILDING PROGRAMS, MATERIAL GOODS, PARENTING WORKSHOPS & SUPPORT, PREGNANCY & PRENATAL SUPPORT, POST-ABORTION RECOVERY, SPIRITUAL GROWTH, VISITATION PROGRAM, YOUTH ABSTINENCE PROGRAMS. Our Staff provides assistance to more than 1,100 families and individuals each year. In a typical year, we connect with these families more than 4,000 times during our programs. It is our policy to never turn anyone away from the services they need.
Contact Name – Brenda
Phone – 330.220.7777
Website – http://www.oaks-family-care.org/
Office hours – Monday 11am-5pm, Tuesday 9am-5pm, Thursday 11am-5pm
Address – 4196 Center Rd, Brunswick, OH 44212
Birthcare
Description – Birthcare is an all-volunteer 501 (c) (3) social service organization that provides emergency assistance and support to families with young children living in Medina County. Our main goal is striving to meet the basic needs of young children in our county assuring their safety, warmth and health. All our services are free and confidential
Phone – 330.722.1190
Website – http://birthcaremedina.org/
Office Hours – 7-9pm Mondays and Tuesdays , Noon-2pm Thurs., 10am-Noon Saturdays
Address – 620 E Smith Rd E-5A, Medina, OH 44256
Volunteer Opportunities – Call to get volunteer opportunities for groups. Check out http://birthcaremedina.org/volunteer.html for more information.
HELPING CHILDREN
The Childrens Center of Medina County
Description – Our Mission is to nurture abused and neglected children through collaboration, advocacy, treatment and prevention. Our programs include Child Advocacy Center, Family Visitation Center and Anti – Human Trafficking Awareness. The Children’s Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Phone – 330.764.8891
Website – http://www.medinacountychildrenscenter.org
Address – 724 E. Smith Road, Medina, Ohio 44256
Volunteer Opportunities – Call to get volunteer opportunities for groups. Check out http://www.medinacountychildrenscenter.org/get_involved/ for more information.
CLOTHING
Marian’s Closet
Description – To improve the quality of life to those most in need. We do this by offering encouragement, hope, and dignity through meeting their daily needs, giving the opportunity for individuals to meet their full potential.
Phone – 330-336-3642
Website – https://www.marianscloset.org/
Office Hours – Wednesday 10am-2pm, Thursday 4-8pm, Friday 10am-2pm, Sat 10am-2p
Address – 154 East St., Wadsworth, OH 44281
Volunteer Opportunities – Call to get volunteer opportunities for groups. Check out https://www.marianscloset.org/volunteer/ for more information.
First Impressions of Medina
Description – First Impression was created to provide economically challenged or displaced women with business appropriate clothing, tools and skills to help make a positive first impression at job interviews.
Phone – 330-227-6053
Website – http://firstimpressionmedina.org/
Address – 140 W Washington St, Medina, OH 44256
Volunteer Opportunities – Call to get volunteer opportunities for groups. Check out http://firstimpressionmedina.org/get-involved/ for more information.
PARKS
Medina Parks and Rec
Phone – 330.721.6950
Website – http://www.medinaoh.org/government/departments/parks
Volunteer Opportunities – Painting and park cleanup
