Opportunities From: VolunteerME Southern Maine

Registration runs until December 15th. The CA$H program runs from January 21st to April 15th.

Do you like helping to connect people with resources? Are you good with customer service and data entry? Maybe you're looking for a safe way to help our neighbors save money and increase their financial stability? Join us to become an Opportunity Guide for CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Greater Portland, an initiative of United Way of Southern Maine in partnership with the Greater Portland CA$H Coalition.

During the tax season (late January through mid-April), Opportunity Guide volunteers review client documents and connect (by phone or in-person at Scan & Go sites) to discuss financial goals and challenges and possible resources that could help. This is a great opportunity for people with basic computer skills who are comfortable having one-on-one conversations. 

Free online training and support is provided, as well as a way to contact clients safely from your home/workplace on your own schedule. To learn more about this opportunity to help people access a valuable financial service, please email cash@uwsme.org today!

WHAT IS CA$H?

CA$H Greater Portland (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope), an initiative of United Way of Southern Maine is a partnership with the Greater Portland CA$H Coalition comprised of community leaders and industry experts who work together to help individuals and families to achieve long-term financial stability. Partners include AARP Tax-Aide, Avesta Housing, Bath Savings, Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI), cPort Credit Union, Gorham Savings Bank, Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, John T. Gorman Foundation, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), KeyBank, New Ventures Maine, Norway Savings Bank, Portland Housing Authority, ProsperityME, and The Opportunity Alliance. In addition to offering free tax preparation for qualified filers during tax season, CA$H Greater Portland offers year-round outreach and education to individuals and families about ways they can make the most of their money.

I am reaching out in search of volunteers for two different volunteer reader opportunities. They require regular time commitment throughout the upcoming school year, but you don’t need any experience to participate and they are a great way to make a lasting impact in a child’s life. A volunteer who participated last year shared:

"I loved volunteering at East End School and chose to help three first grade students every week after starting with one student. The eagerness, energy, humor, honesty, and enthusiasm that these students brought to our sessions was contagious and joyful. The students told me that our time together was their favorite day of the week, so that felt good as a volunteer! One boy who struggled to read at first jumped multiple levels during our time together, became dramatically more fluid at reading out loud, and told me at the end of the year that he just loves reading."

The first opportunity is with elementary school students:

Volunteers will visit a school each week to read with students for one hour to promote literacy. These sessions might be one-on-one, with small groups, or a whole class, depending on the needs of the school. There are multiple school sites to choose from and you can share your location preference. Volunteers must attend a one-hour training in September and will start working with students in October and continue through June. Training date is TBD. Speakers of non-English languages are welcome! Visit uwsme.org/reader to sign up.

The second volunteer opportunity is with the youngest of learners:

Biddeford Ready! hosts a weekly Story Hour at their Biddeford Hub for children ages 0-5 and their families. It will be every Friday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. We are looking for multiple volunteers to create a rotating schedule (such as, being the reader the first week of each month). You will have help planning and running the group. Please email Hannah Brier (hbrier@uwsme.org) directly if you are interested.

Make a Real Difference—Become a Volunteer Tax Preparer with CA$H Greater Portland!

If you’re someone who enjoys helping others, staying organized, and learning new skills, this is a great opportunity for you. No prior experience is needed—just a willingness to learn and a desire to make a difference. You'll gain valuable skills while supporting your community through a fun and meaningful volunteer experience.

Join us as a volunteer tax preparer with CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Greater Portland, an initiative of United Way of Southern Maine in partnership with the Greater Portland CA$H Coalition. Help your neighbors access a free, trusted service that saves them money and boosts their financial stability—all while growing your own skills and experience.

Make a meaningful impact in your community

Build your resume and learn new skills

Earn up to 18 Continuing Education (CE) hours

Connect with a supportive team of staff and volunteers

Choose from in-person or virtual volunteer options

Volunteers prepare tax returns and review documents for clients using an easy-to-learn online program between late January and mid-April (minimum of 3 hours per week recommended).

Virtual volunteers prepare tax returns from home on their own schedule, with client conversations held by phone and ongoing support through weekly check-ins and virtual meetings.

In-person volunteers join us at tax prep events in Portland (Wednesdays and/or Thursdays 2-5pm or 5-8pm and/or Saturdays 9-Noon or Noon-3pm) to meet with clients face-to-face and prepare returns.

This opportunity is perfect for anyone with basic computer skills, a willingness to learn, and an interest in supporting others through one-on-one conversations.

No prior tax experience? No problem!
Free, self-paced IRS-certified training is provided online starting in mid-November, and one-on-one training is also available with our Tax Site Coordinator to make the learning process easier and more accessible.

Help your neighbors access a vital financial service and be part of a welcoming, purpose-driven team.

Respond to this opportunity or email cash@uwsme.org today to learn more!

Seashore Trolley Museum seeks volunteers to help with family games and activities at our 27th Annual Pumpkin Patch Trolley event. Volunteers are needed on Friday-Sunday September 26-28, October 3-5, October 10-12, October 17-19, and Monday October 13 from 10AM-4PM to run our fun, easy games and activities for guests of all ages to enjoy. Activities include our Cookie Walk (outdoors, involves standing), our Craft Room (indoors, can sit 95% of the time), and Pumpkin Painting (outdoors, sitting and standing).

We are looking for 4 volunteers each day.  This is a perfect opportunity for solo volunteers, family volunteers, service organizations, businesses looking to pay it forward, or a youth group or boy/girl scout troop!  

Thanks for your consideration! 

Looking for a new volunteer opportunity to spark joy in your life? Seashore Trolley Museum seeks new recruits from the community who want to learn a unique, new skill and help the Museum provide an awesome experience for guests this season by becoming volunteer trolley Conductors and Operators!

Seashore Trolley Museum's trolleys are the real deal; they operate on an electric railway and are the real trolleys from the late 1800s-early 1900s (and some cities like Boston, El Paso, New Orleans, etc. still operate trolleys and/or light rail vehicles today!).  These are different than the tourist trolleys (which are really buses designed to look like our real trolleys for nostalgia) that are out in the summers and are operated by for-profits with paid bus drivers. 

Volunteers will learn how to be a Conductor first. During the training classes, new volunteers will be trained by a pair of Seashore Instructors. Topics will include the ins and outs of the information shared with guests about the museum’s history and the robust transit collection, how to safely board guests on the trolleys, how the railroad works and is operated (rules), and the duties of being a Conductor. Additional experience will be gained by working with experienced Conductors. When ready, the students will be qualified as Seashore Conductors who will be able to work in revenue service, paired with a qualified Operator who will operate the car. The next step will be to complete further instruction with a Seashore Instructor on operating the car.

The Museum is holding their next  training courses in August. To be eligible, volunteers must become members of the Museum, be 18 years old by the conclusion of the course, and must hold a valid motor vehicle operator’s license from any U.S. state.

Are you someone who loves writing thoughtful, upbeat letters? Want to volunteer from wherever you live, work, or play?

Turn your small talk into connection. A simple, sincere letter can brighten a senior’s day more than you know.

Join Letters Against Isolation, a volunteer-run project bringing joy to seniors in aged care homes and programs across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia. Since 2020, our volunteers have mailed over one million cheerful, one-of-a-kind handwritten letters in dozens of languages!

This is not a pen pal or greeting card program. Your words are what matter most!

Visit lettersagainstisolation.com and choose your option from the top of the page:

Check out our FAQ for details on mailing, group participation, service hours, and more.

The Brick Store Museum is seeking a friendly and welcoming Front Desk Attendant to join our volunteer team. As the first point of contact for visitors, the Front Desk Attendant plays a key role in creating a positive and engaging museum experience. This position involves greeting guests, providing information about the museum and local region, handling admissions, and supporting daily museum operations.

Key Responsibilities:

- Greet all visitors with a warm, welcoming attitude

- Provide information about the museum’s exhibits, programs, and events

- Offer insights and answer questions about the Kennebunk region and surrounding areas

- Process admissions, membership sales, and gift shop purchases using point-of-sale software

- Answer phone calls and respond to visitor inquiries

- Maintain cleanliness and organization of the front desk and lobby area

- Assist with administrative tasks as needed

- Support museum staff with special events and other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

- Friendly, professional, and customer service-oriented demeanor

- Strong interpersonal and communication skills

- General knowledge of the Kennebunk area and its history preferred

- Basic computer literacy, including use of email, point-of-sale systems, and Microsoft Office or Google Suite

- Dependable, punctual, and able to work independently

- Prior experience in a customer service or visitor-facing role is a plus

Interested candidates should visit www.brickstoremuseum.org/volunteer

Help sort, package, and distribute food to individuals and families in need. Responsibilities include inspecting donations, packing food boxes, stocking shelves, and assisting with food distribution. Volunteers should be able to lift up to 40 lbs and work collaboratively with others in a fast-paced environment. No prior experience is required.

ITNPortland is seeking volunteers to drive older adults and those with a disability in the Greater Portland area. Rides with us aren’t just for medical appointments- our service provides our members with rides to essentials as well as recreation activities, religious activities, and shopping. Life isn’t just about medical appointments, and we help those who cannot drive themselves stay active and engaged in their community.

Volunteer drivers are needed for all times, but the need is greatest for weekdays between 8am and 5pm. All volunteers are provided training, and can be reimbursed for mileage.

Make-A-Wish Maine's mission: Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Our vision is to reach every eligible child in the state of Maine. With our office being located in Scarborough, we rely on Wish Granters all over the state of Maine to be able to connect to families.

A Wish Granter volunteer meets with the wish child and family members to help identify the child’s wish ideas while brainstorming and planning special enhancements throughout the wish process. Wish granters work in teams of two alongside Make-A-Wish staff to ensure every eligible child’s wish comes true.

Connect.
Give.
Create Change.

Caring Unlimited, the Domestic Violence Resource Center for York County, was founded by volunteers. It is the continued support of volunteers that makes it possible for us to offer innovative and life changing programs and services to so many individuals and families.

Offer support and resources to callers on the 24-Hour Helpline.

Receive comprehensive training* and ongoing support**.
(*40-hour training required by the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence) (**Volunteer Coordinator holds quarterly dinners for volunteers to stay connected to each other and the organization)

Choose your shifts according to your schedule: all shifts are done from your home or other private, confidential space, with the support of on-call Caring Unlimited staff.

One year commitment of two shifts per month expected.

Are you interested in supporting local families who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing food insecurity? 

Well, if so, you've found one of many great organizations doing that very thing! 

The Locker Project has a wide array of opportunities from hosting a food drive to picking up Standard Baking bread and bagging it at our warehouse to coming to a fresh food event where local and rescued produce is shared with our neighbors. All opportunities are in Greater Portland. 

To volunteer at the Locker Project, first fill out this form. Information given here will keep us informed about you so we can meet you where you're at. 

After, a volunteer or staff member will follow up with information and provide access to our Signup Genius page. This page is where you will see available opportunities (packing bags, Standard Pickups, fresh food events, etc).

Bernard, Leonnelle and their child (girl - 1) live in Portland and are from Burkina Faso. Leonnelle is a nurse and Bernard is a project manager and they like walking, music and movies, shopping, cooking, learning English, and reading. They need legal help as well as assistance with finding an apartment and transportation. They speak French, Lingala, Moore, Portuguese and some English. 

What does mentoring look like? That’s up to you and the family. In less complicated times, we like our mentors to take a more hands-on approach to help mentees integrate into the community- such as including them in family outings & introducing them to the area. Currently, mentoring can be done while social distancing and some support can be provided remotely. Checking in regularly, sending along translated info regarding COVID-19, helping mentees locate resources- these are all things that can be done while maintaining safe distance if this is preferred by mentor and mentees. We still ask that anyone applying to mentor through WTS live local to the Portland area, so that you can begin an in-person relationship with your mentees once you feel safe doing so.