Amazing Volunteer Opportunities Near Trenton, NJ

If you’re interested in giving your time to a worthy cause in the Trenton, New Jersey, area, there is an abundance of charitable organizations that could use your help. These local groups are actively working for positive change in our community, and you can become a powerful part of these efforts. Whether you’re passionate about helping homeless animals or serving hungry families, there’s an opportunity here that will fit your interests.

The New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Image by Georg Arthur Pflueger is licensed with Unsplash License

The New Jersey Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (NJLTCO) recruits volunteers to act as advocates for individuals living in long-term care facilities. These long-term care residents may suffer from problems such as a lack of responsiveness from staff members, unappealing or inadequate meals, a lack of activities, or poor hygiene. Some even find that their personal items have gone missing.

Volunteer advocates act on the residents’ behalf to help protect their dignity, solve issues, and ensure each individual is treated with the proper respect. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer advocate, you’ll need to undergo 36 hours of training and pass a certification exam. Advocates then shadow an experienced volunteer for two weeks before working on their own. Though each volunteer advocate can set their own hours, they must spend at least four hours per week working with residents in their assigned facility.

Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County

The Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County serves local youth through a variety of programs, including summer camps, after-school care, sports, and STEM activities. The organization relies on volunteers to fill a number of essential roles, including:

• Special events volunteer: Help support special events at various times throughout the year at the local club sites.
• After-school homework helper: Mentor students and help them pursue academic success by providing assistance Monday through Thursday afternoons.
• Reading for Success volunteer: Read to students and assist with homework assignments three to four times per month.
• Chess club volunteer: Work with the chess club on weekday afternoons from 4 to 6 p.m. Volunteers should commit to three to four visits per month.
• Youth of the Year mentor: Closely mentor a high school student to prepare them for the Youth of the Year celebration.
• Young Professionals Group member: This group works to support club activities and provides volunteers with an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning. The group meets six times a year.
• Events committee member: As part of the events committee, you can help plan and execute fundraisers. The committee meets once a month.
• Finance committee member: The finance committee meets six times per year to discuss the club’s finances.
• IT support team member: Assist with hardware and software installation, network management, and virus protection as needed on the club’s computers.
• Member of the board of trustees: As a board member, you’ll commit to supporting the club financially as well as through ongoing volunteer work at a variety of events.

The Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County has locations in Trenton and Lawrenceville. Submit an inquiry online to learn more about volunteering.

Trenton Animals Rock

Trenton Animals Rock works to help local animals find and maintain healthy, happy homes. The organization helps provide medical care, training services, foster care, and adoption services for Trenton dogs in need. As a volunteer with the group, you can help care for animals in the shelters, organize animal supplies, clean and maintain the shelter, screen fostering and adoption applications, and facilitate meet and greets.

You can also volunteer to foster homeless animals. As a pet foster owner, you’ll be responsible for the daily care of your foster dog or dogs until they’re adopted.

Trenton Area Soup Kitchen

The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) works to feed hungry individuals in the Trenton area. TASK serves lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and dinner from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The soup kitchen also partners with organizations throughout Mercer County to deliver meals to hungry families who cannot make it to TASK.

Volunteers are needed for kitchen prep, lunch service, and dinner service. You can sign up easily online. The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen also offers a tutoring program and seeks volunteer tutors to help individuals further their education, secure employment, and achieve personal goals.

Arm In Arm

Arm In Arm, formerly known as the Crisis Ministry of Mercer County, provides food, job support, and housing assistance to residents in Trenton, New Jersey. Volunteers are needed in the Trenton pantry from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday to help unload and shelve donations and prepare groceries for distribution. If you’re looking for a great use for your new vehicle, you can also volunteer to deliver groceries to mobility-challenged residents in need.

Arm In Arm also maintains a garden to provide fresh produce to residents. Volunteers are needed on weekdays between 9 a.m. and noon from May through October to tend the garden.

UrbanPromise Trenton

UrbanPromise Trenton works to support the academic achievement, spiritual growth, and life management of children and young adults in the community. The organization offers several programs to this end, including an after-school drop-in program, summer camp, leadership programs, and the Trenton Trekkers outdoor program. Volunteers are needed for a number of roles, including:

• Literary club reader: Start and lead small reading groups after school.
• Homework helper: Assist students with studying and homework tasks on a flexible schedule.
• Tutor: Work with an individual or a very small group at least once a week.
• Recreational aide: Supervise students during recreational periods.
• Resource person: Plan and execute special activities based on your area of expertise.
• Handyman: Provide carpentry and plumbing services to the facility.
• Photographer: Take monthly photos of the programs, events, and activities.
• Videographer: Capture, edit, and produce short videos promoting the organization.

There you have it: six amazing volunteer opportunities near Trenton, New Jersey. Do you know of other charitable organizations in the area that need more help? Contact our team at Hyundai of Trenton and let us know so that we can update our listing and help spread the word.