VOLUNTEER AT MERRICK HOUSE
Merrick House values people who are eager to provide friendly and reliable support to our clients and our staff. Whether you are in individual, a college intern, a school or civic group, or a company, we have a variety of volunteer opportunities for you to get involved. Volunteers must be 18 years or older and willing to complete a criminal background check.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Working with Children
ECE Classroom Help – Assist the teachers with classroom activities (arts and crafts, small group, individual play) and reading to the children. Year-round, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Assist ECE Teachers on Field Trips – Travel with children and teachers on a bus to various field trips. Assist with children on the field trips (Note: Volunteers will not be left alone with children). Year-round, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., specific scheduled dates.
Guest Presenters – We are always looking for new and exciting ways to keep our preschool, elementary, middle, and high school students engaged. If you have a traveling learning program, are a magician, singer or musician, or are part of a theater cast, we would love to connect with you! Year-round.
MENtor Program
Merrick House offers a “MENtor” program designed to bring more male involvement into the lives of our children. Research shows that male involvement in young children’s lives helps promote higher achievement as they grow, and lessening the likelihood of having behavioral, social, and/or emotional issues. We need male volunteers to participate at least once a month in activities such as reading books, mini-lessons, field trip chaperones, and other activities. GUYS, YOUR PARTICIPATION MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE. We strongly encourage you to get involved.
For more information about our classroom volunteer opportunities, please contact Harriet Hadley, Executive Director, at 216.771.5077 ext. 128 or harrieth@merrickhouse.org.
Helping at Events
Merrick Rocks The House Fundraiser – Assist with event setup, greeting guests, selling raffle tickets, breakdown. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we could use your help making sure everything goes smoothly for our attendees.
ECE Thanksgiving Celebration for Families – Assist with setting up the event, serving food to the ECE children and their families, breakdown and cleanup. Annually, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Pancake Breakfast at Merrick House – Assist with cooking pancakes and sausage, then serving it to MomsFirst and other Merrick House clients.
For more information about volunteering at Merrick House events, please contact Deanna Massey, Development & Grants Manager, at 216.771.5077 ext. 129 or deannam@merrickhouse.org
Keeping Our Grounds Beautiful
Greenhouse Upkeep – Various jobs including moving soil, weeding, planting, seeding, trimming, edging, pruning, etc. Greenhouse and garden used for fresh produce. April through October.
Yard Maintenance – Cut the grass, weeding, edging, trimming bushes and sweeping the front and back yards. May through October.
Garden Maintenance – Clear and weed the Merrick House natural garden in preparation for planning. May and June.
Playground Weeding – Clear and weed the Merrick House playground to help keep our yard beautiful and safe. Spring, Summer, Early Fall.
Fall Cleanup – Harvesting the Merrick House garden, cleaning it out, preparing our yard for the winter. October.
To help us maintain our garden and grounds, please contact Harriet Hadley, Executive Director, at 216.771.5077 ext. 128 or harrieth@merrickhouse.org.
Miscellaneous
Adult Education High School Equivalency Tutoring – One-on-one tutoring in reading, math, science, or social studies. Mondays 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Wednesdays 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Shoes and Clothes for Kids Distribution – We can always use help opening boxes of donated clothing and placing them on our table for families to come and choose items. You may also be asked to help complete paperwork and assist families with carrying items to their car. Bi-monthly, 6 times a year, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Early Childhood Toy Cleaning – Cleaning and sanitizing the toys in our Early Childhood Education program (Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool). Every Friday. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Organizing / Clean Gym Loft Area – Organize gym loft area. Clean floor, tables, and shelving. Year-round, any day but Friday.
College Internships – Merrick House offers a variety of internships each semester to help college students fulfill their credit requirements. From early childhood education to business experience, we can usually find a position for you. Year-round.
Professional Advocates – Our residents seek help from Merrick House for a number of problems caused by organizations, institutions, or government bodies. We can always use professional help and advice working with residents on the local advocacy front. Year-round.
For miscellaneous volunteer opportunities at Merrick House, please contact Harriet Hadley, Executive Director, at 216.771.5077 ext. 128 or harrieth@merrickhouse.org. Thank you for your interest!
I’m interested in volunteering at Merrick House.
For questions about Merrick House volunteering or internship opportunities, please call Deanna Massey, Development & Grants Manager, at 216.771.5077 ext. 129.