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General What is the Gwinnett County Health and Human Services Volunteer Program?
The Gwinnett County Health and Human Services Volunteer Program engages volunteers to assist with programs and services provided for individuals, families, youth, and seniors. Since volunteer opportunities are based on the needs of citizens, a majority of them exist to serve seniors. Are there any required time commitments to volunteer?
Volunteer assignments are based on individual skills and interests and hours that our volunteers prefer to work. There are no time commitments for most assignments. However, we do prefer that Meals on Wheels volunteers commit to a three-month term, but this is not a requirement. I am interested in meeting other volunteers like myself. Any suggestions?
Meeting other volunteers can be a rewarding experience and we try to provide those opportunities throughout the year. Held annually, our Volunteer Recognition event brings together the volunteer corps for a lunch or dinner to recognize volunteer accomplishments and engage in fellowship. This is a great opportunity to meet other volunteers with similar interests. In addition to these events, our nonprofit partner, Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services (Friends) is always looking for enthusiastic individuals to join forces and assist with their mission to support local seniors. This is another great way to get involved with a group of individuals who are actively engaged in this field. For more information about Friends, please call Pamela Owunta at 770.822.8067, e-mail pamela.owunta@gwinnettcounty.com or visit www.fogcss.com. What if I injure myself while volunteering?
If you are accidentally injured and need medical attention, call 911. If you do not have medical insurance or your insurance cannot cover the accidental injury, Gwinnett County Health and Human Services offers supplemental accident insurance during the time of your assignment. I want to help local seniors but performing physical tasks isn’t for me. How can I help?
We encourage you to look into Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services (Friends). Friends is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer-run organization dedicated to raising funds to privately support or supplement select Gwinnett Senior Services programs. Friends organizes exciting charity events that include an annual golf tournament and a silent auction. This is a fun way for volunteers to become advocates of senior initiatives while exercising special skills to help Gwinnett seniors. For more information about Friends, please call Pamela Owunta at 770.822.8067, e-mail pamela.owunta@gwinnettcounty.com or visit www.fogcss.com. Meals on Wheels I am interested in joining the Meals on Wheels program. How do I get started?
Download and complete the Individual Volunteer Application and follow the instructions to submit your application. If you have a group of individuals who are interested in this program, please see that each participating member completes the Individual Volunteer Application. Does the Meals on Wheels program operate on weekends?
The Gwinnett County Meals on Wheels program currently operates Monday through Friday between 8:00am until noon. Does the Meals on Wheels Program offer vehicles for volunteers to use while volunteering?
No. Meals on Wheels volunteers are required to use their own vehicles with valid, current insurance in order to perform this task. Will Meals on Wheels reimburse me for gasoline used while volunteering?
No. While we understand that gas can be expensive, Meals on Wheels volunteers perform this task with the understanding that this expense is considered a donation to the seniors we serve. Skill-based opportunities I intend to perform home repairs for seniors in a volunteer capacity. How does this program work?
Home repairs are a constant need for our seniors and home repair volunteers are always in high demand. Seniors are referred to our Information and Assistance Specialist to assess their level of need. If they qualify, volunteers are asked to evaluate and estimate the cost of needed repairs. Repairs will be completed in coordination with our Volunteer Specialist. I am looking for volunteer yard work opportunities. Will I be provided with lawn care equipment or will I be required to provide my own?
Gwinnett County seniors often have the need for lawn care services as they are unable to get out and perform these tasks on their own. In most cases, you will be asked to provide your own equipment to complete these tasks. In the event that a consenting senior does own properly operating lawn care equipment and can provide this equipment without risk to the senior or our volunteers, then the volunteer may use this equipment for the duration of the assignment. I am a professional teacher or instructor and I would like to provide classes at a center. How do I get started?
If you are a professional or experienced teacher or instructor and you can supply your own course materials, Gwinnett County Health and Human Services may be able to utilize your expertise to conduct a presentation, series of presentations, or hands-on classes at one or more of our centers located in Buford, Centerville, Lawrenceville, and Norcross. Please contact a center where you intend to provide these services for details. These volunteers should complete the Individual Application. I provide a support group for families, children, or seniors and would like to conduct meetings at one of your centers. How do I get started?
Appropriate support groups are a valuable service to Gwinnett County citizens. Please contact a center where you intend to provide these services for details. Supervisors of these groups should complete the Individual Application. I want to get involved over the holidays. What kind of opportunities do you typically have available during this time of year?
The holidays typically present a number of opportunities for seniors and children alike. Opportunities include, but are not limited to food and clothing drives; holiday gift collection for children as well as seniors; gift-wrapping parties; serving holiday meals to seniors; portable heater collection and delivery; assistance with special events; and much more. I am interested in volunteering and/or mentoring youth. Do you offer any opportunities like this?
You may contact one of our centers located at Buford, Centerville, or Norcross which offer such programs for youth. Youth Volunteers I am under 18 and need to volunteer for school. How do I get started?
Download and complete the Youth Volunteer Application and follow the instructions to submit your application. All youth volunteers not serving as part of a group are required to have a supervising parent/guardian present at all times during your volunteer project, so be sure to arrange with your parent/guardian an appropriate schedule when the two of you can perform a desired project. I am under 18 and I am part of a group of youth (under 18) who want to perform a group project. How do we get started?
Group Volunteers I am an adult who supervises a group of children and I want my group to produce hand-made gifts at my facility and then deliver these gifts to seniors. If I deliver these gifts to your center without my group of children present, do the children still need to complete a volunteer application?
No. While these children volunteered their time to create hand-made gifts and their efforts are certainly appreciated, we do not require these children to complete an application because they will not be present at the time of the presentation of gifts Background Checks I had a background check through my company or organization and have been approved to work. Is a background check still required by your organization if I want to want to perform a task that requires I complete the Individual application?
Yes. Due to legal complications we cannot use a background check performed by any entity other than Gwinnett County Health and Human Services. Please speak with Shawn Valadez, Volunteer Specialist at 678.377.6716 or email shawn.valadez@gwinnettcounty.com for details. Can I use the background check performed by Gwinnett County Health and Human Services for another job or volunteer opportunity outside of Gwinnett County Health and Human Services?
No. Strict laws protect the chain of custody of these background checks. Gwinnett County Health and Human Services will not share the background with any other entity at any time. Community Service I need community service hours to report to a probation officer, lawyer, or court official. Does the Volunteer Program offer these opportunities?
Gwinnett County Health and Human Services offers community service opportunities on a limited, first come, first-served basis. Completing the application does not guarantee that a project will be provided. All letters stating a project’s completion are provided only when the total number of required hours is completed. For more information on how to obtain your letter, please call Shawn Valadez at 678.377.6716 or email shawn.valadez@gwinnettcounty.com. Can I donate goods in exchange for court-mandated community service hours?
No. Community service hours will only be rewarded when an assigned project is completed.
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