Needs From: United Way of the Great River Region

The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman coordinates a volunteer ombudsman program, and we are actively seeking volunteers throughout the state of Iowa!  After completing initial certification training, a volunteer ombudsman in our program will make regular visits to an assigned long-term care facility to help serve as a voice for residents, talking with them about their rights, empowering them, and providing advocacy.

Our volunteers are asked to spend a minimum of 3 hours per month in their assigned facility, complete monthly reports, work with long-term care ombudsman staff at the local and state levels, and complete annual continuing education to remain certified. 

Visits to facilities are generally unannounced and can be made at any time, any day generally between the hours of 8am-8pm. For a volunteer who may wish to make an impact but not wish/be able to make visits to facilities, there are more administrative volunteer opportunities available on an individualized basis.

If you have a passion for helping other people, especially those most vulnerable in our state, feel free to contact us for an application!  866-236-1430 or sltco@hhs.iowa.gov

Head Start is a program where children and families are educated, challenged and empowered to embrace their potential for success in life. One child, one family at a time.

Those who assist in the classrooms may help in a variety of areas from educational play, reading to children, field trips, and modeling positive qualities.

Volunteers must be able to pass a background check and be able to work with children.

Head Start is a program where children and families are educated, challenged and empowered to embrace their potential for success in life. One child, one family at a time.

Those who assist in the classrooms may help in a variety of areas from educational play, reading to children, field trips, and modeling positive qualities.

Volunteers must be able to pass a background check and be able to work with children.

A food pantry delivery comes about every two weeks. It takes a few hours to unload, unpack and put on the pantry shelves. Assistance is helpful to work with the specialist and also pack food boxes for clients.

A food pantry delivery comes about every two weeks. It takes a few hours to unload, unpack and put on the pantry shelves. Assistance is helpful to work with the specialist and also pack food boxes for clients.

The Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce holds several events throughout the year. Volunteers are what help these events run smoothly and make them successful. 

The Literacy Project Planning Committee provides direction, support, and program development for Big River United Way Volunteer Center literacy projects.

Skills based volunteers, retired teachers and reading specialists, and individuals with a passion for literacy are needed for planning.