Help finding clinical and non clinical volunteering

[doctry23]

I have been a hospice volunteer for 2 years, but now will be moving to Philly next school year (2021-2022) when hopefully corona is more under control. I just wanted to ask if people are familiar with clinical and non-clinical volunteering opportunities in Philly. For clinical, I know there's many hospitals but I really don't want to just stock gloves/answer phones and I also don't want to be a hospice volunteer again, so that's why I am asking if people know of other clinical volunteering opportunities.
For non clinical, I don't know where to start? What are good places to help and make a difference in diverse cities like Philly? Also can't do anything that's like more than 4-5 hours a week because I will be taking classes still. Any advice appreciated!

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[LizzyM]

How to Apply - Einstein Health

Einstein Healthcare Network is a healthcare system with approximately 1,000 beds and more than 8,700 employees serving the communities of Philadelphia and Montgomery County, Pa. The Network is made up of three acute care hospitals...

www.einstein.edu

One role for volunteers at Einstein has been as a NICU cuddler so if sitting in a rocking chair cuddling a newborn patient sounds appealing, that could be a good fit.

It is most efficient in terms of travel time to volunteer near to home. Depending on where you live, you might seek out a local soup kitchen or pantry that could use your help:

Find a Food Pantry — Coalition Against Hunger

Search for immediate food resources in the 5-country Philadelphia region

www.hungercoalition.org

 

[doctry23]

@LizzyM Thanks for the great options! Are there other non-clinical opportunities besides homeless shelters/soup kitchens? I saw this great program (CASA GAL - court appointed special advocates) but it requires like 30 hours per month which I unfortunately cannot do, but I'd love to do something like this or something that's not already very commonly done so I can also stand out

 

[Goro]

Food pantries

Meals of Wheels

Online tutoring for poor kids???? (don't know if this is a thing or not...the idea just came to me)

Election poll worker (a job normally done by retirees.)

Also check with your local houses of worship

For clinical, scribing?

 

[LizzyM]

@LizzyM Thanks for the great options! Are there other non-clinical opportunities besides homeless shelters/soup kitchens? I saw this great program (CASA GAL - court appointed special advocates) but it requires like 30 hours per month which I unfortunately cannot do, but I'd love to do something like this or something that's not already very commonly done so I can also stand out

Many things are common because the need is great and the required hours/month can be whatever you can give.

check out volunteermatch.org to find opportunities in the Philly area (or other communities if you aren't the OP).

 

[ciestar]

There are endless opportunities here in Philly. Well... pre-COVID, idk where things stand now.

 

[8YearsLate]

How to Apply - Einstein Health

Einstein Healthcare Network is a healthcare system with approximately 1,000 beds and more than 8,700 employees serving the communities of Philadelphia and Montgomery County, Pa. The Network is made up of three acute care hospitals...

www.einstein.edu

One role for volunteers at Einstein has been as a NICU cuddler so if sitting in a rocking chair cuddling a newborn patient sounds appealing, that could be a good fit.

It is most efficient in terms of travel time to volunteer near to home. Depending on where you live, you might seek out a local soup kitchen or pantry that could use your help:

Find a Food Pantry — Coalition Against Hunger

Search for immediate food resources in the 5-country Philadelphia region

www.hungercoalition.org

OMG Newborn cuddler? Med school or not I need that in my life.

Edit: I meant to actually be helpful...for non-clinical...

-YMCA or rec centers could always use coaches / coach assistants
-Classroom volunteer at local school (sorting papers, prepping lessons, supervising lunch/recess)
-Agree with others who said tutoring or church-related, i.e. teaching Sunday School - (be aware anything related to children often requires background check)
-Assisting elderly with daily duties (though probably not via a nursing home right now)
-Walking pets at the Humane society
-Anything related to post-disaster clean up (in storm regions I know there is always plenty of this to go around in the next few months)
-Giving rides to people in public assistance programs (i.e. to work, job interviews, 12-step meetings, etc.)
-Helping set up events like 5k's, cancer fundraisers...passing out water, etc.

Good luck!

 

[YoungDrummer]

Suicide and crisis hotline is one option. It may even be a paid position; they have programs were you could teach someone to read. It would be done by distance learning now; The cancer society probably needs drivers to drive patients to their appointments; You could also help domestic violence victims as they go through the court process. In my area, the program is called Victim Witness Assistance.

If you are planning to work, you could possibly get a medical assistant position.

For anything you could try Americorps.

 

[caterwaiter]

Non-clinical volunteering is a wide open field, even in COVID times! It all depends on what you want to do. What are you passionate about? What skills, abilities, or traits do you have that you think could benefit a group of individuals or an organization? Doing something you're genuinely interested in and proud of will be much easier to write about in essays and talk about in interviews.

Some things that come to my mind:

-tutoring or mentoring at schools
-grocery shopping for folks who can't leave their homes due to COVID
-translation services if you speak another language

Places to check out:

-senior centers
-resource centers
-Philly Department of Human Services
-shelters and transitional housing centers
-local schools