AGENCIES PARTNERED WITH HELLER SERVICE CORPS
EDUCATIONAL
Book Buddies
Volunteers are paired with a a student from a local elementary school and goes to read with that student on a weekly basis.
Frazee Dream Center
http://www.frazeecenter.com//
The Frazee Dream Center is a free preschool, after school, and summer program for under resourced children in the downtown Greenville area. The program offers assistance and guidance to children ages 3-16 in the areas of academics, character development, sportsmanship and emotional wellness. To be a volunteer tutor all one needs is time, patience, and the ability to read. One-on-one reading help is needed for all students in grades K-5.
Greenville County College Fair
http://www.greenvillecountycollegefair.org
This fair is held once a year over two days. This year the dates are Sunday, October 23th and Monday, October 24th, 2011. Last year, over 130 college representatives connected with over 3,000 Greenville County high school junior and seniors. Volunteers are needed on Sunday afternoon and/or Monday morning. Specific job assignments are given on arrival and generally help is needed with signing in and directing students into and out of the TD Convention Center.
Greenville Literacy
http://www.greenvilleliteracy.org
The mission of the Greenville Literacy Association is to empower adults to participate more effectively in the community by providing quality instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, and speaking English.
Ladies of Distinction
The mission of Ladies of Distinction is to uncover and cultivate great potential in at risk middle school girls regarding their self-worth and calue while esteeming them to be the best and to strive for excellence. The Furman volunteers act as role models and serve as mentors.
Gentlemen of Honor
The mission of Ladies of Distinction is to uncover and cultivate great potential in at risk middle school boys regarding their self-worth and calue while esteeming them to be the best and to strive for excellence. The Furman volunteers act as role models and serve as mentors.
SC Can Go!
This program will take place in late October. Volunteers will work for 1 day in local high schools assisting seniors who are applying for college. Most of the seniors are the first in their families to attend college and need assistance with completing the applications.
United Ministries
http://www.united-ministries.org//
United Ministries provides life changing opportunities and advocacy for people in the community who lack education or employment skills, are in financial crisis, or are homeless. Volunteer tutors work one-on-one with young adults studying for a GED in a relaxed environment. Concierge volunteers greet and provide basic services to individuals who enter the homeless day shelter. Volunteers in both positions are encouraged to engage in meaningful working relationships with the people they serve.
West Greenville Community Center
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MEDICAL
Greenville Free Medical Clinic
http://greenvillefreeclinic.org/
Greenville Free Medical Clinic volunteers are responsible for determining eligibility for new and returning patients. Through a one-on-one interview, volunteers will review residency and financial information to determine if the patient qualifies for free medical and dental care at our facility.
Greenville Memorial Hospital
Furman volunteers gain experience in numerous departments in these facilities. Opportunities include working in physical therapy, occupational therapy, pediatrics, pharmacy, orthopedics, cardiac rehabilitation, and the emergency room.
Taylors Free Medical Clinic
http://taylorsfmc.org/
Taylors Free Medical Clinic is a faith-based free medical clinic whose mission is to minister to the mind, body, and spirit of the medically indigent and underserved in Greenville County.
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LEGAL
Partnerships with local offices dependent upon openings with each semester.
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RECREATIONAL
Big Brothers Big Sisters
http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.htINI3PIKoG/b.3880891/k.9CE8/Volunteering.htm
This program matches Furman volunteers with children ranging from six to eighteen years of age after a background check and an interview is completed. The students form relationships through activities such as shooting hoops, playing a board game, sharing a pizza, taking a walk in the park, a trip to Furman’s campus.
FYI Downtown
http://www.ymcagreenville.org/teens.php
Girls Scouts
http://www.gssc-mm.org/
Volunteers at Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains-to-Midlands, Inc. facilitate the Girl Scout Leadership Experience program for elementary school aged girls in Greenville County.
Just Kids
Just Kids is an after school and summer program for children and is located only 5 minutes from Furman. Volunteers help the elementary age children with their homework and special projects.
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COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Habitat for Humanity
http://www.habitatgreenville.org/
Habitat Greenville is a Christian non-profit organization that follows a biblically-based "faith in action" philosophy, partnering with local families to provide homeownership opportunities to working poor families.
To sign up, please go to the HSC sign up page but for additional information on the Furman HFH, visit https://hfhfurman.wordpress.com/.
Homes of Hope
http://www.homesofhope.org/#/home
Homes of Hope exists to provide safe, affordable housing to low-income or homeless families/individuals, while also providing job training and Christian mentoring for men overcoming drug and/or alcohol addictions.
Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network
http://www.gaihn.org/
The mission of the Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (GAIHN) is to assist local congregations to share hospitality (in the form of emergency lodging and meals) with homeless families, and to help those families achieve self-sufficiency and self-fulfillment.
Mental Health America of SC
http://www.mha-sc.org/
Mental Health America of Greenville County promotes positive mental health for all members of the community. Volunteer opportunities include helping with support groups, special projects, office tasks, and CRISISline.
Pendleton Place
http://www.pendletonplace.org/
(This program requires a background check which takes approximately 2 weeks to complete)
Pendleton Place is an emergency shelter for children from birth to 17 years of age who are in need of temporary housing due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The Bedtime Story Hour is where a Furman volunteer arrives at 7:00 pm and helps the child prepare for bed by brushing their teeth, getting them settled, and reading a bedtime story.
Safe Harbor
http://safeharborsc.org/
Safe Harbor is a shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. Furman volunteers play with the children and have opportunities to do different jobs around the facility to assist these families.
The Children's Museum of the Upstate
http://www.tcmupstate.org/
The Museum serves the needs and interests of all children by providing experiences that stimulate curiosity, stir the imagination, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Triune Mercy Center
http://www.triunemercy.org/volunteer/
Triune utilizes volunteers to sort donations, keep the clothes closet and food pantry tidy, help in the office, and help with the needs of poor and homeless who come in for assistance, referrals.
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SPECIAL NEEDS
A Child's Haven
http://www.achildshaven.org//
A Child's Haven is a daycare center for abused and neglected children which strives to create a stable and loving environment and to overcome the developmental delays caused by abuse and neglect as well as to treat dysfunctional families in an effort to break the intergenerational cycle of abuse and neglect for each child. Furman volunteers play with and help supervise the children (ages 2.5 to 5) at the center once a week.
Camp Spearhead
http://greenvillerec.com/activities-and-programs/camp-spearhead-temp/
While Camp Spearhead offers a summer camp for individuals with special needs, the Saturday program is what often attracts Furman volunteers. Volunteers accompany the participants on fun activities that range from everything from the circus to horseback riding.
Meyer Center
http://meyercenter.org/
The Meyer Center is a preschool for children with mental and physical disabilities. Volunteers assist teaching staff with classroom activities or participate in the planning and execution of a fundraising activity or special events.
Oakmont Nursing Home
Furman volunteers have the opportunities to talk with and build relationships with residents and to organize activities like games, singing, or help in already established activities such as bingo or shopping trips.
Washington Center
http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/washctr/
Washington Center is a school that serves students ages 5 to 21 with severe mental disabilities. Many of these students have concurrent challenges such as autism, blindness, deafness, or physical disabilities.
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ANIMAL INTEREST
Greenville Humane Society
http://www.greenvillehumane.com/
Volunteers at the Greenville Humane Society can serve as dog walkers where they provide dogs with exercise and mental stimulation. Puppy patrol includes various responsibilities such as making sure pens and cages are clean and puppies have water.
Greenville Zoo
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SUSTAINABILITY
Opportunities with local organic gardening, weatherization, etc.
