9 ways you can invest your skills — and the opportunity to interview the orgs that need them

On the Market is a column where we highlight noteworthy job openings and the people who are lookin’. Want to be featured on our jobs board? Check out generocity.org/jobs.

 INTER/VIEW is next week, and it’ll be chock-full of opportunities to work and volunteer in Philly for organizations that care about more than just the bottom line.

We know your time is important, and that you’ve got skills to offer. We hear a lot of you want to volunteer but may not have a relationship with an organization to do so — yet.

Here’s your chance to get to know the organizations that need your skills (and get your happy hour in at the same time):

THE ORG: GIRLS ON THE RUN PHILADELPHIA

THE MISSION: Girls on the Run is a physical activity based positive youth development program for girls in third through eighth grade with a goal of unleashing confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

For Philly runners, Girls on the Run Philadelphia pairs something you’re already doing with a worthy cause. It’s almost entirely supported by volunteers, and there are a variety of ways to get involved:

• Volunteer coaches commit to running practice two days per week for 12 weeks.
• Running buddies offer race day support to program participants by running alongside them in the GOTR 5K Event.
• Committee members support a variety of organization functions including fundraising, grant writing, program evaluation, event planning and marketing.
• Board members meet every other month, serve as committee chairs, and share their time and talents in an effort to expand the organization.

THE ORG: PHILADELPHIA FIGHT

THE MISSION: Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers provide culturally competent healthcare to low-income members of the community, along with research, consumer education, advocacy, social services and outreach to people living with HIV and those who are at high risk.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Allies of the LGBTQ Community — FIGHT is looking for potential volunteers with a variety of skill sets:

• Help get the word out about FIGHT’s various medical services and programs.
• Manage and coordinate various drives throughout the year for our youth and adult programs (includes clothing/coat drives, amenities drives and food pantry drives).
• Volunteers for AIDS Education Month.
• Help in recruiting teams/participants for the annual Philly AIDS Walk.

THE ORG: EDUCATIONWORKS

THE MISSION: EducationWorks tackles core issues like literacy, graduation rates, safety and social awareness through academic support, career readiness and enrichment programming throughout Greater Philadelphia.  

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

You might not expect that your attention to detail or social media skills would be a huge change-maker for this organization, but: 

• Do you love working with youth? Homework help volunteers assist elementary school students with their homework.
• Are you a social media wiz? Help EducationWorks strengthen its social media presence by becoming a social media ambassador.
• Do you enjoy organizing and decluttering? Come to the main office and help them streamline what they do.

THE ORG: LENFEST CENTER

THE MISSION: Located in North Philadelphia, the Lenfest Center focuses on serving grades K to 12, creating a safe space in which youth can learn skills, find community and access unique programming that can further their development as leaders and learners.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

If you’ve got time after school, the Lenfest Center in North Philly is looking for energetic volunteers who can assist staff with after-school activities such as:

• Homework help
• Recreational games
• Classroom support
• Center-wide trips and events

THE ORG: CADCOM

THE MISSION: Montgomery County Community Action Development Commission creates opportunity through community economic development, moving individuals and families out of poverty through the use of emergency supportive services, and increasing career skills and job training opportunities for living wage jobs so that families and communities become more economically stable.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

CADCOM could use help following up with workshop participants, engaging the community to support the project and attending the weekly workshop meetings. The org also has multiple opportunities for social media experts, IT/web design, event planning and marketing, so grab a beer and talk through those with the CADCOM team.

THE ORG: BLESSINGS, INC

THE MISSION: A faith-based nonprofit serving the youth of Philadelphia, Blessings, Inc. hosts a youth programming, in particular a Saturday program that is open to children ages 5 to 12.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Always wanted to serve on a board? Blessings, Inc is looking for new board members.
• Plan a new program the organization is developing for 13- to 17-year-olds that are currently in foster care.
• Assist in its Saturday youth program.

THE ORG: THE WOMEN’S SOLO PROJECT

THE MISSION: The Women’s Solo Project works within the Philadelphia community in preventing domestic violence with teaching awareness, parenting, life skills, financial literacy, anger management and sustainability workshops in shelters, schools and community centers.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

For people with a familiarity with domestic violence advocacy and prevention principles or a drive to aid families affected by domestic violence, you can invest your skills by becoming a:

• Board member serving in a few roles, including secretary and treasurer
• Marketing/public relations aid
• Grant writer/researcher
• Social media coordinator

THE ORG: SCORE PHILADELPHIA

THE MISSION: SCORE Philadelphia fosters the formation, growth, and development or entrepreneurs and small business owners by providing free mentoring and low-cost educational workshops.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Small businesses are often strapped for time and money, and a few hours of mentorship time in one of these areas can go a long way:

• Business accounting/budgeting
• Customer relations
• eCommerce
• Financing/capital
• Human resources/managing employees
• Legal issues
• Marketing/sales
• Business sustainability
• Technology/computers

THE ORG: BETHESDA PROJECT

THE MISSION: Bethesda Project provides shelter, housing and programs reaching out to chronically homeless men and women in Philadelphia.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

For arts and maker-oriented individuals, Bethesda Project has opportunities to use your skills in: 

• Photography and video production
• Graphic design
• Carpentry and gardening
• Visual arts (painting, sculpture, drawing, photography)
• Musical performance (string instruments, piano, etc)
• Career skills mentoring
• Fundraising

Positions are also available on Bethesda Project’s Young Professionals Advisory Board.