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Flexible Schedule
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West St. Paul, MN 55118
General Description The Veteran Peer Mentor Volunteer serves as a mentor to veterans who are participating in the Carver-Dakota Veterans Treatment Court. The Veterans Treatment Court is a treatment/recovery court that provides a treatment option to veterans who are engaged in the justice system in lieu of serving time in jail. Veterans Treatment Court participants must complete a rigorous year-long treatment program with the commitment to fully participate in a court-ordered treatment program. The mentor will advocate, guide, and provide peer support to the veteran as they are participating to ensure that they receive the support and services needed to be successful. Location Most meetings are currently remote via Zoom. In-person meetings occurring within Dakota County will be planned on a case by case basis. Date/Time Flexible. Volunteers set their own schedule with Veteran Mentee. Duties & Responsibilities Act as a coach, guide, role model, advocate, and a source of support for the veteran participant with whom the mentor is working with through the court system. Assist the veteran participant in setting personal goals and help connect them with community resources that will help the participant in their treatment, recovery, and readjustment efforts. Establish and maintain frequent communication with assigned veteran participant to provide on-going support and encouragement. Maintain appropriate boundaries and help the veteran participant to do the same. Be a willing and active listener. Attend scheduled court hearings when possible with assigned veteran participant. Minimum Qualifications Must be 18 years of age or older Must have served in the United States Military Not currently engaged in the criminal justice system Complete a background check with Dakota County Must have a passion to support and serve fellow veterans in need Minimum Time Commitment Our volunteers usually spend about 4 - 6 hours per month volunteering. We want our volunteers to experience the whole process of this program and so we prefer our volunteers to commit to at least a one year commitment. Activity Level Mild - May include walking short distances over relatively level terrain. Periods of standing or sitting will be required. Comfortable shoes recommended. Required Training: Veteran Peer Mentor Volunteers will participate in a free two-hour training program offered remotely via Zoom. Volunteers will also meet on a quarterly basis for one hour to connect with other volunteers and review work. Contact Information Karly Tiegs Dakota County Veterans Services 1 Mendota Rd W, Suite 420, WSP, MN 55118 Email: Karly.tiegs@co.dakota.mn.us Phone: 651-554-5804
Date Posted: 2024-07-09
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Flexible Schedule
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Saint Paul, MN 55124
General Description The Adopt-a-Highway program looks for volunteers to collect litter along designated segments of County highways to help keep roadsides clean. Coordination of the program and supplies (safety vests, trash bags and training) are provided by Dakota County Transportation staff. Interested? Check to see what areas are available on the Adopt-a-Highway map. Click on the highway sections to see if they are available for adoption. For more information about the program, review the Adopt-a-Highway Brochure and Safety Tips. Benefits Keeps our local roadsides beautiful and free of litter Helps remove harmful pollutants and substances Prevents litter from obstructing vehicle and pedestrian traffic Great public service project for groups and families Saves taxpayers money each year Community recognition for you group/family Duties & Responsibilities Choose a representative for your group. The representative will sign an agreement on behalf of the group. Group representatives will keep track of group attendance, hours performed, and # of bags left at the side of the road for pickup. Individuals or groups commit to cleaning up their designated roadway segment two to three times a year. All participants in the group must review the safety information provided by Dakota County Transportation. Minimum Qualifications Group sizes can vary per cleanup. Adults need to accompany anyone 17 years old or younger. Groups are expected to keep up with their commitments or section will be forfeited and signs will removed by county staff. Group leaders are expected to log onto the county volunteer website (Better Impact) to record group numbers, hours, and location of trash bags. Group leaders are expected to maintain information in their Better Impact account. Minimum Time Commitment 1 - 3 hours per cleanup, 2-3 times a year Activity Level Easy - May include light work or walking short distances over relatively level terrain. Comfortable shoes recommended. Additional Information Getting Started To apply, fill out a volunteer application and we will review the section of road desired to make sure it is open for adoption. Once your application is approved, your group is ready to pick up supplies and begin. Free Recognition Signs Individuals or groups agreeing to contribute time to clean up the roadway twice a year (spring & fall) for a minimum of two years, will receive a 24" by 30" recognition signs, installed free for their contribution.* *Dakota County will provide signage with the volunteer group's name only. Depending on the group name, modifications may need to be made to fit lettering limitations. Messages (political, religious, social, etc.) or other advertising will not be allowed on the sign. Contact Information Garrett Zaffke | Community Relations and Volunteer Services Coordinator Dakota County Communications 1590 Highway 55| Hastings, MN 55033 Direct: (651) 438-4635 | Fax: (651) 438-4405 | Email: garrett.zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us
Date Posted: 2024-07-09
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Flexible Schedule
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Saint Paul, MN 55122
General Description Now is the perfect time to get out and help out. Group volunteering is a meaningful break from the work/daily routine to help build camaraderie, collaboration, improve team communications, and to help make lasting change. Dakota County’s volunteer opportunities offer many unique and rewarding experiences for your group to experience together. All supplies, training, and event organization is taken care of by us. All your group needs to do is show up, ready to work and have fun! Group opportunities may include (season and schedule depending): Riverside and greenway trash cleanups Invasive species removal Native plantings Seed Gathering Land conservation Food packing Date/Time We work with groups to figure out the dates and times that work best for them. Each request is taken on a case-by-case basis based on the availability and capacity of county event and job calendars. Location Multiple locations throughout Dakota County Minimum Time Commitment We recommend that group projects last 2 - 2.5 hours. Activity Level Moderate to Active - To fully participate may require walking over primarily even surfaces. There may be a limited number of steps, a minimal number of uneven surfaces, and some standing and/or sitting for extended periods of time. Activities will occur either in an inside or outdoor setting with a mixture of controlled/uncontrolled elements. Activity Accommodations -We work with groups to figure out what work best for them. Each request is taken on a case-by-case basis based on the availability and capacity of county event and job calendars. Required Training All training, materials, tools, and supplies will be taken care of by Dakota County unless otherwise noted. Contact Information Garrett Zaffke | Community Relations and Volunteer Services Coordinator Dakota County Communications 1590 Highway 55| Hastings, MN 55033 Direct: (651) 438-4635 | Fax: (651) 438-4405 | Email: garrett.zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us
Date Posted: 2024-07-09
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Flexible Schedule
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Saint Paul, MN 55123
General Description Looking to do more with one of your favorite hobbies or wanting to find a unique and meaningful way to give back to the community? Then Fix-it Clinics might be just what you are looking for. It takes time and money to handle all the waste we throw away. When we reduce the amount of stuff we buy and eventually throw away, we end up with more time, space and money. Fix-It Clinics provide an opportunity for residents to receive free assistance from repair savvy volunteers guiding them through each step from troubleshooting to completed repair. Several volunteer opportunities are available to help at a Fix-It Clinic. Volunteers who have skills in soldering, electronics repair, tech troubleshooting, electrical repair, sewing and garment repair, wood and/or metal working and just general tinkering are essential to making the clinics useful to our residents. Not a fixer? No worries - additional volunteers are needed to greet residents and provide event support. With clinics happening each month across Dakota County, there is always an item ready to get a volunteer’s attention and expertise and hopefully a new/continued life away from a garbage can and local landfill. Duties & Responsibilities Assist residents in simple repairs of items Provide and encourage a friendly environment of learning and troubleshooting Guide people through each step from troubleshooting to completed repair Minimum Qualifications Volunteer fixers who have skills in soldering, electronics repair, electrical repair, sewing, wood working and general tinkering. General volunteers to greet residents are needed as well Must be 16 or older Minimum Time Commitment 4 hours Activity Level Medium - May involve varying amounts of activity. Comfortable, sturdy shoes recommended. Additional Information For future dates and more information, check the Dakota County website. Contact Information Kirsten Wahlberg Fix-It Clinic Facilitator Email: kirsten.wahlberg@co.dakota.mn.us Phone: (952) 891-7595
Date Posted: 2024-07-09
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Flexible Schedule
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Hastings, MN 55033
General Description Help us keep the gardens at the LeDuc Historic Estate looking great throughout the year. We are searching for dedicated, garden-loving volunteers to help care for gardens on the property. We have a number of areas on site that are cared for by our garden volunteers. If you have an interest in flowers, rain gardens, general yard work, or heritage vegetable gardening then this is for you. The gardeners generally meet on Saturday mornings during the season to work on the garden and the grounds. Location LeDuc Historic Estate 1629 Vermillion Street Hastings, MN 55033 ( Map and Driving directions) Date/Time The volunteer season will run April - November each Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Come as often as you are interested. You are able to come by and help at the gardens during the week as well as your schedule allows. Additional times can be set up with the garden supervisors. Duties & Responsibilities Watering and weeding - weeding and watering is needed to maintain a healthy garden. During dry spells twice a day watering might be needed. Other days depending on weather we might need less. Flexibility is key with gardening. Minimum Qualifications: A love of gardening. Transportation is needed to access the site. Must be 16 years old or older to volunteer without an adult present. Families are welcome to join though. Bring your kids - more hands equals less work! Minimum Time Commitment: We ask that volunteers try to make it out to the gardens at least once a week (we understand summer can be busy, it is ok if you miss a few weeks.) Activity Level Active - Involves physical exertion for an extended period of time; project may involve rough, uneven or steep terrain. Activities will require longer periods of standing and walking with limited access to sitting. Activities will mostly occur in an outdoor setting with uncontrollable elements present. Contact Information Judy Slink judithslink@gmail.com Barb Heiden heidba@hotmail.com
Date Posted: 2024-07-09
