Volunteer
Regardless of your area of interest or expertise, there is a way for you to get involved with Woodhaven! We love our volunteers and are more than happy to be flexible to help you find a project that matches your interests with the needs and interests of the men and women we support. Check out the opportunities below for ideas on how to get involved!
Individuals
Service Learning
Woodhaven is proud to partner with the Office of Service Learning to provide opportunities for Mizzou students to make a difference in the lives of adults with developmental disabilities. If you are a student and you are interested in completing your requirements for Service Learning with Woodhaven, please contact Development to get your application started.
PLEASE NOTE: All Service Learning volunteers will be required to complete a background check before they can begin working with the individuals with developmental disabilities we support.
Be a Mentor/Friend
Volunteers will work one-on-one with an individual with a developmental disability. Activities will be based on the interests of the volunteer and the individual they’ll be working with; but could include: going to see a movie, going bowling, going out to dinner, playing board games, life skills mentoring, literacy mentoring, etc. Schedule will be set up based on availability of the volunteer and the needs of the individual, but there is a special need for volunteers after 3:00pm during the week and anytime during the weekend.
Location: various locations available
Primary Contact: Development, (573) 876-7327
Community Connections Volunteer
Weekdays from 9 AM- 3 PM, Woodhaven assists adults with developmental disabilities as they participate in activities throughout the community. Volunteers would help out and socialize at a variety of events based on their interests and availability. Some examples include bowling, bingo, tours of local businesses and attractions, baking/cooking activities, science/educational projects and so much more. Schedules will be set up based on the interests and availability of the volunteer to fit the needs of the Community Connection program — Monday–Friday between 9 AM–3 PM.
Location: 2401 Thornberry Dr, Columbia, MO 65201
Primary Contact: Jeff Kitch, jkitch@woodhaventeam.org
Community Employment Services
Volunteer to work with our students who are enrolled in our Community Employment Services program. We offer a variety of virtual and in-person classes specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with autism and other forms of neurodiversity where each student can learn technology and soft skills and prepare for the workforce. We provide classes in social skills, technology, and therapeutic recreation. We would love to have you volunteer with us and work alongside our students!
Location: various locations available
Primary Contact: Tara Shade, tshade@woodhaventeam.org
Literacy Coach
Volunteers will work with an individual or a group of individuals with developmental disabilities to help them develop their literacy skills. Individuals are enthusiastic and eager to improve their literacy skills, especially if they hope to one day find community-based employment. Volunteers will work with agencies to develop curriculum based on the needs of the individual. Schedules can be arranged based on the availability of the volunteer and the individual they will be working with.
Location: various locations available
Primary Contact: Development, (573) 876-7327
Development Volunteer
Help with planning fundraising and awareness building events or learn more about how fundraising works in a busy development department. You could help with a direct mail campaign one week and help put on an event the next. There are a lot of ways you can get involved to help make a difference at Woodhaven.
Location: Woodhaven Administrative Office, 1405 Hathman Place, Columbia MO
Primary Contact: Development, (573) 876-7327
Groups
Adopt a home, or group of homes
Woodhaven serves over 100 men and women in 40 family-sized homes and apartments throughout Columbia and Jefferson City. Most of the people we serve live in groups of three to a house. Your group could adopt one of our homes and form relationships with the individuals served there. They always love getting to know new people. The members of your group could also help plant flowers, rake leaves, participate in fun activities or decorate the home.
Location: various locations available
Primary Contact: Development, (573) 876-7327
Hold a dance or other social event
The people we serve love the opportunity to socialize, but often there are not resources to organize an activity for all the men and women served by Woodhaven. Your group could sponsor, plan and hold a dance or social event for the men and women of Woodhaven. A great opportunity to do this would be around Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day or Halloween and have it be a theme event. All the members of your group would be invited to attend as well, and would have the chance to get to know the men and women who receive services from Woodhaven. We can help arrange a location.
Location: Determined by the group helping organize the project
Primary Contact: Development, (573) 876-7327
Have a fundraiser to benefit Woodhaven
It could be as simple as a bake sale or car wash or as formal as an evening dinner. It could be something fun like a golf tournament or a dance marathon. It could be something completely new and creative. Woodhaven raises funds to support our residential and day programs, our health services department, our staff training programs, transportation costs, activities, and other operational needs that are not fully covered by other funding sources. Any fundraiser, large or small, would be a great benefit to the men and women served by Woodhaven. We can help in organizing it.
Location: Determined by the group helping organize the event or project
Primary Contact: Development, (573) 876-7327
Volunteer Application
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Woodhaven. There are many ways in which you can leave your impact on Woodhaven and the adults with developmental disabilities we provide services for. Your road to making a difference starts here. Please fill out the volunteer application below and we will be happy to start discussing your future role as a part of the Woodhaven team.