Volunteer Opportunities for Pre-Med Students

This is a list of volunteer opportunities that may be suitable for pre-med students other than hospitals. The list is comprehensive and lists opportunities from a variety of health aspects.

Please Note:  specific service opportunities often vary based on the organizations’ needs.  Some of the opportunities listed below may no longer be available when you contact the organization, but other new opportunities may develop.  The contact people for these organizations also change from time to time.  Please help the Morgridge Center  stay current regarding contact information and volunteer/service-learning opportunities by emailing us at volunteer@morgridge.wisc.edu with any changes you might encounter in your search for a service opportunity.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRE-MED/NURSING STUDENTS OTHER THAN HOSPITALS

AIDS Network
"Together we are living with HIV/AIDS. Through a network of services and partnerships, AIDS Network provides support, education and opportunities for well-being to everyone touched by HIV/AIDS."

Our Consumer Services team provides case management services for persons living with HIV/AIDS, their families and their loved ones. Our programs address the medical, daily living, legal and emotional needs commonly associated with HIV/AIDS.

The Prevention Department works to halt the spread of HIV by educating and empowering people to live healthy lives. The prevention team works with individuals, groups, organizations, volunteers and community leaders to meet this goal.

Volunteer Opportunities: Client support, Outreach and prevention, Special events, Office and staff support

Contact Info: Mark Fetzko, mfetzko@aidsnetwork.org, (608) 252-6540 x 26

The Canopy Center Healing and Family Support Services
The Canopy Center Healing and Family Support Services is a non-profit agency that seeks to prevent child abuse and neglect, strengthen families and promote healing of those affected by abuse. We are committed to providing culturally competent and diverse professional, volunteer and peer services.

We offer 3 programs to assist families:

Our PARENT STRESSLINE is a free, anonymous and confidential call-in line available to caregivers who just need someone to listen. Callers may also learn about other resources available to assist families in the community. The Parent Stressline is available 16-hours a day, 7 days a week and offers support in Spanish during certain shifts.

The FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK (F.U.N.) provides parent support groups and groups for children ages 5-16. This program serves parents who are at risk of abusing their child, or who have previously abused their children, and want to change.

The OASIS program offers group treatment for children, adults and families affected by sexual abuse.

Volunteer Opportunities: Parent Advocate for the Parent Stressline, Childcare, Families United Network Parent Group Co-Facilitator, Families United Network Teen Group Co-Facilitator, Families United Network Child Group Co-Facilitator, Oasis Sexual Abuse Treatment Group Co-Facilitator

Contact Info: Allison Olson, allisono@canopycenter.org, (608) 241-4888 x 26

Catholic Charities
The mission of Aging Services, Catholic Charities is to provide programs and information and referrals to older persons and their families to support maintenance of independence, decision making and continued community living.

The Elder Mentor program is a program of Aging Services of Catholic Charities. Volunteers provide services aimed at helping elders remain independent and living in the community as long as possible. Support is provided for persons 65+ years of age, regardless of religious affiliation, living in Dane County. Mentors meet with elders from 2 to 4 hours per month to 2 to 4 hours per week, based on their availability and the nature of the elder's request. The services offered are as diverse as the skills and interests of the volunteer mentors. Some of the services offered include: friendly visiting by phone or direct visits, checkbook balancing, bill paying, letter or email writing, help with errands and transportation, and reading.

Volunteer Positions: Elder Mentor Program (Friendly visiting, Reading to seniors with low vision, Help organize, Transportation assistance)

Contact Info: Jean Mueller, tjmueller@tds.net, (608) 833-4800 x 112

Colonial Club Senior Activity Center
The mission of the Colonial Club Senior Activity Center is to enhance the quality of life by working with seniors to provide services and activities that respond to the growing and changing needs of the senior population in an expanding geographic area.

Our primary purpose as a not-for-profit organization is to enhance the quality of life by providing services and activities to seniors through the involvement of staff, volunteers, and seniors themselves. To fulfill our mission, we are committed to the continuous improvement of our organization so that we represent a premier organization to senior citizens, the community, volunteers, and employees

Volunteer Opportunities: Fitness Instructor, Adult Day Center Activity Assistant, Friendly Visitor

Contact Info: Lynn Pawelski, LPawelski@colonialclub.org, (608) 837-4611 x 120

Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) is a community-based, feminist organization dedicated to ending domestic abuse. The purpose of our work is two-fold: to empower those who have been affected by violence, and to transform societal attitudes and institutional barriers that perpetuate violence and the abuse of power and control in our society.

DAIS is the only shelter that specifically serves victims of domestic violence and their children. We offer many support services; 24/hr crisis line, crisis response advocacy, shelter, support groups, legal services and have an active children's program. Volunteers are essential to our agency and are involved in every aspect of the work we do. Join a great community-based agency doing the necessary work of social justice.

Volunteer Opportunities: Shelter Advocate, Crisis Line Advocate, Crisis Response Advocate, Children’s Advocate, CAPE volunteer

Contact Info: Stephen Bagwell, stephenb@abuseintervention.org, (608) 251-1237 x 306

Focuscorp, Inc.
Focuscorp, Inc. provides day services to adults with profound developmental disabilities.  Day service programs include music therapy, recreational activities, arts & crafts, horticultural therapy, sensory activities, passive range of motion exercises, vocational skill training, personal care and daily living skill training.  Many of the participants enrolled in our programs require one-on-one assistance to participate in activities.

Volunteer Opportunities: assist with programs, therapy, activities for pre-med, nursing, or social work students

Contact Info: Catherine Murray, focuscorp1@aol.com, 608-277-9140

McBurney Disability Resource Center
The McBurney Center's mission is to assist in creating an accessible university community where students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of the educational environment. Through partnerships with students, faculty, and staff we promote students' independence to ensure recognition of their abilities, not disabilities.

McBurney provides services to UW-Madison students with disabilities and acts as a resource to faculty, staff, guests and visitors.

Our four primary objectives are as follows:

1. Provide direct support services to students with disabilities, including but not limited to: advocacy, counseling, interpreting/ captioning, notetaking, and taped and electronic texts.

2. Provide technical assistance to university departments. Assist departments in identifying accommodations and providing services and responses on a case-by-case basis.

3. Provide current and accurate information and referral service on disability issues. Provide current and accurate information on disability products, programs, and services to all inquirers.

4. Provide an open and welcoming atmosphere, as well as employment opportunities for students with disabilities.

Volunteer Opportunities: Document converter

Contact Info: B.A. Scheuers, bjscheue@odos.wisc.edu, (608) 263-2747

Mental Health Center of Dane County, Inc.
The mission of the Mental Health Center of Dane County, Inc. is to provide individuals and families with high quality, community based, recovery oriented, mental health, substance abuse, and advocacy services that respect cultural differences and foster hope, strength, and self determination. We will give priority to individuals and families with high needs and low resources.

Children, teens, adults, seniors, and families have received mental health and substance abuse treatment/assessment services for 55 years. With nine agency locations and outreach to community sites (homes, schools, workplaces, senior centers, etc), the MCHDC is one of Dane County's largest community nonprofit agencies.

Volunteer Opportunities: Nurse, Case Manager, Health/Wellness Educator, Psych Services Coordinator, Life Coach

Contact Info: Linda Keys, linda.keys@mhcdc.org, (608) 280-2408

St. Mary’s Adult Day Health Center
St. Marys Adult Day Health Center provides day-long care for adults 18 years and older who do not require 24-hour professional care, but may need assistance with personal care, or activities of daily living. The Center is a place where adults with special needs can receive daily care while staying as active and involved with others as they are able.

Services available include range of motion exercises, health maintenance, and help with daily living activities such as bathing and personal hygiene. In addition, the Center staff can oversee weight and blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, medication administration, or other needs specific to individual clients.

Clients are offered therapeutic activities including daily exercise groups, discussion sessions, cooking and craft workshops, music programs, creative art groups, and intergenerational projects. All activities are designed to maintain or improve cognitive, social and physical skills. A quiet, private space where clients can nap is also available.

Volunteer Opportunities: Individual and group companionship, special events, serve snacks and meals, trip escorts

Contact Info: Jim Penczykowski, Jim_Penczykowski@ssmhc.com, (608) 249-4450