Article Title: Volunteer Opportunities

Penquis Child Development Centers

Penquis CDC has volunteer opportunities at our Child Development Centers. If you are interested in reading to children, assisting in meal preparation, sharing a skill or talent with young children in a preschool classroom setting, or just providing additional help with infants and toddlers, contact Kelley Graffam at kgraffam@penquis.org.

Foster Grandparent

Active, giving back, and being connected, the Foster Grandparent Program provides opportunities for seniors to get involved in their community by sharing their time with children who benefit from additional nurturing support. The program is for income-eligible volunteers, aged 55 and over, who are able to volunteer 15 to 40 hours with children in one-on-one and small group settings. Foster Grandparents volunteer in sites such as schools, child care centers, and Head Start centers.

Benefits include a stipend for hours volunteered, paid holidays, earned time, and assistance with transportation and meals. Penquis sponsors this program in 14 Maine counties (all but York and Cumberland). For more information, please call us at 207-973-3611 or 1-800-215-4942.

Funding is provided in part by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Bureau of Elder and Adult Services and the United Way of Kennebec Valley.   

Foster Grandparent

Active, giving back, and being connected, the Foster Grandparent Program provides opportunities for seniors to get involved in their community by sharing their time with children who benefit from additional nurturing support. The program is for income-eligible volunteers, aged 55 and over, who are able to volunteer 15 to 40 hours with children in one-on-one and small group settings. Foster Grandparents volunteer in sites such as schools, child care centers, and Head Start centers.

Benefits include a stipend for hours volunteered, paid holidays, earned time, and assistance with transportation and meals. Penquis sponsors this program in 14 Maine counties (all but York and Cumberland). For more information, please call us at 207-973-3611 or 1-800-215-4942.

Funding is provided in part by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Bureau of Elder and Adult Services and the United Way of Kennebec Valley.   

Retired Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP)

RSVP is an opportunity for volunteers to meet vital needs in our community by sharing their time experience, insight, and knowledge. RSVP is America’s largest volunteer network for adults 55 and over in volunteer service.

Penquis sponsors this program in the Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo counties. RSVP volunteers can choose the amount of time they wish to give, how and where they wish to serve, and whether to draw on their current skills or develop new ones. RSVP volunteers are currently making a difference in their communities by serving in:

• Libraries
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Museums
• Social Service Agencies
• Thrift shops
• Meal and Food Distribution Centers
• Elder Care Facilities
• Youth Programs

Volunteering is a rewarding experience. Our hope is that by providing transportation for others, we will help ease the some of the burden and stress that our customers face so they can focus on healing and getting well. At the same time, we hope our volunteers find a fulfilling experience of helping others.

Volunteer drivers are wanted for all communities within the Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. If you have time to give and enjoy driving and meeting people, this might be the thing for you. All volunteers are reimbursed for the use of their vehicle. You will be asked to transport individuals to medical and social service appointments. We ask for a commitment between two and six hour blocks of time a week, you can volunteer more if you wish. Dependability is important, however your schedule can be flexible.

Volunteers complete a Department of Health and Human Services (have safe driving history), and State Bureau of Identification check (no criminal history). Volunteers will complete a 6-hour orientation program, a 6-hour defensive driving class, and an 8-hour children’s transportation training.

*Mileage Reimbursement is given and is between $0.41 and $0.44 per mile, for every mile, whether or not a customer is in the vehicle. Different programs reimburse at different rates depending on the type of appointment transportation is being provided for.

For more information on becoming a volunteer driver, please call 207-974-2404 or email Danielle at dhunt@penquis.org to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

Successful Attributes

When you volunteer at one of our assisted-living facilities, you are contributing to the health and well-being of senior citizens. When you help out, you’re making a difference in the lives of residents, employees, and the overall organization. It doesn’t take doing anything drastic to make a difference; it could be as simple as leading a weekly craft activity, sharing a skill or a talent, making a healthy snack for residents, or assisting with administrative tasks, such as answering phone calls or filing.

Penquis Assisted Living Services are located at:

• Freeses, 10 Water St, Bangor – 942-2426
• Merry Gardens Estates, 87 John Street, Camden – 230-0618
• Stearns, 80 Maine Avenue, Millinocket – 723-4445

For more information on volunteering at one of our Assisted Living locations, please call Christine Bessey at 207-973-3578 or email her at cbessey@penquis.org

For more information about Assisted Living services for a senior in your life click HERE.

When you  volunteer your time with the “We’ve Got Your Back” to school drive you are helping kids have the tools they need to be successful in school.  Each year Penquis has a back to school drive to provide backpacks and school supplies to approximately 1,500 kids, k-12.

We need assistance sorting the school supplies and backpacks August 14, 15, and 17. If you are available please email Renae Muscatell at rmuscatell@penquis.org