How do our gardens grow?

BVRS volunteer Laurita Churma, standing, works with clients, from left, David, Dennis and Shawn, to prepare windowsill gardens. Sweet alyssum, parsley, basil, chives, and a lettuce mix were planted in biodegradable containers that can easily be replanted after they’ve outgrown the windowsills.

We highly value our volunteers. The time and talents they contribute to the agency enable us to serve our clients as well as we do. If you have a few hours a week to share helping others, please consider joining our volunteer team.

The Volunteer Services Missions are: To help clients retain their independence and self respect; to assist staff in providing the best possible services to meet the needs and expectations of our clients; to promote understanding of BVRS programs; and to provide personal growth opportunities for volunteers. 

A volunteer who works with a direct service program should have a commitment to helping people with disabilities and have discretion when dealing with confidential materials. Good reading ability is essential for most assignments.

During an interview at our Homestead Rehabilitation Center with the volunteer administrator, opportunities as well as the volunteer’s interests will be discussed. The volunteer must complete an orientation and training program before he or she works with clients. Click here to inquire about Volunteer Services. 

• Communication - These volunteers are on call to assist clients with special projects such as library research and taping various materials.

• Direct Service - These volunteers assist clients with clerical tasks such as balancing checkbooks, writing checks for monthly bills, reading class assignments, answering mail, or scheduling a friendly visit or telephone call. For persons who are elderly, lonely or isolated, this human contact is a welcome break. For the volunteer, it is an opportunity for good conversation and may lead to a friendship. Visits should be regular and scheduled in advance. These opportunities usually take place in the clients' home.

• Events - Fund raising volunteers are called upon to help raise money for BVRS through a variety of activities that are coordinated by the Development Department.

• Household Arts - Volunteers observe and are trained to reinforce classroom instruction in cooking, housekeeping, sewing, and other basic homemaking skills.

• Leisure Time - Several hours each week volunteers participate one-on-one or in small groups in activities that include board games, indoor gardening, crafts, and bowling. Volunteers may also escort clients on excursions to local points of interest and occasionally to athletic or cultural events. Some events are in the evening or on weekends.

• Motor Corp - Volunteers provide transportation for clients to various destinations such as doctor's offices, the airport, or train or bus stations. On the road, volunteers are covered by BVRS' general liability policy as secondary coverage. Volunteer drivers must be at least 21 years old and have ample liability and medical insurance coverage.

• Teens - Volunteers must be at least 15 years old. After receiving sighted guide training and under adult supervision, they escort young clients to cultural or entertainment events such as Kennywood, camping, and Pittsburgh Pirate’s baseball games. They may also tape manuals as a service project for local schools. Participation by teenagers is principally during summer youth programs.

• Readers - Volunteers read correspondence, exams, newspapers, and other publications to clients. Employed persons may request readers to help them keep up to date on current material in their field. Readers generally meet with clients once a week for an hour at their home, dormitory, a library, or at our Homestead Rehabilitation Center.

• Shopping - Clients of all ages may request volunteers to accompany them shopping for groceries or personal items. A volunteer shopper helps locate items, describes the selection, indicates prices and points out new products that may be of interest.

• Preschool Vision Screening - These trained volunteers visit daycares and preschools throughout Allegheny County to screen children for a variety of conditions that can be corrected if caught early.