Volunteer Needs

In the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and
the Division of Mental Retardation Services

The Volunteer Services Programs at the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities’ Regional Mental Health Institutes and the Division of Mental Retardation’s Developmental Centers play a valued role in the lives of the service recipients in state care.

Whether spending selfless hours visiting, sharing or lending general support, volunteers contribute their time and love enhancing the dignity and self-respect of the service recipients and assist in the appropriate transition into the community.

There are many ways for an individual or group to contribute toward the Volunteer Service Programs. If you, or your group, would care to interact, socialize, entertain, provide support staff or become a vital contact with the community, please contact one of the volunteer coordinators listed Separately. Most of all, thank you!

Regular Groups: Church, religious, school, civic organizations, social clubs, etc. are invited and are needed to provide visitation to the service recipients on a regular basis, preferably on a monthly basis or more frequently. Groups may provide activities such as games, bingo, music, short devotionals, movies, slide presentations, birthday parties, picnics, cookouts, concerts, holiday parties, etc.

Special Groups: May provide visitation on an occasional basis or present special programs. These groups may provide the same type of activities as regular groups, provide support of an Institute activity, or provide a one time event such as a play, concert, trip, meal, tickets, or make a monetary donation, etc.

Individuals: May provide staff support, such as assisting Institute staff with a variety of duties in offices or departments. Volunteer may visit service recipients on an individual basis and/or may provide a specific skill that is needed.

Donors: Donations are continually needed and the requests are varied and often unique. Items such as lotion, powder, deodorant, cologne, perfume, etc. for personal use by the service recipients, as well as magazines, newspaper subscriptions, new/used books, refreshments or other items for special occasions/events. Monetary donations are always needed and may be given for Service Recipients’ Canteen Funds, Christmas Fund, or other needs throughout the year.

Other Needs:

Passes/tickets: for sporting events, concerts, plays, movies, fairs, etc.

Clothing: New clothing items of all kinds.

Project Santa: Each Christmas “Santa” provides a special gift for each service recipient through donations of items and/or monetary donations.

Holidays: There are many ways that volunteers can participate.