Volunteer

about us

1105 W Front St | Bloomington, IL 309.827.0377

Volunteer with Project Oz

There are lots of ways to help the community, through your talents, your time, and your financial gifts. Here are some volunteer opportunities to consider:

You could join the Host Homes network. Host Homes are families with or without children, singles, and retirees. They are paid for their training and for the time they spend providing service. All Homes are monitored during the year and are re-licensed, ensuring they are current with State regulations. The Oz staff supports Host families on a continuous basis, and we do not ask that families become counselors; a Host provides overnight shelter, and we do the rest.

Have technical skills you’re ready to share? We need volunteers for computer support for our Internet safety mobile lab. The lab teaches parents how to keep their children safe from Internet predators and scams, and their elderly parents safe from financial scams. Support is needed for keeping the computers up to date, for loading programs and data, and to accompany staff to sites where we present the internet safety workshops.

Need a group project? How about sponsoring a transitional living apartment for homeless youth? Homeless youth get subsidized housing while they work on Life Skills classes, maintain jobs, and work toward self-sufficiency. Their apartments need all those things that make it clean and a home, such as a vacuum, lamps, pots and pans, silverware, linens, table and chairs, and so on. Much of what we get comes from Recycling for Families and from thrift shops. Sometimes groups go together to garage sales and discount stores, getting great bargains and helping young people at the same time.

Contacts: for computer support call Kellie, and for Host Homes inquiries and TLP assistance call Lisa Thompson. Both of these women can be reached from 8-4 weekdays at 309-827-0377.

Donate to Project Oz You can donate to Project Oz by clicking here or the link above to find out what our needs are. On the donate page you will find downloadable lists of items, services and skills you can donate to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth and help our organization with essentials.