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Volunteer Opportunities

There are countless opportunities to volunteer in the Dubuque community. Below are some of the local non-profits where Clarke students have given their time, talent, and treasure.

If you are interested in serving, contact Rick at rick.rupprecht@clarke.edu or visit the Campus Ministry office for help finding the best fit for your interests.

This is a great place to start to find a volunteer opportunity! This site contains a calendar of volunteer activities throughout the Dubuque community.

VOLUNTEER DBQ
Contact: Brittney Hayes
Email: Bhayes@cityofdubuque.org
Phone: (563) 690-6171
Volunteer DBQ is a website that nonprofit organizations post their current volunteer opportunities. This is a resource for finding organizations and service opportunities in the community.

Volunteer Organizations:

ALMOST HOME AT ST. JOHN’S
Email: execdirector@almosthomedbq.org
Phone: (563) 583-6572
At Almost Home Dubuque, we help people get back on the path home by sheltering, serving and supporting our neighbors in need with beds, clothing, and connection to resources. We are a mission founded and sponsored by the congregation at St. John’s Lutheran Church in downtown Dubuque, Iowa, but are not exclusive to the Lutheran denomination. We have volunteer opportunities available in 4 – 8-hour shifts running our front desk. Our peaceful work environment includes a kitchen, smart tv and a quiet atmosphere. Checking guests in and out and answering our phone will be your primary duties.

AMERICAN RED CROSS
Contact: Jolene Carpenter
Email: jolene.carpenter@redcross.org
Phone: (563) 564-4565
Volunteers are needed to help provide service in the areas of Disaster Response & Emergency Communication, Administrative Office Support, and Community Outreach.

AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE
Contact: Catherine Kutka​​​​​​​
Email: ckutka@arearesidentialcare.org
Phone: (563) 557-4740
Area Residential Care provides community-based services for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER DUBUQUE
Contact: Katlynne Wolf
Email: kwolf@boysgirlsdubuque.com
Phone: (563) 585-0599, ext. 117
Volunteers can participate in ongoing Club activities or bring their own ideas to lead—everything from pickleball and art projects to welding simulators, gardening, reading, or games. It’s a fun, flexible way to give back while forming connections with amazing kids. Throughout the year, we host a number of special events that bring joy and support to our members and their families. These events rely on dedicated volunteers like you to help them run smoothly and successfully.

CIRCLES INITIATIVE
Contact: Andrea Helgager
Phone: (563) 690-6101 or (563) 589-4230
Email: circles@cityofdubuque.org
The initiative seeks to address poverty on all levels, from uplifting the individuals living in poverty to addressing the systematic barriers and policies keeping people there.

CREATIVE ADVENTURE LAB
Email: Hello@creativeadventurelab.org
Phone: (563) 607-5366
Creative Adventure Lab is always looking for fun art and creativity enthusiasts to help with various programs, projects and events.

DUBUQUE COMMUNITY YMCA
Contact: Jennie Weber
Email: jweber@dubuquey.org
Phone: (563) 556-3371
Reach & Rise is a national YMCA mentoring program with a rich history in helping at-risk youth. Volunteers are needed to serve as caring, guiding and responsible mentors for children ages 6-17.

DUBUQUE COMMUNITY YMCA/YWCA VICTIM SERVICES SHELTER
Contact: Sandra Gonzales-Denham
Email: cbulko@dubuquey.org
Phone: (563) 556-3371
The shelter assists victims of domestic violence. Volunteers work directly with victims as well as participate in fundraising, cleaning, painting and gardening. They provide necessary training.

DUBUQUE/JACKSON COUNTIES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Email: director@habitatdjc.org
Phone: (563) 556-2195
Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing.

DUBUQUE REGIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY
Contact: Cede Angel
Email: volunteer@dbqhumane.org
Phone: (563) 583-3314
The Dubuque Regional Humane Society seeks volunteers to help care for the animals and assist in providing services to the community. Please register through the online system.

DUBUQUE RESCUE MISSION
Contact: Amy Gerhard
Email: amygerhard@dbqrescue.org
Phone: (583) 583-1394
Dubuque Rescue Mission welcomes volunteers to help in the Mission Thrift Store, serve lunch and evening meals, and help in the Mission Organic Garden.

DURIDE
Contact: Greg Orwoll
Email: info@duridedbq.com
Phone: (563) 451-4999
DuRide is seeking volunteers to drive seniors ages 65 and older to doctor appointments, grocery store trips, restaurants, etc. Most rides take under 20 minutes.

FOUR OAKS
Email: info@fouroaks.org
Phone: (563) 557-3100
Four Oaks is a non-profit child welfare, juvenile justice and behavioral health agency founded in 1973. Volunteers work with children (help with homework, play games, read books, etc.).

HILLCREST FAMILY SERVICES
Contact: John Bellini
Email: hillcrest@hillcrest-fs.org
Phone: (563) 583-7357
Hillcrest Family Services is looking for volunteers to be matched with youth in the community. Mentors are asked to spend four to five hours per month with their child.

HILLS & DALES RESIDENTIAL CENTER
Contact: Wendy Sweeney
Email: wsweeney@hillsdales.org
Phone: (563) 556-7878
Hills and Dales is a not-for-profit human services organization that provides services to children and young adults with severe and profound mental and physical disabilities. Volunteers participate in various one-on-one or group activities or assist with special events.

HOPE HOUSE
Contact: Mary Moody
Email: dbqcatholicworker@gmail.com
Phone: (563) 582-9079
Volunteers are needed to welcome guests, answer phones, perform maintenance tasks, and serve community meals.

HOSPICE OF DUBUQUE
Contact: Kevin Dreessens
Email: dreessensk@hospiceofdubuque.org
Phone: (563) 582-1220
Hospice of Dubuque has many volunteers who work in both patient care and non-patient care roles.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #510
Contact: Tom McCaffery
Email: tjmccaffery@msn.com
Phone: (563) 588-2011
Knights of Columbus need volunteers for their Thursday bingo nights. Volunteers receive free soft drinks and food for their service.

MARIA HOUSE/TERESA SHELTER
Contact: Shauna Peterson
Email: shauna@openingdoorsdbq.org
Phone: (563) 690-0086
Volunteers are needed to help with special events, fundraising, office tasks, cooking meals, daycare, and general maintenance/housekeeping.

MERCYONE DUBUQUE
Contact: Megan Webber
Email: megan.webber@mercyhealth.com
Phone: (563) 589-8825
Volunteers may assist in various areas of the hospital including escorting patients to appointments from the admitting department, visiting with patients in their hospital rooms, volunteering in the daycare with special projects and field trips, greeting patients in the surgical waiting area, or as a Catholic Eucharistic Minister.

MINES OF SPAIN
Contact: Elli Slouha or Jason Gilmore
Phone: (563) 556-0620
Volunteers are needed for a variety of projects such as park greeters, seed collectors, interpreters for programs, trail maintenance, Adopt-a-Park Program, facility maintenance, and feeding the animals.

MULTICULTURAL FAMILY CENTER
Contact: Sarah Petersen
Email: speterse@cityofdubuque.org
Phone: (563) 582-3681
The Multicultural Family Center serves as an inviting and safe place for community members and builds unity out of diversity. Volunteers are needed to tutor and mentor students and to assist with cultural events and celebrations.

NATIONAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM & AQUARIUM
Contact: Missy Wersinger
Email: mwersinger@rivermuseum.org.
Phone: (563) 557-9545 x 213
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium/Dubuque County Historical Society seeks friendly volunteers for greeters, special events, archives, touch tank, and office help. They provide necessary training.

OAK PARK PLACE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Contact: Lawrence Parrott
Email: lparrott@oakparkplace.com
Phone: (563) 217-2763
Volunteers are needed in the memory care unit, a specialized area for residents with dementia. Volunteers do simple activities with residents such as walking in the halls, playing games, or just visiting.

ALMOST HOME – OPEN CLOSET
Contact: Cindy Recker
Phone: (563) 495-0885
The Open Closet provides clothing, bedding, towels, and hygiene products free to those in need. Volunteers are needed to restock Tues-Thurs, 9-11 a.m. We especially love an extra hand for the shopping events on the first Saturday of the month from 9-11 a.m. and the third Thursday of the month from 3-5 p.m.

PRESCOTT SCHOOL
Email: nodell@dbqschools.org
Phone: (563) 552-4206
Prescott, an Expeditionary Learning Charter School for the Arts, is seeking mentors to visit students on a one-on-one basis for 30 minutes per week. The time may be spent playing games, reading, studying, or chatting.

PRESENTATION LANTERN CENTER
Contact: Megan Ruiz or Sue Ellis
Email: info@thelanterncenter.org
Phone: (563) 557-7134
The Presentation Lantern Center is a drop-in center which offers hospitality, educational opportunities and advocacy to adult immigrants, especially women but also men, who are striving to better their lives. They seek volunteer tutors who work one-on-one with immigrant adults who speak English as a second language and need help improving their English; for some immigrants, this means also assisting them with preparation for the civics portion of the U.S. Citizenship test. Tutors pass on cultural skills as well. On occasion, the center can work with a Clarke student to develop service opportunities outside of the scope of tutoring, in areas such as advocacy, office support of non-profit management.

RIVER BEND FOOD BANK
Contact: Jana Fleming
Email: jfleming@riverbendfoodbank.org
Phone: (563) 345-6490, ext. 2030
River Bend Food Bank needs volunteers to help within the food bank and to host and organize food drives.

RIVERVIEW CENTER, INC.
Phone: (563) 557-0310
The mission of the Riverview Center is to serve the needs of survivors of sexual assault and abuse and to educate the community on how to eliminate crimes of sexual violence. You can volunteer for the 24-hour hotline, serve as a medical advocate, work events and fundraisers, or be an office volunteer.

ST. MARK YOUTH ENRICHMENT
Contact: Dakota Dix or Matt McCarthy
Email: ddix@smccdbq.org or mmccarthy@stmarkyouthenrichment.org
Phone: (563) 582-6211, ext. 102
St. Mark Youth Enrichment strives on improving the academic and social development of at-risk youth. Volunteers offer homework help, character development, literacy activities, and enrichment opportunities.

STONEHILL COMMUNITIES
Contact: Sarah Welbes
Phone: (563) 690-9666
Stonehill is a faith-based, not-for-profit retirement community in Dubuque. Volunteers are needed to play games, make crafts, sing and/or play music, and visit with residents.

UNITYPOINT HEALTH-FINLEY HOSPITAL
Contact: Jolene Koopmann
Email: jolene.koopmann@unitypoint.org
Phone: (563) 589-2643
Volunteers have the opportunity to work in various areas of the hospital doing tasks such as patient escorting, visiting with patients, assisting with clerical work, and much more to gain real life experience in the healthcare field! Visit our website to apply to be a volunteer.