Volunteer Opportunities

Check out these volunteer opportunities:

“Become a Friend to the Elderly.”

Adult volunteers provide companionship to frail, institutionalized elders. Volunteers must complete the volunteer application and screening process and then complete the Desert Ministries training prior to being placed in a long-term care facility.

Young children accompanied by an adult are welcome!

For this volunteer opportunity, volunteers must submit an application (link below), three letters of reference (forms supplied when application is received), schedule a face-to-face interview, clear background checks (completed after interview), and attend two-day training course, (training certificate and ID badge awarded upon completion). Training is conducted bi-monthly starting with the month of January. Contact the office for exact dates.

Time commitment: 1-2 hours per week. Apply

GrandFriends

This is a great opportunity for groups of adults or teenagers, such as Sunday school classes, home groups, riding clubs, etc… to volunteer as a group in a nursing home.  Teams are formed and assigned to a nursing home.  Groups break up for one-on-one visits and reassemble for debrief, (pizza and etc…) Training provided to group before being assigned to a nursing home.

In addition, GrandFriends has been utilized as an educational opportunity for schools who want their students to learn about elder issues or desire their pupils to be more service-minded.

Time commitment: varied, contact us for more information. Apply

V.A.L.U.E. (Volunteers Assisting Loving and Uplifting Elders)

This is an opportunity for the local church or civic group to make a one-year commitment to adopt a local nursing home in order to ensure that everyone in their assigned nursing home has an individual or family from that congregation or group visiting them. This is a organization/church-wide project.  Training and orientation are provided.

Time commitment: One year. Apply

Registered Nurses

We need nurses to teach our workshop on Spiritual Distress.  Mileage and expenses are covered.  Workshops are taught onsite and/or on our campus, St. Joseph Tower.  Beautiful, retreat-like setting. Hours count toward licensing and workshop is approved by the Nebraska Nurses Association for 3.6 ceus.

Time commitment: 10 hours per workshop, two times per year. Apply

Research & Production Assistant Assist in the production of the Desert Ministries’ weekly podcasts, video blogs, and interviews with special guests. Requires good writing and oral skills, as well as the ability to make contacts and maintain the schedule for guests.

Time commitment: 5 hours per week. Apply

Licensed Social Worker

Opportunity to supervise practicum students from the School of Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha,   Meets with and reviews weekly activities of students.

Time commitment: 1 hour per week. Apply

LTC Social Workers

Assist in the writing of newsletter articles aimed at the spiritual and practical issues of families of nursing homes residents. Newsletters are mailed to facilities for inclusion in their newsletters.

Time commitment: 5 hours per month. Apply

Data Entry

Enter and assist in maintaining Desert Ministries’ databases and mailing lists.  Must have experience using Microsoft Access, Excel, and be able to import and export data. Candidates will be required to sign a statement of confidentiality.   Time commitment: 5 hours per week. Apply

Communications Volunteer

Manage website and social media. Interfaces with media outlets, broadcast and print. Time commitment: varies. Apply