At Hanover Central High School students have different opportunities to show community service through volunteering. The National Honor Society has required community service hours by volunteering for non-profit organizations. Student Council, Environmental Club, and Key Club also require community service hours. Hanover Central High School also has a Service and Community Leadership credit.
SERVICE & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP 0524-YEARLY & ON-GOING Grades 9-12
The Service and Community Leadership credit offered is based on the premise that young people can make a significant difference in their world through community service and servant leadership. The class is a student-directed educational experience that allows students to pursue individual service activities as well as coordinate a group service project that meets a genuine need.
Students are able to choose from a variety of projects to focus on, but they should center on the following components:
- Leadership
- Servanthood
- Self-Evaluation
- Community Outreach
Observed Outcomes:
- Students feel good about themselves and the time they give.
- Students realize that they can accomplish many things that they never thought could be possible.
- Service can often draw students out of their comfort zones and cause them to grow and mature.
All community service must be performed through an organization. 48 hours of logged time is required for this optional credit. Can only receive 1 credit per high school career (no grade awarded).
Places looking for Volunteers!
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Adopt A Trail: Adopt a trail at the national lakeshore! Then, when you hike your trail, help keep it tidy and report on any major issues you find like fallen trees or damaged signs. This is a great way to get outside and enjoy your park while helping the park maintain its 50+ miles of trails.
Stewardship Days: Invasive species are one of the biggest problems Indiana Dunes faces. Each month on the third Saturday from 9:00 am-noon, join a ranger to learn about this national park while you volunteer your hand to improve it. Come prepared for the weather, wear sunscreen, and bring bug spray and water.
Information Desk Assistant: Do you enjoy talking to people and sharing your love of the Indiana Dunes? If so, they need volunteers to assist our rangers in greeting visitors and answering their questions at our Indiana Dunes Visitor Center information desk. This position can be a lot of fun and very rewarding, but does require a minimum commitment of 4 hours per week. If you are interested, please contact JP Anderson at (219)395-1848 or jean-pierre_anderson@nps.gov.
Douglas Center Associate: The Douglas Center is open 7 days a week from 9 am-5 pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They need volunteers to assist with all kinds of visitor activities. During the week, you may be assisting with a youth group at the center while on weekends, you may be showing a family around the building and trails. Every day the Nature Play Zone is open and need volunteers to monitor children in this fun, unstructured, nature exploration area. The Miller Woods trail is extended, and in need of hike leaders for hikes every Sunday afternoon at 1:30 pm. Need volunteers who help with crafts and storytelling inside the Douglas Center or feed the native animals in our very small collection. Contact Julie Larsen at (219)395-1821 or by email at julianne_larsen@nps.gov.
Contact Information for the Volunteer Coordinator: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 1100 N. Mineral Springs Road, Portage, Indiana 46304, Office (219)395-1713 or Cell (219)728-8184.
Cedar Lake Historical Association
Their mission is to bring together those interested in the history of Cedar Lake and those seeking to understand the traditions and heritage. They provide the following services: Collect artifacts illustrating the history of Cedar Lake. Maintain and operate a history museum. Disseminate historical information. Preserve historical materials for scholarly research. Offer programs to engage community members. Volunteer Opportunities: Museum tours, museum cleaning, special event staffing, repairs and more. Contact: www.cedarlakehistory.org.
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana has been leading the fight against hunger in Northwest Indiana since 1982. Each year the Food Bank acquires, stores and distributes nearly 4.5 million meals through its 100+ partner agencies and various hunger relief programs like Pantry on the Go, Backpack & Summer Feeding. It takes a network of amazing volunteers to keep the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana running. They welcome groups and individuals to volunteer throughout the week during regular business hours. Each year more than 1,200 volunteers share their time and talent to keep the Food Bank running smoothly. Volunteers help provide food assistance by packing, sorting and distributing meals to people in need. To become a volunteer go to: WWW.FOODBANKNWI.ORG/VOLUNTEER.
G.A.P. Food Pantry
G.A.P. Food Pantry offers food for those in need who reside in Lake County. They are in need of high school students to help with food distributions that are held on the second Wednesday of every month from 3:30-6:30 pm. If possible, students would need to be at the food pantry at 3:15 pm. Students would assist guests with taking their groceries to their cars. The Food Pantry is located at 1936 North Main Street, Suite A, Crown Point in the Pointe Plaza. Contact Information: Pastor Joyce Davis (219)213-2837.
Crown Point Christian Village
Crown Point Christian Village provides excellent care and support services, primarily for older adults. They have 5 leverls of care which include independent, assisted living, rehab, nursing home and secure dementia care unit. Volunteering Opportunities: Activities-Bingo, Exercise, Providing Entertainment, Bowling, Recitals, Book Club, Craft Projects, Wii Gaming with the Villagers, Helping with Scheduled Assisted Activities, Pet Therapy, Parties and Special Events. Maintenance & Housekeeping: Cleaning Projects, Landscaping and Painting. Nursing: Pass Ice Water, Make Beds, Experience Nursing and Nurses' Aide Work First Hand. Dietary: Help serve meals and transport villagers. Volunteers are needed to transport villagers to meals, the beauty shop, therapy and activities. Special 1 on 1 visiting with many villagers. Gift Shop needs more volunteer clerks. Organizing projects to rearrange or sort different areas. Help with secretarial projects. Contact: Frank Klobucar, 6685 East 117th Avenue, Crown Point, Indiana 46307, (219)662-0642. Email: fklobucar.ccv@christianhomes.org.
Mommy's Haven
Mommy's Haven empowers and equips pregnant women seeking parenting options by providing physical, emotional and spiritual support during and after pregnancy. The services they offer housing to pregnant women in need. They offer parenting education, childbirth education, adoption education, life skills training (cooking, cleaning etc.) job development and placement and financial management and mentor program. Specific events they need manpower for a day or with ongoing volunteer support different avenues (write thank you note's, sorting baby clothes, etc.) Contact: Email admin@MommysHaven.org or Lauren Mauk (844)944-2836.
St. Jude House
St. Jude House provides services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Services are available free of charge to women, men and children. Volunteers may provide transportation for clients, assist with clerical duties, sort donations, and other tasks. Volunteer requirements must be 16 and attend a volunteer orientation. Contact: Joy Heminger (219)662-7066 or email jheminger@stjudehouse.org.
Jacob's Ladder Pediatric Rehabilitation
Jacob's Ladder provides physical, occupational, speech, and developmental therapy services to special needs children and those born with developmental delays. Volunteer opportunities within the organization include administrative/office tasks; cleaning days; assisting with programs such as play group and respite days; hosting a paper drive. Junior Board of Directors is a year round opportunity. The group helps to plan special events like our Mother's Day Brunch and Christmas Party. They also head the Lights Up Sound Down Program from 10 am-1 pm on the third Saturday of each month. This is a great opportunity for teens who are interested in careers such as teaching early childhood development, or physical/occupational/speech therapy. Contact: Jacob's Ladder Reabilitation, 1595 S Calumet Road, Suite #3, Chesterton, Indiana 46304, (844)896-0235 or (219)764-4888. Email: info@jacobskids.org or visit the website: www.jacobskids.org.
Chasing Dreams
Chasing Dreams provides educational, social and physically motivating program free of charge to individuals of all ages with special needs. Volunteer Opportunities: tutoring, play group assistant, respite assistant, art assistant, reading assistant, cooking, community outings, events and much more. Contact: Denise Babjak, (219)299-9049, chasingdreams.org.
Franciscan Health Crown Point Auxiliary
The Franciscan Health Crown Point Auxiliary provides volunteer services as needed within the hospital. Volunteer Opportunities: Escorts, gift shop clerks, information desk, special projects, and various office duties. Contact: Carolyn Meinbresse (219)757-6347, email: carolyn.meinbresse@franciscanalliance.org.
Knights of Columbus Council 7473 Bike Project
Supply bicycles to individuals in need, and support other nonprofit organizations all over Northwest Indiana. Volunteer opportunities repairing bicycles and deliveries. Contact: Mark Siminski, (219)996-2698, mtforesman@gmail.com.
United Way of Porter County
The United Way of Porter County offers a volunteer matching website connecting nonprofit needs with volunteers exploring opportunities. Over 200 nonprofits are present on the site and ready to connect with interested volunteers. A multitude of opportunities are available including one-day and on-going, events and skills based, for youth and seniors! Just visit NWIVolunteer.org to find what you are looking for.
Lake County Public Library
There are so many ways to volunteer at the Lake County Public Library-working the book sale room, reading to others, tutoring at the English Speaking classes and Adopt a Shelf (pick a shelf and dedicate 1.5 hours per week to keeping it in order. Call your local Lake County Library for more information on how you can donate your time.
Alsip to the Rescue (ATTR)
Alsip to the Rescue (ATTR) is located within Alsip Home and Nursery Garden Center. They are an all breed dog/cat rescue specializing in saving liters of puppies/kittens, pregnant moms and special needs dogs. To begin, they ask t hat you fill out a volunteer application, and they will train you basic procedures of interacting with the rescues. For more information go to the website: www.alsiptotherescue.org/volunteer-program.html.
Cats of St. Francis
Cats of St. Francis rescue is exclusive to outdoor cats/kittens. They are taken to the vet and tested and treated for the usual ailments suffered by outdoor cats and kittens. They foster until new homes are found. Contact Information: Diana Marovich (219)769-1859, email dmglittergallery@aol.com.
The City of Crown Point
The city of Crown Point is committed to preserving and improving the quality of life for residents by building a stronger community from within. The city creates and hosts events and programs that bring the community together. Contact Information: Diana Bosse (219)662-3250, dbosse@crownpoint.in.gov.
Caring Hands Food Kitchen
The Caring Hands Food Kitchen has been open every Saturday for over 20 years and serves anywhere from 30-120 people at a given meal. They are in need of volunteers to prepare and serve food and preparing take home food bags. Contact Information: Darlene Kelley (845)331-7188, 5670 Sohl, Hammond, Indiana 46320, website: http://clintonavenueumc.coml.
Camp Manitoqua
Camp Manitoqua has multiple volunteers for completing short term projects and assisting with special events. In addition, we have volunteers for office and maintenance. Contact: Leah Meskis, 8122 West Sauk Trail, Frankfort, Illinois 60423, (815)469-2319.
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Summer Camp
As a part of MDA's mission to save and improve the lives of people fighting muscle disease, MDA provides a summer camp program for kids ages 6-17 offered at no cost to the families. Each year, nearly 200 kids with muscle disease in Indiana attend MDA summer camp at Bradford Woods in Martinsville, Indiana and Camp Potawtami in Wolcotville, Indiana. Kids look forward to MDA camp year-round, MDA summer camp is a magical place where anything is possible for these special kids, but MDA needs caring people to volunteer as camp counselors (must be 16 & older). MDA relies ont he support and dedication of volunteer counselors who are by the campers' sides day and night so that ehy can do all the fun activities that summer camp offers. Counselors serve as a "buddy" for the week and participate in activities with the campers. They push wheelchairs, lift and transfer youngsters and provide assistance with daily living activities as needed. Contact Information: Shelby Ford (317)824-4800 or email: slford@mdausa.org.
