Thank you for visitng this page! Cable Co-op and Oberlin community members are excited to see you are interested in learning more about volunteering in Oberlin.
There are numerous ways to volunteer and numerous Oberlin entities that could use your help. Please use the list below to obtain contact information for those Oberlin establsihments that could use your volunteer help.
Oberlin Community Services
Oberlin Community Services (OCS) is a responsive community-based organization that serves low-income and vulnerable community members by providing food, financial assistance, referrals, educational outreach, and other basic needs. Since its inception in 1955, OCS has grown into one of the largest social service organizations in the county (by points of service), providing well over 50,000 points of service each year. OCS has been instrumental in many facets of the community, providing 3 main cornerstones of service which include food, emergency assistance, and resiliency and sustainability programming.
As a volunteer, you are crucial to our success. We work with you to find the right place in our organization to share your skill-set and maximize your experience. We have a place for you to help your community and gain valuable experience at the same time. We welcome your ideas to make your community a better place.
Email our Volunteer Coordinator, Rosa Gadsden, at rosa@oberlincommunityservices.org for information about upcoming dates and topics. We ask our volunteers to attend a training session at least once every six months.
Kendal at Oberlin welcomes and appreciates volunteers. Many residents and staff volunteer, both on committees and special projects at Kendal.
Oberlin College students also serve as volunteers. In fact, one very special volunteer program is our North Pleasant Connection.
Volunteer in the Stephens Care Center.
Rewarding for you and residents! You can brighten someone’s day by reading to them, playing a board game, taking them outside for a walk, or just getting to know them. There are many ways to make a meaningful connection with Kendal’s fascinating residents.
Share your talents. Do you play an instrument? Sing? Knit or crochet? Perhaps you could share your computer skills or love of fine arts. Group and individual interactions are available.
Share your talents and enthusiasm! Meet other community and college volunteers with similar interests. Join the many volunteers who assist with all aspects of our operation.
Individuals, families, couples, and group volunteer teams of all ages are encouraged to participate. Training is provided where needed and we try to accommodate your schedule. Some prefer to take assignments home and work at their own pace; others enjoy having a regular schedule here at “the office.” Please tell us about your special interests and talents. We’ll find a way to put them to good use!
To become a volunteer at the Oberlin Heritage Center, you can either call us at (440) 774-1700, or email Amanda Manahan. You can also download and print this volunteer application form and bring it to the Monroe House or send it to P.O. Box 455, Oberlin, OH 44074. Please note that new student volunteers are accepted at the beginning of semesters and the summer, so students should plan application deadlines accordingly.
Volunteer opportunities include:
Docents – Our docents educate guests to the Oberlin Heritage Center’s historic sites by providing information about the community’s rich heritage and sharing stories about the people who lived and worked in our buildings. Tour docents offer full walking tours of all three of our historic buildings (the Monroe House, Little Red Schoolhouse and Jewett House), while room docents are stationed in just one or two rooms to guide visitors and answer questions during open house events. We encourage tour docents to lead at least four tours per year. Time commitments can vary to suit volunteers’ schedules, but we especially appreciate docents who are willing to help with tours on a weekly or monthly basis during our regular tour hours (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm) and for group tours at other times. Check out this docent brochure for more information on becoming a docent. Teens aged 13-17 can be Junior Docents! Look for our summer program calendar to see when the next Junior Docent camp is being held.
Help with Programs and Events – Set up and/or clean up, greet visitors, and/or help plan Oberlin Heritage Center programs. We always welcome help in staffing information tables at community events such as Juneteenth, Family Fun Fair, etc.
Hospitality – Volunteers always are needed to help greet guests and serve refreshments at Oberlin Heritage Center community programs. Occasionally, we need helpers to make cookies or provide other baked goods for these events, too.
