Ways to Help

Below is a sampling of some of the volunteer opportunities at IYG. If there's some way you'd like to contribute that's not on this list, feel free to let us know.

Youth Volunteerism
Youth(under21) interested in volunteerism should contact Jill for more information on the QueerVolunteer corps.

Food Chain
Donations of snacks and meals for youth on programming nights are a welcome event at IYG. Food donors typically make a commitment of one meal each quarter. To reserve your name on an open date on the calendar, contact the IYG volunteer coordinator. Food is typically brought in around 6pm, Wednesday through Friday. An orientation with a staff member and a signed confidentiality statement are required.

The food program involves feeding the group as often as you are comfortable. Some folks do 4 feeds a year (quarterly), others do it monthly.

What to bring:
Food nights always vary. Some bring snacks and dessert; others bring a full meal. The youth are used to junk food, but we encourage volunteers to bring .real. food. Homey dishes like pasta, sloppy joes and tacos are always successful. Fruit and veggie plates are great for the grazers and there are some vegetarians in the bunch, too. Volunteers who bring a pan of brownies or bar cookies are our favorite! You have the choice of dropping food off, or hanging out for a bit to get to know the kids. They are a very welcoming group of youth once they get to know you, and food is a great way to become instantly popular.

How much to bring:
On Wednesday and Friday we plan for feeding around 25. On Thursdays we plan for feeding 15-20 youth.

Do we need condiments, plates or utensils?
The food volunteers bring plates, etc, but it is not always necessary because we have many of those items donated to the center by volunteers and donors (we have lots of plates and plastic ware).

Office Administration
Volunteers can help in the office through mailing assistance, data entry work, filing, answering phones during busy times, collating safer sex kits and helping with other projects. Adminstrative volunteers can either sign up for regular shifts, receive alert e-mails or get regular volunteer updates in the mail about projects that are periodically needed. Shifts are typically during business hours, but some short-term projects can be scheduled in the evenings. An orientation with a staff member and a signed confidentiality statement are required.

Youth Programming
Guest speakers are welcome to be a part of the IYG programming schedule. If you are interested in sharing your unique skills and experiences with the IYG youth, contact a staff member to find out how you can talk to the youth council to schedule a night to come in. Guests of the Young Queer Grrrls, Sex Dating and Relationships, Creative Writing and other groups are considered guest speakers. Programs are in the evenings during drop-in center hours. An orientation with a staff member and a signed confidentiality form are required.

Special Events Support
Volunteers are needed to help support events such as the spring LGBT youth prom, the Indianapolis LGBT film festival, annual fundraisers or events such as the art auction and holiday parties. Support can come in the form of staffing the events, decorating, set up or tear down help, donating food, or other short-term positions. Contact a staff member to see what events are coming up and discuss the best way you can help. Some levels of involvement require volunteer training, a minimum age of 25 years and a successful background check.

Greeter
These "lounge lizards" hang out in the front room of the house to say hello to the youth who come into the drop-in center and remind them to sign themselves and any guests in on the sign-in sheet. Greeters are very important gatekeepers who help us track youth who enter and make first-timers feel welcomed and make sure they get their questions answered. Shifts occur on Wednesday through Saturday evenings from 6-9pm or until closing as needed. Volunteer training, a minimum age of 25 years and a successful background check are required.

Mentor
These volunteers work to assist staff to mentor youth before, during and after programming. Past experience working with youth and strong skills in active listening, relationship building and setting personal boundaries are needed. Mentors exist to listen to what is going on in the youth¹s lives and to let staff know about the youth¹s needs. Shifts are on Wednesdays through Saturdays 5-9pm (this is flexible). Volunteer training, a minimum age of 25 years and a successful background check are required.

Short-term Opportunities
Other opportunities to support IYG through volunteer service include facility maintenance (gardening, cleaning, drop-in center repairs, etc.), the speakers¹ bureau program (being on a panel to talk about coming out, being an IYG volunteer, and other LGBT issues when IYG is invited to speak in classrooms, churches and other community meetings), or any other project that might periodically arise. Calls for short-term help are announced in the volunteer update that is mailed to the volunteer mailing list, the quarterly IYG newsletter or on the gayindy.org listserve. Some levels of involvement require volunteer training, a minimum age of 25 years and a successful background check. For more information on how to get involved or what our current short-term needs are, contact a staff member.