In order to volunteer with RDC, you must attend an orientation. There will be two orientations on campus at the Student Services Building: February 26th from 5:30PM to 7:00PM and February 27th from 10:00AM to 11:30AM. You can register for them here.
If you wish to volunteer after these orientations have passed, please reach out to Savanna Hamed at shamed@rdclansing.org.
Position Description: Assist weekly in our adult sewing program at the RDC. Our sewing program is part of our Mental Health Initiative program and provides an opportunity for our English Language learners to engaged in fun and creative activities. Volunteers will be working with Adult Sewing students as they work on independent projects. Volunteers must have experience sewing and be able to operate a sewing machine. Additionally, they must be able to troubleshoot the machine and help students acquire new skills (sewing in a straight line, completing different stitches etc.). Volunteers will work alongside a teacher and other volunteers in this program. General responsibilities include:
- Helping new students become acclimated with the classroom and classroom expectations
- Helping students troubleshoot/navigate/set up sewing machines
- Providing guidance on how to complete projects
All volunteers must undergo mandatory Volunteer Orientation and Background checks through RDC AND CCEL prior to starting their first shift. Background checks are renewed annually. We conduct the following background checks:
- Dru Sjodin National Sex Offenders Registry (NSOPW)
- Michigan Sex Offender Registry (PSOR)
- Michigan ICHAT
- Michigan Central Registry Clearance Request Form (send to MDHHS to process).
The RDC will be hosting an on-site orientation at MSU prior to Spring Break! Please see MSU CCEL for more information regarding dates, times, and locations! When you come to orientation, please bring your COMPLETED CRC form and your government issued ID (driver's license, passport, etc.)
Our Spring semester runs from January 13th, 2024- May 15th, 2024. If you are joining us after our semester has started, no problem! RDC accepts new volunteers year-round.
All volunteers must commit to weekly 2-hour volunteer sessions for the entire semester. Volunteers who are unable to commit through the entire semester should reach out to Savanna at volunteer@rdclansing.org to discuss appropriate accommodations*.
*MSU students who are unable to commit through the end of the semester (May 15th) have the option to opt out of volunteering early, the week of April 21st. If this applies to you, please notify Savanna upon registration
Volunteer policy for no shows: RDC is highly dependent on volunteers-- if you are unable to make it to your volunteer shift, please email Savanna at volunteer@rdclansing ASAP. This allows our teachers to adjust their lesson plans accordingly to accommodate for less volunteers.
Volunteers who do not communicate absences will be removed from the schedule after their 3rd absence. Thank you for understanding.
This volunteer position is in-person and located in South Lansing. RDC's Newcomer Center is approximately 15-20 minutes away from campus by car or 1 hour by bus (take the 1 line to Penn/Mi Ave, take the 8 down Pennsylvania past Jolly).
