Volunteers
Niagara Pride is seeking volunteers to assist with our events
In order to carry out our mission, we are asking for community volunteers. Help create safe spaces and be part of projects which promote awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.
Volunteer Placement Opportunities:
Koffee Clatch: This is a monthly social get together, where LGBTQ+ folks can meet up at a local coffee shop for 1-2 hours. Meets up are in Niagara County and the different location is selected each month, in order to provide easier access for individuals living in and around Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, and Lockport. Volunteers would help organize the Koffee Klatch event, be present at meet up in order to serve as a point of contact for others and help share information about upcoming Niagara Pride events. Volunteers would also be responsible for posting information to our Facebook page about the next month’s get together. Volunteers should be able to attend the meet up, enjoy talking with others, be welcoming and social.
LGBTQ+ Pride Garden: The Pride Garden is located outside of Power City Eatery on 3rd St in Niagara Falls, NY. Beginning in May 2022, volunteers will meet to clean up last year’s garden and plant new flowers and vegetables. Volunteers are needed to water the garden every other day to prevent them from drying up and dying. Weeding and general garden maintenance would also be needed. This is a perfect opportunity for those with a green thumb or anyone wanting to be part of a community garden. No experience needed, just a willingness to water and care for the plants on a regular basis. The garden project runs from May until September.
Group Facilitator: There are many unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community in Niagara County. To being addressing these needs, Niagara Pride would like to offer groups catered to those unique needs. Examples of groups needed in Niagara County include, but are not limited to, LGBTQ+ people of color, elderly support and or caregiver support, rural community supports, addictions, as well as groups for individuals who identify as pansexual, asexual, demisexual, gender fluid, and other ways. Additionally, there is a need for social support groups that can be fun and build new connections. These groups can things like monthly book clubs, video game meet ups, etc. Volunteers to help run and facilitate a group need to be at a minimum a practicing licensed mental health counselor, addictions counselor, or social worker. Volunteer should be familiar with running groups and have knowledge of issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community. Groups would meet 1 time a month for a minimum of 1 hour. Groups can be in person, over Zoom, or a hybrid. Groups in person would be held at the Niagara Pride office in Niagara Falls. Groups can be time limited as well. It is important to note that, groups are not considered therapy and treatment is not provided; these are non-clinical services. These groups would be social in nature and provide support and information.
WNY Shopping With Pride Crew: WNY Shopping With Pride is an annual event where local LGBTQ+ and ally owned businesses are highlighted as part of our fundraiser. This event is also Niagara Pride’s largest fundraising endeavor. Volunteers are needed to: help solicit businesses to be part of the event by hand delivering invitation letters; hand out tote bags in front of participating businesses, and stuffing totes bags for distribution. Volunteers should have good verbal/communication skills and be comfortable speaking with the public and answering questions. Volunteers hand delivering letters to businesses will be walking from business to business.
Niagara Pride Events Crew: During the course of the year, Niagara Pride will have several events that will require a number of volunteers to help with set up, greeting attendees, tabling, handing out information, and take down. These events include the LGBTQ+ Health Fair, LGBTQ+ Youth Vocational Conference, and others. Volunteers would also assist with June Pride events, such as tabling at community pride celebrations and any Niagara Pride events. Interested volunteers should good verbal/communication skills and be comfortable speaking with the public and answering questions.
The Good Works Crew: Throughout the year, Niagara Pride holds a few donation drives, collecting things like socks for the homeless, backpacks for needy LGBTQ+ youth, and hats/scarves for those in need. Volunteers are needed to set up donation drop off locations and collect donations. Additionally, Niagara Pride does community outreach, where representatives of the agency share information about our services as well as other services available to the LGBTQ+ community. These outreach events occur throughout the year. Niagara Pride hosts pop-up rural outreach events and also participates in various community health fairs and other community engagement events. Volunteers assisting with the outreach aspect would help set up the tent and table, hand out information to the community, and answer questions about programs and services Niagara Pride offers. Interested volunteers should good verbal/communication skills and be comfortable speaking with the public and answering questions.
Admin Assistance: Niagara Pride welcomes individuals who have special skills, time, or drive to help to assist us throughout the year in our administrative duties and function. From stuffing envelopes and preparing mailings, to assisting with our social media, to other administrative tasks. The volunteer must have good communication skills, be self-motivated, and able to maintain a pleasant demeanor at all times. Some computer skills are required in some instances for some tasks. Foreign language skills are also welcome.
To apply to be a volunteer, please complete the Volunteer Application by going to the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/xZsU8BrCyT