Health and Safety

AIDS PROJECT OF CENTRAL IOWA

Mission:  To assist those living with HIV so they have the highest quality of life available and preventing future infections in our community.
Contact: Jim Baldridge, Volunteer Coordinator
Address:  711 East 2nd Street, Des Moines, IA  50309
Phone:  515-284-0245  or 1-888-373-0010  Fax:  515-282-7787

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

Mission:  From disaster relief to CPR, to HIV/AIDS education, the Red Cross relies on its volunteers to provide needed emergency services to people in central Iowa and throughout the world.  The Central Iowa Chapter’s volunteers have many reasons for donating their time and talents.
Contact: Mary Kruger Eyler
Mailing Address:  2116 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA  50312
Telephone:  515-243-7681  Fax:  515-244-8012

BLANK CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Mission:  Our volunteer program offers men and women, ages 14 and up, a tremendous variety of opportunities for service to our hospitals, medical center and offsite locations. We offer you the satisfaction of helping others along with wonderful support from our staff.
Contact:  If you would like more information, please contact our volunteer offices. For Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Blank Children’s Hospital, the phone number is (515) 241-6414, ask for Sarah or Sheri. You may also e-mail us at hamiltsj@ihs.org. For Iowa Lutheran Hospital, please call (515) 263-5227 or e-mail at kerrvm@ihs.org.

THE BLOOD CENTER OF IOWA

Mission:  Partners in saving lives.  Volunteers can organize blood drives, support staff at the center, mailings, etc.
Contact:  Erin Haafke, Volunteer Director
Address:  431 East Locust, Des Moines, IA  50309
Phone:  515-309-4955

HCI CARE SERVICES OF CENTRAL IOWA (formerly known as Hospice Care of Central Iowa)

Mission:  Hospice is a Medicare certified hospice that has been serving terminally ill patients and their families since 1982. Providing palliative care through a team of dedicated physicians, nurses, social workers, home-health aides, chaplains and volunteers, hospice focuses on quality of life instead of quantity of life. They provide care in nursing homes, through in-patient hospice units, at the hospital, and the home setting.  Volunteers are needed to do office work such as research, phones and mailings; and are also needed for patient care. A 20-hour training is provided for patient care.

Contact:  Carol Peterson

Phone:  515-271-1304

401 Railroad Place, West Des Moines 50265

JUNIOR POLICE EXPLORERS PROGRAM (CYC)

The Junior Police Explorers Program (JPEP) is a joint partnership with Community Youth Concepts and the Des Moines Police Department to help students develop positive relationships with police officers, while engaging them in the community, and building leadership skills. The program meets at four schools on a rotating basis. Staff and officers work with a diverse group of primarily low-income students providing leadership development and service learning opportunities, along with an introduction to being a police officer. Volunteers are needed to lead students through activities and service learning projects, facilitated by staff and officers.
When: Wednesdays from 1:00-3:00pm, beginning October 3rd
Where: Hiatt, Weeks, Hoyt, and Merrill Middle Schools
Volunteer Requirements: Complete an application, background check, and attend an orientation. Orientation to be held on Wednesday, September 19th, from 1-2:30pm at CYC in Des Moines.
For more information, or to register to volunteer, contact Michelle Raymer at michelle@cyconcepts.org or 515-243-4292.