Get Involved - Volunteer
Are you a student searching for community service hours or a student internship? Are you recently retired? Are you just looking to give back to the community?
No matter which part of the state you live in, the Delaware Association for the Blind offers meaningful ways for you to help blind and visually impaired people in your community. Helping others isn't just a way to feel good about yourself, but also makes a difference to those who need your help. So if you‘re looking for gratifying volunteer work that fits your lifestyle - you need look no further. Many of the opportunities listed below offer a great amount of flexibility based on your schedule.
Internships: DAB is seeking a variety of interns who are interested in working in marketing, fundraising and development activities. We are also recruiting interns with a background in human services, child development, nursing or education to serve children in our summer day camp program. If you are seeking an internship that helps you develop a variety of skills and are a self-motivated and creative individual, this may be the perfect opportunity for you. Please email a letter of interest or resume to Janet Berry at jberry@dabdel.org.
Volunteer Recording Services Program: Our Recording Services Program produces approximately 7,000 audio tapes for Delawareans unable to read print material. We are always recruiting volunteers who comfortable working independently and have wonderful speaking voices to record books, newspapers, magazines and items of local interest.
Sunnybrook Day Camp: Last year more than 20 high school students volunteered over 1500 hours to assist our staff and campers at Camp Sunnybrook, a 6-week day camp for blind and visually impaired children in Wilmington, Delaware. Many volunteers said that this was an incredible experience. If you are a high school or college student interested in volunteering at our summer day camp, please contact us at (302) 998-5913.
Special Events: DAB hosts some special events throughout the year such as fundraising events, picnics, arts and crafts, bingo, socials and parties. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with these events.
Peer Support Program: Does this sound like you?
- A registered consumer of the Division for the Visually Impaired for at least 1 year and over the age of 18
- A person who is familiar with the services of the Division for the Visually Impaired and Delaware Association for the Blind
- A person who functions well in their home and surroundings such as in personal care, cooking meals, basic housekeeping travel and comfort outside of your home.
- A person who knows about or uses the Talking Book Program, paratransit and other transportation programs, DATI and its Bold program, and other community resources
- A willingness to share your knowledge and confidence with another visually impaired or blind person, volunteering 1 to 2 hours a week to do so over the telephone.
If it does, then we need you!!! We are currently seeking 8 to 10 interested and suitable candidates to become peer support volunteers for this important program. The first step to becoming a peer support volunteer is a comprehensive training class, which will be scheduled in the next month or two. You, as a peer support volunteer, would be connected to others who need guidance and assistance, as well as help learning about the services, programs, and devices that can aid them in their adjustment, mainly through telephone contact.
Of course, we don‘t expect our volunteers to know everything there is to know about services and programs for the blind. Becoming a volunteer can be a learning experience for all involved, and regular training workshops are held for volunteers to build their knowledge and to help with the program‘s contact and reporting procedures.
If you are interested in learning more about the next training class, give Suzanne a call to request a volunteer application. She can be reached at (302) 998-2675 or by email at showell@dabdel.org. You may also call DAB's main number at (302) 998-5913 or toll free from downstate at 1-888-777-3925.
