Needs From: United Way of Ventura County

An unaffiliated Disaster Spontaneous Volunteer is anyone from the community that wants to volunteer to help and is not already an Affiliated Volunteer trained by programs such as the Red Cross, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and other organizations with pre-determined disaster response duties. The program is open to all local residents regardless of skills or physical limitations. Children under 18 are eligible when in the company of their parent or guardian. Groups are encouraged.

All registered volunteers will be informed of and where possible linked to posted disaster-related volunteer opportunities as they are listed on this site.

 

NOTIFICATIONS:

In order to ensure receipt of notifications of volunteer opportunities -

1) please ensure that you email is not screening out the system generated notifications by white-listing the following eddress - noreply@galaxydigital.com,   

2) In your profile, under Settings, please make sure that notifications are turned on so that you will be able to receive emails regarding upcoming disaster response and recovery opportunities.

Settings
Contact me in the event of a disaster - should indicate "Yes"
Receive system emails and messages - should indicate "Yes"

NOTE: During and immediately after an event, you may receive notifications every day.  Typically during intermediate and long-term recovery far fewer messages will be generated.

  Typical Jobs for Spontaneous Unaffiliated Volunteers Clean-up/Inside: pick up and dispose of debris, clean furnishings and equipment, replace library books and other fallen items, do maintenance and janitorial work Clean-up/Outside: clear roads blocked by toppled trees, remove and haul away fallen brick and other debris from sidewalks and roadways, shovel mud, fill sandbags Clerical Support: assist with range of clerical duties including copying, faxing, mailing, acknowledging donations Damage Assessment: go door-to-door in a designated area, observing and noting exterior damage Data Entry: Enter information on computer data base Donated Items: staff designated collection and distribution sites, sort items, inventory goods Drivers: transport people to work sites, deliver goods, drive courier routes Food Preparation Crews: cook hot food, prepare cold food (sandwiches, etc.), and serve food and beverages at fixed and mobile sites Check-in Recorder: greet public, give information, refer to appropriate worker or location, record check in information and provide volunteer packet. Interpreters: assist in a wide variety of settings, wherever and whenever bilingual workers are unavailable Phone Bank Workers: answer phones, provide information, and make referrals Researchers: call or visit agencies/work sites to assess needs and report back Runners: take messages between agencies, work sites, command centers Security: check IDs at entrances and exits to facilities where security is vital to safe, smooth operations Sorters/Packers/Loaders: sort, pack and/or load goods (food, clothing, etc.) Training: those with detailed knowledge of subject area and proven training ability train other volunteers

 

Please understand that it is not always possible for our community partners to list their needs in the first hours/days of a disaster.  Also, some disasters - such as fires - cannot integrate volunteers into early response because of the presence of hazardous materials and situations. If you can remain patient there will certainly be opportunities to serve.  Thank you for your concern, your understanding and your patience.  We truly appreciate your wish to serve our community.