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Flexible Schedule
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West St. Paul, MN 55118
General Description The Veteran Peer Mentor Volunteer serves as a mentor to veterans who are participating in the Carver-Dakota Veterans Treatment Court. The Veterans Treatment Court is a treatment/recovery court that provides a treatment option to veterans who are engaged in the justice system in lieu of serving time in jail. Veterans Treatment Court participants commit to a rigorous year-long court-ordered treatment program. Upon entry into the program, participants are assigned a volunteer peer mentor. Mentors are an integral component to the VTC as their mission is to engage, empower, and encourage veteran participants to their full potential. The mentor advocates, guides, and provides peer support to the veteran as they participate in the program ensuring they receive the support and services needed to be successful and to graduate. Location Dakota County Western Service Center 14955 Galaxie Avenue Apple Valley, MN 55124 Date/Time Flexible. Mentors are highly encouraged to attend court with their mentees. Court is held during the second and fourth Mondays of the month beginning at 1:30 PM, unless otherwise noted. During non-court meetings, mentors and mentees can set their own schedule to meet occasionally as desired. Duties & Responsibilities Act as a trusted coach, guide, role model, advocate and a source of support for the veteran participant with whom the mentor is working with through the court system. Assist the veteran participant in setting personal goals and help connect them with community resources that will help the participant in their treatment, recovery, and readjustment efforts. Establish and maintain frequent communication with assigned veteran participant to provide on-going support and encouragement. Maintain appropriate boundaries and help the veteran participant to do the same. Be a willing and active listener. Attend scheduled court hearings when possible with assigned veteran participant. Minimum Qualifications Must be 18 years of age or older Must have served in the United States Military Not currently engaged in the criminal justice system Complete a background check with Dakota County Must have a passion to support and serve fellow veterans in need Minimum Time Commitment Our volunteers usually spend about 4 - 6 hours volunteering per month. We want our volunteers to experience the whole process of this program and so we prefer them to commit to at least one year or for the full duration of your mentee’s participation in the VTC. This could vary depending on the participants rate of progress. Activity Level Mild - May include walking short distances over relatively level terrain. Periods of standing or sitting will be required. Comfortable shoes recommended. Required Training Veteran Peer Mentor Volunteers will participate in a free self-paced online training program offered by the All-Rise/Justice for Vets website. Volunteers will also remotely complete a Dakota County facilitated orientation and will meet on a quarterly basis for one hour to connect with other volunteers for Q & A and review best practices. Contact Information Neil Hetherington Dakota County Veterans Services Email: neil.hetherington@co.dakota.mn.us Phone: 651-554-5950 Cell: 612-816-9076
Date Posted: 2024-08-16
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Flexible Schedule
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Saint Paul, MN 55124
General Description The Adopt-a-Highway program looks for volunteers to collect litter along designated segments of County highways to help keep roadsides clean. Coordination of the program and supplies (safety vests, trash bags and training) are provided by Dakota County Transportation staff. Interested? Check to see what areas are available on the Adopt-a-Highway map. Click on the highway sections to see if they are available for adoption. For more information about the program, review the Adopt-a-Highway Brochure and Safety Tips. Benefits Keeps our local roadsides beautiful and free of litter Helps remove harmful pollutants and substances Prevents litter from obstructing vehicle and pedestrian traffic Great public service project for groups and families Saves taxpayers money each year Community recognition for you group/family Duties & Responsibilities Choose a representative for your group. The representative will sign an agreement on behalf of the group. Group representatives will keep track of group attendance, hours performed, and # of bags left at the side of the road for pickup. Individuals or groups commit to cleaning up their designated roadway segment two to three times a year. All participants in the group must review the safety information provided by Dakota County Transportation. Minimum Qualifications Group sizes can vary per cleanup. Adults need to accompany anyone 17 years old or younger. Groups are expected to keep up with their commitments or section will be forfeited and signs will removed by county staff. Group leaders are expected to log onto the county volunteer website (Better Impact) to record group numbers, hours, and location of trash bags. Group leaders are expected to maintain information in their Better Impact account. Minimum Time Commitment 1 - 3 hours per cleanup, 2-3 times a year Activity Level Easy - May include light work or walking short distances over relatively level terrain. Comfortable shoes recommended. Additional Information Getting Started To apply, fill out a volunteer application and we will review the section of road desired to make sure it is open for adoption. Once your application is approved, your group is ready to pick up supplies and begin. Free Recognition Signs Individuals or groups agreeing to contribute time to clean up the roadway twice a year (spring & fall) for a minimum of two years, will receive a 24" by 30" recognition signs, installed free for their contribution.* *Dakota County will provide signage with the volunteer group's name only. Depending on the group name, modifications may need to be made to fit lettering limitations. Messages (political, religious, social, etc.) or other advertising will not be allowed on the sign. Contact Information Garrett Zaffke | Community Relations and Volunteer Services Coordinator Dakota County Communications 1590 Highway 55| Hastings, MN 55033 Direct: (651) 438-4635 | Fax: (651) 438-4405 | Email: garrett.zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us
Date Posted: 2024-08-16
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Flexible Schedule
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Saint Paul, MN 55122
General Description Now is the perfect time to get out and help out. Group volunteering is a meaningful break from the work/daily routine to help build camaraderie, collaboration, improve team communications, and to help make lasting change. Dakota County’s volunteer opportunities offer many unique and rewarding experiences for your group to experience together. All supplies, training, and event organization is taken care of by us. All your group needs to do is show up, ready to work and have fun! Group opportunities may include (season and schedule depending): Riverside and greenway trash cleanups Invasive species removal Native plantings Seed Gathering Land conservation Food packing Date/Time We work with groups to figure out the dates and times that work best for them. Each request is taken on a case-by-case basis based on the availability and capacity of county event and job calendars. Location Multiple locations throughout Dakota County Minimum Time Commitment We recommend that group projects last 2 - 2.5 hours. Activity Level Moderate to Active - To fully participate may require walking over primarily even surfaces. There may be a limited number of steps, a minimal number of uneven surfaces, and some standing and/or sitting for extended periods of time. Activities will occur either in an inside or outdoor setting with a mixture of controlled/uncontrolled elements. Activity Accommodations -We work with groups to figure out what work best for them. Each request is taken on a case-by-case basis based on the availability and capacity of county event and job calendars. Required Training All training, materials, tools, and supplies will be taken care of by Dakota County unless otherwise noted. Contact Information Garrett Zaffke | Community Relations and Volunteer Services Coordinator Dakota County Communications 1590 Highway 55| Hastings, MN 55033 Direct: (651) 438-4635 | Fax: (651) 438-4405 | Email: garrett.zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us
Date Posted: 2024-08-16
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Flexible Schedule
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Saint Paul, MN 55123
General Description Looking to do more with one of your favorite hobbies or wanting to find a unique and meaningful way to give back to the community? Then Fix-it Clinics might be just what you are looking for. It takes time and money to handle all the waste we throw away. When we reduce the amount of stuff we buy and eventually throw away, we end up with more time, space and money. Fix-It Clinics provide an opportunity for residents to receive free assistance from repair savvy volunteers guiding them through each step from troubleshooting to completed repair. Several volunteer opportunities are available to help at a Fix-It Clinic. Volunteers who have skills in soldering, electronics repair, tech troubleshooting, electrical repair, sewing and garment repair, wood and/or metal working and just general tinkering are essential to making the clinics useful to our residents. Not a fixer? No worries - additional volunteers are needed to greet residents and provide event support. With clinics happening each month across Dakota County, there is always an item ready to get a volunteer’s attention and expertise and hopefully a new/continued life away from a garbage can and local landfill. Duties & Responsibilities Assist residents in simple repairs of items Provide and encourage a friendly environment of learning and troubleshooting Guide people through each step from troubleshooting to completed repair Minimum Qualifications Volunteer fixers who have skills in soldering, electronics repair, electrical repair, sewing, wood working and general tinkering. General volunteers to greet residents are needed as well Must be 16 or older Minimum Time Commitment 4 hours Activity Level Medium - May involve varying amounts of activity. Comfortable, sturdy shoes recommended. Additional Information For future dates and more information, check the Dakota County website. Contact Information Kirsten Wahlberg Fix-It Clinic Facilitator Email: kirsten.wahlberg@co.dakota.mn.us Phone: (952) 891-7595
Date Posted: 2024-08-16
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Flexible Schedule
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Eagan, MN 55123
General Description Hedge Parsley is an invasive plant found in our parks that is native to Eurasia. It was brought to North America as a medicinal herb in the early 1900s. This is an early detection species (non-native, invasive, high-risk species) that we want to remove ASAP when we see it. This pesky plant spreads by hooked seeds that easily attach to fur and clothing, spreading by contact with people and animals (especially along trails). Once established, this plant can blanket areas (it grows fast and tall) and outcompetes native plants that are beneficial/necessary to the local health of our environment. During this event, you'll learn why this plant is a threat to our native ecosystems, how to identify the plant and how to effectively remove it. Following a brief training, you'll work alongside Dakota County staff and other volunteers in pre-determined areas of our parks. No experience or supplies are necessary, we will provide everything that is needed. Great for families, couples, singles, everyone! Why use volunteers? Because people can pinpoint and effectively remove this plant better than any machine or chemical ever could. Mowing indiscriminately removes plant life and we want to use chemicals sparingly and as little as possible. Hiring contractors and private work crews to remove can become very expensive, very fast. Utilizing volunteers is a fiscal, effective and greener way of tackling this issue. Location Lebanon Hills Regional Park 860 Cliff Road Eagan, MN 55123 ( Map and driving directions) Date & Times for 2024 Season Thursday July 25th, 6-8 pm - Visitor Center at LHRP Wednesday July 31st, 10 - noon - Visitor Center at LHRP Thursday August 8th, 6-8 pm - Equestrian Lot at LHRP Wednesday August 14 th, 10 - noon - Visitor Center at LHRP Duties & Responsibilities Learn how to safely and effectively remove this invasive species. Work with a volunteer group to remove Hedge Parsley from predetermined sections of the park. Minimum Qualifications Able to attend the full event. Must be able to walk on uneven terrain and stand for extended periods of time. Must be OK with getting a little dirty and being outside in nature. If you would like to volunteer as a group (families not included), please contact our Volunteer Coordinator before registering. Extra caution (or avoidance of this project) should be taken by those who have allergies to bees, bug bites and plants. Minimum Time Commitment 2 hours - Attend as many shifts as you would like, no minimum needed. Activity Level Moderate - May include work in varying temperatures, rough terrain, and bugs. Comfortable shoes, pants, and tick preventable clothing recommended. Required Training Training will be offered at the start of this event. Contact Information Garrett Zaffke | Community Relations and Volunteer Services Coordinator Dakota County Communications 1590 Highway 55| Hastings, MN 55033 Direct: (651) 438-4635 | Fax: (651) 438-4405 | Email: garrett.zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us
Date Posted: 2024-08-16