THE VOLUNTEER CENTER

Programs

• Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

  The Retired Senior Volunteer Progam is a branch of Americorps Seniors. The program provides volunteer service opportunities for people age 55 and over that are diverse and help address a wide variety of community needs, including:

  • Food Security & Nutrition
  • Education
  • Access to Care
  • Financial Literacy
  • Capacity Building and Leverage

  AND MORE! Call 665-4960 or email volunteercenter@hutchcc.edu to get involved.

• Volunteer Action Corps (VAC)

  They say that the main reason people volunteer is because someone asked them. Well, consider yourself asked. Call 665-4960 for an appointment with a member of our staff. You will have an opportunity to learn more about the various volunteer opportunities and the qualifications and time commitments needed for each.

  Through the Volunteer Action Corps and RSVP you can:

  • Choose volunteer tasks that fit your schedule
  • Share your time, talents, and experience
  • Gain a greater awareness of community needs
  • Enhance the quality of life in our community and for yourself

  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

• Friends In Action (FIA)

  Friends in Action matches caring volunteers with seniors aged 65 and over to help them remain independent, improve their social and emotional well-being, and provide companionship. Friends in Action is a program of The Volunteer Center. We match volunteers and their senior friends after a thorough screening process. Volunteers and their seniors meet once a week. Volunteers will complete an orientation and must pass a background check.

• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

  The Hutchinson Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Site will be open January 28, 2025 through April 15, 2025 on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The site will also be open one Saturday, February 15 from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The site is located at the Salvation Army, 700 N. Walnut. IRS certified volunteers will prepare taxes for FREE for persons with a combined household income of $67,000 or less. 

• HutchCC Cares

  HutchCC Students Give Back to the Community

  In past years as well as this year, HutchCC students joined The Volunteer Center in completing a volunteer project on United Way Community Work Day. United Way hosts the Work Day annually to kick-off the beginning of its campaign to raise needed funds for community organizations. In addition to bringing attention to the United Way campaign, the workday provided a terrific opportunity for students and community members to work together for the betterment of the community.

  HutchCC students have also volunteered in various ways, such as helping paint, clean and plant at the Hutchinson Public Library, plant downtown, and serve at various organizations in Reno County.

• Reno County On Board

  Reno County On Board, a service of The Volunteer Center of Reno County initiated by the Young Professionals of Reno County is an effort to strengthen community organizations by helping identify a larger, more varied pool of people willing to serve on area non-profit boards of directors, advisory groups and community committees.

  Why Reno County on Board?

  The following needs have been expressed in the community:

  • Directors of non-profit organizations and local government officials have indicated difficulty in locating new board, advisory council, and planning committee members who will be active participants.
  • Civic organizations are struggling to recruit and maintain new members.
  • Many Reno County citizens have suggested they are not aware of opportunities to serve on boards, nor are they fully aware of the obligations associated with this membership.
  • Finally, having a broader pool of candidates for board / council / committee openings would help organizations avoid the stagnation that can occur when there is little diversity in their leadership. (Examples: age, race, socioeconomic status, geographic representation in the county, etc.)

  After reading the section below, if you are interested in registering for Reno County On Board, please fill out the Interest Form. Then save it to your desktop and e-mail it as an attachment to volunteercenter@hutchcc.edu

  If you are an organization wanting to register your board, advisory council or committee opportunities with On Board, please fill out the Request for Volunteer Assistance form.

  How it works:

  Interested area non-profit and governmental organizations will provide The Volunteer Center a written, detailed description of the board, advisory group, or committee service opportunities. The mission of the organization, terms of service, and responsibilities will be listed. This is done on-line at www.hutchcc.edu/volunteer. Staff will review the information provided and follow up for clarification if needed. The information will then be entered into the Reno County on Board database at The Volunteer Center.

  Area residents interested in listing their interest in board, council, or community service will register with Reno County on Board. Registration is available at The Volunteer Center website. They will agree to the terms of participation which will allow for their name and contact information to be provided to organizations seeking new board, council, or committee members.

  The names and contact information of prospective board, council, and committee members will be maintained in The Volunteer Center’s database.

  When an organization is looking for a new board, council, or committee candidates they may contact The Volunteer Center. A list of individuals registered with Reno County on Board will be made available to the organization for consideration.

  The organization will be responsible for contacting individuals they want to visit with about possible board, council, or committee service. The organization will make its decision using their established procedures for leadership positions. The organization will be under no obligation to select any or all of the potential candidates from the Reno County on Board list provided by The Volunteer Center.

  The organization will provide orientation and instruction to individuals elected or placed in board, council, or committee service as needed to complete the position to the best of his /her abilities.

  Only those organizations with a description of their board, council, or committee position/s on file with The Volunteer Center will be eligible to receive contact information for persons interested in serving in leadership positions.

  In an effort to measure the impact of this effort, individuals and organizations using the Reno County on Board service will be asked to notify The Volunteer Center when the Reno County On Board service results in a new board, council, or committee member being elected or placed.

  Call us at 620-665-4960 or send e-mail to volunteercenter@hutchcc.edu

• Friends In Action Shopping Team (FAST)

  The Friends in Action Shopping Team (F.A.S.T.) facilitates independent living for seniors by providing a personalized grocery shopping and delivery service. Seniors are called for their grocery list, and registered volunteers do the personalized shopping and home delivery of groceries twice a month. Started in November of 2014, F.A.S.T. is rapidly growing and provides a much-needed service in the community. For those over age 65, shopping for groceries can be a challenge. If you know of someone who could benefit from this service or if you are interested in volunteering for this program, please call 620-665-4960 or email volunteercenter@hutchcc.edu.