Volunteer

I love photography, took early retirement, and have some extra time.
I went on facebook and found the MOBOT’s page. I simply made a comment on one of their posts, and asked for the name of a contact to volunteer as a photographer.
Then I wrote her a note along with a slide-show of some of my flower photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bestrated1/sets/208344/show/

I’m now a volunteer photographer at the Craft Alliance in University City (on the Delmar Loop). They are a non-profit group that has a gallery, to augment donations. They teach classes in pottery, fiber, jewelry-making, glass-blowing, etc:
http://www.craftalliance.org/
I work (or rather play) for them Fridays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. taking photographs of the art in their gallery for use on their website. I love Art, and almost finished a Master of Fine Arts in painting back in 1977. So it is completely delightful to be taking photos (which I LOVE) of art (which I also LOVE). Last Friday was my first day of what may be a 6-month job. Kris, the 20-something gallery director, and all the staff I met were so appreciative that I almost felt I had it dripping off me before I left. I’m excited about tomorrow, when I go there again.

1) I’ve started a PROCOVERY circle for people who have a mental disorder at the Applegate Residential Care Facility. We’ve had 3 weekly meetings so far, and people seem to be getting a lot out of it.

2) The Craft Alliance (and organization that has a gallery and teaches art courses) is using me as a photographer for their gallery shows and for student artwork.

3) I’ve done a photoshoot for my Episcopal Cathedral with 8 “models” posing in an elegant banquet room around a fancy dinner table. My first time managing so many people. I probably will put up some photos on my flickr.com account (Creativity+ is my name on flickr).

• BJC Hospices – where I want to volunteer as a photographer and
• The International Institute – where my 3rd world experience, my almost fluent Spanish, and my desire to help in my neighborhood make it a perfect place. the I.I., is a place where new Americans learn English, how to find jobs, how to manage finances, etc.
• I’ve been working with the manager of a Residential Care Facility for Mentally Disordered people (about 38 people) on setting up a Procovery circle. Next week’s the week I will simply start one there.

I volunteered to help for 3 hours with an organization that takes donated compters and fixes them and gives the PC to an underpriveleged youth. If they can’t be fixed, they recycle them, so they don’t end up in a landfill. I probably won’t we working with them, because they’re about 35-40 minutes from where I live. I had fun. More photos are on my flickr.com page http://www.flickr.com/photos/bestrated1/sets/291434/
We filled four semi-trailers FULL.

and they are sending me an application to be a volunteer photographer at the hospice. Another Step taken in the right direction. I wrote back with my address immediately, so they can send me the application materials. I’m on my way!

I’ve done the training to become a Procovery facilitator. Last night I got a call from a friend who told me about the Applegate retirement community which would like to form a Procovery circle. I haven’t worked with older adults before, but it sounds like an interesting challenge. Next step: find out more about the home, the needs there, and if I would be a good fit.

Here’s the link:

http://www.volunteermatch.org/index.jsp

The cool thing about it is that you can type in your zip code and the distance you are willing to travel, and dozens or more possibilities pop up in your area. In a big city, such as St. Louis, I get over 100 volunteering opportunities within 5 miles from home!!

• Volunteer with a self-help group as a group facilitator

• Volunteer to help the “Phoenix 2000” organization in St. Louis, using my skills in photography or PC support.

• Find out what I can do to support WINGS OF HOPE here in St. Louis:

http://www.wings-of-hope.org/

That’s a start