What does it mean to become a member of Hands On Northeast Ohio?
When you become a member of Hands On Northeast Ohio you can sign up for and participate in any of our monthly volunteer projects and be apart of a growing community of passionate individuals doing good in Northeast Ohio.

How do I become a member of Hands On Northeast Ohio?
Becoming a member of Hands On Northeast Ohio is easy! Simply register yourself by creating a login account on the Volunteer section on our homepage and attend one of our new volunteer orientations. It does not cost anything and your information will be kept private and secure. At the orientation you'll be given an overview of our organization, learn who we partner with in the community, find out how you can get involved and receive a required background check.

Why do you require a background check to become a member?
We strive to meet the most critical needs of Northeast Ohio. As more agencies/schools require a background check in order to work with area children, seniors and people with disabilities, it was crucial that we provide every agency with the piece of mind that our volunteers are prepared to serve. Hands On Northeast Ohio is an official member of the WebCheck® Community authorized by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) to administer civilian background checks.

Do I have to become a member to participate in all of Hands On Northeast Ohio's programs?
No. Programs such as civic education courses and our special event service days are open to the general public. You only have to attend a new volunteer orientation session and become a member if you would like to participate in the volunteer opportunities available through our calendar.

Does it cost me anything to volunteer at monthly projects?
No. Volunteering with Hands On Northeast Ohio is free. But managing volunteers and programs does take time and resources. Volunteers will be periodically asked to make a financial contribution, but it is not required.

How much time do I have to commit each month?
It's entirely up to you! Our goal is to make volunteering easy for everyone to fit into their busy schedules, so we offer projects with varying commitment levels. You can volunteer as much or as little as you like based on your time and interest.

What kind of volunteer projects does Hands On Northeast Ohio do?
To start, Hands On Northeast Ohio will organize and manage 10-15 hands on, direct-service projects each month in partnership with a variety of community service organizations. As we grow, the number of projects will grow as well. These on going projects focus critical issue areas in our community that include hunger/homelessness, health/wellness, people living with disabilities, environment, renovation, senior services, adult education and children’s education.

How old do I have to be?
Due to safety reasons and the population of the organizations we serve, all volunteers must be at least 18 or older to volunteer on their own. For all volunteers under the age of 18, we will be unveiling a youth volunteering program in January 2008. All volunteers under the age of 18 we be required to have a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.

Can I volunteer with my kids?
Starting in September, we will have” Family Friendly" projects in which kids and parents can volunteer together.  

What is a Volunteer Leader?
Each volunteer project is supervised by a Volunteer Leader (VL) who is a specially trained volunteer that provides guidance and leadership throughout your project. VL's are responsible for responding to volunteers interested in the project, organizing the project details, greeting volunteers at the project, providing instructions, educating participating volunteers about the agency and working alongside you during the project. To find out more information contact Jeff Griffiths at jeff@handsonneo.org

What if I am having trouble signing up for a project through the website?
You can always contact the Volunteer Leader listed on the calendar to sign up for the project and obtain information about the project's location. If there is none listed, simply call us at 440-339-2268 and we will sign you up! If you continue to experience difficulty with our website or with your account, please visit our Online Help page.

What if I have an idea for a new project or want to become an agency partner or referral?
Tell us about it! Hands On Northeast Ohio is always looking for new projects, people to lead them and, new agency partners. If you have an idea for a specific project or would like to learn more about becoming a partner or referral agency, contact us at info@handsonneo.org.