Food Bridge Volunteer
The Food Bridge Program connects Older Adults to nutritious food from one of our three partnered food pantries around Madison! Volunteers are matched with one to two Older Adults to deliver food boxes to.
Volunteer Gaurdian and Rep Payee
Volunteers get matched with older adults who need help managing their finances. Volunteers become certified through Wisconsin's circuit court system and the Social Security Administration in order to make decisions on behalf of the older adult match with whom they work.
Home Chore/SNOW ANGEL Volunteer
Our Home Chore Program looks to alleviate loneliness in older adults while also helping with practical tasks.
As a volunteer, you will be paired/matched with a older adult near you who you will visit 1-3 times a month.
Nutrition Site Volunteer
Help to make sure all older adults have the chance to have a warm nutritious meal! NewBridge Nutrition Sites serve lunch to older adults Monday-Friday throughout Madison for a suggested donation of $4.50. Utilize your excellent people skills to provide great service to older adults attending the meal sites.
Do you have a question about volunteering or aren’t sure which program to apply to?
Want to Volunteer as a group?
Group Volunteering
Volunteering can be one of the most powerful and meaningful things you can do as a team building exercise. Not only is it a great way to engage employees/Students, promote collaboration, and bring everyone closer together, but it can also help your group connect with your local community and really make a difference in the lives of others.
The Benefits of Volunteering as a Team https://www.teambonding.com/benefits-volunteering-team/
1. You’ll gain a huge sense of achievement as a group.
You’ve bonded with your coworkers over drinks or at parties, but have you ever bonded over working towards a goal together? Team volunteering allows members of your group to work together in ways that they may never have expected to be able to. Sure, you may work together in the office, but have you ever worked together cooking food to serve at a homeless shelter or building bikes to donate to children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford one? This type of bonding is unlike other team building that you’ve done before – you’ll grow together as a group and on a personal level, you’ll gain self esteem and self worth.
2. You’ll work towards your company’s policy for Corporate Social Responsibility.
Odds are, your company has a policy or a quota for yearly Corporate Social Responsibility actions. Employee engagement surrounding CSR is on the rise, and there are so many different ways that your company can devote time to a cause while making it into a bonding event as well. CSR not only evokes the great feeling you get from volunteering and spreading love to others, but it also sets a high standard for your company.
3. You’ll partake in something memorable that couldn’t be done by sitting in a conference room.
What a great reason to get up from your desk and get out of the office! By planning a service day, you and your team could have the opportunity to take a day outside of the office helping others and creating memorable experiences together. You think your best memories at work were times that you sat around the office with coworkers going out your daily routines? Probably not. You’ll have the chance to network and meet new people in your company in the process, too.
Volunteer Spotlight
Elizabeth
What brought you to Newbridge as a volunteer?
I searched online for a few volunteering opportunities in the Madison area and thought NewBridge looked like an organization that aligned with the things I cared about. Older adults are a community that’s often underserved and undervalued, and that’s something I’d really like to fix.
What I enjoy most about volunteering?
I really love knowing that I get to make an impact in someone else’s life. It’s a small amount of time and effort on my part, but makes a huge difference in the lives of those I help. I like knowing that I’m in their corner when they may not have anyone else to look out for them. Life can feel a bit lonely at times for everyone, and I like knowing that I might make that feeling go away for some.
In what ways do you think your experience as a volunteer have impacted you?
Volunteering through NewBridge has really helped clarify what I see myself doing in the future with my career. I’ve realized interacting and helping people directly really motivates me and fulfills me. The small moments I get to spend with those that I help have lasting impacts on my happiness.
What inspires you to volunteer?
I’m inspired to volunteer because I want to live in a community that is willing to lend a helping hand. Times can be really tough, especially during a pandemic, and I hope that through volunteering I’m improving the lives of the people around me. I hope to motivate others to help in the ways that they can. A small amount of time volunteering can leave lasting impacts on your community and the people within it, and I really think the community feeling is necessary in this time of unrest.
Volunteer Spotlight
Sarah
What brought you to NewBridge as a volunteer?
Trying to find something that made me feel good as a person while helping our community.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
The unintentional friendship I have developed with the person I help. Our conversations.
What inspires you to volunteer?
Seeing her appreciation and smile. Doing good for our community.
What would you say to others who are thinking about volunteering?
I know that life nowadays everyone is juggling multiple things daily but volunteering only requires an hour. I personally look forward to the hour. It’s an hour where I can stop thinking about everything I have to do in my life and help someone else. Have a wonderful conversation and build a friendship. It’s rewarding and fulfilling.