Volunteer
Do you have a skill or talent to share with Avivo? We’re seeking individual and group volunteers for a variety of projects in Minneapolis/St. Paul and St. Cloud, with tasks to support our mission. Volunteer opportunities are flexible and can be shaped to work within your schedule (one-time vs. ongoing). Learn more below or jump to the interest form at the bottom of this page to share your interest!
New Opportunity: Photography Volunteer
Are you a professional photographer looking to make a difference? Avivo is seeking volunteers to use their professional skillset for a positive impact.
“Why was volunteering with Avivo special? The energy created by Avivo is contagious. Listening to the success stories. Meeting those who are being helped and in turn helping others. Experiencing the depth of commitment by the staff and Board members. The opportunity to be a part of that energy field was so satisfying.” – Former photography volunteer, Tim
We are currently seeking local photographers to support Avivo’s special events. The commitment per event is 2-3 hours of photography time (meals and a seat included), with the option to edit photos and send to Avivo, or to share raw photos after the event for Avivo to edit. Avivo has three events per year, one each in February, May, and October. For more information or to express interest, please contact Aaron Shaffer.
Individual Volunteering Opportunities
Program Support
Join Avivo by supporting staff and clients directly during classes and open art studio sessions.
- Studio/Drop-In Assistant – Community Support Program
- Classroom Assistant – Avivo Institute of Career & Technical Education
Professional
These are volunteer opportunities that require a volunteer with professional experience in a given area.
General
These are opportunities which a volunteer might not have professional experience in a given area, but are interested in helping.
Studio/Drop-In Assistant – Community Support Program
Volunteers are needed to provide assistance during open art studio and/or drop-in community gatherings for Avivo’s Community Support Program (CSP). The CSP serves Hennepin County adults living with severe and persistent mental illness. Avivo is seeking individual volunteers who are willing to engage people of different backgrounds with empathy and without judgment.
Volunteers will assist CSP participants with arts and crafts projects, walking groups, and gardening and cooking activities. Volunteers with specialized knowledge or teaching experience are welcome to propose and lead projects for participants, with support from staff. Volunteers do not need to have cooking, gardening, or art experience, but they must have a willingness to be present with participants and support staff needs during studio and drop-in hours. Email Brittany Biggers and/or fill out the form below if interested.
Tuesdays: 12–4 p.m.: Grain Belt building Art Studio, 79 13th Avenue Northeast, Suite 105, Minneapolis
Tuesdays: 12–3 p.m.: CSP Kitchen and Garden, 1825 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis
Classroom Assistant – Avivo Institute of Career & Technical Education
Volunteers are needed to provide assistance in classroom setting career education and employment classes. We are seeking individuals to volunteer who are able to engage people of different backgrounds with empathy and without judgment. Volunteers do not need to have classroom experience, but should have a working understanding of Microsoft Office suite and have a willingness to be present with participants and support classroom needs. Email Brittany Biggers and/or fill out the form below if interested.
Volunteers are needed once per week, or once every other week. Classes run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Licensed Hairdresser or Barber
Share your professional skills to make a difference! Avivo is seeking volunteers to provide haircuts to clients across the Twin Cities Metro area. The primary sites of need are in Minneapolis. Must be licensed in MN. Email Brittany Biggers and/or fill out the form below if interested.
Massage Therapist
Share your professional skills to make a difference! Avivo seeking compassionate, reliable, Massage Therapists with a sincere desire to help improve the quality of our client’s lives. Must provide proof of licensure in MN or training. Email Brittany Biggers and/or fill out the form below if interested.
Solicit donations
Avivo serves clients across the Twin Cities. We are seeking a team of volunteers to represent Avivo in the community to solicit donations to fill immediate and ongoing donation needs. After training, volunteers of this team can volunteer from a remote location. Email Brittany Biggers and/or fill out the form below if interested.
Clerical Volunteer
Support Avivo’s various clerical needs. Tasks may include, but are not limited to: stuffing envelopes, scanning documents, and assembling packets. No clerical experience required.
Volunteers are needed once a week or every other week for two-hour shifts at 1900 Chicago Ave. Minneapolis. Email Brittany Biggers and/or fill out the form below if interested.
Group Volunteering Opportunities
Day of Service
Gather your coworkers, friends, family members, or neighbors together for a rewarding experience. Past projects have included painting residential recovery apartments, landscaping, and cleaning. Email Brittany Biggers and/or fill out the form below if interested.
Note: Group volunteer slots are filled through the end of November. We’re now scheduling groups for December and beyond.
Host a Donation Drive
Don’t have time to volunteer? Consider hosting a donation drive! Donation drives are vital to helping secure in-kind donations for the individuals and families served at Avivo. In this role, you will be asked to lead a donation drive within your community (coworkers, friends, family) to collect or purchase items needed as part of kits, or from the wish list, that help participants in Avivo’s programs.
This opportunity is flexible. Host the donation drive at a location of your choice, then deliver the items to a location near you. We have many locations in the Twin Cities metro, as well as Elk River and St. Cloud. Email Brittany Biggers and/or fill out the form below if interested.
Current Wish List needs
Urgent kit needs
Assemble Necessity Kits
Want to make a direct, positive impact on the lives of families or individuals in Avivo’s programs? You can make a difference by assembling and donating urgent needs baskets to meet specific needs. Baskets can range from welcome baskets to move-in kits to basic hygiene items, and all make a tremendous difference in someone’s life. If you’re interested in making a difference, please look carefully over the following options to select a basket or kit that matches your interests.
Learn more about what should be included in a particular basket. Email Brittany Biggers and/or fill out the form below if interested.
Interested in volunteering? Please fill out this form to learn more and schedule a volunteer project at Avivo:
Avivo is a certified Service Enterprise organization that leverages volunteers and their skills throughout all levels of the organization, benefiting our volunteers, our employees, and our program participants.
