Needs From: United Way of the Lakeshore

Do you have a passion for helping young minds grow? Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Join us as a volunteer mentor in our Early Literacy Program at Orchard View Early Elementary and make a real difference in the lives of children.

Where: Orchard View Early Elementary |2820 MacArthur Rd, Muskegon, MI 49442

When: TBA 

Help shape the future of our community—right here at home.

Do you care deeply about Newaygo County and want to play a hands-on role in strengthening our community? United Way of the Lakeshore is looking for passionate, thoughtful, and community-minded volunteers to serve on our Newaygo County Community Committee.

This isn’t a “sit back and listen” committee—it’s a roll-up-your-sleeves, share-your-voice, help-guide-the-work kind of role.

As a committee member, you’ll help guide the local direction of United Way’s work in Newaygo County by:

Second Thursday of each month 8:00–9:00 AM

Gerber Federal Credit Union Headquarters

Virtual attendance options available

You don’t need to be an expert—just someone who:

This project is a project that requires several forms to be filled out but is relatively easy to complete. Essentially you walk through the Veterans History Project Instruction Booklet step by step to conduct an interview with your local veteran. You come up with prompts, record the interview, collect copies of any photographs or memorabilia, and have all forms and paperwork filled out.  

You can then either forward that information to the United Way of the Lakeshore, or you can send the documents to the Library of Congress. 

This project is a great way to spend time with some of our greatest community members (our veterans!) and record local history. 

The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

The Veterans History Project (VHP) of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center collects and preserves the firsthand interviews and narratives of the United States military veterans from World War I through the present. In addition to audio- and video-recorded oral history interviews, VHP accepts memoirs and collections of original photographs, letters, diaries, maps and other historical documents from veterans who served in the US armed services from World War I through the present. The Project makes accessible the materials that comprise this important national archive, which contains submissions from every state, and includes the US territories. VHP relies on volunteers, both individuals, and organizations, throughout the nation to contribute veterans’ stories to VHP.

VHP also collects oral histories with Gold Star Family members, defined as a parent, spouse, sibling, or child of members of the Armed Forces who died as a result of their service during a period of war.

Currently, the Veterans History Project only has 5 servicemen listed from the Lakeshore. None of these soldiers have their pictures available. This is a great opportunity to preserve not only Community History but to preserve the family history of those in our community as well.

This project is a project that requires several forms to be filled out but is relatively easy to complete. Essentially you walk through the Veterans History Project Instruction Booklet step by step to conduct an interview with your local veteran. You come up with prompts, record the interview, collect copies of any photographs or memorabilia, and have all forms and paperwork filled out.  

You can then either forward that information to the United Way of the Lakeshore, or you can send the documents to the Library of Congress. 

This project is a great way to spend time with some of our greatest community members (our veterans!) and record local history. 

The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

The Veterans History Project (VHP) of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center collects and preserves the firsthand interviews and narratives of the United States military veterans from World War I through the present. In addition to audio- and video-recorded oral history interviews, VHP accepts memoirs and collections of original photographs, letters, diaries, maps and other historical documents from veterans who served in the US armed services from World War I through the present. The Project makes accessible the materials that comprise this important national archive, which contains submissions from every state, and includes the US territories. VHP relies on volunteers, both individuals, and organizations, throughout the nation to contribute veterans’ stories to VHP.

VHP also collects oral histories with Gold Star Family members, defined as a parent, spouse, sibling, or child of members of the Armed Forces who died as a result of their service during a period of war.

Currently, the Veterans History Project only has 5 servicemen listed from the Lakeshore. None of these soldiers have their pictures available. This is a great opportunity to preserve not only Community History but to preserve the family history of those in our community as well.

Student United Need For Hour Tracking Purposes

About Mission United: 

Mission United engages military veterans and their families to serve and address veteran needs in income stability, education, and health. These individuals help steer the impact work of United Way veteran-based programs and host special events such as the Memorial Day Clean Ups and Veterans Day activities.

Region: Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties 

Mission United Chair: Sunny Crenshaw
Mission United Vice Chair: Henrietta Hadley 

Meetings are on the last Wednesday of each month.

Do you have a passion for helping young minds grow? Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Join us as a volunteer mentor in our Early Math Program at Martin Luther King Elementary and make a real difference in the lives of children in Muskegon Heights. We are looking for volunteers for each classroom grades 3-5 at Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary 55 E Sherman BLVD, Muskegon, MI 49444. 

A love for working with young students. Great communication skills and the ability to work both independently and with others. Comfortable with technology or willing to learn. A supportive and encouraging approach to math.

An hour & a half (1.5) time commitment, 3 times a week, Monday-Friday. The students need this intervention each day for the program to be successful. We do ask that volunteers commit to an entire school year so that we can ensure the success of our students.

A commitment to completing our training (provided by the school and United Way of the Lakeshore). This training is about 1.5 hours and will walk you through the basics of the math program and the technology skills needed. Place, date and time of training will be determined with volunteers.

Background checks (no fee required). For the safety of our schools and you as a volunteer, you must complete two background checks - an initial check with United Way of the Lakeshore and then a secondary with each school site you plan to volunteer at. These background checks are covered by our organization and are of no fee to you!

Do you have a passion for helping young minds grow? Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Join us as a volunteer mentor in our Early Literacy Program at Beach Elementary and make a real difference in the lives of children.

Where: Beach Elementary |2741 Heights Ravenna Rd, Muskegon, MI 49444

When: 12:15-1:45pm 

Do you have a passion for helping young minds grow? Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Join us as a volunteer mentor in our Early Literacy Program at Edgewood Elementary and make a real difference in the lives of children.

Where: Edgewood Elementary |3255 E Pontaluna Rd, Fruitport , MI 49415

What You'll Do

When: 2:00-3:30pm 

Mentor students: Help young learners increase their literacy skills through a structured routines.Assist outside the classroom: Work alongside teachers to support students’ educational growth.Share your experiences: Report back on the successes and challenges of your mentoring journey.Be a role model: Show students the joy of learning while maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality.
A love for working with young students. Great communication skills and the ability to work both independently and with others. A supportive and encouraging approach to reading.A two hour time commitment once a week. (Monday-Friday available) The students need this intervention each day for the program to be successful.Volunteers will report to Shettler Elementary.
A commitment to completing our training (provided by MAISD and United Way of the Lakeshore). This training is about 3 hours and will walk you through the basics of the literacy routine, giving volunteers time to practice and ask questions.  Training TBD. 
Background checks (no fee required). For the safety of our schools and you as a volunteer, you must complete two background checks - an initial check with United Way of the Lakeshore and then a secondary with each school site you plan to volunteer at. These background checks are covered by our organization and are of no fee to you!

Do you have a passion for helping young minds grow? Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Join us as a volunteer mentor in our Early Literacy Program at Bunker Elementary and make a real difference in the lives of children.

Where: Bunker Elementary |2312 Denmark St, Muskegon, MI 49441 

When: TBA

Do you have a passion for helping young minds grow? Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Join us as a volunteer mentor in our Early Literacy Program at Campbell Elementary and make a real difference in the lives of children.

Where:  Campbell Elementary |1355 Greenwich Rd, Muskegon, MI 49441 

When: TBA 

Do you have a passion for helping young minds grow? Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Join us as a volunteer mentor in our Early Literacy Program at Holton Elementary and make a real difference in the lives of children.

Where: Holton Elementary |6425 Syers Rd, Holton, MI 49425

When: TBA

Do you have a passion for helping young minds grow? Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Join us as a volunteer mentor in our Early Literacy Program at Edgewood Elementary and make a real difference in the lives of children.

Where: Edgewood Elementary |3028  Howden St, Muskegon Heights, MI 49444

When: 2:15-3:00pm Monday- Thursday 10:15am-11:00am Friday

Do you have a passion for helping young minds grow? Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Join us as a volunteer mentor in our Early Literacy Program at Edgewood Elementary and make a real difference in the lives of children.

Where: Edgewood Elementary |3028  Howden St, Muskegon Heights, MI 49444

When: 11-11:50am Monday-Friday