Volunteer Opportunities at Erickson

Group Picture We would love to have you join our growing group of volunteers at this lively and diverse retirement campus! Whether you have a few hours a week or a few hours a month, we are glad that you want to share them with us! We have a number of different volunteer opportunities and will do our best to match your talents, interests, and energy with the needs of our residents. Just bring your enthusiasm and a caring attitude, and we will work hard to ensure that our time together will be enriching and joyful to both, you and our residents.

Our Mission
Our Vision
Why Should I Volunteer?
What Would I Do As an Erickson Volunteer?
When Do I Volunteer?
Where Do I Volunteer?
How Do I Go About Volunteering at Erickson?

Mission of the Erickson Volunteer Program

Our mission in the Erickson Volunteer Program is to develop a stable group of volunteers who can enjoy their experience while supporting staff and residents at Erickson in their efforts to create and live an atmosphere that celebrates life.

Vision of the Erickson Volunteer Program

A growing number of seniors are faced with a loss of quality of life as they move from their own homes into a senior community environment. We see Erickson Community as a place where the quality of life for our residents is enhanced through a stable, interested and interesting corps of volunteers. Our volunteers strive to support and enable all residents to experience the highest quality of life possible at any stage of life. We will have 350 to 400 dedicated volunteers who have committed to helping either on a regular or special-events-basis, which enables the Volunteer Program to develop a reliable schedule of volunteer activities to support Erickson programs.

Why Should I Volunteer?

Everyone has a different reason for volunteering. Some people decide to volunteer because they want to share the bounty of their own lives, others do it because someone has helped them in the past and they want to give back. Some volunteer because they need the service hours, and others volunteer to feel they are on purpose and contribute something meaningful to the community. Whatever your reason - you are welcome here at Erickson. We appreciate your decision to spend some of your valuable time with us, and we trust that this experience will enrich your life as it does the lives of our residents.

Bertha Brown once expressed her feelings about volunteering in a poem, which includes many of the aspects we just mentioned:

"It's not for money; it's not for fame,
It's not for any personal gain.
It's just for love of fellowman.
It's just to lend a helping hand.
It's just to five a tithe of self.
That's something you can't buy with wealth.
It's not medals won with pride.
Its' for that feeling deep inside.
It's that reward down in your heart.
It's that feeling that you've been a part
Of helping others far and near,
That makes you a Volunteer."

What Would I Do As an Erickson Volunteer?

We have many different volunteer opportunities here at Erickson. To help you get a better idea of the areas in which we need support we have posted some of the service guides (equivalent to position descriptions) outlining the requirements for several opportunities. There may be other areas that are better suited to your talents and liking.

When Do I Volunteer?

We are flexible in matching our needs with your availability. Our greatest needs are during the week in the morning, when people in wheelchairs have to be escorted to the Rehab gym or the beauty salon, and in the afternoons between 2 and 5pm for games, crafts, and entertainment, as well as from 6 to 7:30pm for after-dinner entertainment. On the weekends, we also conduct programs for our residents, and we always welcome wheelchair escorts for Sunday church services between 10am and noon.

Where Do I Volunteer?

Many of our retirement communities offer volunteer opportunities . Many of them will take place in the Renaissance Gardens building, our Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Care facility, and their gardens. Volunteers are not permitted to take residents off campus.

How Do I Go About Volunteering at Erickson?

In order to join the group of volunteers at Erickson, there is some paperwork to fill out and a few other things you need to do. This page will guide you through the process.

Step 1:
Fill out the online application form here. Every volunteer at Erickson must fill out an application form. Also, there are additional forms to fill out before you see the Occupational Health Nurse. If these materials are available online you will receive a link to them after you complete the form, otherwise, the volunteer coordinator for the communities you are applying for will send them to you. If you prefer to get the form in the mail, please fill out the form and request a printed version.

Step 2:
Our volunteer program coordinators will follow up with you to schedule an appointment. It is our policy that all volunteers meet with our volunteer program coordinator, and go over our guidelines before making a final decision about volunteering at Erickson. Because we do our very best to match your skills, talents, and likes to the needs here at Erickson this is an extremely important step in the process of becoming acquainted with volunteering at Erickson. We are not able to make volunteer assignments for those who cannot meet with us first.

Step 3:
Erickson is an accredited CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) with an Assisted Living and a Skilled Nursing Care Facility. It is for this reason that we require our potential volunteers to take a PPD-test (tuberculosis) as well as a Drug Screening test. If you are 18 years or older, we also conduct a Criminal Background check -- all of this, of course, at our expense and here on campus. Most likely you will get most of the testing done the same day you come for an interview with our volunteer program coordinator. You will easily understand that this is for everyone's safety - residents, volunteers, and employees alike.

Step 4:
You will attend a 2 to 3 hour volunteer orientation class to familiarize you with the life and procedures here at Erickson and give you an initial tour of the grounds.

Step 5:
You are ready to start! Here at Erickson, we want your volunteer experience to be one that leaves your feeling good about yourself, the people you serve, and us, too. We will work with you to make sure you are in the right place. After agreeing on which volunteer activity you will undertake, we will give you a service guide (the equivalent to a position description) so that you have a clear idea what comprises your responsibility - and what does not. You will also be introduced to your supervisor. Of course, you may always contact the volunteer program coordinator.

Extra Steps for a volunteer with a pet:
We have a successful pet therapy program here at Erickson, which brings a smile and joy to the residents every time a pet is visiting. If you would like to participate in the pet therapy program you will go through steps 1 through 5, as outlined above. Additionally, you will have to bring the animal's full vaccination record, have your veterinarian complete the Pet Examination Certification Form (this will have to be updated once a year), and set up an appointment with our volunteer program coordinator for a temperament test of your pooch. In general, pet visits are scheduled in advance. Please note that state laws require us to maintain records on all pet visitors, accessible at the front desk.