Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for The Friends Project. There are many volunteer opportunities. We suggest that you look at our calendar and see what activity fits best into your schedule. It’s great to have volunteers who like to come on a regular basis, but one-time volunteer opportunities are also available.

Basic Information

All Friends Project activities were created for everyone to have a fun social experience. As volunteers, you are joining this experience. Come ready to interact with a group of teenagers and young adults who love to talk, dance, play basketball, play games, and hang out. Here are a few things to be aware of:

  • Come and be yourself. Interact with everyone just as you would any other group. Join in on activities, start discussions, play some games, have some fun! The Friends Project serves people between 15 and 35 years old with developmental disabilities. Our participants are fun loving, open to mostly any activities, and love to make new friends.
  • Personal information. Do not give out your phone number or email address. Participants might ask you for this and then the participant might call, text or email too often. Or you might not be able to meet their expectations and they will be disappointed. You can tell them that, as a volunteer, you are not allowed to give out that information.
  • Commitment. Please come if you have made a commitment to an activity. The participants love having volunteers, so they are disappointed if you cancel. Our staff relies on volunteers as well. Things do come up, however. Please let us know if you need to cancel. A quick email to Heidi Chase at hchase@portsmouth.k12.nh.us or Amanda Fawcett at AmandaMarieFawcett@gmail.com would be appreciated.
  • Dress code. Friends Project activities are very casual. Casual attire is fine for all activities. Please stay away from any provocative clothing.
  • You are a role model. Please do not discuss weekend parties and other questionable behavior with participants. Even though many are over 21, discussions around partying, drinking, etc. should be avoided.
  • Weather cancellations. Friends Project activities are canceled if the Portsmouth School Department cancels school, lets students out early due to poor weather, or cancels after-school activities. Activities are still canceled if school was canceled but roads are clear later in the day. We try to post cancellations on the calendar. Please check the calendar if the weather is questionable.

Interested in Volunteering?

If you are interested in volunteering for any activities or would like more information, please contact Heidi Chase or Amanda Fawcett. Thanks for your interest!

Activities

BASKETBALL – Mondays/Thursdays 2:30-4:00 and Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 (Living Innovations) at Greenleaf Recreation Center

Our participants love to play basketball. Some participants have been playing together for ten years. They are really good. You’ll be amazed at some of the great shooters we have. Wear comfortable clothing and good sneakers. Volunteers play basketball, keep score, and help with substituting players.

BOWLING – First and third Tuesday of the month from 6:00-7:30 at Bowl O Rama

Come join us for some great bowling. Volunteers help keep score, visit with participants and bowl if they would like. Cost to bowl is $7.50.

COOKING CLUB – Second Thursday of the month from 5:30-7:30 at Portsmouth High School in Room 136

Cooking Club is a great way to learn how to cook healthy food while visiting with friends. Volunteers help participants with food preparation and clean-up while enjoying a nice meal.

DANCER-CIZE – Tuesdays 2:30-4:00 at Greenleaf Recreation Center

Off the wall non-structured dance class to get blood flowing and hearts racing. We use ribbon dancing, instruments, and hula hoops to create a fun and silly experience. If you like to be silly and dance, come join us. If you have any kind of dance background, come lead a class. Wear comfortable clothing. Shoes are not allowed on the mat. Volunteers can help participants with movements, keep everyone excited, think of new activities, and act silly.

FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIALS – Second and fourth Friday of the month from 6:30-8:30 at Greenleaf Recreation Center. First Friday of the month from 6:30-8:30 at Wentworth Connections (Living Innovations)

The Friday Night Social is The Friends Project’s biggest program. On any given Friday, there can be 60-80 people having a great time dancing, playing basketball, doing craft projects, playing games, eating pizza, and socializing. There is always a DJ who plays great music that gets everyone dancing. Volunteers can join in on any of the activities. They often will play board games with participants who like a break from the noise of the music or they can be found having a great time dancing.

HEARTBREAKERS – First and third Tuesday of the month from 6:3-8:00 at Phillips Exeter Academy/Phillips Church

Heartbreakers consists of a group of teenagers and young women from the community and Phillips Exeter Academy students. This is an all-women’s group. The group does craft projects, has dance and yoga classes, plays games, enjoys spa nights, and much more. Volunteers can help out on various projects or bring a project for us to do. We are always looking for new ideas for projects and instruction.

MOVIE NIGHT – Second and fourth Tuesday night of the month at Regal Fox 15 in Newington

Come join the group to watch a great movie at the theater. Volunteers help with ticket and food purchases and enjoy the movie. Volunteers are expected to purchase their own movie ticket.

WILDCAT FRIENDS – Wednesdays from 3:00-7:00 at the University of New Hampshire

Wildcat Friends was created to give young adults with developmental disabilities a college experience. This unique program starts with lunch at Holloway, followed by a recreational activity and then class. Volunteers are asked to commit for the entire semester in order to participate. Volunteers help the group get from place to place and work with leaders to support activities. Volunteers may be assigned to one person who may need a little extra help during transitions and activities.

YOGA – Tuesdays 3:00-4:00

Come join us for some stretching and strengthening with yoga moves. Learn to relax, to focus and to use yoga in your daily life. Volunteers will join the class and assist participants who might need a little extra help with various moves. Come dressed in comfortable clothing.

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