court ordered community service ri

Are you looking for an opportunity to help your community and assist those in need while joining a team of amazing people?

The Jonnycake Center has a variety of volunteer opportunities for individual and group volunteers from teenagers to seniors, including:

• High school students completing their volunteer graduation requirement.
• Some individuals needing court-ordered community service.
• Volunteers with special needs.

We have many volunteers who donate thousands of hours in support of Jonnycake programs. We could never provide the extensive support to the Westerly-Chariho community without our dedicated and hardworking volunteers. Help us make a difference! Call or email today and find how you can help. Our Volunteer Coordinators Adrienne and Jayme would love to talk with you and can be reached at (401) 377-8069 extension #114 or by email at [email protected] .

RECURRING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:

Food pantry, the food pantry.

The Jonnycake Center manages the largest food pantry in South County and provides 17,220 equivalent meals per month.  With food purchased from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, local vendors and community donations, the Center provides a week’s worth of food to a family once a month.  With only one full time employee, volunteers play a significant role in the Pantry.  Volunteers are relied on to process clients’ food orders using a client completed shopping list.  Additionally, volunteers stock shelves and process donated food items for distribution.

Hours of operation are:

Mondays 12 – 3 Tuesdays 9 – 12 Wednesdays 9 – 12 Thursdays 9 – 12 & 3 – 6 Fridays 9 – 12 Saturdays 9 – 12

Although not required, a commitment to a regular work schedule is preferred.

Thrift Store Volunteer

The Jonnycake Cake Center of Westerly maintains a large thrift store that sells clothes, furniture, books, children’s games and toys, electronics and household items. Sales from the Thrift Store are a critical component of our ability to pay our overhead expenses and to help fund our social service programs such as emergency financial aid and food pantry operations. With a steady flow of donated items, volunteers are needed in the sorting room and the Thrift Store to assist with basic retail management operations. These include:

• Assist the Thrift Store manager and staff with day to day operations
• Sort and clean donated items for pricing and display
• Stock shelves, create displays and rotate merchandise
• Unload donated merchandise from vehicles
• Assist customers with loading purchased items into their vehicles
• Assist customers in locating items
• Position furniture on sales floor
• Organize inventory of housewares, books, dishes, electronics, glassware and furniture
• Redisplay items handled and misplaced by customers
• Update mannequins and other displays

Although not required, a commitment to a regular work day schedule and 2-3 hours per shift is preferred.

Hours of operations are

Mon-Wed: 9am – 4pm,

Thur: 9am – 6pm,

Fri-Sat: 9am – 4pm,

Sun: 10am – 2pm.

TEEN OPPORTUNITIES

Teen opportunities.

The Jonnycake Center is proud to support local students in the completion of their school requirement for volunteerism. Students must be at least 15 years old or accompanied by an adult if younger and can work in all areas of The Center. Additionally, Seasonal Volunteer Opportunities are available for students. Students may also opt to complete an offsite project that supports the Center’s mission. Examples are a food drive to support the Pantry, a winter coat drive, backpack/school supply drive, toy drives, children’s shoe drives, and others. If you are interested in doing a drive, please start by coordinating your activity with Center staff. Student volunteer hours will be closely monitored and documentation will be provided upon completion of service.

COURT ORDERED COMMUNITY SERVICE

Court-ordered community service.

The Jonnycake Center accepts volunteers who have court-ordered community service. Certain offenses may disqualify you from doing your community service at the Jonnycake Center and must be approved in advance. Volunteering for court-ordered community service is more structured than the regular volunteer program. Your hours will be closely monitored and a letter documenting hours of service completed will be provided.

SEASONAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Giving garden, giving garden in charlestown.

The Jonnycake Center of Westerly’s Giving Garden in Charlestown, formerly known as the Charlestown Community Garden, provides over 4,000 lbs of fresh organic vegetables to local food pantries and soup kitchens, including our own. The garden is in need of volunteers from May to October on Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings from 9am to noon.  Garden volunteers perform basic gardening functions such as planting, weeding, and harvesting.  No prior gardening experience is required.  The garden is located in Ninigret Park next to the Charlestown Senior Center.

Contact Sarah Shaw, the Jonnycake Center of Westerly’s Food Pantry Manager, at [email protected] or call (401) 377-8069 x112 for more information.

Adopt-a-Family Holiday Program

Our signature “Adopt-a-Family” holiday program provides magic for local children and families. Before the pandemic, donors throughout the region would provide toys and gifts that volunteers would collect, sort, and distribute. Meals containing traditional fixings for Christmas and holiday dinners were made available from the Food Pantry.

In accordance with public health measures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Adopt-a-Family program has been redeveloped. Donors now provide financial assistance and gift cards in an equivalent amount of what clients formerly received. The gift cards for local merchants, retailers, and grocery stores allow clients to make their own personal and unique purchasing decisions for their families. Gift cards and assistance are disbursed in mid-November. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] if you would like to be part of the process.

Holiday Program Sign-ups

Office assistance.

During the holiday season, the Jonnycake Center has extensive programs to support our clients and ensure they have a fulfilling holiday. This includes help with getting clients signed on with the Adopt-a-Family program. To ensure client’s specific needs are met, they must complete an extensive packet of information. Volunteers are needed to assist clients in completing these forms.

Mondays 12 – 3 Tuesdays 9 – 12 Wednesdays 9 – 12 Thursdays 9 – 12 and 3 – 6 Fridays 9 – 12 Saturdays 9 – 12

Ready to join us?

Please download the Volunteer Application ( PDF or Word ), including the waiver, fill it out electronically, and email it to [email protected].

Alternatively, you can print, fill out the forms, and return them to the Volunteer Coordinator.

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Volunteer with Audubon

The Audubon Society of Rhode Island is a non-profit environmental organization that relies on volunteer support. Opportunities to help Audubon include volunteering, community service and internships . We have fun, rewarding opportunities for people aged 16 and older. Audubon partners with high schools, college groups, scout groups, fraternities & sororities, community service programs, and corporate teams.

Stay updated on Audubon's latest volunteer opportunities: click here  to sign up for our Volunteer eNewsletter!

FEATURED Volunteer Opportunities

These are the opportunities we currently need the most help with!

We're gearing up for the 2024 season and we are proud to offer exciting new opportunities this year! Want to get involved? Training sessions are happening NOW – please join us! Learn More

Get outside and help Audubon with land conservation and trail maintenance projects from March through December. Great for corporate and community service groups!

Community Science

Community science is a fun way to get outside and learn about the wildlife and natural spaces near you. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island offers many opportunities to get involved in the scientific work that helps fuel our mission. Through collaboration with our staff and other volunteers, community scientists can help collect valuable data in the field, compile the collected data, or manage a project.

Get involved! Current projects include:

• Responsibility Bird Surveying | Avian Research Initiative
• Bluebird Nest Box Monitoring
• Butterfly Monitoring
• Osprey Monitoring
• Vernal Pool Monitoring
• Water Quality Monitoring |  Stormwater Innovation Center

Training sessions for 2024 are happening now!

Explore Other Volunteer Opportunities

Click on each opportunity below for more information.

Audubon Events

Audubon's special events and nature programs are fun ways to connect with nature and the community! Opportunities vary with the seasons:

Camouflaged Egg Hunt:   Audubon offers a fun alternative to the same old Easter Egg Hunt! Assist with hiding eggs, helping children find eggs, handing out prizes, and staffing the craft table.

Spring Craft Fair: Audubon's Spring Craft Fair, held at Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge in Smithfield, RI, is a fun way to connect with the community! Volunteers may assist with parking/directing guests or attracting visitors by dressing up in fun costumed animal characters.

Raptor Weekend: Help make New England's largest celebration of raptors a success! From games, to crafts, first aid and more, there is a place for you at this exciting event!

AuduBonfire: A laid-back evening where we celebrate Audubon Members. Help greet/register members, assist with set-up/break-down, tend to the fires, or help make s'mores (yum!) Pumpkin Party:  Join Audubon for a different kind of fall celebration and find out just how much fun a pumpkin can be! Assist with the pumpkin painting craft, pumpkin games and greeting visitors/handing out prizes.

Holiday Craft Fair: A favorite annual event in Smithfield! Help with set-up/break-down, greeting visitors, registration, attracting more visitors as a costumed character and general support.

Maple Sugaring:  Step back in time at the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge to experience the history of maple sugaring! Volunteers will assist with car parking and/or leading small groups from station to station (outdoors). Knowledge of maple sugaring is not required.

Free Family Fun Days: Join the fun at Audubon's Nature Center and Aquarium, typically on the first Saturday of each month. Volunteers assist with nature-based crafts, activities and nature walks from 10:00 am- 4:00 pm. Each month there is a different theme and the Center is open to the public for free, thanks to Citizens Bank!

School Vacation Activities:  (December, February and April) A variety of fun nature-based activities will be offered each day of school vacation. Volunteers will help with setting up/breaking down activities, assisting families and children at craft tables and assisting staff with nature walks or other programming.

Animal Care & Handling

Term Length: Long term

Location: Audubon Society of Rhode Island Headquarters - 12 Sanderson Rd. Smithfield, RI 02917

Qualifications:

• Experience and/or Strong interest in amphibians /reptiles/arthropods and wildlife husbandry
• Ability to work both independently and in a team
• Willingness to work at least 1 or 2 weekly shifts regularly
• Must have a tolerance to handling non-venomous snakes, turtles, frogs, hissing cockroaches, and feeding dead mice to snakes.
• Mature Individual Preferred, Retirees and Seniors welcome!

Description: The Animal Care Volunteer is responsible for assisting with the care of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s Education Animals. These animals include reptiles, such as snakes and turtles, amphibians, such as frogs and Salamanders and arthropods, such as hissing cockroaches, crickets, and fishes used for feeding. Animal Care Volunteers are responsible for the daily care, cleaning, and maintenance of the education animals. This would include food preparation, and feeding, cleaning of tanks, record keeping, and maintenance of equipment. They also assist with training and handling of education animals, environmental enrichment, behavior observations, general physical exam and medical care and public education. This position works as an integral part of the education team.

Learning Opportunities: The Audubon Society animal care volunteer will learn:

• In depth raptor and reptile biology, natural history, especially of the common eastern species.
• The basics of feeding, housing, equipment, and training amphibians and reptiles for education.
• Basic amphibian/reptile handling and transportation techniques for public education.
• General maintenance and medical care of small animals.
• The basics of interpretation and education for the general public.

Hours: Minimum schedule of 1 shift: Each shift requires at least 2 hours commitment. This would be anytime between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday – Friday with a preference for the beginning of the week and/or the end of the week.

Contact: Tracey Hall, Education Coordinator; [email protected] or 401 949-5454 x 3011

Friends of the Pollinator Garden

Calling all gardeners!  This volunteer position assists the Caretakers and Garden Coordinator in maintaining the Pollinator Rose Discovery Garden at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol, RI. Gather with fellow gardeners, to help tend the garden, including watering, weeding, planting and other landscaping.  Position may also entail assistance in maintaining trails, additional gardens and border of the property depending on need. This is a great opportunity to make new friends, as you will be working with many of the same people at each workday.  Workdays will be held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Location: Audubon Society of Rhode Island Nature Center & Aquarium, Bristol RI Employment Status:

• Volunteer position
• Internship available
• Work study students welcome
• Service learning or course work requirements welcome

Requirements:

• Must be 16 years old or older.
• Must be able to work alone or in a group.
• Interest in gardening, pollinators and/or botany.
• Responsible and hardworking.
• Work requires physical exertion and/or physical strain and the ability to lift 35 lbs.
• Work environment may involve exposure to disagreeable elements such as summer heat.
• Willingness to take direction, accept feedback and ask questions.
• Have reliable transportation to and from Bristol location.

In-Kind Skilled Trade Work or Service

Are you experienced in a trade or other service and looking to give back? Audubon outsources and pays for many different types of work to help keep our land and other property maintained. We may be able to use your help! Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, landscapers and beyond are welcome to apply to volunteer their expertise.

Nature Center and Aquarium Naturalist

Join the team at our Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol, RI. Naturalists support the general operations of and guide visitors through the exhibits and trails, focusing on the local flora and fauna found on the refuge. You will also support the Center's education programs, special events and more, depending on your skills and interests. Training is provided but basic knowledge of the natural world is requested.

Please have a love of nature and a willingness to interact with the public. We request a weekly commitment of  three hours per week , for at least three months. A variety of shifts are available. Please be 18 or older.

Refuge Monitor

Refuge monitors visit public Audubon Wildlife Refuges on a regular basis to ensure the trails and parking lots are clear and safe for visitors. Following each visit, monitors submit a summary report.

Community Service Through Audubon

Fulfill your community service with Audubon! We offer service opportunities for school-based, court-ordered, faith-based, family and corporate service needs. Service opportunities are typically conducted at our headquarters in Smithfield or our Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol.

Image: Citizens Bank Volunteers

Corporate Opportunities

Get outside while giving back! Audubon welcomes businesses of all types and sizes from Rhode Island and surrounding communities to partake in team-building projects on our Wildlife Refuges.

Image: FM Global Volunteers

Junior Camp Counselors

Audubon is looking for enthusiastic young adults (ages 16+) with experience working with children for our Junior Counselor positions. A love of nature, the outdoors, and science is important. Positions are available at both camp locations - Bristol and Seekonk. For more information, contact Tracey Hall at [email protected] or 401-949-5454, x3011.

What are the qualifications for being a Junior Counselor? Junior Counselors must be 16 years or older with experience working with children and experience working at camps or in an outdoor setting- a love of nature and science is important! Junior Counselors must attend a Training Day. What are the duties of a Junior Counselor? Junior Counselors are an important part of the Camp Staff. You assist the Instructors in all aspects of camp and help monitor the needs and safety of the campers. You play a key role in playing games, setting up materials and craft projects. JC’s are invaluable in helping with daily camp chores such as sweeping the camp area, washing paint brushes, and putting craft materials back. Most importantly, you are an extra set of hands, ears and eyes, in helping the Camp Instructor make sure camp runs as smoothly as possible for our summer campers. Do Junior Counselors get paid? No, Junior Counselors are now a volunteer position. This is a great way for youth to get community service hours. It is a fun and rewarding experience to work with children in an outdoor setting. Many of our Junior Counselors were campers at our camps and then go on to become full time paid Camp Staff when they get older. Also, our Junior Counselors use the experience at our camps to help them in getting future jobs, and for pursuing admittance into higher education.

Audubon Internships

Gain practical experience with a well-established environmental conservation, education and advocacy organization!

Internships

Current opportunities available:

Check back again soon!

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium

Visit Rhode Island's largest nature center and aquarium. Walk the trails through meadows and marshes to Narragansett Bay. Say hello to Zach, our Common Raven.

Plan Your Trip Today →

Shop Online: Audubon Nature Shop →

Birding in Rhode Island

Stay involved with Audubon's birding programs and resources:

Audubon Events Calendar →

Audubon Avian Research Initiative →

Audubon Avian Ambassadors  →

Recent Bird Sightings (eBird)  →

Red-bellied Woodpecker by Jason Major

Stormwater Innovation Center

Roger Williams Park is home to the Stormwater Innovation Center. The Center has been developed by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and its partners! Learn more about the nature-based solutions we are using to learn about and protect urban water quality.

Learn More →

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Community Service

Community service opportunities.

High school students (15 years and up), military personnel, or anyone with required hours in community service are welcomed and encouraged to fulfill these hours at the Potter League. 

For those interested in working directly with our animals, the initial step towards becoming a volunteer at the Potter League involves registering and attending a General Information Session , followed by an orientation class and additional training. However, if your primary objective is to accrue community service hours, there are alternative volunteer duties available. These include tasks such as laundry, dishwashing, cleaning the Animal Care & Adoption facility, and assisting in maintaining the grounds. To engage in these activities, you can arrive at 9:00 am any day of the week. No pre-arrangement is necessary, and an orientation class is not required in this case.

Second chances are important here. We accept court-ordered community service and is done through the front desk at our Animal Care & Adoption Center.

• Show up at 9:00 am sharp any day of the week. No pre-arrangements are necessary. No orientation class is required.
• Minimum age for community service is 18. Anyone under 18 years old needs a parent or guardian with him/her the first day to fill out paperwork.
• No violent, sexual or animal related offenses are accepted.
• You must be able to work in a self-directed environment.
• You must be able to complete hours during our business hours or when an appropriate staff member is available.
• You must follow the schedule unless previous arrangements have been made with the volunteer manager.
• Please bring your driver’s license or state ID, and the required court documents.

Volunteers perform duties such as doing laundry, washing dishes, cleaning our shelter or helping maintain the grounds.

Get Started

If you are interested in completing community service hours with us or if you have any questions or issues, email [email protected] or call 401.846.8276 ext 106.

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/

We’re currently operating by appointment only due to COVID-19.

Sentenced To Serve

This site can help people who are ordered by a court to perform community service connect with ways to complete their hours. We can also help people find service hours when they need to pay off a ticket by volunteering. Not every agency is able to work with court-ordered volunteers. Below are the steps you can take to find open opportunities for volunteers sentenced to serve. Step 1 Log in to your account or create an account by clicking the blue LogIn button at the top of this screen. Step 2 Search volunteer opportunities . Step 3 Scroll down to Additional Filters  and click the + sign next to Appropriate For  before clicking the Court Ordered Volunteers  box.  Step 4 Click Refine  to see results. When you find an appropriate activity, click Express Interest  and the agency will respond with more information.  

Contact Us For More Information

Helpline Center | Sioux Empire | Volunteer Connections 3817 S. Elmwood Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57105 [email protected] | (605) 274-1407

Helpline Center |  Black Hills | Volunteer Connections 402 Saint Joseph Street Suite 10, Rapid City, SD 57701 [email protected] | (605) 274-1429

Brookings Area United Way |  Brookings  | Volunteer United 619 5th Avenue, Brookings, SD 57006 [email protected] | (605) 692-4979

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Cozy Rhody Volunteers

Thank you! Cozy Rhody Volunteers

This was an enormous effort to clean up around the Kelly House Museum. 

These volunteers did an amazing job going above and beyond to improve the site.  Thank you all for your efforts.  

The river thanks you too!

Our programs

We have many river and watershed programs and educational opportunities. In the past, we have helped individuals meet their court-ordered community service requirements as well as helped students complete their 15 hours of community service to help satisfy their graduation requirements. Students and individuals have fun while completing their requirements and they learn about the river and the environment at the same time. We hope the positive experience stays with them.

Contact us at [email protected] or complete our Project Registration form . Volunteers are always appreciated. Many hands make light work.

Join the parade May 19!

Be The Voice of Kittacuck and Bring Herring Back To The Blackstone Rive r

Sunday, May 19, 2024, 1-4 pm Where: Slater Mill, 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket RI

For more information here -> Fish Parade Flyer

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February cleanup at Pratt Dam overflow

This looks like a lot of trash but we barely scratched the surface at this site. We will be planning another cleanup as soon as we can.  Please join us.  More details to come.

In the weeds...

This volunteer went above and ‘below’ to get the trash out of the watershed area. One BRWC member stated “we hardly scratched the surface.” At least it’s a start. Thank you all for your time and support.

Riverlutionists make a huge difference

By volunteering for one of our cleanups, helping with water quality monitoring or leading a group of students on a river trip, you’ll become an advocate for the river. You can make a difference in our community and to the environment

Make a positive impact

Your contribution will support  our programs and activities, not salaries or benefits because we are an all-volunteer organization. Our members and supporters fund our fight to keep our river and watersheds clean and hold polluters accountable. We are a non-profit and your don ation may be tax deductible.

Please donate today

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RI DUI - Ordered to Complete Community Service, Now What?

What are the requirements to complete my community service.

Your community service must be completed in person, not online, and at a non-profit organization.

If you were ordered to complete the Alcohol Education program, your public community service requirement must be completed within four (4) months from conviction date . If you were ordered to complete an Alcohol Treatment program, your public community service requirement must be completed within three (3) months of your conviction date .

Upon completion, please forward the documentation to the Driver Retraining Office of the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles.

Public community service completion letters must contain the following information:

• Your letter must be on letterhead from the non-profit organization;
• Your letter must be the original copy;
• Your letter must document the number of hours completed with the non-profit organization;
• Your letter must be signed by a person of authority within the non-profit organization.

You can get your license reinstated prior to completing the community service.However, failure to provide your public community service completion letter within the applicable time period will result in the suspension of your driving privilege until your public community service requirement is completed.

Call The Law Office of Matthew L. LaMountain to schedule a free consultation and to help you through this troubling time.

401-699-8601

Community Service

Whether you want to give back or pay it forward, volunteering is rewarding with habitat tucson, we welcome volunteers in need, our volunteers helped habitat for humanity to build and repair homes in and around the tucson community..

Habitat for Humanity Tucson welcomes volunteers who need to complete school, group, religious, service-related community service and select court-ordered community restitution.

School/Service Related

For school community service hours or opportunities please email us at [email protected] for more detailed information. We have plenty of opportunities available from elementary to college!

Court-Ordered Community Restitution

Volunteers are welcome at Habitat Tucson to fulfill court-mandated community service hours. Court ordered community service volunteers are obligated to abide by the same rules and uphold the same standards as regular volunteers. In addition, here are the supplementary mandatory rules for court ordered volunteers:

• Each court ordered volunteer must complete a paper waiver in addition to creating an online volunteer profile.
• Each court ordered volunteer must complete a Community Service Agreement. add link here
• Prior to volunteering, the individual must present a photo ID, court documents or citation number stating the offense for which they have been assigned mandated service for to the Volunteer Coordinator for approval.
• Habitat Tucson cannot accommodate violent, sexual, or theft charges. Approval of any additional charges is at the discretion of the Volunteer Coordinator.
• In addition to using the Habitats volunteer registration portal, the court ordered volunteer must have their paper timesheet signed off on at the conclusion of each shift.
• The court ordered volunteer must present their paper timesheet to the Volunteer Coordinator at the conclusion of their service so that the Volunteer Coordinator can reconcile their hours in the database and complete a service letter for the volunteer if needed
• Each court ordered volunteer must complete a minimum of one complete volunteer shift a week.
• The Volunteer Coordinator is not obligated to maintain a minimum number of volunteer opportunities for court ordered community service volunteers

In addition to the above rules, there may be additional requirements depending on the area you volunteer in.

Documentation

Documentation of completed hours is available. Please provide Volunteer Resources two (2) days’ notice when a confirmation letter is needed.

For Court Ordered Service, p rior to volunteering, the individual must present a photo ID, court documents or citation number stating the offense for which they have been assigned mandated service for to the Volunteer Coordinator for approval.

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Court Ordered Community Service