Opportunities From: Treetops Collective

Do you (or anyone you know) have expertise in solving internet connectivity issues? We could use your (or their) help at The 906! Please respond to this opportunity or simply reach out by email to MaryAnne (maryanne@treetopscollective.org)! 

We are hosting a community workshop for Concentric members and Collective Care participants on Friday, October 31, 12-4p, at Treetops. 

We anticipate a need for childcare volunteers, though we are not advertising childcare for the event. In the (unlikely) event that we don't have any children present, we would happily accept your help with set-up and clean-up if you are willing! 

Two girls from Union High School will be participating in the Teen Social Enterprise Internship for 10 weeks, and we're in need of help getting them from Union to Treetops each week - sometimes on Wednesdays, sometimes on Thursdays - see shifts below. School dismisses at 2:20, and girls can be picked up near the tennis courts (1800 Tremont NW). 

After our Fall Luncheon, we would like to have a large group (or several individuals) come in and help us write thank-you cards to our supporters. Gather a group of colleagues, friends, family members, book club or Bible study members... or just sign yourself up... and join us at Treetops on Monday, November 3, 10:00a-12:00p.  We'll provide writing supplies, scripts, coffee and tea, and good company! 

Can you help with childcare, helping to ensure that mommas from the Nepali community can attend Circles of Support? Additional shifts will be added as soon as Kala is able to confirm the dates with her Circles participants!

The Treetops team would be so grateful to have help writing thank-you cards to luncheon attendees and supporters. Language direction and supplies will be provided; pick up a packet of supplies anytime between 9a and 3p on Thursday, October 30. Please plan to write your cards and drop them in the mail by Saturday, November 1!

Treetops is in a season of strategic planning for the next 3 years, and as part of our commitment to a posture of listening, one of the focus groups will be specifically for past/present Concentric Leaders and program members. This session will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 9:30-11:30a, at Treetops. Please help us remove the childcare barrier that may otherwise keep women from participating and sharing their valuable experience and insights with us!

Last year, during our first year of Concentric Club in four area high schools, we received some requests from Club members (refugee/immigrant teen girls) who were looking for academic support. We looked into already-existing tutoring services in the area, and we found that those services were not always accessible to the girls who needed them (not through any fault of those offering the tutoring services, but due to full rosters/scheduling/transportation needs/other obligations). To that end, we are offering academic support/mentorship to any Concentric Club members who request that for the current school year.

As an academic support mentor, you will be paired 1:1 with a teen and will meet once a week for 60-90 minutes in her home, at her school, virtually, or at Treetops. This time will consist of relationship-building time, homework help, and English worksheets if applicable (provided by Treetops). We will provide loose "plans" for your time together, in the hopes that you will allow the teen to have agency and choice over how you spend the time. 

You do not have to be an expert in reading, writing, or math... you just have to be willing to show up and be a consistent presence in the teen's life... and be ready and willing to learn from her, as well!

Join us for three Cross-Cultural Community Events this school year! With our shift into a school-based model for the teen program, these events will take the place of what were previously 1:1 partnerships with teens. To that end, we will give preference to volunteers who can commit to 2-3 of the events so the teens and volunteers can get to know each other through consistent events with one another. 

Events will be curated to maximize connection through shared food, fun, and activities! Volunteers will be asked to help with transportation if possible (though we will not exclude you from participating in the events if you're unable to help in that way), but the volunteers' main mission will be to connect with the teens!

October and January events will be held at Treetops; the March event may be held at Aquinas College. Stay tuned for details as the dates get closer!

Our fall luncheon will be held on Wednesday, October 29, at New Vintage Place. After the luncheon, the Treetops team would welcome your help with packing up table decorations, name tags, and other supplies to be returned to Treetops!

Note: You'll receive a discount code to attend the luncheon for free!

Capture video of the beauty and connection at our annual fall luncheon, which will be held at New Vintage Place on Wednesday, October 29. 

Our fall luncheon will be held at New Vintage Place on Wednesday, October 29. Please register for this opportunity if you enjoy setting up lovely spaces for beautiful and meaningful events: help decorate tables, set up registration table, and other preparations at the event space for the luncheon. 

Note: You will be given a discount code to register for the luncheon for free!

Our fall luncheon will be on Wednesday, October 29, at New Vintage Place. If you'd like to help people find their name tags and get oriented to the luncheon, please register to fill this need!

Note: You will be given a discount code to register for the luncheon for free!

Our fall luncheon is coming up! Register for this opportunity if you are able to help at Treetops for 2+ hours a couple days before the event: Help assemble name tags, table numbers, guest favors and any other supplies needed for the big day!

If you've been to Treetops, you know that we have a beautiful and welcoming space. We would love your help to ensure that the building remains safe and lovely for all of the people who enter our doors. If you enjoy working in any of the following areas, please sign up! There is not a specific time commitment, given the nature of the tasks; we will follow up with you directly when you sign up and determine what you are willing and able to help with, then will communicate with you as those types of needs come up!

If these areas are not your forte, but you're thinking of someone who might be excited about this type of volunteering, please share this opportunity with them and/or connect them directly with me via email: maryanne@treetopscollective.org. Thank you!!

General Building Maintenance

Basic repairs (patching holes, tightening loose fixtures, replacing light bulbs, adjusting doors/hinges, fixing squeaky or sticking locks)

Painting touch-ups and wall maintenance

Small carpentry projects (building or repairing shelving, etc.)

Checking and restocking supplies (toilet paper, paper towels, soap, trash bags)

Safety & Systems

Hanging smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and exit lights

Assisting with emergency preparedness tasks (marking exits, signage, etc.)

Minor plumbing fixes (unclogging drains, tightening faucets, replacing toilet parts)

Basic electrical help (changing outlets/switch covers, thermostats, replacing ceiling lights)

Cleaning & Organizing

Deep cleaning projects (kitchen appliances, baseboards, windows, carpets, childcare room, tables/chairs)

Organizing storage rooms, closets, and supplies

Outdoor & Groundskeeping

Gardening/weeding and seasonal planting

Snow shoveling/plowing/salting in winter

Power washing sidewalks or exterior walls

Exterior touch-ups (painting railings, clearing gutters)

Installing outdoor flood lights

Special Projects

Helping with furniture assembly or disassembly

Installing signage, shelving, etc.

Seasonal décor setup/takedown

We invite you to attend an in-person information and training session before signing up to volunteer with Treetops Collective. After attending, you will be able to sign up for Treetops Volunteer Opportunities and Cross-Cultural Partnership. This training is required for anyone interested in becoming a Cross-Cultural Partner. During the training, we will talk about Treetops' mission, the volunteer experience, and information on the principles of mutuality, trauma, and cultural exchange.

This training is in-person at 906 Division Ave South Grand Rapids MI 49507, parking is located on the street or side lot.

Only one orientation is required, you may sign up for an in-person or virtual session, whichever fits your availability best.

Any questions or concerns? Please email maryanne@treetopscollective.org

We invite you to attend a virtual information and training session before signing up to volunteer with Treetops Collective. After attending, you will be able to sign up for Treetops Volunteer Opportunities and Cross-Cultural Partnership. This virtual training is required for anyone interested in becoming a Cross-Cultural Partner. During the training, we will talk about Treetops' mission, the volunteer experience, and information on the principles of mutuality, trauma, and cultural exchange.

You will receive the Zoom link for this virtual training the week of.  Please use that link to log into the session.

Only one orientation is required; you may sign up for an in-person or virtual session, whichever fits your availability best. 

Any questions or concerns? Please email maryanne@treetopscollective.org

Cafe hosts needed! On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, we will need volunteer support to do a short opening checklist, ensure that customers are welcomed warmly and introduced to how payment works, and do a short closing checklist. Volunteers are welcome to bring homework, their own remote work, a book to read, or a craft to do... anything to fill your time between customers! Shifts are from 8:30 to 12:00 for the morning, and 12:00 to 3:30 for the afternoon. 

We would like to prioritize volunteers who are here on a regular basis. If possible, please sign up for at least 3-4 shifts each month.

We will do a training with you on your first shift, and there will always be Treetops staff in the shop (and often throughout the building!) while you are there. 

Work a shift (or regular shifts!) in Treetops’ retail space at 906 Division. Help out with tasks like folding, organizing, putting new products out, and more. No experience needed, just a willingness to jump in and have fun!

Tuesdays 9-12 and 12-3

Wednesdays 9-12 and 12-3

Thursdays 9-12 and 12-3

Sign up for one shift or both shifts on any given day, depending on your availability. If you are able to work regular shifts (whether that means weekly or twice a month, or anything in between), we will also train you to process sales. 

Please note that we ask that volunteers not bring children for these shifts. The sewing equipment in the shop area can be an unsafe environment for curious littles! 

Our annual celebration luncheon is coming up in October and we would love to have a photographer for the event. It will be held at New Vintage Place on the NW side of Grand Rapids (a gorgeous venue!) on Wednesday, October 29. 

9-12 month commitment, 4 hours a month

Cross-Cultural Partners walk alongside New American women as friends and allies for 9-12 months, learning from one another and growing together. You will experience life together, meet in each other’s homes and other local places, meet family members, attend Treetops’ gatherings, share meals, practice English, and go on excursions around Grand Rapids.

In order to become a Cross-Cultural Partner, you must first attend the Cross-Cultural Partner training. Please sign up for that in the opportunities section now! 

Please respond to this opportunity if you are interested in receiving emails as transportation needs arise. These needs are typically quite sporadic, and having a list of interested volunteers helps us know where to start when the need does come up! 

The Rooted Together Shop is in need of a photographer to capture photos of new products and potentially snap a few headshots of new employees.

This need comes up relatively often, so registering for this opportunity will not be a solid commitment to any specific day/time; rather, I'll reach out to you if you register and determine with you when you might be available. Going forward, I would keep you on a list of photographers to reach out to as needs arise.

What gifts and abilities would you like to share with the Treetops Collective community? We would love for you to get involved! Respond to this opportunity, and we will connect with you.