Sponsored by Northwest Wisconsin Community Services Agency, Inc. since 1972
Covering Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas & Iron Counties
What is RSVP?
The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is one of several programs under AmeriCorps Seniors. Their mission is to promote the spirit and practice of volunteerism. RSVP offers adults, age 55 and over, new and varied opportunities for volunteer service within their community.
RSVP works within the community to expand and develop opportunities for older adults through non-profit organizations and local public agencies. Appropriate volunteer assignments take place to the mutual satisfaction of the volunteer and the cooperating agency. RSVP stresses matching the interests, abilities and physical capabilities of volunteers with the needs of the agencies. For any of the opportunities listed here, please contact one of the RSVP Staff, Andrea Wright by phone at 715-394-3644 or by email at awright@northwest-csa.org. Or Mary Foley by phone at 715-292-6400 ext. 2 or by email at mfoley@northwest-csa.org.
If you do not find an opportunity that you like, contact the Program Director, Beth Paul, by phone at 715-292-6400 ext. 1 or by email bethrsvp@northwest-csa.org to discuss your options.
Are you a non-profit organization or local public agency looking for volunteers? Contact any of the RSVP staff above to find out what your options are begin using RSVP Volunteers.
If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please fill out the Volunteer Form today.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) operates during the tax season with volunteers that prepare taxes at no cost or greet clients when they come in for their appointments. This is a valuable community program for those low-income individuals and families to have their taxes done at no charge. Homestead Credit and back taxes can also be done at any time during the year also at no cost.
Locations:
NWCSA Main Office, 1118 Tower Avenue, Superior, Douglas County
or
NWCSA Ashland Office, 623 Second Avenue East, Ashland, Ashland County
The Brick Ministries
The Brick Ministries helps individuals and families in need within Ashland & Bayfield Counties by offering a Food Shelf Program that distributes food and personal care items at four locations: Ashland, Cable, Mellen and Cornucopia. Their Benevolence Program assists with emergency financial resources and will provide referrals. Volunteers can help out at The Brick in various ways from assisting at the front desk, taking in donations to shelving & distributing the donations.
Locations:
Ashland Food Shelf, 420 Ellis Avenue, Ashland, Ashland County
or
South Shore Food Shelf, Town of Bell Community Center on Highway C, Bayfield County
or
Helping Hands Food Shelf, 102 Bennett Street, Mellen, Ashland County
or
Cable Area Food Shelf, 13380 Spruce Street, Cable, Bayfield County
Office Help
Organizations are looking for office help have numerous projects & office duties such as filing, shredding outdated documents, data entry, bulk mailing projects, calling volunteers for special projects. etc. An hour or two each week would definitely help us keep on top of the paper overload.
Locations:
NWCSA Ashland Office, 623 Second Avenue East, Ashland, Ashland County
or
Lew Martin Senior Center, 1527 Tower Avenue, Superior, Douglas County
or
Washburn Chamber of Commerce, West Bayfield Street, Washburn, Bayfield County
NWCSA-RSVP Advisory Council
NWCSA-RSVP Advisory Council is composed of members from Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, & Iron Counties who advise and assist the RSVP staff & program sponsor by determining the needs of the local community, developing policies and procedures, and advocating for the program. This council also assist with advising NWCSA staff regarding operations of the Lew Martin Senior Center. The council meets 1 to 4 times during the year. Meetings can be in person or thru Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
Special Event Projects
Special Event Projects are generally one-time projects and may include bulk mailing help or other special events or projects as needed.
Locations:
NWCSA Ashland Office, 623 Second Avenue East, Ashland, Ashland County
or
Lew Martin Senior Center, 1527 Tower Avenue, Superior, Douglas County
or
Washburn Chamber of Commerce, East Bayfield Street, Washburn, Bayfield County
Ashland Historical Society Museum
Ashland Historical Museum has a rich history of exploring the early days of Ashland with many photographs and artifacts. Volunteer opportunities range from researching Ashland’s history and data entry of collections to assisting with exhibits and displays & special events or helping at the reception desk.
Location: Ashland Historical Society Museum, 216 Main Street West, Ashland, Ashland County
Iron County Historical Society Museum
Iron County Historical Museum has 3 floors of historical displays and a clock tower that has been running for more than 100 years. The Weaving Room is home to looms and weavers who use old methods to create rugs which may be purchased by the public. Volunteers can help with weaving or just work in the museum doing other duties.
Location: Iron County Historical Society Museum, 303 Iron Street, Hurley, Iron County
Closets & Cupboards
Closets & Cupboards is a special program organized to help low-income individuals and families in need with clean clothes and household items that have been donated to NWCSA. Volunteers can help sort and display items that are donated.
Location: NWCSA Ashland Office, 623 Second Avenue East, Ashland, Ashland County
Friends of the Vaughn Library
The Book Nook takes care of all the library books that are taken out of circulation and sold. The money earned returns to the library to help run programs. Come to the library to help sort and sell those books
Location: Vaughn Public Library, 502 Main Street West, Ashland, Ashland County
Partners of Tamarack Health Thrift Shop in Ashland
Location: Partners of Tamarack Health Thrift Shop, 208 Main Street West, Ashland, Ashland County
ABC Thrift Shop in Bayfield
Location: ABC Thrift Shop, 118 West Bayfield St, Washburn, Bayfield County
PAW Thrift Shop in Mercer
Location: PAW Thrift Shop, 5211 N US Highway 51, Mercer, Iron County
Benefits the community by providing a way to upcycle items at a low cost. Sort, mark, and display items while others run the cash register. Work with friends or make new ones while having a good time helping others.
Red Cross Disaster Services
American Red Cross is looking for help in their disaster action team who responds day or night to meet the needs of their neighbors. Both online or in-person training are available and free of charge. The shelter support team supports the day-to-day activities within a shelter, may include working in reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information, or other areas within the shelter. The disaster health services team is looking for licensed healthcare providers to deliver hands on care and education to shelter residents. Free online training can be counted towards your nursing continuing education units.
Location: Ashland County, Bayfield County, Iron County
NWCSA Food Distribution
NWCSA has a food pantry that is open 2 days a week to distribute food and personal care items. Volunteers can help out in various ways from assisting at the front desk, taking in donations to shelving & distributing the donations to clients.
Location: NWCSA Main Office, 1118 Tower Avenue, Superior, Douglas County
Solid Rock Safe Haven in Superior
Ashland Community Shelter in Ashland
Variety of projects and needs. Cleaning rooms, laundry, or manning the front desk. Connect with RSVP to see how your service can benefit the greater community.
Locations:
Solid Rock Safe Haven, 1004 N. 6th Street, Superior, Douglas County
Ashland Community Shelter, 2300 Lake Shore Drive West, Ashland, Ashland County
Lew Martin Senior Center
Looking to take your hobbies to the masses? Can you teach a fun class to a group? We are looking for class ideas or other program ideas for the Senior Center. Help us create a wonderful center for gathering.
Location: Lew Martin Senior Center, 1527 Tower Avenue, Superior, Douglas County
Moment’s Hospice
Helping individuals and their families in their most critical times. Volunteers needed in a range of areas from behind-the-scenes office assistance to holding vigil during the last moments and reaching out to families afterwards. Every position is an integral in need helping our loved ones cross over.
Location: Moment’s Hospice, Douglas County
Ashland County Aging Unit
Looking for those available weekdays for meal delivery, office help, transporting those in need to medical or dental appointments or other locations as needed with reimbursement, or volunteering through Faith in Action. We can get you connected. Meals on Wheels, Faith in Action, and the Ashland County Aging Unit needs your help to serve the most vulnerable in our community, seniors who are homebound. Let us help you find your new passion for service.
Location: Ashland County Aging Unit, 400 Chapple Ave, Ashland, Ashland County
New Freedom Transportation
Like to drive and meet new people. Provide transit to and from medical appointments in Douglas County. Drivers will receive mileage for transporting clients to and from doctor’s appointments and any other medical procedures. No lifting required.
Location: New Freedom Transportation, Douglas County
Faith United Methodist Church
Are you one of those that gets happy with getting that good cleaning done? Your time will benefit a local church to provide this important service.
Location: Faith United Methodist Church, 1531 Hughitt Avenue, Superior, Douglas County
Bayfield County Government
Advisor: Do you know social media and would like to help a large organization with it? Bayfield County wants your help. guide staff in the new world of social media. Examples needed to demonstrate experience.
Teacher: Writing is a difficult thing for many people. Use your writing skills to help with technical or grant writing. Previous experience needed to fulfill this opportunity. Take what you have learned and use it to teach the next generation.
Facilitator: Housing, planning, development, zoning code are all difficult ideas to wrap your mind around. But if you want to impact the future, being a zoning facilitator may be your opportunity. Experience with meeting facilitation, an understanding of zoning and housing preferred. Take what you have learned previously and use it as an additional puzzle piece for the next generation.
Location: Bayfield County Government, 117 East 5th Street, Washburn, Bayfield County
How to Volunteer
For any of the opportunities listed here, please contact one of the RSVP Staff.
Andrea Wright by phone at 715-394-3644 or by email at awright@northwest-csa.org.
Mary Foley by phone at 715-292-6400 ext. 2 or by email at mfoley@northwest-csa.org.
If you do not find an opportunity that you like, contact the Program Director, Beth Paul, by phone at 715-292-6400 ext. 1 or by email bethrsvp@northwest-csa.org to discuss your options.
Are you a non-profit organization or local public agency looking for volunteers? Contact any of the RSVP staff above to find out what your options are begin using RSVP Volunteers.
If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please fill out the Volunteer Form today.