Opportunities From: Spark

As a Benefit Navigator, you will be assisting members of the community access much-needed healthcare and nutrition benefits. Volunteers are trained to help with one or more of the following applications: Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Connect for Health Colorado. 

Volunteers may work onsite at BIA offices or at offsite locations with our community partners. In-person locations in the Denver-metro area, Colorado Springs, and Boulder. Volunteers may also work remotely from home.

Volunteer Navigators are required to pass background screening, HIPAA and Internet Security training annually, and all program-related training requirements (4-30 hours) and shadowing prior to being assigned clients. 

You will gain valuable knowledge and skills while assisting your neighbors to access the benefits they need. We ask volunteers to commit to 3-4 hours weekly for a minimum of 6 months. 

Do you have time to make a few calls to isolated seniors in our community? Serving in our Connectedness program might be a good fit for you!

The Connectedness Caller program serves to reduce isolation and improve mental wellness among our community members. Volunteers make regular calls to an assigned set of clients to check in and ensure they are well. 

All training is provided by Benefits in Action or our affiliates. 

Onboarding and Training Requirements:

Time Commitment:

Volunteers are asked to commit to 2-3 hours weekly for a minimum of 6 months. 

Want to help reduce hunger in our community? Volunteers are needed to assist at our warehouse with sorting and packing fresh and non-perishable food. Boxes are then delivered to home-bound individuals and families in need of extra nutrition. 

Volunteers must be able to work in unheated and uncooled warehouse conditions and lift a minimum of 20 pounds. Volunteers must also wear close-toed shoes and bring a water bottle. 

Volunteers help on Wednesday-Saturday mornings. Youth are welcome to help with adult supervisors - please contact us for more information. We encourage individuals and teams to sign up!

Volunteers are needed to call clients to see if they are in need of additional food support. Benefits in Action delivers, free of charge, fresh and non-perishable food to families and individuals who are unable to easily get to stores or food pantries.

Food Support volunteers make brief phone calls to clients to confirm deliveries for the following week. This assignment can be done in our Lakewood office or virtually, once trained. Volunteers are required to attend Volunteer Orientation, undergo and pass a background check, and complete online HIPAA and Internet Security Training, all provided by Benefits in Action or our affiliates.

Do you like to plan special events and help raise money? Volunteers are needed to assist with Benefits in Action's annual fundraising event, Boxed. This ticketed dinner event is a Chopped-style competition between local celebrity chefs using the ingredients found in a food box delivered to our home-bound clients. This special night is October 9 and will be held in Arvada. 

Volunteers are needed to help with requesting event sponsorship, auction donations, and auction set-up. Volunteers will need to have 3-4 hours weekly and be available for regular meetings throughout the summer and early fall. 

Volunteers will need to attend Volunteer Orientation, successfully pass a background screening including criminal and motor vehicle records. 

Volunteers are needed in Colorado Springs to help with Safe Parking for our neighbors who are facing homelessness and living in their vehicles. Volunteers can help make this a temporary situation for many people!

Working within Colorado Springs faith-based groups and churches, Safe Parking Advocates will educate peers and congregation members and build support for Safe Parking lots within congregation, and in the Colorado Springs community.

Safe Parking Advocates work alongside the Safe Parking Initiative Program Lead to speak with and educate congregants about the benefits of Safe Parking in Colorado Springs and church mission related to the homeless in the community.

Safe Parking Advocates may also help to identify other congregation members, who are interested in supporting Benefits in Action’s Safe Parking Initiative. Volunteers may also work within their networks using social media to advocate for the Safe Parking Initiative in Colorado Springs.

Help reduce food insecurity for home-bound individuals and families by volunteering to deliver food to our neighbors! Benefits in Action helps home-bound seniors and families without transportation access additional nutrition through free, monthly deliveries of fresh and non-perishable food. Deliver to Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, and Jefferson counties. 

Volunteer Delivery Drivers must have a vehicle that can accommodate 6-8 boxes (12"x12"x16"), a cell phone, and be able to lift about 20 pounds and navigate steps and stairs to clients homes. Pick up at the Benefits in Actions Warehouse (2080 W. Barberry Pl.) and deliver to a partner bulk delivery location or individual homes/apartments in your home zip code. Deliveries take place Tuesday - Saturday, mornings or afternoons. Number of deiveries depends upon volunteer vehicle size and preference.

To ensure the safety of our clients, we conduct a background screening that includes criminal and driving record search. We require volunteers to provide a current drive's license and proof of automobile insurance.

Families with children 10 or older or teams may deliver food together with prior approval.

The Intake Coordinator(s) at Marian House provides support to the on-site Benefits in Action Navigators. The Intake Coordinator greets clients, providing education and initial assistance. The Intake Coordinator is the first contact community members have with our organization and thus, is responsible for providing exceptional customer service.

Marian House is one of the largest providers for individuals experiencing homelessness in Colorado Springs. It operates a soup kitchen from 10:30am to 1:30pm, serving a considerable number of people in need. Additionally, Marian House offers a wide array of services: job search assistance, medical services, programs for families, and more.

Benefits in Action at Marian House provides education, benefits navigation, and application assistance onsite at the Marian House weekly (every Wednesday) during the soup kitchen and SET Clinic hours from 10:30am to 1:30pm.

Volunteers must be comfortable using online databases and application systems and have experience with Microsoft Office products. Volunteers are required to complete reporting for this assignment and service hour reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

·        Complete intake for clients and enter information into database.

·        Conduct socio-economic needs assessment of clients, document needs, and schedule client meetings with Benefit Navigators (if needed).

·        Provide a welcoming office environment by greeting clients and visitors.

·        Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Schedule: Wednesdays, 10am – 2pm

Expectations:  The Intake Coordinator should commit to working 4 hours a week and spending at least 6 months volunteering at Benefits in Action. Volunteers are invited to attend regular staff meetings.

Location:  Catholic Charities Marian House; 14 W Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Skills necessary for this position:

·        Strong interest in helping individuals experiencing homelessness

·        Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

·        Good listening skills.

·        Attention to detail.

·        Experience with Microsoft Office products

This position reports to:  Colorado Springs Navigators and Manager

Training provided:

·        BIA Orientation

·        Database Training

·        PEAK System Training

·        HIPAA & Internet Security Training

Required prior to volunteering:

·        Pass Criminal Record and MVR Background Check

How can you make a difference? Simple, you can help in your community to prepare taxes free of charge. Become a volunteer with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program and you will receive training to provide free tax help for low-to-moderate income families who need assistance preparing their tax returns. 

Volunteers must complete the onboarding process prior to training. This includes an interview and a criminal record background check.