Volunteer Information Page

Established in February 2023, Our Futures Past was crafted to bolster Senior Citizen Communities, fondly referred to as Our Mentors, in Maryland. Our primary goal is to cultivate connections between these communities and younger generations through engaging social volunteer events. Collaborating with families and youth organizations, we curate meaningful experiences aimed at bridging the gap between diverse age groups. Volunteers at Our Futures Past play a pivotal role in positively influencing the lives of individuals who are sometimes overlooked by society as they age.

 

Benefits Of Volunteering With Us:

• Contribute to the well-being of senior citizens and strengthen your community.
• Gain valuable experience in event planning, interpersonal communication, and teamwork.
• Develop leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Experience personal growth and a sense of accomplishment.

 

 

General Information:

• We currently serve senior independent and assisted living centers in the Anne Arundel County area that are willing to accommodate us. We hope to expand to other counties in Maryland as our volunteer roster grows.
• Since many volunteers have daytime employment or family obligations during the week, we conduct most of our events in the evening or on weekends.
• Movie events typically occur on Fridays, starting between 6 and 7 PM, with a commitment of 1.5 to 2 hours.  Other events take place on weekends, usually during midday, as that time seems to be most suitable for the residents in the communities we serve.
• Currently, we aim to organize at least one event a month at a different community. This requirement arises from the coordination time needed with different centers and the need to secure committed available volunteers, ensuring residents can have a memorable social engagement experience.
• While the founders typically handles a lot of the setup and supply purchases for activities, we would greatly welcome additional help from volunteers.

 

How To Get Involved:

• Contact us for information on upcoming events and volunteer opportunities and complete a volunteer application form, providing your contact information, interests, and availability.
• Attend a volunteer orientation session to learn more about our organization, events, and expectations.
• For upcoming events we will send out sign up forms via email where you can sign up for activities that align with you and your interests and schedule. 

 

Addtional Volunteer Opportunities:

1. Event planning and organization: Help coordinate, plan, and execute events with facilty coordinators such as movie nights, painting workshops, and more.
2. Post Event Bridge building: Pair up with seniors to create artwork, share stories, and foster intergenerational connections post events.
3. Mentorship Team: Share your knowledge, skills, and experiences with younger volunteers, guiding them in their personal and professional development.
4. Administrative support Team: Assist with behind-the-scenes tasks such as marketing, social media, and event coordination.
5. Our Futures Past Board Member: As a non-profit organization, we maintain a governing board that oversees the vision and mission of Our Futures Past.

 

Notes on engaging with our Mentor Community members:

• Our mission is to create a joyful and positively engaging environment for our Mentor community.
• Always maintain respect, kindness, and accommodation towards both individuals and staff members who support them.
• Avoid raising questions or engaging in conversations that might cause discomfort to our Mentors.
• It's important to be mindful that some of our Mentors may have hearing or visual impairments.
• Please treat our Mentors as equals and refrain from talking down to or using baby talk with them.
• Encourage our Mentors to share their personal stories and interests, and seek common ground for meaningful conversations. We can gain valuable insights and wisdom from their life experiences.