Volunteering for a week or a month?

[Goshawk]

After watching countless videos on RV living full time and reading countless stories also , have not found a lot of volunteering stories.

Cant folks boondock at some organization like HABITAT FOR HUMANITY or some other group. Maybe churches or schools for a week. And get free parking and maybe a 110 extension cable from the building nearby?

Assuming you are retired on SS income at 62 or older. You could do some interesting one week classes and sell that idea to a school or church group. As long as you have an interesting skill to teach.


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[abnorm]

I've volunteered for Habitat in the past...........as an Employer/group or a general Community volunteer..........

The RV Habitat for Humanity group is called.....Care-A-Vanners......generally two-week gigs with some camping benefits......here's a link to this years builds:

http://www.habitat.org/cd/rv/schedule.aspx

Habitat is based on the big group experience.............they provide the stable, recognized umbrella under which the total build progresses from start to finish

Attempting to do similar volunteering on a smaller/individual scale is fraught with problems.........As you may know the building "code" generally allows you  (unlicensed/handyman) as homeowner to do most projects on-your-own-personal house......Try that on a friend's/neighbor's/or needy individual's property and you can be seriously SLAPPED by local building officials if you don't have the necessary permits and license.......

Also in-this-day-and-age.......the unknown guy living in the van can be viewed as suspicious and/or even dangerous............I'm not happy with that but all we can do is prove them wrong......I'd expect  to be able to provide a "clean" Police record

In my own past my BIL was a long-time Quadriplegic.... A NASA computer analyst.....I originally built out HIS camping van to include a sliding bed so he could travel long distance NOT "sitting" in the WC...engineered with a removable Hoyer lift mounted inside the van to lift him up and into bed.....SLIDE the bed........this way his family could still function in the van while traveling

So a "Preacher" in the extended family would call and inquire if I could HELP another person in need........small projects to adapt households to a allow a handicapped person some measure of comfort........clean-up the laundry room electrical hazards.......build a small ramp.......pour a larger concrete ramp........build a wheelchair accessible "desk"........BATHROOM accommodations..........open tight door jambs.......special light switches........All under-the-radar

..................NOMADS is a faith-based RV group of the Methodist Church

Just today..........new member Solari posted about volunteering at homeless shelter food banks.......in the TRIBESEED post


YMMV..........I'll keep watching for more    doug

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Another possibility . . .

https://www.escapees.com/fun/bofs?id=321

 

[cyndi]

My guess is that schools and churches are going to require CORI checks

 

[eDJ_]

Although I'm still in the sticks & bricks,  I volunteer a bit of time each week to two non profits.  (perhaps soon a third) 

But the Fraternal Lodge I belong to  made it clear when I offered that volunteers would be provided with food and beverage and  they have those who consume way more sustenance than they provide with their volunteerism.  And that to them is not "volunteering".  (they would remove those from the volunteer list) 

So the question would be. what one has to bring to the table and how much of it for a parking place and shore power/WIFI.   (or if they would get food and drink)   What is the value of both to negotiate a fair exchange where the organization would see it as a worthwhile practice to continue offering.  

There are numerous things to consider from an organization's point of view.

 

[DannyB1954]

WWOOF is a network of organic farmers You kinda become a migrant farm worker. http://wwoofinternational.org/how-it-works/ http://wwoof.net/#wwoof

 

[Goshawk]

My guess is that schools and churches are going to require CORI checks

What is a CORI check ? This raises a good point. What credentials can you establish to ensure history and trust? Love the idea of going the opposite way of the "hide from society and law" folks. No problem with establishing a CV or national credentials with a place that can be checked.


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[Goshawk]

Found this using Google.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_Offender_Record_Information

Guy

So criminal offender record system. But not having anything says that you are just not in that system in Massachusetts. I guess.


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[waldenbound]

Here's an interesting idea: volunteering at monasteries. They can be Christian, (Benedictine, Trappist, some Franciscan nuns), or Buddhist.
Say you're traveling around and there's a large monastery in the area. Take a case of Florida oranges, or a bushel of Washington apples, or a fresh caught king salmon, and ask if you can park awhile on the property. Very short term, three-five days perhaps. Or if some place has some needed repairs and a person is a trades person, there's a possibility.

Most monasteries have retreat houses that ask for a donation per night. That's why if you show up with an "alms" giving/donation, you may have a chance of being accepted in the parking lot for a short, interesting stay.

The WWOOF sounds like fun, I'd be all over that.