Volunteer Opportunities

Mindspring accomplishes its mission through the kindness of our dedicated volunteers. There are various ways to contribute as a volunteer at Mindspring, and while some opportunities are exclusive to individuals in Des Moines, Iowa, we welcome anyone outside the local area to complete the interest form. Thank you for your understanding as we work on expanding capacity and creating additional opportunities for all volunteers!

The following opportunities are only available to those who are local to Des Moines, Iowa. 

Support Group Facilitators

Mindspring currently offers three different support groups in the Des Moines metro and is looking to grow this program. To run support groups, we need dedicated facilitators who can make a monthly commitment. Facilitators must have lived experience (either self or family member) or be a student or professional in the mental health field AND attend the Mindspring Mental Health Alliance Support Group Facilitator Training. We are actively recruiting volunteers for this role!

Hearing Voices Facilitators

The Hearing Voices volunteer will assist staff with the coordination and facilitation of the Hearing Voices program created by Pat Deegan, PhD. The goal of this program is to increase empathy and understanding related to individuals who hear voices and is often conducted with the Des Moines Police Department and other local community based organizations.  

Committee Members

Mindspring has multiple committees that work together to help drive the strategic initiatives of the organization. We are currently recuriting volunteers for this opporutnity. Committees Include: 

  • Outreach: Engage community members through improved marketing and promotional activities to raise public awareness of agency activities and mental healthcare in Iowa. 
  • Finance: Provide financial oversight for Mindspring Mental Health Alliance. Typical tasks include budgeting, financial planning, financial reporting, and the creation and monitoring of internal control and accountability policies.
  • Fundraising: Secure and sustain funding to achieve organizational goals.
  • Education and Support Services: Enhance Education & Support programs to ensure maximum community impact and participant satisfaction. 

Tabling and Outreach Associate

The Tabling and Outreach Associate will help increase awareness in the community related to the programs and training Mindspring offers. They will attend various community events as a representative of Mindspring by passing out Mindspring resources and materials to those attending, and share information about our programs and upcoming events. 

 

The following opporutnities are available to all volunteers! 

Mindspring Ambassador 

The Mindspring Ambassador will represent Mindspring Mental Health Alliance on their own social media platforms by sharing posts, community resources, and their own mental health journey (if they so choose) with the goal(s) to decrease stigma and increase awareness and education surrounding mental health and wellness. After signing an agreement, ambassadors will receive monthly emails from Mindspring staff and share these posts included in the email(s) on personal and professional social media platforms at least 1-2 times a month. 

Share your Story Initiative 

Share your mental health story with us to share on the Mindspring Mental Health Alliance social media. Our goal with this initiative is to decrease stigma surrounding mental health and promote wellness, recovery, and hope. As a Share your Story volunteer, you have the opportunity to let others know they are not alone and there is hope. Write your mental health story and send it to support@mindspringhealth.org when it is completed. We are actively recruiting for this role! 

 

If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please fill out our form below and a Mindspring representative will reach out! For questions or further information please email volunteer@mindspringhealth.org