Volunteers have been integral to the ministry of Matthew 25. We believe that people are stronger when they work together and that bridges are formed when persons of various backgrounds work together for the good of their neighbors. Hundreds of mission teams, representing thousands of volunteers, have partnered with Matthew 25 and its affiliates since the historic floods of 2008. Persons in the flooded neighborhoods have one consistent message: “Thank you for coming to help us and to work with us!”
Volunteers are needed in 2013 as we continue serving the near west-side of Cedar Rapids. Our activity is looking significantly different than it did during the first three years after the flood. Most of the difference is due to the fact that the flood was 5 years ago and our work (and the work of the city as a whole) is more focused on community development than disaster recovery. We invite you to join us being part of the future development of Cedar Rapids.
In Neighborhood Building we are rehabbing houses, although only 2 or 3 at a time. We try hard to match jobs with a group's skills.
In Cultivate Hope we have taken 16 lots where houses were removed after the flood, and we have created the first Urban Farm in Iowa. We provide fresh food and we do a lot of education, as well as beautifying the neighborhood. This has been an exciting new community development project for Mathew 25 and its volunteers; it has generated a lot of interest across the city and beyond. Volunteers have developed the garden beds, moved compost and wood chips, planted, weeded, harvested, and done other projects. A natural playground is being built by Transamerica. This year volunteers will be needed to maintain and expand the Urban Farm.
Other volunteers will work with partner organizations which are focusing on issues of poverty and/or hunger. This could include sorting food at a food bank, cleaning an apartment for transitional housing, or serving a meal to someone in need.
Volunteers are needed at all times of the year. Come for a whole week, or just for a couple of days! We especially want to fill each week of the summer with volunteers. Our Neighborhood Investment Coordinator, Jerry Oakland, will work closely with team leaders on all of the arrangements for your team’s mission trip; contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
For more volunteer information click here.
through CULTIVATE HOPE at Matthew 25 (scroll down)
through NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDING at Matthew 25 (scroll down)
through YOUTH EMPOWERMENT at Matthew 25 (scroll down)
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT Volunteer Opportunities:
Matthew 25 invites those who enjoy working with children and youth to volunteer in any of the following programs. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 319-362-2214
Music Mentoring is a Matthew 25 Ministry Hub School Support program that teaches music lessons to Taylor neighborhood youth in grades 4-7. The program runs on Saturdays at Taylor Elementary from 10:00-11:30 am during the school year. Children receive a 30 minute one on one lesson on a musical instrument of their choice or voice lessons. Volunteer instructors are needed to mentor youth in beginning instrumental or vocal music.
Book Buddies is an intensive, research-based reading intervention program designed for first-graders who need assistance in catching up with their peers in reading. Supervised volunteers are needed to work with students twice per week, for forty-five minute sessions from 2:45-3:30 pm. (If arrangements can be made then two mentors can share one student, each meeting one time per week with the student.) Lesson plans are prepared by the school reading specialists.
Roosevelt Middle School Cultivate Hope is a new program with middle school students that focuses on learning activities that build community among classmates and empower students to make meaningful and long-term contributions to their community through gardening. Volunteers are needed to help with this gardening program on Thursdays from 2-3:30 pm.
Groundswell Youth Center hosts bands, game nights, and open mic nights (OMG) on the weekends.Volunteers are needed to supervise youth at the Groundswell events, including providing snacks on site that are for sale. Dates vary for Groundswell events.
Contact Jenny Seylar, Youth Education Coordinator, at Matthew 25 if you are interested in giving your time to the young people of Cedar Rapids.Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 319-362-2214
Cultivate Hope - Volunteer Opportunities (scroll down)
NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDING Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteer teams, as well as individuals, are needed as we work in rehabbing houses or work with homeowners. We also build new houses. All of this is in an effort to provide good, affordable housing to persons in the Time Check and Taylor neighborhoods. Volunteers may be involved with demolition or with new building -- carpentry and construction skills are helpful, but not mandatory. Sometimes volunteers are painting or improving the landscape around properties. With several projects going at once, we should be able to find a project that matches your group's skill level. Contact Jerry ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 362-2214).
THE TOOL LIBRARY also is in need of volunteers, either to staff the library, or to teach or mentor others on the proper use of tools or in the use of the workshop.
Cultivate Hope - Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer teams, as well as individuals, work at the Urban Farm, preparing the garden beds, planting, hoeing weeds, watering, and harvesting. There is plenty to do each week, keeping several volunteers busy. Other volunteers might be tour guides, educating our visitors about how food grows and how we are healthier when we eat good, nutritious, home-grown food. Contact Jerry ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 362-2214) or Matt ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).