Help Support
Your Local Community

Check out our volunteer opportunities in Brewer, ME

Join the ranks of our volunteers to help support individuals recovering from substance use. We understand that not everyone can physically serve and that in lieu of service your charitable donation will go a long way in contributing to the success of your community.

Bangor Area Recovery Network fills over 800 hours each month with our volunteer opportunities. Since we are a non-profit organization, we rely on the skills and services of our volunteers to help with everything from moving furniture to cooking and greeting guests. No matter your skill set, you can make a difference in the Brewer, Maine community with just your time, energy, and compassion.

Bangor Area Recovery Network fills over 800 hours each month with our volunteer opportunities. Since we're a non-profit organization, we rely on the skills and services of our volunteers to help with everything from moving furniture to cooking and greeting guests. No matter your skill set, you can make a difference in the Brewer, ME community with just your time, energy and compassion.

Find out more about our volunteer opportunities by contacting our Volunteer Coordinator Joseph Hartel at:
joseph@bangorrecovery.org or call 207-561-9444.

The BARN Volunteer Program

Volunteers are the most fundamental component of the BARN; they make the community recovery center a living, breathing example of recovery. Volunteers serve the BARN across all levels, including as daily floor staff, serving on committees or the Board of Directors, supervising each other, recovery coaching, and more. Each month, volunteers contribute over 500 to 800 hours of their time. At any given time, the BARN Volunteer Program deploys between 12 and 24 volunteers to staff its center.

Why Volunteer?
At the BARN, we recognize that service to others is virtually a spiritual imperative. In line with research, the BARN adheres to the belief that providing meaningful volunteer opportunities is an effective way to organize the recovery community. A great benefit of volunteering at the BARN is the potential for getting a strong job reference as a steppingstone into the workforce.
It is the policy of the BARN to ensure that all prospective and current volunteers are treated in a professional, caring, and consistent manner and are provided with meaningful volunteer assignments.

Who Can Become a Volunteer?
The BARN welcomes anyone to consider becoming a volunteer. Our strongest source of volunteers is the recovering community that surrounds the BARN. We also benefit from assistance provided by students in need of internships, training programs, volunteers completing hours for state assistance programs, and volunteers from jail diversion programs.

Collaborative Opportunities
The BARN Volunteer Program works with several partners in order to provide reliable volunteer and community service opportunities, including:

  • A4TD (Associates for Training and Development)
  • FedCAP
  • Adult and Family Drug Court
  • Adult Probation and Parole
  • Eastern Maine Development Corporation and Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act
  • University of Maine, Husson University and Beal College

Volunteer Opportunities

Front Desk/Greeter Volunteer: Front desk volunteers keep the BARN running smoothly by keeping it clean, responding to patrons' needs, and upholding the mission of the BARN. Front desk volunteers also provide peer support to anyone who enters the BARN in need, whether they are a long-time patron or visiting for the first time.

Garden Volunteer: During the growing season, the BARN has an outdoor garden that requires frequent attention and care. A minimum of two dedicated gardeners will be responsible for upkeep and planting.

Special Events Volunteer: The BARN frequently holds special events like dances, holiday parties, fundraisers, and community outreach activities which require extra hands for set up, break down, and help throughout the duration of the event. Volunteering for special events is a great way to get involved with the BARN even if you cannot make a long-term or regular commitment.

Walk-in Volunteer: Anyone who would like to contribute to the BARN for a few hours but cannot commit to a scheduled or regular shift is welcome to present themselves as a walk-in volunteer.

Committee Volunteers: Responsibilities will vary by committee and the projects it is working on. Some of the BARN committees include marketing/development, the Bangor Area Recovery Community Coalition (BARCC), Finance, and the operations committee.

covid

COVID-19 UPDATE

The BARN is now open 7 days a week! Since June 1, 2020, we have been doing our best to keep everyone safe by insisting patrons wear masks, sanitize and wash hands, and maintain social distancing in accordance with State Guidelines. Between meetings and functions, BARN volunteers and staff are cleaning and sanitizing the facility. When coming into the BARN, you will be asked to provide your name and phone number in case of COVID exposure, and you will be asked to wear a mask (properly-over the nose, mouth, and chin) and have your temperature taken. Our main room capacity has been expanded to hold 42 chairs and most of our meetings are Zoom integrated. Please see our website www.bangorrecovery.org or our BARN Facebook page, or call us at 207-561-9444 for updates on hours, event schedule, and more information on community safety procedures that are required of all visitors entering the facility.