Volunteer Opportunities with the City of Lakewood

  • Auxiliary Police

    The Lakewood Auxiliary Police Unit is a vital part of both the Police Department and the community, assisting with important duties such as traffic direction and crowd control at organized events. They provide support at events including Earth Day, band concerts, Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks, Lakewood Arts Festival. Lakewood High School Football games, Lakewood Community Festival and several annual marathons and runs through the City. Auxiliary Police Officers also have the opportunity to ride on patrol with Lakewood Police Officers. In 2008, the Lakewood Auxiliary Police performed over 3,218 service hours for the community. The Auxiliary Police increase the safety of community events and provide the necessary community support.
    Applicants for the Lakewood Auxiliary must be at least 18 years of age and must pass a background investigation. Individuals who live or work outside of Lakewood are also welcome to apply. Upon completion of training, auxiliary officers are protected under the Ohio Worker's Compensation and are provided with uniforms and equipment. Applications are available at the Lakewood Police Station, 12650 Detroit Avenue. For more information, contact Lieutenant Gary Sprague at (216) 529-6781.
    Click here for more information about the Lakewood Auxiliary Police Unit. »


  • Block Club Program
    Start a Block Club on your street or if your street already has a Block Club, get involved. Block Clubs operate under the community policing principle that preventing crime and improving our City is everyone’s responsibility. It is successful because people want to assume a more active role in their communities and they work together in a partnership with the City to reduce or eliminate the threat of crime and enhance the quality of life for all.
    Contact Mike Tuttle at (216)529-6657 or michael.tuttle@lakewoodoh.net for more information.
    Click here for more information about starting a Block Club »

  • Community Emergency Response Team
    The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates and prepares participants for hazards that may impact them in the event of a community emergency or disaster. When people are involved in CERT, they receive training in basic emergency response skills, including first aid, fire suppression and safety, light search and rescue. They obtain a better understanding of the hazards facing their homes and workplaces and can take steps to lessen the effects of such hazards.
    Contact Tricia Granfors, Westshore CERT Coordinator at (440) 716-4135 or granforst@north-olmsted.com for more information.
    Click here for more information about the Lakewood CERT Team »

  • H20 Program
    H2O "Help to Others" is a service learning program for middle and high school students. It is a collaborative effort between the Department of Human Services/Youth and Lakewood City Schools. This program is dedicated to strengthening and enriching this community by engaging its young people as community builders. In addition to middle school and high school students, H20 is also looking for adult voluteers to help facilitate different activities.
    Contact Emmie Hutchison, H20 Coordinator, at (216) 529-6045 or emmie.hutchison@lakewoodoh.net for more information.
    Click here for more information about H20 »

  • Human Services Volunteer Opportunites
    • Activity Volunteer
      Volunteer would assist in the planning and running of recreational activities and events conducted at the Division of Aging’s senior centers. Would also serve on the activities committee, meeting once a month to discuss and plan for upcoming programming.
    • Home-Delivered-Meals Volunteer
      Volunteer would assist with the distribution of hot lunches to homebound, elderly Lakewood residents. The time commitment would be one hour, once a week, with the meals ready to be picked up at the Lawther Center by between 10:45 A.M. and 11:00 A.M.
    • Kitchen Volunteer
      Volunteer would assist kitchen staff in all aspects of preparation for that day’s Home-Delivered-Meals, as well as the lunches served at the senior centers. Volunteer would also assist senior center participants with getting coffee, etc. The time commitment is once a week, from approximately 7:30 – 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Volunteer must be able to walk without mechanical assistance, i.e. walker, cane, etc.
    • Office Volunteer
      Based on need, ability and job assignment, volunteer might assist staff with all aspects of office work, i.e. answering phones, assisting senior center participants, computer data entry, scheduling, etc. Volunteer would be expected to adhere to standards of professionalism and client confidentiality. Time commitment would be 3 – 4 hours a day, one day a week.
    • Friendly Visitor / Reader to the Blind
      Volunteer would meet with an isolated, homebound Lakewood senior, to provide socialization / companionship, as well as assistance with minor tasks, i.e. going through mail, writing letters, occasional minor household assistance. Days and times are negotiated directly with the senior, but typically, evenings and weekends are the most popular times for meeting.

    If you are interested in volunteering for any of these Human Services programs, please contact Barry Wemyss, Volunteer Services Supervisor, at (216) 529-5005 or barry.wemyss@lakewoodoh.net.