Michigan's Yoopers United App Matches Volunteers to Good Work

Finding the right volunteer opportunity just got a whole lot easier for people in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Yoopers United, a website and app launched by Marquette County United Way, connects volunteers with organizations that need help across multiple counties. Think of it as a one-stop shop where nonprofits post their needs and volunteers can browse opportunities that match their interests and skills.

"It's an online website and there's even an app for it," says Andrew Rickauer, Executive Director of Marquette County United Way. The platform features everything from hands-on projects to behind-the-scenes support roles.

Current opportunities range from helping the Rotary Club with roadside cleanup to providing graphic design, marketing, or social media support for local nonprofits. No matter your skill level or schedule, there's something that fits.

Marquette County Habitat for Humanity is actively seeking volunteers for construction and painting work on a house in Harvey. The best part? Experience isn't required.

"If you've never painted and really want to learn how to paint, I will absolutely spend a day teaching you how to paint," says Henry Morley, Community Programs Director for Habitat. The organization welcomes anyone willing to learn alongside experienced volunteers.

The Ripple Effect

The platform's timing couldn't be better. An AmeriCorps group will spend five weeks in Marquette County starting later this month, bringing fresh energy and helping hands to local projects.

Habitat is planning special volunteer events throughout spring and summer, including their Women Build event the last weekend of May and a Pride Build in June. These focused initiatives create spaces where specific communities can come together while making a tangible difference.

Morley emphasizes that volunteering should bring joy to everyone involved. "We want to find something that's going to bring joy, not only to our community and the families we're helping, but also to our volunteers," he says.

The platform eliminates one of the biggest barriers to volunteering: not knowing where to start. By centralizing opportunities and making them searchable, Yoopers United helps match people's passions with community needs.

Whether you have two hours or two days, specialized skills or just enthusiasm, Global Volunteer Month offers the perfect chance to discover how rewarding giving back can be.