Spotlight of the week

Do you believe that youth in trouble for the first time can positively redirect their lives if given the chance and some guidance? Do you believe that victims should be able to speak and be heard with respect? If you want to become involved with helping juveniles and victims join the Berrien County Trial Court — Community Restorative Board.

Adults

• Be part of Harbor Habitat’s ReStore deconstruction team. When people in the community remodel or rebuild their homes they often ask ReStore to assist with taking out the old to make room for the new.  As part of the crew, help remove items such as toilets, window, flooring and pipes that are brought back to ReStore as a donation and sold for profit to aid in the building of more Habitat homes. Volunteers should be able to lift 50 pounds and easily move up and down a ladder.

• There are children on a waiting list hoping to be matched with a caring adult mentor. Learn more about mentoring opportunities at www.volunteerswmi.org.

• Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana – Michiana has opportunities at its Camp Soni Springs in Three Oaks for volunteers older than 18 to help with day camps and activities.

American Red Cross of West Michigan

• Friday: Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, 210 N. Front St., Dowagiac:  noon to 5 p.m.

Michigan Blood

• Friday: American Legion Post 49, Legion Hall, 129 Michigan Ave., South Haven:  2 to 7 p.m.

• June 30: Martin’s Super Market, Blood Bus, 720 S. 11th St., Niles:  9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Adult and youth opportunities

• Families deal with a lot when a loved one is at the end of life.  There are many ways to support these families and celebrate life.  Providing respite care is one important way, but you can also help out in other ways.  Contact Hospice at Home to explore volunteer opportunities in the office, in the community and in patients’ homes.

• Curious Kids Museum in St. Joseph needs floor interpreters to circulate throughout the museum, interactwith visitors by demonstrating the exhibits and answering questions. You will also return exhibits to order by cleaning and tidying up.  Volunteers interested in offering story times or workshops are encouraged.

• Therapeutic Equestrian Center (TEC) in Watervliet likes to say “without you we don’t ride.”   Did you know that without you the horses might not even make it out of the barn?  TEC has openings on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for a chore volunteer. Horse experience is helpful, but training is available. Volunteers need reliable transportation and be willing to work along side others with barn chores.  Minimum age is 18.

One-day opportunities

• Krasl Art Fair July 14-15 on the bluff in St. Joseph is a juried show featuring more than 200 artists and offering a variety of high-quality art and fine crafts.  Hundreds of volunteers make this event possible. Volunteers choose from many tasks, including distributing surveys, working in the hospitality suite, assisting in the children’s tents and helping in the parking lot.

Youth

• The Volunteer Southwest Michigan will be offering Youth Summer Serve 2012.

Volunteer for 40 hours this summer and be officially recognized.  It looks great on job and college applications. Contact Callie today at youth@volunteerswmi.org and find the summer volunteer position that fits your interests, schedule and transportation situation.

Families

• Search www.volunteerswmi.org for a cause that you as a family are interested in serving.  If you don’t find an opportunity that suits your family, contact Volunteer Southwest Michigan, and we will work to create the opportunity that does.  Teach your kids social responsibility and have fun as a family.

In cooperation with Volunteer Southwest Michigan, we are pleased to publish opportunities for volunteers each week.

To inquire about these opportunities or to make an appointment, call 983-0912 in the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor area, 683-5464 in the Niles area; visit www.volunteerswmi.org; or send email to volunteer@volunteerswmi.org for further information. Appointments do not constitute an obligation to accept a volunteer opportunity.  The center is a United Way agency affiliated with the HandsOn Network.