By Staff
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries in Benton Harbor is impacting the lives of youth. Be a role model as you educate seventh and eighth graders about the importance of financial literacy. You should be at least 21 years of age and skilled in communicating with youth. You will work with two other adult volunteers to present to a group of 12 students on either Tuesday or Wednesday evenings September -November.
Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries also has volunteer mentor positions. As a mentor you would work with a child, kindergarten – third grade, using Peace Partners Tutoring materials. Some paper work is involved to chart activities provided and student progress. Background checks are required for both volunteer positions.
ADULTS
Safe Shelter in Benton Harbor provides empowerment and safety for women and children who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. There are many volunteer opportunities for you to choose from. You can: mow and do yard work, pick up donated furniture and appliances, provide child care on Thursday evenings during a mother's support group, assist on children's field trips, drive women to appointments, answer the crisis phone line, help with paperwork, or do something as simple as having conversations with the mothers. Contact the Volunteer Center to empower and provide safety to these women and children.
Individuals reentering society after serving time can find it difficult to reintegrate. When you volunteer as a Navigator you will mentor an inmate for four weeks prior to being released and for at least fourweeks after. The most intense commitment will be the first few weeks following release. You will receive training in addictions and recovery, accessing community resources, and other helpful training. You will partner with the Cass County Human Services Coordinating Council's Discharge Planning Committee to work as a team of two. As a Navigator you must have a criminal background check, but a prior criminal record does not necessarily disqualify you from volunteering. If you have issues with addiction you should have at least several years of sobriety. Successful mentors are a key factor in successful reintegration.
Bangor We Care, I.N.C. is a faith based charity providing a food pantry, baby items, clothing and personal care items in the communities of Bangor, Covert, and Breedsville. We Care believes responding to individual, family and community needs is an expression of faith. As a volunteer office assistant you will answer the phone, do filing, fill out intakes, interact with clients, and help problem solve. Volunteers can choose from one or more three hour shifts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays from 9 a.m. till noon.
United Way of Southwest Michigan improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. One of the ways it does this is by providing the community with an information and referral call center, First Call for Help. This call center helps about 700 people a month. The data base used is ready for an update and as a community resource database volunteer you can assure that the needed information is accurate.
You will also learn about the many nonprofits and their services that are available in southwest Michigan. You will be working from a prepared script calling agencies to verify basic information and explaining that an in-depth survey will follow. Requirements include good communication and phone skills as well as good handwriting. You can work anytime of your choosing Monday – Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. This project is projected to last over the next several months. A commitment of at least 20 hours is requested.
Donate lifesaving blood Today!
MICHIGAN COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER blood drives:
Tuesday, May 29 – Lighthouse Village Church of God, 18459 W. US-12: 2 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 31 – Trinity Lutheran Church, 1733 Glendora Road, Buchanan: 2 to 7 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org
ADULTS AND YOUTH
Krasl Art Center brings people and art together. Their biggest annual event is the fabulous Art Fair on the Bluff in St. Joseph on July 14 and 15. Come enjoy making the magic happen by signing up for a 3 hour shift.
FAMILIES
The New Buffalo Community Youth Center is finishing up its first year of after school programming. Beginning June 1 the summer fun begins, On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7 to 10 p.m. community teens are invited to youth nights. These evenings are a safe, fun, "hangout" time where teens can play games, have snacks and listen to music. Most youth attending are junior high or older, but volunteers are welcome to bring their own younger children, provided they are responsible for them.