In cooperation with the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, the Niles Daily Star will publish opportunities for volunteers each week. To find out about these or other volunteer opportunities, please call 983-0912 in the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor area, 683-5464 in the Niles area; visit our website at www.volunteerswmi.org; or e-mail us at volunteer@volunteerswmi.org for further information. To arrange an appointment, please call ahead. Appointments do not constitute an obligation to accept a volunteer opportunity.  The center is a United Way agency.

Spotlight of the Week

• Work with three to four children in need of one-on-one attention in schools, early childhood centers, detention centers, migrant programs or after-school programs at various locations in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties through the Foster Grandparent Program. Mentor must be at least 55, income eligible and willing to serve about 20 hours a week. If qualified, volunteer may receive a monthly tax-free stipend and mileage reimbursement.

Adults

• Who mentored you? If you are a woman who has overcome addictions, homelessness and/or domestic abuse and wants to help others do the same, you can mentor a mom who is receiving services through Hope’s Door in Dowagiac. Be matched with one woman or work with a small group on topics like self-improvement, hygiene and social skills. The commitment varies depending on needs.

• Do you like solving puzzles? Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) is part of a national program sponsored locally by the Area Agency on Aging to help people with Medicare get the most out of their insurance and figure out their bills. You will receive in-depth training and support and then provide counseling at local sites such as senior centers through southwest Michigan. Call now to learn about an upcoming training in March. No previous experience required just a desire to help others and to continue learning about Medicare and other insurance issues. Volunteers are especially needed in Van Buren County. Become a Medicare expert.

• Are you a friendly person who would like a volunteer opportunity for February and March only?  Why not consider being a greeter for the Earned Income Tax Coalition at a site near you? Working families come to various sites throughout southwest Michigan for free help with their taxes and you can be the first friendly face they see. No special training required. Contact the Volunteer Center or United Way for more information.

Mentoring

• Who mentored you? Why not honor their memory by encouraging others to become mentors. You can request materials to post at your work place, library, house of worship or other location to become mentors. We have posters and a booklet of mentoring opportunities. Our children need mentors!

• Boys who are staying at the Berrien County Juvenile Center need positive male role models. Show them that the community cares. Flexible times for mentoring one or more teens available.

• As a mentor for Youth Development Company/ PAL you will work primarily fourth- through eighth-graders in an after-school and/or Summer Fun in the Parks mentoring program. Be a caring mentor who will guide them to make the choices that will lead them to live happy, healthy and productive lives. The goal for the program is to have fun while motivating youth toward success. Mentors and mentees meet once a week for approximately 90 minutes in South Haven. Mentor will receive training as well as an evaluation before they are placed with a mentee.

• Girl Scouts have impacted so many young women over the years. As a troop leader you will guide girls through activities that are girl-led and include cooperative hands-on learning. You will also lead troop meetings, community service activities, field trips and camp outings.  Opportunities are also available for those needing to make a smaller volunteer commitment.  Reminder that troops in Van Buren County are part of the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan out of Kalamazoo and girls in Berrien and Cass counties are part of Girls Scouts of Northern Indiana – Michiana out of South Bend.

• Benton Harbor Street Ministries serves youth kindergarten through ninth grade in after-school programs. They teach crafts, cooking, chess or other activities to a small group and/or help with homework 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. You can also choose to tutor an individual adult or small group in GED math, writing, reading, social studies or science at least one day a week, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• There is a Big Brother Big Sister program in your community where you live and work. Commit to spending one hour a week with a child and change two lives — theirs and yours.

If every person who donates blood once a year recruited one person to donate once a year, blood shortages could be a thing of the past. Recruit a friend to donate blood today.

Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross

For a complete listing, visit www.berrienredcross.org.

Michigan Blood

For a complete listing, visit www.miblood.org.

Adults and youth

• The American Red Cross in Berrien has a new office located at 3838 Niles Road in St. Joseph. They have the usual volunteer opportunities to work in disaster preparedness and on blood drives, but did you know that you can also assist in operations by sprucing up their old van? It could really use a good detailing and then a follow up cleaning once a month. Their new building could also use a handyman (or woman!) and someone to help clear the snow. If you want to support the Red Cross they will find a place for you to make a difference.

Youth

• Are you part of a group that wants to do community service? Contact Callie at the Volunteer Center and she will help you brain storm ideas and then make it happen. Your community needs your help!

Families

Visit www.volunteerswmi.org for hundreds of ideas on how you can make a difference today and throughout 2011. Whether you are looking for a one time event to give a few hours to, a regular volunteer commitment or someplace to donate to the Volunteer Center can be your connection. Call 983-0912 in St. Joseph or 683-5464 in Niles to learn about opportunities throughout Berrien, Cass and VanBuren counties.