By Staff
ADULTS AND YOUTH
DOWAGIAC LITTLE LEAGUE provides a wonderful service to the youth of the community, but they would welcome volunteers aged 16 or older to help in dismantling windscreens and signage in the fall and putting them up again in the spring.
THE BERRIEN COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION maintains the 1839 Courthouse Museum in Berrien Springs. Over the holidays, the Association will host an exhibit at Orchards Mall ending on Jan. 15th.
If you are at least 16 and can staff the exhibit for a minimum of one four-hour shift during that time, your help would be welcome. Shifts times are 12 noon-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12-6 on Sunday.
ADULTS
THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT COALITION, a program of Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency, welcomes volunteers who have some accounting or tax preparation experience and an ability to empathize with low-income residents of our area. Bilingual volunteers, especially those fluent in Spanish, are encouraged to apply, as well. If you are available for a few weeks on Saturdays (8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) or Mondays (3:30 – 7 p.m.) between January and April and are willing to attend a training session, your assistance would be welcome. Volunteer support is also welcomed for reception duties; conducting client registration and surveys; and answering the telephone.
FERNWOOD BOTANICAL GARDENS on Range Line Road near Buchanan produces “The Lights Before Christmas” each year. This is a magnificent lighting display on the grounds that is open each evening from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Due to the high volume of visitors to the event, volunteer parking attendants are invited to assist staff with directing visitors' cars into the parking lot.
THE SOUP KITCHEN in Benton Harbor provides a nutritious meal every day to the hungry in a safe and pleasant environment. Volunteers are invited to help serve lunch one day a week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
SAFE SHELTER provides safety and empowerment to the survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Volunteer Crisis desk workers staff the front desk, answer all incoming calls and make referrals as needed.
THE ST. JOSEPH-LINCOLN SENIOR CENTER invites volunteers to teach computer skills to senior clients in classes held once a week. Classes are held from 12 noon-3 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Center for those needing basic computer skills as well as more advanced classes.
FAMILIES
Hey, sports fans! “Great Teams, Great Players, Great Coaches” is the theme of the BERRIEN COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION'S upcoming exhibit (now through January) at Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor. The exhibit will trace the history of high school basketball in Berrien County, so come and volunteer as a family to host the exhibit, greet visitors and learn some exciting sports information about our area. Shift choices are Monday through Saturday from 12 noon-4 p.m. or 4-8 p.m. Sundays, you could volunteer from noon to 3 or from 3-6 p.m. If you can work one or more of these shifts, please call the Volunteer Center and we will get you started!
YOUTH
THE BERRIEN COUNTY COMMUNITY RESTORATIVE BOARD assists young people to avoid delinquent behavior and to grow into mature adults. The board is seeking youth members between the ages of 15 and 18 from the Bridgman, Niles and St. Joseph areas to serve as peer mentors. Peer mentors sit on a panel to help youth make amends to society and the victims of the crime. Youth board members would attend meetings on one weeknight per month from 6-8:30 p.m.
Call the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan in Niles at (269) 683-5464.