By Staff
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Can you imagine struggling to read this column or not being able to read at all? The Community Partnership for Lifelong Learning is working to improve community systems that impact learning and workforce competitiveness. In conjunction with Western Michigan University they are offering tutoring for adults learning to read. Volunteers will receive 12 hours of training and should be willing to tutor an adult 1 to 2 hours a week. Tutoring will take place in any public space and at a time agreeable to the adult learner and tutor.
ADULTS
Mentoring. You keep hearing about it. Lunch with a child? Tutoring after school? Going bowling? Playing basketball? There are many organizations with different levels of commitment and different types of mentoring. The Volunteer Center has a list….contact the Volunteer Center and add your name to the list of mentors.
The Berrien County Trial Court Family Division assists young people to avoid delinquent behavior and grow into mature adults without endangering the community. The program will use two volunteers to help the organization run smoother so it can better assist clients. If you have skills in data entry, handling personnel records, typing, filing or as a receptionist, your assistance would be welcome. Training is provided and volunteers should be available 4 to 6 hours a week during business hours.
Harbor Habitat for Humanity in Benton Harbor builds simple, decent, affordable, houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter. Since 1976, Habitat has built over 50,000 homes in the United States alone. If you do better with a computer than a hammer they have just the volunteer position for you! As their technical support, volunteer you will help maintain their computers and network. Training will be provided, but you should come with a strong knowledge of computer systems in general.
With medical care for our veterans in the spotlight, remember you can make a difference right here right now. The Veteran's Administration and the Disabled Veterans Transportation Network continue to seek a roster of drivers for Tuesday and Thursday trips to the veteran's hospital in Battle Creek. Drivers should be willing to leave at 6 a.m. and be gone all day.You need to be insurable, pass a physical and T.B. test, and attend a training. If you would like to help out, but are not available for Battle Creek, the Niles Senior Center also has opportunities to drive veterans and other seniors to doctors appointment locally Monday through Friday at various times. Other senior centers and service agencies could use similar help as well. Our veterans served us well, now let's serve them!
ADULTS AND YOUTH
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve in Niles is a local treasure. They currently have openings in their delicious self serve cafe where you can bake cakes and cookies, monitor the supply of food and assist as needed. If you volunteer in the gift shop and front desk area, you will greet visitors, help answer phones, and operate the register. You can also volunteer in the plant shop. No special skills are needed for these positions and all training is provided. An added benefit is the opportunity to explore the gardens, river and prairie. Come work inside Fernwood to support the outdoors.
FAMILIES
Families come in all forms. Do you have children in your life on a limited basis? Why not make your time together extra special by volunteering? Contact Deb Panozzo, Family Volunteer Coordinator.
YOUTH
Do you want to be involved in a group where you and other youth are the decision makers? Become a member of the CAASA (Community Alliance Against Substance Abuse) Youth Advisory Council starting up again in your area. The CAASA Youth Advisory Council will provide you with the opportunity to plan and participate in fun activities and events that have the potential to impact the entire Berrien community. Contact Pat Leonard, Youth Volunteer Coordinator.
To connect with any of these volunteer opportunities, call the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan in Niles at (269) 683-5464.