By Staff
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
The Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan works hand in hand with over 230 nonprofits in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties to connect volunteers to community needs. If you work part time, are retired, or are a student looking for an internship, volunteering for the Volunteer Center allows you to help all these agencies. If you are experienced in the workings of the web there is a special opportunity for the next six months. The Volunteer Center is implementing a web based interactive site to match volunteers and nonprofit agencies. As the program implementation assistant, you will have access to national training materials and will work with staff and other volunteers on the equivalent of the match.com of volunteering. You will also be using materials provided to enhance the Volunteer Center's presence on the web. Some of your volunteering can be done from home. Contact the Volunteer Center by April 30 to discuss this exciting project.
ADULTS
Hospice at Home serves patients and their families delivering end of life care and guides families through the grief process. Hospice Volunteers provide respite care and run errands for families. Volunteers experience the specialness of being with people at the end of their life's journey. As a Hospice volunteer you will not provide physical care or administer medications to the patients. You will sit with them, possibly reading to them, playing music and listening to what they might have to say. Volunteers can also assist in the office. The hours are flexible and average two hours a week. Confidentiality is critical and training will be provided.
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. Join the Habitat Geek Squad by contacting the Volunteer Center.
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 four to six hours a week during business hours.
ADULTS AND YOUTH
St. Joseph Today is the place to meet interesting visitors from all over the world. As a volunteer at their welcome center in downtown St. Joseph, you will greet guests and assist in keeping brochures stocked. You can even do some computer work if you are interested. Adults and mature older teens are welcome to volunteer. Volunteer hours are available all week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Gateway- Milestones for Life provides therapeutic service and vocational training that supports the advancement, hopes, and dreams of disabled individuals of all ages. If you have a passion for plants you can assist in their new greenhouse project. Volunteers for this two week project will help erect a greenhouse and work with consumers to learn about horticulture. The project will run from April 2 to 13, 8:30 to 3 p.m. in Berrien Springs.
YOUTH
Are you a Girl Scout or Boy Scout leader? Contact the Volunteer Center to discover how your troop can volunteer in your community. Volunteering as a group is a visible way to serve and build skills in youth with hands on experience.
Rake rake rake … rake your groove thing. Don't know the song? That's ok, grab your rake and some friends and help your community do spring clean up. Parks, elderly or disabled neighbors all can use your help.
To connect with any of these volunteer opportunities, call the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan in Niles at (269) 683-5464.