By Staff
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
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.
ADULTS
Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries in Benton Harbor is impacting the lives of youth by providing information on financial literacy. Be a role model as you educate seventh and eighth graders about the importance of financial literacy. As a volunteer you should be at least 21 years of age and skilled in communicating with youth. You will work with two other adults to present to a group of 12 students on either Tuesday or Wednesday evenings September through November. This is a great opportunity for a couple who would like to volunteer together.
Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries also has volunteer mentor positions. As a mentor you would work with a child kindergarten – 3rd 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.
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 and up to date. 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. Excel experience is a plus, but not required. You can work anytime of your choosing Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. This project is projected to last over the next several months. A commitment of between 10 to 20 hours a week is requested. Donate lifesaving blood today!
BERRIEN COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS blood drives:
Saturday, May 18 – American Red Cross, 303 Riverview Drive, Benton Harbor: 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org <http://www.berrienredcross.org/>
MICHIGAN COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER blood drives:
Wednesday, May 23 – Andrews University, Chan Shun Hall Lobby, Berrien Springs: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org <http://www.miblood.org/>
ADULTS AND YOUTH
Are you energetic, patient and ready to be a role model for kids? As part of Chicago Youth Centers, Camp Rosenthal in Dowagiac helps kids from underserved Chicago neighborhoods realize their full potential. The camp also has campers from Southwest Michigan through Civitan Clubs and Berrien County Intermediate School District. Volunteer assistant counselors willing to commit to at least one week during the summer for 10 to 40 hours will receive training in child development, behavior management, team building and many other topics. Training is the week of June 16 and volunteer opportunities last through Aug. 24. Volunteers should expect a full background check, TB test and drug tests. Camp Rosenthal believes all kids deserve to have a camp experience … don't you deserve it too?
USA Adult Soccer Association, Midwest Region is hosting a regional soccer event in St. Joseph/Benton Harbor on June 14 to 17. More than 1,000 players from 50 teams plan to play on our fields and beaches.
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. All volunteers must pass a background check and should expect to do some paperwork.
YOUTH
Don't let the summer pass you by without getting involved in all the fun and educational opportunities volunteering can provide. Festivals by the Lake, checking out career opportunities, fulfilling community service requirements are all reasons to volunteer. Don't wait; call Patricia Leonard, youth volunteer coordinator.