By Staff
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Individuals reentering society after serving time can find it difficult to reintegrate. When you volunteer as a Navigator, you will mentor an inmate for four weeks prior to being released and for at least fourweeks after. The most intense commitment will be the first few weeks following release. You will receive training in addictions and recovery, accessing community resources, and other helpful topics. You will partner with the Cass County Human Services Coordinating Council's Discharge Planning Committee to work as a team of two. As a Navigator you must have a criminal background check, but a prior criminal record does not necessarily disqualify you from volunteering. If you have issues with addiction you should have at least several years of sobriety. Successful mentors are a key factor in successful reintegration.
ADULTS
Do you remember the excitement you felt as a kid when you were deciding just what to give your Dad for Father's Day? Would you make him a pencil holder or color a picture? Now think about all the boys and girls whose Dads are not involved in their lives. Thousands of kids have no male role models. In honor of your father ,why not contact the Volunteer Center and explore what it means to mentor? No obligation required. The Volunteer Center has an extensive list of mentoring programs in Berrien, Cass and VanBuren Counties. Make your dad proud … mentor a child.
CARES works to maximize the quality of life for all persons afflicted with HIV. You can improve the quality of life for one specific person when you provide transportation to life saving medical care. This individual lives in Benton Harbor and receives dialysis on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at Lakeland on Hollywood Road in Saint Joseph and needs to be dropped off by 4 p.m. and picked up around 9 p.m. You could volunteer for one specific time out of the six or put together a volunteer group to make sure transportation is always provided by someone in the group. Reimbursement for mileage is available. Driver's license and proof of insurance are required. Confidentiality is important especially if a group agrees to work together. So talk to your co-workers, talk to your family, or talk to others at your house of worship about driving a few miles to make a world of difference.
Safe Shelter in Benton Harbor provides empowerment and safety for women and children who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. There are many volunteer opportunities for you to choose from. You can: mow and do yard work, pick up donated furniture and appliances, provide child care on Thursday evenings during a mother's support group, assist on children's field trips, drive women to appointments, answer the crisis phone line, help with paperwork, or do something as simple as having conversations with the mothers. Contact the Volunteer Center to empower and provide safety to these women and children.
Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries in Benton Harbor is impacting the lives of youth. Be a role model as you educate seventh and eighth graders about the importance of financial literacy. You should be at least 21 years of age and skilled in communicating with youth. You will work with two other adult volunteers to present to a group of twelve students on either Tuesday or Wednesday evenings September to 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 to third 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.
ADULTS AND YOUTH
Krasl Art Center brings people and art together. Their biggest annual event is the fabulous Art Fair on the Bluff in Saint Joseph on July 14 and 15. Come enjoy making the magic happen by signing up for a 3 hour shift. 300 volunteers make this event an annual success.
FAMILIES
The New Buffalo Community Youth Center is gearing up for summer fun! 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, provided they are responsible for them. All volunteers must pass a background check and should expect to do some paperwork.