By Staff
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Saturday, Nov. 18 is National Family Volunteer Day a program of the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network sponsored by the Walt Disney Company. Family volunteering is a hands-on way to teach children the values of kindness, compassion, tolerance, community responsibility and good citizenship. Activities are available for all ages and abilities.
ADULTS
Would you like to take part in preserving the history of Berrien County? Celebrate our region's heritage by volunteering to staff the new exhibit "Love and Marriage" at Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor. As a Docent for The History Center at Courthouse Square/Berrien County Historical Association you will also sell merchandise that helps fund exhibits. You should be comfortable handling cash and enjoy working with the public. You can volunteer any afternoon or evening in December.
One thousand boys are currently on waiting lists across Michigan waiting for a mentor. A mentor is not a parent, but a friend. A mentor should be a good role model, but does not have to be perfect. A mentor should listen, not preach. You can be a high school student, middle aged, or retired and be a Mentor. You can be a janitor or a governor. Being a mentor is not hard, but means a commitment to a child for at least a year. Contact Michele to learn about the many mentoring opportunities waiting for you.
Is art your "thing"? Do you enjoy sharing this interest with youth 6 -18 years of age? Boys and Girls Club in Benton Harbor is searching for you. Volunteer Art Department Aides can assist during the school year between 3:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Are you retired with a passion for reading? Third grade students at Sam Adams Elementary in Cassopolis would like to have you tutor them in reading one or more days a week, Monday through Thursday 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. As a Cass County Council on Aging volunteer, you will receive training from a reading specialist and take a CPR class.
Are you passionate about helping women and families? Do you have time to spend empowering and impacting survivors of domestic violence to feel significant and worthwhile? As a crisis line volunteer at Safe Shelter you will provide a compassionate and listening ear to women in need. You can volunteer any day of the week in the morning or afternoon. Crisis line and domestic violence training is required. You must also undergo a criminal background and central registry check. Help women and children escaping domestic violence find new paths and a bright future by becoming a volunteer.
MICHIGAN COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER blood drives:
Wednesday, Nov. 14 – Lake Michigan College – Bertrand Campus, 1905 Foundation Dr., Niles: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org
ADULTS AND YOUTH
Are you a youth interested in the court system as a career? Are you an adult wanting to help our youth make better choices? As a Community Restorative Board Member for Berrien County Family Division you can encourage, support and educate youth who are first time offenders. You will be part of a panel that meets in your neighborhood helping them make amends to society and their victims because of the crime they committed. Volunteers must be of good moral character, be a good role model, mature and responsible and at least 15 years old.
Curious Kids Museum in Saint Joseph is an interactive, hands-on discovery center dedicated to stimulating curiosity and awareness in the areas of Science, Technology, History, and Culture. Reliable and lively volunteers, who enjoy interacting with children and are excited about learning, will find opportunities to help with exhibits greet visitors, staff family programs and interact with children in a variety of ways.