Friends of the National Zoo needs volunteers for the Kids' Farm exhibit. The exhibit is designed as a special place for children from 3 to 8 years old to learn about the importance of caring for animals, and where some of their food comes from, but it offers something for people of all ages to discover. Volunteers help children learn the basics of caring for animals by supervising the contact area. Special qualifications: a strong interest in agriculture and farming, interest in working with children, flexibility, good communication skills, and an eagerness to interact with a wide variety of visitors. Volunteers age 18 and up are needed to work three 3-hour shifts a month for one year, and monthly meetings. Training: April 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, and 16. Saturday sessions run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weekday evening sessions run from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. There is also a general orientation training for all new volunteers on Saturday, June 18. Contact Bob Cmarik at bob@fonz.org or 202-673-4874. The Kids Farm is located at 3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C.
The Arlington Community Temporary Shelter needs volunteers to help run the thrift store for two hour shifts during all store hours, Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The shelter also needs volunteers to help with research, mailings, special projects, organizing and cleaning out files and supporting daily operations.The shelter offers help to women and families seeking shelter because of domestic violence. Call Roseanne at 703-522-8858, ext. 13, or e-mail rcampbell@tacts.org.
The Arlington Community Temporary Shelter needs weekend volunteers to support sheltered families, assist in daily operations and answer crisis and informatinal phone calls. Caring, empathetic, nonjudgmental people are needed for Saturdays and Sundays for two- to four-hour shifts from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The shelter offers help to women and families seeking shelter because of domestic violence. Call Roseanne at 703-522-8858, ext. 13, or e-mail rcampbell@tacts.org.
The Arlington Community Temporary Shelter, offering help to women and families seeking shelter because of domestic violence, hosts a Volunteer Information Night on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30-8 p.m. at the TACTS Administrative Office, 3179 Wilson Blvd. There are more than 20 different ways to get involved. Call 703-522-8858, ext. 13, or visit www.tacts.org.
Whitefield Commons Community Resource Center needs volunteers for its after-school program. Get volunteer experience and help children improve their academic performance. Help children with their homework, and make a positive difference in their lives. After-school program runs Mondays through Thursdays, from 3—5 p.m., except on Wednesdays, when it runs from 1—3:30 p.m. Call Trinidad Coopman at 703-465-5001, or e-mail tcoopman@whdc.org.
BrailleInk needs a marketing/outreach research assistant to work with staff to compile and organize contact information for those who may benefit from and/or help distribute BrailleInk's materials, such as blindness-focused consumer and professional groups, public and private schools, libraries and booksellers. The volunteer will use information gained from Internet research as well as raw data supplied by BrailleInk. This is mostly computer-based work that can be done from anywhere and at anytime, only occasionally requiring an Internet connection. Contact Bruce Curtis, executive director, at 800-324-2919.
BrailleInk needs a community liaison to identify and speak with local teachers and school and public librarians about BrailleInk and its books, and gather and compile feedback. There are two main reasons teachers and librarians may be interested in BrailleInk's books: to provide greater access to these titles for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, and to educate the mainstream sighted community about visual impairments and Braille. Conversations with teachers and librarians would preferably be done in person but may in some cases be done by telephone. BrailleInk will provide orientation regarding visual impairments, Braille and the features of its books. Some flexibility with scheduling during school hours may help with arranging meetings with teachers; perhaps these meetings could be arranged early in the morning, at lunchtime, or during PTA or staff meetings. Contact Bruce Curtis, executive director, at 800-324-2919.
Volunteer for the Greenbrier Learning Center Buddy Night. Spend time with elementary-school-age children while their parents attend a nutrition workshop. Volunteers will be matched up with a child or small group of children to play games and take part in fun, educational activities. Series will take place six Monday nights in a row. Join us for one, a few, or all six. R.S.V.P. to Lauren Cranman, 703-379-6488 or lcranman@gblc.org.
Signature Theatre' needs volunteer ushers to help out during the course of the run,through April 24. Ushers are asked to arrive an hour prior to the performance and perform one of these tasks: sell at concessions, take tickets, hand out programs or seat patrons. Ushers are then invited to stay and watch the show as thanks for their hard work. Volunteers are asked to wear professional attire. Contact Sarah Farmer, volunteer coordinator, at 703-820-9771. The Theatre is located at 3806 S. Four Mile Run, Arlington.
Capital Partners for Education (CPE), the only combination scholarship, mentoring, and academic support and enrichment organization in the Washington Metropolitan area, is seeking motivated and committed professionals to mentor low-income high school students. There are no special skills required. CPE mentors are ordinary people, 21 years of age or older, who want to spend quality time with young adults in their community. CPE asks their mentors to commit to a two-year mentoring relationship, during which they meet with their student once per month and call or e-mail their student once per week. Volunteers also must attend one New Mentor Training Session. Training Session dates are: Wednesday, April 20, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 7, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 14, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; and Saturday, June 11, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
For more information on CPE's mentoring opportunities and to download a mentor application, visit www.cpfe.org and see the "Applications" section. Call 202-338-1330 or e-mail Darin Simmons at darin@cpfe.org.