To have an item listed, mail to the Gazette, 1604 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314; fax to 703-917-0991 or e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. If you have any questions, call Miguel Koropecky at 703-917-6407.
The Mt. Vernon Meals on Wheels (MOW) group needs volunteers for three leadership positions:
The Group Coordinator accepts and contacts new clients to explain procedures as well as organizing driver route books, writing route instructions, and regularly communicating with the food provider and the group treasurer.
The Driver Coordinator schedules regular and substitute drivers for Meals on Wheels routes, Informs new drivers of policies and procedures related to meal delivery, and works with Volunteer Coordinator to recruit prospective volunteers.
The Group Treasurer manages the finances of the MOW group and files a monthly report to the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging.
If interested in learning more about these positions call the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging Volunteer Intake Line at 703-324-5406.
Volunteers are need for The Annual Clinic, providing school physicals for children pre-K—sixth grade, not covered by health insurance or Medicaid, held Saturday, August 6 at the South County Government Center. 8350 Richmond Highway from 7:30 a.m.—1 p.m. School supplies like: pencils paper, crayons, glue, folders and notebooks are also needed. Call Bonnie Lilley at 703-780-4844 or email clilly406@aol.com.
The Naomi Project, a free, confidential, interfaith program sponsored by the Virginia Council of Churches, needs volunteers who will be trained to serve as mentors to at-risk pregnant women and new mothers.
The next training session for volunteers is four Thursday evenings this fall – Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6 – at the Fairfax County Government Center from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed. Contact Pilar Jones at 703 860-2633 or naomiproject@hotmail.com, or visit www.naomiproject.org.
The Lorton Community Resource Center is looking for volunteers to work with their drop-in program for 8-15 year old children. Help is needed daily Mondays - Fridays, for at least an hour a day, hours are flexible. The minimum age for this opportunity is 21 years of age and background checks are required. Contact Laurie Eytel with the Fairfax County Dept. of Family Services at 703-324-7871, TTY: 703-222-9452 or at laurie.eytel@fairfaxcounty.gov.
ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is seeking local host families for boys and girls from a variety of countries around the world. The students are 15-18 years old and are coming to the area for the upcoming high school year and semester. Each ASSE student is fully insured, brings his or her own spending money and expects to bear a share of household responsibilities, as well as being included in family activities and lifestyle. Families may select the youngster of their choice. To become a host family or for more information about ASSE and its programs call 1-800-677-2773.
ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is now seeking American families to host high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations. All the students have received sholarships through the U.S. State Department sponsored Partnership for Learning, Youth Exchange (YES) Program and will spend an academic year in the United States. The student are coming from Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Yemen, Morocco and Tunisia. To become a host family or for more information about ASSE and the YES Program, call 1-800-677-2773.
ALIVE! (ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically) is seeking volunteers to a number of programs. The Family Emergency Program needs drivers and administrative assistants to help with referrals and other administrative tasks as well as delivery of food to clients. Commitment is a minimum of three hours a week. Volunteers are needed for housewares and furniture delivery on Saturdays, to deliver housewares to low-income families. Also, on the last Saturday of the month, there will be a Last Saturday Food Distribution at Cora Kelly Recreational Center, LaDrey Senior Residence and Church of the Resurrection and volunteers are needed to bag and distribute food and produce to low-income families. ALIVE! is also looking for people to be put on the contact list for occasional food sorting. For more information, call 703-837-9300 or visit www.alive-inc.org. To sign up for any of these volunteer opportunities, contact ALIVE! at e-mail alivevolunteers@aol.com.
The Alexandria Police Youth Camp, Inc., is seeking donations for summer camps. The donations will pay for children to go to camp, pay for new cabins and allow the organization to serve more of Alexandria’s children. All donations are tax deductible. To donate money, mail a check, payable to Alexandria Police Youth Camp, Inc., PO Box 25273, Alexandria, VA 22313. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, call 703-683-2949 or e-mail christina@figaroconsulting.com.
The Alexandria/Arlington Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program is looking for African-American volunteers to serve as advocates for children in the Alexandria and Arlington Juvenile Courts. Call 703-836-1820 or visit www.scanva.org.
The Community Lodgings in Alexandria is asking for donations for their Summer Youth Program. This summer, the program will include 60 children and the cost for them is $200 per child - $12,000 in total. All gifts are tax deductible. To make a donation, contact Community Lodgings at 228 S. Pitt St., 3rd Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314, call 703-549-1294, e-mail cli@communitylodgings.org or visit www.communitylodgings.org.
UCM’s Workforce Development Center needs volunteers to do internet research. The volunteers are needed to research employers, employment opportunities and specific job searches. Volunteers will work with job counselors to update Employment Opportunity Binders. Volunteers are needed for approximately 8-10 hours per week and will be trained by a job counselor. Some computer skills necessary, and familiarity with the internet is a must. Schedule is worked out with job counselor. Contact Cecelia Vergaretti at 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
UCM’s Workforce Development Center needs volunteers to assist with resumes. The volunteers will provide administrative support to staff in preparing resumes for people seeking employment. WDC staff will train. Commitment of 1 day per week, hours negotiable. Contact Cecelia Vergaretti at 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
UCM’s Workforce Development Center needs mentors. Mentors provide one-on-one friendship, emotional support and modeling of positive work ethics to program participants. Mentors provide participants with useful tools to assist them in their job search and help participants use their strengths to reach their desired results. Training will be provided by WDC director. Set schedule with client on advice from director. Contact Cecelia Vergaretti at 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
UCM’s Workforce Development Center needs computer instructors. Volunteers are needed to teach computer classes and to assist in teaching computer classes. Volunteers will be trained on the use of core curriculum by director of WDC and will assist students and instructor with their lessons. Experience in providing group instruction is preferred, as well as a commitment of three hours per week, working knowledge of MS applications, patience and understanding. Computer classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon, and Mondays and Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. Contact Cecelia Vergaretti at 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
UCM’s transitional housing programs need volunteers. Through case management and support group meetings, the program fulfills UCM’s mission by teaching families long-term self-sufficiency skills, with a focus on parenting skills and fiscal responsibility. Most of the participants are women and their families in single, female-headed households. The program holds monthly life skills meetings (on the third Thursday of the month) to focus on crucial topics such as money management, nutrition and safety. Each meeting is two hours in length and includes a children’s program as well. Each month, two to three volunteers are needed to provide child care with the staff from 5:15-8 p.m. About five volunteers are needed each month to prepare, serve and clean up after a dinner for approximately 60 people from about 4:30-7 p.m. Programs are held at a local church with a full kitchen. Older teens may volunteer. Contact Cecelia Vergaretti at 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
UCM is seeking volunteers to help sort donations. The Back Porch sorting facility is located at 5632 Mount Vernon Highway inside the Agape Christian Academy Building. Profit from The Back Porch is recycled back to UCM and put toward program services. Hours of operation: Tuesday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sign up individually or with a group. Call Cecelia Vergaretti at 703-768-7106, ext. 326.
UCM is in the candy business. Two local community members, Jenni Wells and Jim Thornburg, started a candy vending machine business with the sole purpose of donating all proceeds to UCM. Over the seven or eight years they have been doing this, they have paid off the candy machines (over $6,000), covered all expenses and donated 100 percent of the remaining income to UCM. Now they are ready to retire and leave the business to UCM at no cost. UCM is seeking a place that could use a candy machine, and someone who would like to volunteer some time to UCM to work on this project. Call Herb Lea at 703-778-8989.
Carpenter’s Shelter at 930 N. Henry St. now has a number of volunteer opportunities. Lunch servers are needed the fourth and fifth Monday of the month and the first, second and fifth Wednesday of the month. Front desk staff is needed weekday mornings and weekends. Volunteers are needed for Children’s field trips the third and fourth weekend of the month. Call 703-548-7500 or visit www.carpentersshelter.org.
Opportunities, Alternative & Resources (OAR) of Fairfax County is currently looking for volunteers. OAR is a non-profit agency, providing positive influences on the lives of offenders and assistance to their families. Volunteers will conduct one-to-one mentoring sessions with inmates, teach classes in the Fairfax Adult Detention Center and teach English as a second language in the Alexandria location. Volunteers can also work with families of offenders during visiting hours in the Fairfax Adult Detention Center. Emphasis is on helping an offender make a successful transition into the community. To enroll in training, call the volunteer department at 703-246-3033. For more information visit www.oarfairfax.org.
Alexandria Health Department is seeking volunteers, bilingual (Spanish and English) preferred, to offer assistance to visitors at the Health Department facility’s information desk. Call 703-836-2176 or visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com.
Alexandria Community Service Board (CSB) is looking for a volunteer “Friendly Visitor” for weekly visits with a resident of a CSB group home for adults with mental retardation. The resident is high-functioning and mobile and communicates well. The Board is also seeking a volunteer to assist a woman with disabilities in organizing her belongings to prepare for a move. Call 703-836-2176 or visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com.
Alexandria Department of Social Service needs volunteers to learn to do taxes and provide free tax preparation mid- to late January through April 15 for low-income individuals throughout the Northern Virginia area. Certification is easy, as training can be done online. Flexible hours are available. Call 703-836-2176 or visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com.
The Literary Council. Volunteers are needed to work one-on-one tutoring adults. Other opportunities are also available including becoming a computer lab aide, English as a Second Language teacher, tutor or class aide. For more information, visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com or call 703-836-2176.
CHAMPS Program needs mentors for children of incarcerated parents. The mentor’s role may include, but is not limited to, meeting for conversation, tutoring and academic support, sharing a meal, taking a walk and attending a free event. The program will involve monthly group recreational activities and other special events. Call 703-836-2176 or visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com.
Community Foundation of Alexandria is looking for volunteers to fund raise and direct a capitol funds campaign. Call 703-836-2176 or visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com.
“Expect Respect” Program need volunteers to be trained to present the program in the Alexandria schools on an ongoing basis. “Expect Respect” focuses on awareness of sexual assault and domestic violence issues. The time commitment is two to four hours per month with availability during school hours, Monday-Friday. Male volunteers are especially needed. Call 703-836-2176 or visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com.
Inova VNA Home Health Services needs volunteer snow drivers with four-wheel drive vehicles to transport nurses to homebound patients living throughout Northern Virginia during snow emergencies. Call 703-836-2176 or visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is seeking bilingual (Spanish-English) volunteers to be trained in nutrition to work with families receiving food stamps. Call 703-836-2176 or visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com.
Lend a Hand Program, the new partnership between Communities in Schools of Northern Virginia and the Alexandria Education Partnership, is looking for volunteers to help students in Alexandria Public Schools. Schools need weekday/weekend tutoring and homework help, Standards of Learning tutoring, chaperones for field trips, sponsors for a reading club or individuals to share an artistic talent or other enrichment type of skill with students. Call 703-836-2176 or visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com.
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia is seeking tutors for Basic Literacy and English-as-a-Second-Language students. No teaching experience is necessary, and training is provided. Office volunteers are also needed to work directly with staff on a variety of tasks. Call 703-836-2176 or visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com.
The Reading Connection needs volunteers for the shelter Read Aloud Program. Help encourage children living in homeless shelters, transitional housing programs and low-income housing sites to spend time reading. With a team of adult reading volunteers, read once a week in the early evening at various sites. Call 703-836-2176 or visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com.
SOHO: Space Of Her Own is looking for volunteers to work with a unique art and mentoring program that serves at-risk, low-income girls, ages 12-16. Girls and mentors attend workshops in art and design, then work together to remodel the girls’ bedrooms. A one-year commitment is required, as is a criminal background check and attendance at three mentor orientation sessions. Call 703-836-2176 or visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com.
Domestic Violence Program. Seeks volunteers for weekend/holiday shelter volunteers, daytime shelter, children's group, court watch volunteers, as well as many other opportunities. For more information, visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com or call 703-836-2176.
Gifts in Kind International. Seeks volunteers for telephone, sales, date entry, writing and marketing skills. Gifts in Kind promotes product philanthropy. For more information, visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com or call 703-836-2176.
Little Theatre of Alexandria. Seeks volunteers to help with mailings, box office and other clerical duties. For more information, visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com or call 703-836-2176.
Neighborhood Health Services. Volunteers are needed to baby-sit small children of Hispanic women while mothers attend exercise of nutrition classes. Hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 9-10:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com or call 703-836-2176.
The Kingsbury Tutoring Office of Northern Virginia is starting a graduate-level tutor training course in January 2005. The course will train adults to wok with children and adults with learning disabilities. Tutors who complete the course may become paid tutors. The next tutor training session will be Sept. 20. For more information, call Bev Weaver at 703-915-6930 or e-mail bweaver@kingsbury.org.
Good Shepherd Housing is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to present basic money management skills, using an easy-to-follow curriculum. Sessions are one-on-one held at the office, 8305 Richmond Highway. Training is provided. This opportunity is available once per month on the second Monday or Tuesday, 6-8:15 p.m. Contact Kay Haskins at 703-768-9404 or e-mail khaskins@goodhousing.org. For more information, visit www.goodhousing.org.
Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers to help in its first ReStore on Route 1. The ReStore takes donations of new and gently used home improvement items and resells them at 50 to 90 percent below retail, with proceeds going to build Habitat for Humanity homes in Northern Virginia. Volunteers are needed Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers will pick up and receive donations, answer phones, stock shelves, greet customers, and cashier. For more information, call Steve Greene at 703-521-9890 ext. 101.
Alexandria Red Cross relies on volunteers to sustain its humanitarian mission for disaster relief efforts, to teach first aid and CPR, for the Friendly Visitor Program and other community service work, special events, administrative support, to work with the Junior Red Cross and for blood donation services for the citizens of Alexandria. Training is provided. Call 703-549-8300 or see the Web site at http://www.alexandriaredcross.org.
Donations Needed. New Hope Housing needs donations to continue their work in Alexandria. Requested donations include blankets, sheets, pillows, wash cloths, towels, diapers, baby wipes, new adult and children's underwear and socks, children's games, videos and laundry soap. New Hope Housing is located at 8407-E Richmond Highway, Alexandria.
Fairfax County's Meals on Wheels program needs volunteers, especially in Alexandria and other eastern sections of Fairfax County. Regular and substitute drivers are needed, and volunteers may deliver prepared meals to homebound elderly people weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. To volunteer, call 703-324-5406 or e-mail beverly.mullis@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Meals on Wheels (Alexandria) - volunteers are needed to deliver meals to approximately 83 homebound seniors each week. Volunteering requires a commitment of only two hours per month and involves serving as a driver or a “runner” (meal deliverer) on a route of 12 - 13 residences. For more information, visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com or call 703-836-2176.
Odyssey Healthcare. This hospice provider is seeking volunteers in the Northern Virginia community to visit and/or assist terminally ill patients and their families during their end of life journey. If you have compassion, a desire to help one-two hours a week, share with a patient or their family, assist with office support, or help with bereavement care, become an Odyssey Volunteer. Training will be provided. Call Karolina de Maciejowska at 703-821-9200.
Reading Buddies Needed. Tutors, mentors and Reach Out and Read volunteers are needed to work with children 6 months to 10 years of age. Day, evening and weekend opportunities are available. For more information and upcoming orientation dates, call 703-549-0777 ext. 142 or visit www.campagnacenter.org.
Sacramento Neighborhood Center is seeking volunteers to share their skills. The center's services include computer classes, support for Latino parents and a children's reading program. For more information, visit the center at 8792E Sacramento Drive, Alexandria, or call 703-619-2964.
Supply Our Students, a volunteer group that collects new school supplies and new and gently used backpacks for distribution to area children in need, is seeking volunteers. Volunteers are needed to deliver supplies and set up collection boxes. For more information or to volunteer, call 703-993-8887 or e-mail Lori Petterson at supplyyourstudents@hotmail.com.
The Alexandria Black History Resource Center needs volunteers who have an interest in Alexandria African American history, as well as African American history and culture in general. Volunteers staff the reception desk, greet and orient visitors to the museum and reading room, assist with mailings, programs, documentation, data entry, writing and editing and collections and the Gift Shop. Volunteers are needed to work weekday mornings or afternoons. The Center is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Contact Lillian S. Patterson, curator, 703-838-4356.
The Alexandria Commission for the Arts is seeking volunteers with expertise in dance, literature, music, theater and visual arts to serve on resource panels to help the commission review grant applications. The commission also needs volunteers to serve on the arts education, marketing and business and the arts committees to develop work plans to help advance the commission's goals. For more information, call 703-838-6348.
The Alexandria Volunteer Bureau compiles lists agencies that are requesting volunteers with specific skills and work experience. To find out about these opportunities or to list a volunteer opportunity with the group, e-mail Volunteer@Alexandriavolunteers.com or call 703-836-2176.
VEFC Volunteers. Volunteer Emergency Families For Children needs volunteers willing to open their homes and provide short term emergency shelter to local children who are victims of abuse or neglect. Volunteers can choose the age, gender, and length of stay for each placement. For additional information, call 1-800-756-6167 or visit www.vefc.org.
Volunteers are needed for day and evening hours to work one-to-one with adult learners in public libraries or adult learning centers. Additional opportunities are available working with adolescents in alternative school settings. The Volunteer Learning Program (VLP) trains tutors, assesses learners and provides materials with follow-up support. VLP is a joint community project of the Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education, Fairfax County's Juvenile Court and the Fairfax County Public Library. For more information about volunteer opportunities this fall, call 703-246-2139 or e-mail VLP@fcps.edu.
Alexandria Human Rights Committee is seeking volunteer members to review complaints of consumer rights violations filed by consumers of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse. Requires four hours per month. For more information, visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com or call 703-836-2176.
Alexandria Police Department is looking for volunteers, including translators fluent in Spanish and English, computer literate individuals for data entry assignments, telephone receptionists, computer programmers and filing clerks. For more information, visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com or call 703-836-2176.
Calvary Women’s Shelter needs volunteers (groups or families) to prepare a meal off-site for 25 women, bring it to the shelter and serve it to residents. Recipes for 25 are available through the volunteer coordinator. Volunteers are also needed to spend the night at the shelter. Training is provided. Additionally, meals for 10 are needed for Pathways, a transitional housing program for women. For more information, visit www.AlexandriaVolunteers.com or call 703-836-2176.