The Alexandria/Arlington Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program is seeking volunteers to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children in court. Volunteers conduct interviews with children, families and professionals, monitor compliance with court orders, write detailed reports, and represent the best interests of the child in court. Volunteers must complete training and background checks. Volunteers commit to one year with the program. Bilingual volunteers (Spanish/English) are greatly needed. Training begins in September. Call 703-836-1820 or visit www.scanva.org.
The Auxiliary at Virginia Hospital Center, Arlington, needs volunteers. Every third Thursday of the month, at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., an Information Session is held in the Human Resources Conference Room. Call 703-620-2944 or 703-538-2362.
Arlington CrisisLink, the greater Washington region's only 24/seven crisis, suicide and trauma prevention, intervention and response hotline, is seeking volunteers to take calls and respond directly to individuals in need. Applications are available online at www.crisislink.org. Hotline volunteers must attend 43 hours of intensive training in active listening and crisis intervention and are required to make an additional 150-hour (one-year) commitment upon completion. Flexible hours are available upon close of training. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
The ESL and Immigrant Ministries needs volunteers to teach English as a Second Language to adult immigrants in 18 locations in Northern Virginia. Free training for volunteers is provided in August and September. Classes begin in September. Both daytime and evening classes are offered. Consult www.eslim.org for full information about the program, including class schedules, locations and a volunteer application form. Or call 703-271-8341, ext. 3, and leave a message for a return call.
Volunteer ombudsmen are needed for Arlington's elderly residing in assisted living. The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is looking for individuals who are diplomatic, assertive, good communicators and enjoy meeting people and can serve during the weekday. The volunteer ombudsman makes weekly visits to a specific facility and works with the residents, their families and the staff to ensure that the residents' rights are being protected. Volunteers dedicate four hours per week to this work for one year. The program will be conducting interviews of applicants during the summer; the application deadline is August 26. The next annual training session is scheduled for September 12, 13 and 23 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day. Following assignment, ongoing training and support are provided. For more information and an application, call 703-324-5435, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ombudsman. To request accommodations or alternate formats, call 703-324-5435 or TTY: 703-449-1186.
The Arlington County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) assists public health to prevent disease and protect the community during emergencies and in other public health priorities. Members are current or retired health care professionals and interested others. MRC volunteers receive an initial orientation and are invited to periodic trainings. During an emergency, volunteers receive event-specific training and work with public health staff. Public health activities may include epidemiology, preventive treatment or prophylaxis, education, community monitoring and other measures to protect the public. More information may be found at the Department of Human Services Web site under the Public Health Division. Members are adults age 18 and over. Call Jan Tenerowicz, MRC coordinator, at 703-228-4986.
Smithsonian Behind-the-Scenes Volunteer Program. Behind-the-Scenes volunteers work with Smithsonian staff in various departments and museums. Typical volunteer assignments include administrative, archival, collections management, computer support, conservation, development, education, horticulture and libraries. Interested individuals must be able to volunteer Monday-Friday during regular business hours. The minimum time commitment is six hours per week for two months. Volunteers must be 16 or older. A completed application and an interview with program staff is required. Call Amy Lemon, program coordinator, at 202-357-2987. For more information visit www.si.edu.
A volunteer is needed to develop a space plan for the Northern Virginia Family Service Loudoun office. Office space is crowded and needs organization and a plan to better utilize the existing space. Time commitment is flexible and the job could be done at home with several visits to the Loudoun office. Call Maureen Collins at 703-404-1901. For more information visit www.nvfs.org.
Gardening Opportunity at Tuckahoe Elementary. Tuckahoe Elementary School has seven large "outdoor" classrooms with many gardens that always need tending. Families sign up to water once a week, but more volunteers are needed. Anyone who would like to tend the gardens should contact Beth Reese, the school's outdoor learning coordinator, at 703-228-5288. For more information visit www.arlington.k12.va.us/schools/tuckahoe/schoolyard. Tools and training provided if necessary.
Gardening Opportunity at Campbell Elementary. Garden Work Days are a part of Campbell Elementary School's history. The Campbell community works to build an environment where children learn through contact with their natural surroundings. To this end, three garden work days are scheduled in the spring and the fall. Parents, children, teachers and community members work to beautify the school. Volunteers are always welcome. Call Pat Findikoglu at 703-228-6770. For more information visit www.arlington.k12.va.us.
The Barrett Outdoor Classroom is located in the school's courtyard. It has a pond and waterfall, raised garden beds, a Virginia forest habitat, erosion/watershed center, a pollinator garden and bird watching centers and will be building a stage and pond observation deck this summer to add more learning centers to the area. Help is needed this summer with construction, weeding and marking plants and trees, as well as throughout the year with maintenance and other activities, such as sponsoring an after-school club to learn about nature in the outdoor classroom. Call Mary-Hannah Klontz at 703-228-6288 or e-mail: MaryHannah_Klontz@apsva.us. For more information visit www.arlington.k12.va.us.
The 29th Annual Arlington County Fair is currently seeking and registering community volunteers to assist with the event setup, execution and break-down from Monday, Aug. 15 to Monday, Aug. 22, at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. Second St. Volunteers will assist with setup, execution and break-down of the fair in three-hour shifts. Volunteer opportunities include: setup of exhibitor, vendor and sponsor indoor and outdoor booths; hanging signs and banners; providing security for exhibits, petting zoo and entertainment; sponsor, vendor and exhibitor booth support; food vendor support; transporting ice and water; information booth; T-shirt booth; break-down of exhibitor, vendor and sponsor booths; removal of signs and banners; loading vendor supplies and equipment and packing supplies and materials for storage. Special event experience is helpful but not required. Teen volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult volunteer. To apply, call 703-920-4556 or visit www.arlingtoncountyfair.org. The deadline for applications is August 1.
The Arlington Community Services Board is seeking volunteers for the Substance Abuse Committee to the Board. The Substance Abuse Committee reviews and evaluates existing and proposed substance abuse services and facilities available to serve the community. Meetings are held once a month for two hours. Call Jennifer Slark at 703-228-4871.
The Carlin, an independent living facility for seniors located near Ballston Common, has a variety of opportunities for volunteers. Specific needs include assistance with our newsletter, particularly art work; helping to organize a Walking Club for people with limited mobility; a line dance organizer; and someone with medical experience to do blood pressure checks. Call Diane Downey, volunteer coordinator, at 703-243-4300.
Volunteers are needed to prepare dinner for 10 women off-site and then bring the meal to Pathways, a transitional housing program in NW D.C. for 10 women that are chronically homeless, and serve the meal to the residents. Dinner volunteers are needed Friday and Saturday from 6-7:30 p.m. After the initial meal is served, volunteers are welcome to sit down with the residents to eat and socialize. Menus and recipes are available. Call Allison Harvey, volunteer coordinator, at 202-783-6651.
Overnight Volunteers are needed Friday and Saturday nights at Pathways, a small, transitional housing program in NW D.C. that houses 10 women. Overnight volunteers provide assistance to the residents and set out a simple breakfast in the morning. A staff person is always on call to answer any questions. Volunteers arrive at 11 p.m. and leave at 8 a.m. A two-hour training is required. Call Allison Harvey, volunteer coordinator, at 202-783-6651.
The Washington Connection is part of the Grassroots Department at Common Cause, a national non-partisan non-profit organization. Volunteers help organize, educate and mobilize members across the country via telephone, written correspondence and e-mail. They keep local activists informed on legislation and mobilize these members to write, call or meet with their congressmen on Common Cause issues such as election reform, campaign finance reform, government ethics, redistricting and media reform. Most volunteers work 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday but other days and times are available. Call Dan Lijana, volunteer coordinator, at 202-833-1200.
A driver and a driver's helper are needed to pick up food donations at local grocery stores and deliver them to the Arlington Food Assistance Center warehouse every other Thursday evening between 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Needed is a licensed driver able to lift 40 pounds and use own vehicle or drive AFAC van. Call Nancy Cude, volunteer coordinator, at 703-845-8486.
The Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation needs volunteers to help in one or more of the following: walk for PKD, other fundraising projects, publicity, reaching out to corporate community for support, public education about PKD and holding support group. Volunteering not only helps the PKD Foundation and the mission to find a treatment/cure but provides a local network of people for ongoing support. There are no minimum time or training requirements to become a chapter volunteer. A person needs to be dedicated to the cause of finding a treatment and cure for PKD. Contact Ruth Grayson Scott, chapter co-coordinator, at 703-863-8651.
Hogar Hispano, an immigrant assistance program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, is seeking volunteers to teach English one evening a week for two hours. Classrooms are located in over 20 sites throughout Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties. Foreign language proficiency and previous experience are not required. Hogar Hispano volunteers attend a one-day ESL Boot Camp and are given a teacher's toolbox of games, activities and resources, a text and a teacher's guide. Volunteers are required to attend 10 total hours of training in their first year of service, which can be easily fulfilled through the workshops provided on a quarterly basis. Contact Belle Penaranda, associate ESL coordinator, at 703-534-9805, ext. 239.
Computer C.O.R.E. needs a volunteer grant writer. Assist the executive director in researching and identifying grantors, writing and preparing applications. This volunteer will have a direct impact on the quality of service provided to clients and the future development of the organization. Some grantwriting experience would be helpful. Volunteer should have excellent writing and professional skills, communication skills and follow-through, office computing skills (Windows, Word, Excel, Internet/e-mail) and the ability to work independently. Two to four hours per week with a three-month commitment. Renewable. Contact Susan Townsend, volunteer management assistant, at 703-931-7346.
Opportunity Place, the client drop-in center for the Arlington Street People's Assistance Network, has a cabinet full of client files that need sorting. The project will take about five to eight hours total and can be done all at once or in two or three consecutive days. Project must be done during work hours — 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays. Volunteer needed as soon as possible. Opportunity Place is located at 2708 S. Nelson St., Arlington. Contact Jessica Wood, volunteer coordinator, at 703-820-4357, ext. 17.
NVBIA hosts three to four social activities throughout the year for the Brain Injury community. Guests are people who have survived a traumatic brain injury and their family members. Facilitators are needed to help set up, cook, serve and clean up after the party. Facilitators will mingle with attendees, helping them to socialize and to join in dancing or sport activities. The 2005 social calendar is: Summer Picnic Aug. 12 and Holiday Party Dec. 3. There are no training requirements or limitations on volunteers. Volunteers should, however, be outgoing, enjoy other people and able to help generate a festive atmosphere. Contact Cynthia MacDonald, treasurer, at 703-569-1855.
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 information phone calls. Caring, empathetic, non judgmental 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.
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: 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.
Regular meetings of the Arlington Civitan Club are held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington in the lower ground level at 6:45 p.m. each second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The mission of Civitan, a non profit organization, is to build good citizenship by providing volunteer organizations of clubs dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities. Contact Jack Mueller at 703-237-4706 for reservations on Sunday prior. Learn more about Arlington Civitan at www.civitan.org.