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.
Leadership Conference On-Site Volunteers
The Women's Center of Vienna needs volunteer for their 20th annual Leadership Conference. Among the featured speakers are Olympia Dukakis, Lillian Vernon, Cari Dominguez, Monique Greenwood, Jean Otte, Ann Crittenden. The Conference takes place at the Sheraton Premier on March 12 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. On-site volunteers are needed to manage logistics and traffic flow; assist speakers and attendees; assist with registration and conference material handouts. Time required is two hours of orientation and three to six hours the day of the Conference. Contact Toni Antonucci, information and referral manager, at 703-281-4928, Ext. 259.
The Women's Center of Vienna needs planning volunteers to help with its 20th annual Leadership Conference. Featured speakers are Olympia Dukakis, Lillian Vernon, Cari Dominguez, Monique Greenwood, Jean Otte, Ann Crittenden and others. The Conference takes place Saturday, March 12 at the Sheraton Premier in Tysons Corner, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Duties include helping to plan, manage and administer the details of the Conference. Volunteers are needed to assist with mailings and organize conference materials and outreach efforts for two to four hours per week. Contact Toni Antonucci, information and referral manager, at 703-281-4928, Ext. 259.
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. at your earliest convenience to Lauren Cranman, 703-379-6488 or lcranman@gblc.org.
Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment is seeking volunteers to help with various tasks at a program about the Potomac River Watershed. All volunteers will be able to enjoy an exciting presentation with speakers from the Potomac Conservancy, Anacostia Watershed Society, and Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. Tasks for volunteers include helping at the registration desk, setting up the room, and cleaning up. March 9 from 6-10 p.m. and March 10 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact Elenor Hodges, volunteer coordinator, 703-228-6427.
Signature Theatre's run of "10 Unknowns" will begin on March 15, and volunteer ushers are needed to help out during the course of the run, March 15 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.
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 Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC.
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, March 23, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 26, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; 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, please visit our website at www.cpfe.org and see the "Applications" section. Call 202-338-1330 or email Darin Simmons at darin@cpfe.org.
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 Naomi Project is active in Fairfax and Arlington counties, Alexandria and Falls Church. It is an all-volunteer resource mother program that pairs high-risk or at-risk pregnant women and new mothers with trained volunteers who are committed to promoting healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Mentors provide positive reinforcement, help clients learn about good health during pregnancy, locate needed information and services, model sound parenting skills, and support their clients as they plan for healthy, stable futures.
The next training session for volunteers is four Thursday evenings--April 7, April 14, April 21 and April 28--at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, 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.homestead.com .
Low-Income Tax Preparation Assistance (ACAP). The Arlington Community Action Program Inc. (ACAP) is seeking volunteers to serve as greeters, screeners and tax preparers at one electronic filing volunteer income tax preparation site. Volunteers are needed every Friday from 5-8 p.m., through April 8. Call Glenda Martinez, volunteer coordinator, at 703-241-2040, Ext. 52.
Volunteer tax assistance. Seeking volunteers to prepare taxes for low-income families at locations in Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria. No experience required. Free training and certification is now available online through the IRS or traditional classes. Hours are flexible. The commitment can be as few as three hours per week, January through April 15. Contact Brenda Kuhlman, Northern Virginia VITA Coordinator: 703 359-6777 or Brenda.kuhlman@dss.virginia.gov.
Special Olympics Volunteers offers an opportunity to help individuals with disabilities from Arlington County participate in Special Olympics. Volunteers are needed for the time trials Saturday April 16, and the Regional Invitational Track Meet Saturday April 30. Visit www.co.arlington.va.us/prcr or call 703-228-1026.
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.
The Society of Recovering Sorority Girls (RSG), through its founders, Kristina “Morgan” Rose and Deandra “Brooksie” Brooks, announce the start of Arlington's “Project Cinderella” for the 2005 prom season. “Project Cinderella” is a formal dress donation drive that will provide high school girls in need with a dress to wear to their prom. Dresses will be collected through mid-May. The organization requests that donated dresses be in good condition and dry-cleaned. Gently used prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses and formal wear are all acceptable donations. All donors will receive income tax receipts from the Arlington County School District. To participate, contact Morgan and Brooksie at info@recoveringsororitygirls.com.
Drop off your used cellphones at the Cingular locations in Ballston Common Mall. Proceeds benefit the Soroptimist International of Arlington's Women's Opportunity Awards program and other programs dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in our local community and throughout the world. All cellphone donations are tax-deductible. Call Sharon Williams at 703-404-0932 or visit www.siarlington.org to find out more about Soroptimist International of Arlington.
The Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry needs a volunteer during the months of February and March to help with database entry. Computer skills a must; previous experience a plus. We need volunteers age 18 and up who are free on weekdays. Non-English speakers accepted. Contact Stacey Snowden, volunteer coordinator, at 703-533-5505, Ext. 13. NOVAM is located at 803 W. Broad St. in Falls Church.
Help a child affected by HIV/AIDS by donating your time to be a tutor. A second-grader is in need of a tutor once a week for one hour. The tutoring will take place in the child's home in Fairfax. A detailed reference check will be conducted prior to volunteer placement. There is no minimum age to be a tutor. This opportunity is sponsored by: Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry. Contact Stacey Snowden, volunteer coordinator, at 703-533-5505, ext. 13.
The Conservation & Interpretation Section is looking for volunteers. 3608 N. Military Road. Visit the Web site of Arlington County Volunteer Office: www.arlingtonva.us. Many groups need voluntary help. The Virginia Native Plant Society, www.vnps.org, the Arlington Heritage Alliance, www.arlingtonheritage.org, Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, www.arlingtonenvironment.org, Remove Invasive Plants - Arlington, www.arlingtonva.us and Project Watershed Watch, www.arlingtonva.us.
The Arlington Teen Summer Expo is an annual event that links teens with summer jobs, volunteer opportunities, and internships. Teens attend the event and apply directly for various local businesses, agencies, and citizens with job openings and/or community service. Volunteers are needed for the event. www.co.arlington.va.us/dhs/services/eid
Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry is seeking volunteers to host fund-raising parties in the Northern Virginia area to support the Children's Services and Youth Education of Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry (NOVAM) on Saturday, April 30. www.novam.org
Stop Abuse for Everyone International is seeking a media watcher for domestic violence issues. www.safe4all.org
The Federation of Galaxy Explorers is seeking volunteers interested in providing some computer (C++) development support for its upcoming summer camp - Moon Base One. www.foge.org
The Furniture Bank of Arlington, a project of Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs (AMEN), needs volunteers to organize warehouse, to help deliver and pick up furniture. www.emergencyneeds.org
Research Volunteer. Upton Hill Regional Park is working to create a file of historical information on the Upton Family, Upton Hill, during the Civil War, and other information related to Upton Hill's history. Volunteers are needed to help catalog information we have collected to date and/or to perform research at local libraries, archives, courthouses and on the Internet. Volunteers should have knowledge of research methods and be familiar with use of the library to find information. Call Julie Kutruff, volunteer coordinator, at 703- 534-3437.
Mentor with CHAMPS. Mentors in this program are volunteers who provide children of prisoners in Northern Virginia with friendship, recreational activities and constructive example. Contact Ellen Klene at 703-533-3302, Ext. 107, or eklene@cmhs.org.