Lend a hand (2/3/13)

Call the Volunteer Center of United Way at 524-1307 or email volunteer@uwaystan.org.

Volunteers are needed for these ongoing programs:

• CATHOLIC CHARITIESNEEDED: Adult volunteers are needed to champion for seniors living in care homes as a long-term care ombudsmen and to help them remain independent with the Transportation Program. Ombudsman volunteers, ages 18 years and older, investigate and resolve complaints, including reports of elder abuse and neglect, and advocate for the quality of life and quality of care on behalf of residents in long-term care facilities. Volunteers complete a 36-hour training course, are certified by the California Department of Aging, receive on-the-job guidance from trained staff, and commit to volunteering at least 15 flexible hours per month. The next orientation meeting will be held Jan. 28. Volunteer training will be held in February. Transportation volunteers, ages 25 years and older, will drive seniors to doctor's appointments, errands and grocery shopping throughout Stanislaus County. Flexible scheduling is available weekdays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Volunteer drivers utilize an agency wheelchair lift van or may use their own vehicle and receive mileage reimbursement. Volunteers must be a responsible driver with a valid California driver's license, proof of insurance, and provide a DMV printout. Volunteers for both programs must complete the agency's application and training process and pass a fingerprint background check. (Cost is reimbursed by the agency.)

CONTACT: Melissa Flahert, (209) 529-3784, mflaherty@ccstockton.org

• CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICESNEEDED: Youth volunteers, ages 13 to 17, are needed to serve as defense and prosecution attorneys, jury members, bailiffs and court clerks. The Youth Court process offers first-time juvenile defendants, who have admitted responsibility for their offense, an opportunity to have their case heard by a jury of their peers with an adult volunteer judge experienced in juvenile law presiding. Adult volunteers 18 and older who are knowledgeable of the law are also needed to act as judges to preside over the court and serve as mentors to assist volunteer attorneys with trial preparation. The court sessions are usually held during the evening bimonthly on Wednesdays in Modesto and on the third Tuesday in Oakdale.

CONTACT: Liz Elizondo, (209) 526-1476, lelizondo@centerforhumanservices.org

• CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICESNEEDED: Volunteers 12 and older are needed for Harvesting Futures, a new gleaning project focusing on youth development and entrepreneurship to help reduce the amount of wasted fruit and help increase access of fresh produce to low-income families in our area. A large amount of citrus fruit in back yards falls to the ground and goes to waste while area food banks are challenged with providing fresh produce to their clients. Volunteers are needed to glean/harvest citrus from registered tree donors. Additional harvest dates and times can be arranged for groups. All volunteers must attend a brief orientation prior to the harvest event dates to learn safety, use of harvesting equipment, and gleaning etiquette. Volunteer teams of young people, supervised by an adult volunteer, will harvest the citrus and deliver produce to local area food banks. Anyone interested in becoming a tree donor can contact the agency to register their back yard for harvesting.

CONTACT: Rhonda Dahlgren, (209) 526-1476, ext. 183, rdahlgren@centerforhumanservices.org

• DMC FOUNDATION - R.S.V.P.NEEDED: Volunteers 55 and older are needed to provide visitation and/or transportation to registered home bound seniors and disabled persons 55 years and older. Transportation requirements may include doctor visits, church, and grocery shopping. Drivers will provide door-to-door service, and remain with the client during appointments if needed. Volunteers must be 55 years or older, have proof of current driver's license, registration and insurance on personal vehicle and pass a background check. Visitation volunteers must be willing to visit in the home of a senior citizen or disabled person at least one to two hours per visit, twice a month. Responsibilities may include companionship, watching TV, telephone reassurance, mail sorting, or doing errands for the client. Training will be provided. Mileage reimbursement is available.

CONTACT: Christina Ulloa, (209) 527-3412, culloa@dmcf.org

• AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DISCOVERY SHOPNEEDED: Volunteers 14 years and older can gain retail experience while they cashier, sort, price and steam merchandise, and set up displays. Interested individuals are asked to volunteer just four hours per week; flexible day and evening shifts are available. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Donations of new or gently used items such as costume and fine jewelry, clothing, a piece of art, an antique, or a collectable are needed and always welcome.

CONTACT: Pat Dickerson, (209) 544-9279, pat.dickerson@cancer.org

• PARENT RESOURCE CENTERNEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older to help with child care assistance. Responsibilities include playing games, sing songs and helping children increase their developmental skills. Nurturing volunteers ages 14 years and older are also needed on an ongoing basis to assist with child care supervision participating in fun, creative activities with the children while parents are attending class on site. Scheduling is available Mondays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and from 12:30-2:30 p.m.; Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m.; and Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m. Volunteers must have a current TB clearance and a background check for individuals 18 years and older.

CONTACT: Lisa Widdess, (209) 549-8193, widdessl@prcfamilies.org

• YOUTH FOR CHRIST CENTRAL VALLEYNEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older or 17 years for school based mentoring are needed to make a difference in the life of an at-risk child. Multiple mentoring opportunities are available for adult volunteers. Mentors enrich their own lives while sharing everyday activities with kids such as movies, homework, sports, shopping, life skills, leadership development, engaging in conversation and more. Mentoring programs include: academic tutoring for fourth to 12th grade; Tapestry, a neighborhood-based youth church, provides mentoring in the reality of everyday life; Teen Parents educates and nurtures pregnant and parenting adolescents; and Juvenile Justice Ministry, offering Sunday chapel services and weekly Bible studies at the juvenile hall, provides positive interaction with caring adults in one-to-one mentoring. Hours are typically after school or on the weekend, but are set up by the mentor and student. Volunteers must complete application, interview, orientation, and training process, provide references, pass a background check, and commit to volunteering at least four hours per month for 12 months depending upon program.

CONTACT: Ben Wheeler, (209) 522-9568, bwheeler@scyfc.com