Lend a Hand: Places to volunteer around Modesto area

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

• CATHOLIC CHARITIESNEEDED: Adult volunteers are needed to champion for seniors living in care homes as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman and to help them remain independent with the Transportation Program. Ombudsman volunteers, ages18 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 Monday, 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 7-passenger or 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 for which they will be reimbursed by the agency.

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

• CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICESNEEDED: Volunteers 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 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 or 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 fruit waste and help increase access of fresh produce to low-income families in our area. Volunteers will play a vital role in the success of this pilot project, and it's a fun way to make a difference in the community. A large amount of 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 and harvest citrus from registered tree donors in those neighborhoods. Additional harvest dates and times can be arranged for groups. All volunteers must attend a brief orientation before the harvest event dates to learn safety, proper 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 who is interested in donating fruit from their yard can contact the agency to register their back yard for harvesting.

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

• COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES OF STANISLAUS COUNTY NEEDED: Volunteers 21 and older to stand up for a child and become a volunteer advocate with CASA. Advocates act as the voice of a dependent child during court proceedings, conduct case fact finding, and produce a court report for all hearings based on what is in the best interest of the child. Advocates are asked to volunteer an average of 10 to 15 hours per month and commit to being available for one year so they can build and maintain a trusting and stable relationship with the child. Volunteers are provided with a support system for training, guidance, and supervision, including 30 hours of initial pre-service CASA training covering the court process, mental health, domestic violence, cultural diversity, and the dynamics of families, and 12 hours of Dependency Court observation. Interested individuals are asked to attend a volunteer orientation on March 18 at 6 p.m. The next training will be held on evenings beginning April 15 through July 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. Volunteers must complete initial and ongoing training and supervision meetings, attend daytime court hearings, maintain strict confidentiality, be computer-literate and have access to email, pass a fingerprint background check, possess a valid California driver's license and vehicle, show proof of insurance, and commit to volunteering for a minimum of one year. Bilingual individuals are especially encouraged to volunteer.

CONTACT: Steve Ashman, (209) 548-6320 or casacm2@stanct.org

• DMC FOUNDATION: R.S.V.P.NEEDED: Volunteers 55 and older 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 or 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 television, telephone reassurance, mail sorting, or running errands for the client. Training will be provided to help volunteers understand the basic needs of home-bound seniors. Mileage reimbursement is available.

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

• PARENT RESOURCE CENTERNEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older to help with child care assistance. Responsibilities include playing games, singing 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 to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 to 2:30 a.m.; Tuesdays mornings from 9:30 to 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 or widdessl@prcfamilies.org

• YOUTH FOR CHRIST CENTRAL VALLEYNEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older or 17 years needed 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, conversation and more. Mentoring programs include: academic tutoring for fourth to 12th grade; Tapestry, a neighborhood-based youth church, that provides mentoring in the reality of everyday life; Teen Parents, which educates and nurtures pregnant and parenting adolescents; and Juvenile Justice Ministry, which offers Sunday chapel services and weekly Bible studies at the juvenile hall and 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 on the program.

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