Lend A Hand (3/10/13)

Call the Volunteer Center of United Way at (209) 524-1307 or email volunteer@uwaystan.org.

Volunteers are needed for these ongoing programs:

• AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DISCOVERY SHOP

NEEDED: 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, pieces of art, antiques or collectibles are needed and always welcome.

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

• CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES

NEEDED: 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

• 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 CENTER

NEEDED: 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.; Tuesday 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 VALLEY

NEEDED: 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 typically are 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

• READING WORKS — Adult Literacy Program

NEEDED: Volunteers 16 and older are asked to meet twice a week for 90 minutes with an adult needing help with their reading and writing skills. There are currently 23 adults waiting to be matched with a tutor. The location of the meeting must be a public building such as one of the library branches. The ReadingWorks staff takes the availability of the tutor and student into consideration when putting them together for tutoring services. ReadingWorks is providing a tutor orientation Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and the tutor training will follow on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., both at the ReadingWorks Learning Center, 1032 11th St., Modesto. There is a cost of $10 for training materials; however this fee can be waived if requested.

CONTACT: Karen Williams, (209) 558-4505, williamsk@readingworks.net