10/26/08 Volunteer opportunities

Here are this week's volunteer needs in the Yakima Valley:

* JUVENILE MENTORS: Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) Mentor Program works to increase juvenile offenders' options for successful re-entry into their community by pairing them with a mentor. Mentor's responsibilities include supporting and assisting youth as they work towards their individual goals through weekly contacts and once a month face-to-face activities.

Volunteers should plan to give a one-year commitment and need to have a criminal background check done by the agency. Initial training will be provided, including follow-up trainings.

For more information, contact Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* DAVIS MENTORS: Davis High School is looking for Hometown Mentors to provide mentoring to high-potential, low-income students. Mentors will work with students throughout the remainder of their junior and senior year to help them achieve their college goals. Training will be provided. All potential volunteers must have a criminal background check done. Contact Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* JUVENILE COURT: Yakima County Juvenile Court CAB (Community Accountability Board) is looking for volunteers to help hold youth accountable for their actions; to impress upon them that the community is concerned with their behavior; and to foster a positive change in their behavior.

Volunteers will meet with the youths' parents or guardians to process cases involving minor crimes and traffic offenses. They will hold youngsters accountable for their behavior by determining a fair disposition for the offense.

Training is provided. All potential volunteers must have a criminal background check done

If interested in becoming a CAB volunteer, call Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* HELPING A CHILD: MCIP (Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents) is looking for volunteers to create one-on-one relationships with a child, helping them build their self-esteem and motivating them to set goals to work towards. Volunteers should plan to give a one-year commitment. Potential mentors must be at least 19 years of age and have a criminal background check done by the agency before volunteering.

Contact Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* HEALTH CARE HELP: SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefit Advisors) is looking for volunteers to educate consumers about their rights and options regarding prescription drug access, health insurance and access to health care. Hours are flexible and can be done from home.

Volunteers should have basic computer skills and be interested in helping people and making public presentations. Training will be provided.

For more information, call Donna at 574-1934.

* IN-HOME ASSISTANCE: Volunteer Chore Services is looking for volunteers to help provide basic in-home assistance to low-income elders and adults with disabilities to enable them to continue living safely, independently and with dignity in their own homes.

Volunteers help to build wheelchair ramps; provide transportation to doctor's appointments, grocery shopping and other such errands; and also to provide light housekeeping. Volunteers must complete a criminal background check.

Contact Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* PREPARING MEALS: Yakima County Food Services needs volunteers to help with preparation and distribution for meals for the Senior Nutrition Congregate and Home Delivery Program. Volunteers will be doing prep work such as packaging bread and butter, fruit, juices, and assisting main cook with cleaning and cutting. They would also help load meals into vehicles for delivery, washing dishes and general cleanup.

A volunteer may be asked periodically to answer phones and hand out weekly meal packages for home-delivery consumers.

Volunteers must complete a criminal background check.

Call Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* FOOD BANKS: Yakima County food banks are always in need of reliable volunteers. Volunteers are needed to distribute, sort food and check in clients.

Contact Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* SCHOOL TUTORS: Yakima County schools are in need of tutors who would like to make a difference in a child's life. Tutors are needed in elementary, middle and high schools. Opportunities include listening to children read, assisting students with their homework, working with students on basic math skills, and helping to build a student's self-esteem.

Volunteers must complete a criminal background check.

Contact Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* CUSTOMER GREETER: DSHS Yakima Community Service Office is in need of a volunteer greeter to improve customer service by getting feedback from clients. The volunteer would be in charge of greeting people and handing them a survey to complete. The volunteer should have good people and communication skills. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus, but not required.

For more information, contact Tina Person at perezt@dshs.wa.gov or 225-6201.

* Volunteer Opportunities is prepared by Sirena Phillips, volunteer coordinator of Yakima's Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Contact her at 574-1933, 120 S. Third St. Suite 200B, Yakima, WA 98901, or sirena.phillips@co.yakima.wa.us.

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