Agency: Families Together Inc.

Address: 502 Jackson, suite 400, Topeka

Contact person: Darla Nelson-Metzger

Phone: (800) 264-6343

Families Together Inc. will have an overnight workshop for families with children with disabilities and needs volunteers to serve as companions to the disabled children and their siblings.

Darla Nelson-Metzger, who works in Families Together Inc.’s office in Topeka, said the agency needs about 70 volunteers for the workshop, which will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 13 at the Lawrence Holidome.

Nelson-Metzger said the agency has been holding the overnight workshop for 20 years. Families gather at the Holidome on the evening of April 12 for a night of fun activities. On April 13, the adults participate in educational sessions while the children are divided into age groups to take part in supervised activities.

“We’re asking them to help keep the children safe and to have fun,” she said. ” Some of the kids will have disabilities and some will not because the whole family (attends).”

Those wishing to volunteer can call Nelson-Metzger, (800) 264-6343. Volunteers will need to fill out an application form and complete in a brief orientation session.

Families Together Inc. is a statewide organization that assists parents and their children ages birth to 21 who have disabilities.

Last week’s results

Mike Caron, program director for the Douglas County Jail, said he received four calls from potential volunteers after the agency appeared in last week’s “How You Can Help.”

Caron said a person called to help tutor math or basic literacy courses; another volunteered to help in the library. A third person was interested in helping with the anger management program, and a fourth volunteered to conduct a writing workshop.

Caron said the jail needs more volunteers in those areas as well as leaders for substance abuse workshops. But most crucial is the need for a male volunteer to work in the library. Those interested in volunteering at the jail can call Caron at 830-1055.