Service groups, clubs, support groups and organizations

Douglas County AIDS project

Phone: 843-0040.

President: Janet Horner, chairperson of board of directors, Inctrol@aol.com.

Membership: Sidney Hardgrave, 843-0040, dcap@juno.com

Cost/fees/dues: Donations are welcome.

The mission of the Douglas County AIDS Project is the provision of direct client services, through collaboration with other agencies to individuals and families infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in Douglas, Jefferson and Franklin counties. DCAP also provides leadership to the community and serves as a community resource in the areas of HIV and AIDS education and prevention.

The Douglas County AIDS Project was founded by volunteers in 1989 and continues to rely on volunteers today to accomplish its mission.

Coalition for Homeless Concerns

Meetings: 3 p.m. second Tuesday, Trinity Episcopal Church parish hall, 843-6166.

Path coordinator: Gary Miller, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, 200 Maine, Lawrence, 66044, 830-1823, gmiller@bertnash.org

The group provides an open forum for discussion of problems faced by homeless citizens and service providers and is working to provide year-round emergency shelter and other needed services.

Douglas County Child Development

Phone: 842-9679.

Meetings: Fourth Thursday, every two months, 2331 Ala.

Web site: www.idir.net/~dccda

President: Jan Brummel, Hilltop Child Development Center, 1605 Irving Hill Road, Lawrence, 66045, 864-4940.

Cost/fees/dues: $15.

The association offers families free child care referral services and child care tuition scholarships for those interested in children. The association develops services that support early childhood care and education.

GFWC Lawrence Classics

Meetings: 5:30 p.m. second Monday of each month, Perkins Restaurant, 1711 W. 23rd St.

Web: www.GFWC.org

President: Paula Johnson, 1855 N. 700 Road, Baldwin, 66006, (785) 594-3578.

Membership: Jan Schwartz, 331-4575.

Cost/fees/dues: $25 per year.

The General Federation of Women’s Club provides resources for lifelong learning opportunities and legislative and public policy information.

Lawrence Coalition

Meetings: 3:30 p.m. second Sunday of month, Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vt.

President: Allan Hanson, 1628 Dudley Court, Lawrence, 66044, 841-3026, hanson@mail.ukans.edu

Cost/fees/dues: $3 annually.

The club provides education and action to promote peace and justice around the world.

Local Chapter 1696 of AARP

Phone: 842-0446

E-mail: themccolls@msn.com

Meetings: 11:30 a.m. fourth Friday of each month at Lawrence Country Club, 400 Country Club Terrace, third Friday in November, no meeting in July and December.

Leader: Suzanne McColl, 1519 Crescent Road, Lawrence, 66044.

Membership: Darlene Hill, 843-2935.

Cost/fees/dues: $4 per year.

The club helps shape and enrich the experience of aging and promotes independence, dignity and accomplishment for members from age 50 on. The club offers informative programs and community service opportunities for older citizens.

Pilot Club of Lawrence

Meetings: 6:30 p.m. second Monday of each month, meeting place will be choice of each division coordinator in charge of meeting.

Web site: www.pilotinternational.org

President: Diana Boyd, 594-6524, boyd@sunflower.com

Cost/fees/dues: $52 a year.

The club promotes community need for service and friendship. The club selects its service projects in the community. One project is giving two scholarships a year to two senior girls at each high school to attend KU. Another project is to the Alliance for Epilepsy. The club sponsors two antique shows a year.

Soroptimist International of Lawrence

Meetings: 6 p.m. first Monday, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 325 Maine, room D.

President: Bev Hill, P.O. Box 3848, Lawrence, 66046, bev.hill@juno.com

Cost/fees/dues: $75 annually.

The club provides an opportunity for business and professional women to contribute time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women.

Soroptomist International was founded in 1921 and the local club chartered in 1940. It is a volunteer service organization for women in business, management and the professions. The club focuses on economic and social development, education, environment, health, human rights/status of women and international good will and understanding. The major service project is the “Women’s Opportunity Awards.”

Spellbinders of Lawrence

Phone: 842-7708.

E-mail: ahaehl@animail.net

President: Anne Haehl, 616 Ill. St., Lawrence, 66044.

Membership: Anne Haehl.

By sharing stories with children, the club helps introduce them to information about different cultures, improve their listening skills and have a wonderful time.

Spellbinders is a national organization that promotes the art of storytelling. Volunteers must complete training and commit to regular storytelling.

St. John Evangelist Altar Society Group

Meetings: 1 p.m. every other Wednesday at Knights of Columbus Hall, 2206 E. 23rd Street.

President: Ailene Bocquin, 1208 W. 20th Street, Lawrence, 66046-3632, 843-9051.

Membership: Bert Bigham, 842-9155.

Cost/fees/dues: None.

The group provides Christian members an opportunity to volunteer food to funeral dinners, support service interaction activities and seasonable events of St. John’s Catholic Church. The group meets for pinochle every other Wednesday.

VFW

Phone: 843-2078.

Meetings: 7 p.m. third Sundays, 138 Ala.

Leader: Vern Russell, 766-4533.

Cost/fee/dues: $24 annual/lifetime membership available.

The VFW is a fraternal, patriotic and educational organization. The organization strives to strengthen and preserve patriotism, assist veterans and community organizations in need, and perpetuate the memory of our fallen comrades. Our membership is comprised of active duty and former military personnel who have served their country honorably overseas.

Women’s Transitional Care Services, Inc.

Phone: 843-3333 or (800) 770-3030.

E-mail: kswtcs@yahoo.com

Leaders: Heather Frost, WTCS, P.O. Box 633, Lawrence, 66044, (785) 331-2034.

Membership: Karen Walker, volunteering, P.O. Box 633, Lawrence, 66044, wtcsadvocates@hotmail.com, 865-3956; Sarah Terwelp, donations, P.O. Box 633, Lawrence, 66044, kswtcs@yahoo.com, 331-2034

The club provides crisis line, shelter, support group and advocacy to women and children escaping violence.

WTCS offers volunteer opportunities for direct interaction with the women and children being served and community outreach activities.

Lawrence River City Cosmopolitan Club

Web: www.cosmopolitan.org, www.cosmopolitan.org

Meetings: First Thursday of each month, various restaurants

Leader: Tommy Johnson, 1493 E. 660 Road, Lawrence, 66049, 749-5732, tommydawg@earthlink.net

Membership: Carol Boncella, 2705 Westdale Circle, Lawrence, 66049, 841-1358, gardenspot@sunflower.com

The club allows development of new and lasting friendships while working and serving as a group to better our community and world.

The mission of Cosmopolitan International is to contribute to community well-being through charitable donations and volunteer service with special emphasis on supporting efforts to prevent and find a cure for diabetes. Cosmopolitan International’s motto, “Unity, Service, & Action,” concisely expresses the goals and ideals of the organization.

Daughters of American Revolution

Meetings: 10 a.m. third Saturday at First Baptist Church, 14th Street and Kasold Drive.

Leaders: Annie Merriam and Betty Washington.

Membership: Annie Merriam, 841-1384, or Phyllis Bell, 843-6475.

Cost/fees/dues: national and chapter application fee.

The club helps people search for American Revolution ancestors and has programs of historical interest.

The club honors Kansas University ROTC and gives scholarships to Girls State community service awards.

Free State Walkers

Phone: 842-7741

E-mail: aengus@sunflower.com

Meetings: 6:30 p.m. fourth Wednesday, January through October, in upstairs meeting room at Free State Brewery, 636 Mass.

Leaders: William Burris, president, and Jane Teddar, treasurer.

Membership: William Burris, 842-7741.

The club features walking non-competitively for fun and exercise, affiliated with the American Volksports Assn. and the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. The club organizes four 10K walks each year in the Lawrence area.

Cost/fees/dues: $7 individuals, $10 family.

Friendship Rebekah Lodge 754

Phone: 843-4064

Meetings: 2 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, 615 Lincoln St.

Leader: Grace Helmert, 812 Ariz., No. C-7, Lawrence, 66047.

Membership: Mildred Harkness, 1501 Inverness Drive, No. 306, Lawrence, 66047.

Cost/fees/dues: $12.

Friendship Rebekah Lodge is a fraternal order and community service that cares for widows and orphans of members.

La Leche League of Lawrence

Phone: 691-0204

Web: http://www.lalecheleague.org

Meetings: 10 a.m. second Tuesday at Douglas County Health Department conference room; 7:30 p.m. at Lawrence Memorial Hospital Meeting room.

President’s number: 749-5381

Membership contact number: 749-5381.

Free breastfeeding support and information for mothers.

La Leche League’s purpose is to provide information to breastfeeding mothers mainly through mother-to-mother support. Our group has a free lending library and access to the latest in lactation research.

Cost/fees/dues: Optional membership of $36 annually.

Lawrence Brewers Guild

Web: www.sunflower.com/~homebrew/

Meetings: 7:30 p.m. second Thursday of each month, Ecumenical Christian Ministries building, 1204 Oread (across from The Crossing and Yello Sub).

Leader: Joe Yoder, headduck@swbell.net

Membership: Xan Stevens, xan@ku.edu

Cost/fees/dues: Annual membership dues are $16 for individuals or $22 for families.

The Lawrence Brewers Guild provides support and guidance on the homebrewing process to brewers of all experience levels.

The Lawrence Brewers Guild is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the enjoyment of homebrewing and to promote the responsible use of alcoholic beverages.

Lawrence Jayhawk Kennel Club

Phone: 842-5856 or 842-6884.

Meetings: 7:30 p.m. first Monday, Kaspar’s Bar & Grill, 3115 W. Sixth St.

President: Vickie Jacobs, 7045 S.E. 61st Street, Tecumseh, 66542, (785) 379-5430, ZZJACO@aol.com

Membership: Jane Tusten, P.O. Box 3681, Lawrence, 66046, 842-5856, RoyTus@aol.com

Cost/fees/dues: Training class fees are $35. Membership dues are $15 for an individual and $20 for a family.

The club provides low-cost obedience classes for the public to which both purebred and mixed-breed dogs are welcome and promotes responsible dog ownership.

The club offers conformation classes and sponsors conformation shows and obedience trials, matches and agility trials. Club members are active in various events, including obedience, conformation, agility, herding, tracking, earth dog, lure coursing, carting, search and rescue and law enforcement training.

Lawrence Sesquicentennial Commission

Meetings: 4 p.m Wednesdays, Lawrence Public Auditorium, 707 Vt. All meetings open to the public.

Web: www.lawrence150.org

President: Clenece Hills, 1302 N. 1082 Road, Lawrence, 66046, 842-6313, fairplay@sunflower.com

Cost/fees/dues: No cost.

The group was appointed by the Lawrence City Commission in 1999 to plan events to celebrate the 150th birthday of Lawrence, which will be Sept. 18, 2004. The group wants everyone in Douglas County to participate in the celebration. Call for speakers for your organization and will tell you about the many ways you can be involved.

Lecompton Historical Society

Meetings: 6:30 p.m. second Thursday at Territorial Capital Museum, Lecompton, 887-6148.

Web: www.LecomptonKansas.com

President: Paul Bahnmaier, 393 N. 1900 Road, Lecompton, 887-6275.

Membership: Georgia Trammel, 11 N. 2064 Road, Lecompton, 887-6486.

Cost/fees/dues: $7 couple, $5 individuals, $50 lifetime membership.

The society preserves and promotes the history of Lecompton.

MOMS Club of Lawrence

Meetings: 10 a.m. first Thursday at Central Methodist Church, 15th and Massachusetts streets.

Web: www.momsclub.org

President: Julee Travis, 843-6317, mtravis@sunflower.com

Membership: Denise Severn, 331-3747, severn@sunflower.com

Cost/fees/dues: $20 annually.

MOMS Club is a support group designed for at-home mothers. The club provides activities for parents and children. The activities are during the day.

National Cathedral Association for Kansas and West Missouri dioceses

Phone: 842-5467.

E-mail: wiechert@kuedu.

Web: www.cathedral.org/cathedral

Leaders: Regional co-chairs Sandra Wiechert and Allen Wiechert, 813 Highland Drive, Lawrence, 66044.

Cost/fees/dues: No charge for local NCA organizations; varied charges for national; family memberships, $35.

The National Cathedral Assn.’s purpose is to support with information, service and financial gifts the works of the Washington National Cathedral, the nation’s “House of Prayer for all people,” in Washington.

As NCA co-chairs, the association willingly gives free programs about the cathedral to most any kind of group of club, lead pilgrimages to the cathedral, and encourage Kansans and Missourians to visit it on their own trips to the nation’s capital.

The NCA is a major financial arm of support for its work of daily worship services, the handling of huge national prayer services, educational outreach, music and all forms of arts.

Parkinson Support Group

Meetings: 2 p.m. third Tuesday of month, First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway.

Leader: Parkinson Advisory Board, 843-8692.

Membership: John and Shirley Pozdro, 4700 Muirfield Drive, Lawrence, 843-8692.

Group offers encouragement support, current literature on Parkinson and have medically informed speakers as resource persons. We are part of a nationwide network.

River City Women’s Club

Meetings: First Thursday at various restaurants in Lawrence.

Leaders: Andrea Welborn, president; Diana Dunkley, historian.

The club evaluates restaurants and searches for the perfect plate.

Cost/fees/dues: N/A.

Round Table

Meetings: Second and fourth Tuesdays through April.

President: Camilla Swenson, 3117 Campfire Drive, Lawrence, 66049, 749-3576.

Membership: Contact Swenson.

Cost/fees/dues: $5 per year.

The club has educational and social benefits.

SHHH of Lawrence

Phone: 832-1692.

E-mail: ldchaesc@swbell.net

Meetings: 1 p.m. third monday of each month, Babcock Place, 1700 Mass. St.

Leader: Pat Chapman, patlovescats@yahoo.com, 841-3758.

Membership: Gayle Sigurdson, ldchaesc@swbell.net, 832-1692.

The organization helps people with hearing loss with educational meetings, group sessions and speakers on hearing loss.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS)

Phone: 312-9164.

E-mail: velvetarol@aol.com

Meetings: 10 a.m. Fridays, Centenary United Methodist Church, Fourth and Elm streets.

Leader: Velva Rollins, president, 1900 W. 31st Street, No. N-10, Lawrence, 66046.

Cost/fees/dues: $20 yearly, $4 monthly.

The club is a low-cost, weight loss support group. It offers information, fellowship, incentive and encouragement in the weight-loss process.

Support Groups

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center Inc.

Phone: 843-9192.

Web: www.bertnash.org

Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, phones answered 24 hours a day.

Cost/fees/dues: Sliding scale fees.

The mission of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center is to advance the mental health of the Douglas County community through comprehensive behavioral health services responsive to evolving needs and changing environments.

Bert Nash Homeless Outreach Specialist

Phone: www.bertnash.org

Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, phones answered 24 hours a day.

Contact: Gary Miller

Cost/fees/dues: Sliding scale fees

The Homeless Outreach Specialist assists people with mental illness in locating permanent or transitional housing and has funding available to help with the costs. Adults with mental illness and housing needs may receive services.

Bert Nash Parent Partners

Phone: 843-9192.

Web: www.bertnash.org

Group meetings: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. first Tuesdays.

Contact: Charlotte Pessoni.

Parent Partners provides support to parents and families of children who have mental health challenges and serves as a consultant to the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center with the goal of continously improving the quality of services to children and families.

Bert Nash STEP Classes

Phone: 843-9192

Web: www.bertnash.org

Hours: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.. Friday, phones answered 24 hours a day.

Contacts: Laura Witt.

Cost: $35.

The seven-week parent classes, titled “Systematic Training for Effective Parenting,” covers such topics as understanding child behavior, communication skills with children and sensible discipline. STEP addresses parents with children ages 0-12.

Bert Nash WRAP Program

Phone: 843-9192

Web: www.bertnash.org

Hours: During school hours and after hours as needed.

Contact: Charlie Kuszmaul

Working to Recognize Alternative Possibilities (WRAP) places mental health professionals from the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center on-site in targeted schools in Baldwin, Eudora and Lawrence school districts to help youth have successful school experiences. The overall goal is to reduce absenteeism, discipline referrals, suspensions and expulsions and increase school success for at-risk youth.

Bert Nash YESS! Program

Phone: 843-9192.

Web: www.bertnash.org

Hours: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.. Friday, phones answered 24 hours a day.

Contact: Ruby McDavis.

YESS! links youth with members of the community to increase the individual child’s self-esteem through the learning of new skills and work experience. Volunteer and job activities connect youth with positive peers and adult mentors. Activities include task-specific mentoring apprentice mentoring, jobs and the Positive Peer Program.

Headquarters Counseling Center

Phone: 841-2345 or 594-6490 (from Baldwin)

Web: www.hqcc.lawrence.ks.us

Leader: Marcia Epstein, director, P.O. Box 999, Lawrence, 66044.

Trained volunteers and staff provide personal assistance through counseling, education and information services that are readily available to people in need. Anyone of any age can call or come in to the center to get immediate help with any concern, either through counseling or through referral to other helping services.