Agency: Independence Inc.

Address: 2001 Haskell Ave.

Contact person: Ranita Wilks, 841-0333

Oct. 31 is National Disabilities Mentoring Day, which gives young people with disabilities the opportunity to visit work places to learn firsthand about career fields that interest them. Independence Inc. needs local mentors in different professions to provide one-day job shadowing and hands-on career exploration experience in Lawrence. This opportunity encourages young people with disabilities to develop skills and obtain the experiences necessary to compete in today’s economy, helping them develop goals.

Immediate volunteer needs

• The Run for Success and Family Fun Festival needs volunteers. This event will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at Clinton Lake Overlook Park. Volunteers will staff the run course, staff water stations, feed runners and help with cleanup. Run proceeds benefit the Success By 6 Coalition. The coalition aims to improve education by providing services to help parents with preschool-age children. Contact Jill Lohmeier at 842-6868 to sign up or for more information.
• Interfaith Caring Neighbors will conduct two separate one-hour training sessions for volunteers, at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 18 and at 10 a.m. Sept. 19. ICaN volunteers help seniors maintain their independence by supporting them with friendly visits, grocery shopping and tasks such as yard work and minor repairs. Call 749-2005 for more information or to reserve a seat at training.
• Habitat for Humanity is looking for a youth intern to help Habitat for Humanity raise money in the “Aluminum Cans Build Habitat for Humanity Homes” can collection program. This volunteer will establish collection box sites, regularly collect cans and recruit future drop-off sites. For more information, contact Linda Klinker at 832-0777.