Agency: Douglas County Court Appointed Special Advocates

Contact: 832-5172

Douglas County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) seeks volunteers for an upcoming training class.

CASA volunteers are trained to advocate for children who have been abused or neglected and are under protection of the juvenile court. They are appointed by a judge to meet regularly with a child, review records and talk to those involved in the child’s case. They monitor the situation so the child remains safe until a permanent resolution is reached and make recommendations to the judge to promote the child’s best interests.

Training for new volunteers will take place from mid-June to mid-July. Prospective volunteers must be 21 years or older, have an interest in children, have good social and writing skills, have the ability to be objective, submit to background checks and be able to commit to a minimum of one year of service.

Interested volunteers should visit the CASA Web site, www.orgsites.com/ks/douglascountycasa, to download an application or contact the office for an application. To be considered for this training session, applications must be received at the office by June 7. For more information, call 832-5172 or e-mail casa@douglas-county.com.

Immediate volunteer needs

¢ Trinity In-Home Care seeks a volunteer to work with a Lawrence man who is legally blind. Commitment is from two to four hours a week and the time and day are flexible. Duties include reading, cooking, sorting clothing and providing transportation. Interested individuals may contact Kelly at 842-3159 or kelly@trinityinhomecare.com.

¢ The Lawrence Arts Center is recruiting volunteers to assist with its summer youth art education classes. Opportunities to share art skills, including ceramics, painting and photography, occur weekday mornings and afternoons. Artistic expertise is not required. For more information, contact Laura Rose at 843-2787.

¢ Lawrence Public Library is looking for volunteers ages 13 to 18 to work at the library this summer. Jobs include assisting with children’s programming, cleaning books and doing other miscellaneous tasks. Interested teens should attend an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday or 1 p.m. Saturday. For more information, contact Maria Butler at 843-3833, Ext. 123, or mbutler@lawrence.lib.ks.us.

¢ Van Go Mobile Arts is planning its annual What Floats Your Boat? fundraiser and is seeking volunteers to assist with creation of invitations and to work on the day of the event. All volunteers are invited to an invitation coloring party from noon to 5 p.m. Friday and are asked to register in advance by calling 842-3797.

On June 17, the day of the fundraiser, volunteers are needed to help take down tables and chairs beginning at 10 p.m. Volunteers will receive free admission to the fundraiser, including food, drinks and dancing to the band $ellout. Interested volunteers must be 21 or older and can visit www.van-go.org for more information.

¢ The Strategic Education Center is seeking community-minded individuals to join its board of directors. Previous experience in fundraising is a plus. A three-year time commitment and attendance at monthly board meetings and committee meeting are required. The center is a nonprofit tutoring resource dedicated to assisting learners of all ages and backgrounds. The center has provided tutoring and small class instruction to more than 800 local learners since 2001. For more information, contact director Rose Eiesland Foster at 331-3236.

¢ The Heartland Medical Clinic, a family practice and urgent care facility for underinsured patients, is looking for experienced medical professionals who can volunteer a full or half-day each week. Volunteers must have a positive attitude and patience working with students. The clinic is seeking lab technicians, medical assistants, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, X-ray technicians or sonographers. Individuals with medical clerical skills also are needed. For more information, contact Pat at 841-7297 during the day or at 843-1758 evenings.

¢ Lawrence Community Theatre is looking for volunteers during its production of “George M!” which opens June 9 and runs through June 25. Volunteers are needed for a variety of positions including house manager, box office and ticket table attendants, intermission host or hostess, and refreshment bartenders. For more information, call 843-7469.