Agency: Youth Volunteer Corps

Contact: Rachael at youth@rhvc.org or 865-5030

The Youth Volunteer Corps is a group of 13-18 year olds that does service projects around Lawrence. In the past year, members planted community gardens, hosted homeless birthday parties, made art with kids, walked dogs at the Humane Society and beautified Clinton Lake, just to name a few projects. We are starting the New Year with informational meetings at 6 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. Saturday at Java Break, 17 E. Seventh St. New and returning members need only attend one meeting to receive information regarding plans for 2009, and also to contribute service project suggestions.

Immediate needs

• Express yourself on Sunday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day SPEAK OUT! Write a speech, poem, song or story that reflects King’s life and message and share it with the community. Or read someone else’s work if you’d rather. How has King’s story inspired you? How does his legacy relate to your life? What’s your dream? Listen, speak, sign up to serve with an open mind and heart!

The event will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Emily at 865-5030 or programs@rhvc.org.

• Douglas County Homeless Point-In-Time needs more than 60 volunteers to assist in taking a census of our homeless population on Jan. 28. There will be two shifts, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Training is provided, and there are multiple ways to help. If available to volunteer, contact Paige at volunteer@rhvc.org.

• Safe Winter Walkways is calling for volunteers to be matched with Lawrence residents who are unable to shovel snow. Volunteers will remove snow from the public sidewalk and a walkway or path from the front door to the street. Volunteers are asked to commit to the remainder of the 2008-09 snow season and shovel each snowfall of 2 or more inches. If you are able, contact Dacia at daciam@sunflower.com.