Douglas County AIDS Project (DCAP) is hosting a volunteer orientation Monday night at the United Way Center, 2518 Ridge Court. The session runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

DCAP staff will be discussing all kinds of new opportunities for current and potential volunteers this spring. DCAP relies on volunteers to provide much-needed support in various ways, including helping with awareness days in March, staffing information tables, preparation for the annual fundraising walk in April, assisting in the office and more. Because of the nature of volunteers’ work and the level of confidentiality involved, all volunteers must complete a thorough application packet that includes reference forms, and attend an agency orientation and an HIV 101 Basic Training session. The first step to finding out more is to attend tonight’s orientation and find out how to proceed in becoming one of DCAP’s dedicated volunteers. For any questions, please contact Chad Steele at 843-0040 or dcap@sunflower.com.

Other immediate needs

• Douglas County Visiting Nurses is seeking a piano accompanist to provide music once a month. The Visiting Nurses hospice chaplain provides a “church service” on the second Friday morning of each month for Brandon Woods South residents. The residents like to sing old, traditional hymns, and while there is an electric piano at the facility, there is no one to play it during the service. If you are well-versed in playing traditional church hymns on the piano and can make a monthly commitment to provide accompaniment to the residents’ song services at 10 a.m. on the second Friday of the month, contact Sarah Rooney at 843-3738 or sarahro@kansasvna.org.

• GaDuGi SafeCenter Inc. is seeking volunteer advocates for its upcoming training. Advocates are a vital part of the victim-centered services that GaDuGi provides to community members affected by sexual violence. Advocates are on-call for one week at a time, every 4 to 6 weeks, and must commit to being available from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekday nights and 24 hours over the weekend while on call. Volunteer advocates answer crisis calls that can range from providing support and service referrals over the phone to accompanying someone to the hospital, police station or court. Volunteers are also provided regular opportunities to assist with prevention and education, community awareness and outreach services. GaDuGi SafeCenter’s next training will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the following dates: March 13, March 16, March 27 and March 29. Advocates must be at least 18 years old; own or have access to a car; have a cellphone with voice mail; be able to complete 30 hours of training and skill enhancement; have a commitment to providing nonjudgmental, supportive listening and empowerment-based advocacy for victims; and commit to at least one year as a volunteer advocate upon training completion. For more details about GaDuGi SafeCenter and its services, and for a volunteer application, visit www.gadugisafecenter.org, or contact Pam Lawrence at 843-8985, ext. 320, or directservices@sunflower.com.

• Lawrence Habitat for Humanity is in need of volunteers on a weekly basis for its current house build. Work days are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Volunteers are especially needed on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. All volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Contact Mana Uchida at 832-0777 or vista@lawrencehabitat.org for more information about the build site and any other requirements before volunteering. Do your part to complete the building of Lawrence Habitat’s 79th house for a local family!