Agency: StopGap Inc.

Contact: Dorothy Jenicke, 989-289-4821 or jenicked@gmail.com.

StopGap Inc. needs volunteers to help support the agency as it begins the youth empowerment outreach program to assist youths in their transition from foster care to the adult world. Volunteers are needed to act as wait staff for a fundraiser Wednesday. The event will be from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 23rd Street Brewery. For more information about getting involved with this new agency, contact Dorothy Jenicke, AmeriCorps VISTA, at 989-289-4821 or jenicked@gmail.com.

Immediate needs

• Headquarters Counseling Center is seeking caring people interested in training as a volunteer counselor. Learn more at one of the upcoming information meetings: 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt., or 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 at the Lawrence Public Library. For more information about Headquarters, visit headquarterscounselingcenter.org or contact volunteer coordinator Kristine Chapman at 785-841-2345 or hqdov@lawrence.ks.us. Volunteer counselors must be at least 20 years old with a minimum of 1 year of independent living from a parent/guardian.

• Ballard Community Services needs volunteers to help with its “Bfore B3 – Battle of the Bands” fundraiser at the Slow Ride Roadhouse, 1350 N. Third St., in North Lawrence. The event will be from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26. This will be the first fundraiser of its kind and serves as a companion fundraiser to correspond with Ballard’s main event, “Ballard B3 – Blues, Brews and Barbecue” in September. There will be two more similar fundraisers in February and April as well. Volunteers are needed to help set up the event, including some heavy lifting of music equipment. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old. If you like live blues music and want to help out, contact Eric Logan or Barry Richards at 785-842-0729, or eric@ballardcenter.org or barry@ballardcenter.org.

• The City of Lawrence and Douglas County Senior Services are looking for volunteers to sign up for their annual Safe Winter Walkways program. We’ve finally gotten a taste of snow this winter, which is a reminder that a bigger batch could get dumped on us at any time, and there are community members who are in need of snow removal assistance when it happens. Volunteers get matched to someone in need and commit to visiting their residence after each snowfall to help clear their sidewalks and driveways. If you’re interested in helping fellow community members ensure their walkways remain safe throughout the winter, please call 785-832-3338 or register online at lawrenceks.org.

• Brandon Woods is in need of volunteer “Friendly Visitors” to come spend time with residents. There are a variety of activities that volunteers can do with Brandon Woods residents, including providing manicures. For more information, contact Suzy Jach at 785-838-8000 or sjach@5sqc.com.

— For more volunteer opportunities, contact Shannon Reid at the United Way’s Roger Hill Volunteer Center, at 785-865-5030 or volunteer@rhvc.org, or go to volunteerdouglascounty.org.