Agency: CASA of Douglas County

Contact: Maria Butler at 832-5172 or at mbutler@douglas-county.org

Douglas County CASA is looking for volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for abused and neglected children who have been removed from their homes and are in the care of the court. CASAs monitor the case, attend hearings and meetings, submit reports to the court and advocate on behalf of the child. Volunteers must be 21 years old, submit an application, pass a background check and complete 30 hours of training. The next training session begins Sept. 19. For more information, go to www.dccasa.org and click on Volunteer, or contact Maria Butler at 832-5172 or at mbutler@douglas-county.org.

l Girl Scout volunteers do more than just give of their time and skills. They continue to build upon a legacy that has developed girls and young women into influential leaders and community members all over the world for 100 years. Troop leaders are needed at all grade levels, K-12, for the upcoming school year. Did you know that you don’t have to have a girl in a troop to serve as a leader? Troop leaders generally volunteer for a few hours each week running their troop meeting or activity, and a few additional hours in planning and preparation.  Training and ongoing support is provided by the Girl Scout Council. For more information about how to get involved in this wonderful organization, please contact Lori Hanson at 842-5427 or at lorihanson@gsksmo.org.

l ECKAN strives to identify and focus available resources to enable eligible families and individuals to attain critical skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. ECKAN is looking for volunteers to assist with school supplies sorting, packing and distribution. Volunteers are needed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1 and 4 to assist with sorting school supplies by grade and gender. Volunteers need to be able to lift up to 20 pounds. Two volunteers are needed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 5 to assist with the distribution day. Please contact Abby Estes at 841-3357 or at aestes@eckan.org, to volunteer.

l GaDuGi SafeCenter provides services to all people affected by sexual violence. GaDuGi is looking for professionals with financial knowledge and a passion for helping the community to join GaDuGi SafeCenter’s Board of Directors as a member of the Finance Committee. Individuals are needed who are interested in supporting and guiding the agency’s financial needs. It is an exciting time in the agency’s timeline. Motivated and energetic individuals are needed to join in on GaDuGi’s 42-year legacy in supporting survivors of sexual violence in our community. For more information, please contact Rachel Gadd-Nelson at 843-8985 or at www.gadugisafecenter.org.

l Visiting Nurses is a nonprofit organization providing home health care and hospice services for our community. Visiting Nurses Hospice seeks volunteers to pick up and deliver one Caring Cuisine Meal once a week to a hospice family. Caring Cuisine is a full-course meal donated weekly by Merchants Pub and Plate.  Most Caring Cuisine deliveries are in Lawrence and will be delivered on Thursdays around 5:30 p.m. Volunteers need to provide their own transportation.  Please contact Sarah Rooney for more information at 843-3738 or at sarahro@kansasvna.org.

l Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County provides one-to-one relationships for children facing adversity. Are you looking to make a difference in the life of a young boy in our community? For a few hours, a couple times a month, you can give a “Little” the invaluable gift of your friendship. Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking to match an 8-year-old boy to a Big Brother, Big Couple or Big Family. This active and energetic little boy has a fun sense of humor and enjoys baseball and all sports. He is open to exploring the community and doing many different activities. To make a difference in the life of this young man, please contact Stacie Salverson-Schroeder at 843-7359, ext 112, or at sschroeder@ksbbbs.org.

For more volunteer opportunities, please contact Shelly Hornbaker at the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center at 865-5030 or at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or go to www.volunteerdouglascounty.org.