Volunteer opportunities: Join the ranks with a national service program

Have you ever thought of taking your volunteer service to the next level? United Way of Douglas County encourages you to consider serving a year with a national service program. National service benefits include an education award which can be used towards student loans or future tuition. For service members age 55 and older, an option is to transfer the award to a child or grandchild for use within 7 years. The current full time award for one year of service is $5,645. Benefits also include a monthly stipend of approximately $900 after taxes, paid health insurance, the possibility of paid child care if needed, training, the experience of being part of a team in a local organization, and the experience of serving with other Americans across the country.

The following are National service opportunities in the Lawrence area:

• United Way of Douglas County is currently recruiting for 20 full-time AmeriCorps positions funded by the Kansas Volunteer Commission. United Way AmeriCorps members focus on United Way’s goals of Health and Self Sufficiency. They provide direct one-on-one or small group assistance to lower income adults who want to improve their health or find a job. We are seeking candidates with excellent people skills. Any prior training in the helping professions is a plus. For more information contact Linda Brandenburger at 843-6626, ext. 356 or at americorps@unitedwaydgco.org. Interviews will begin in May for positions which start August 1st.

• United Way of Douglas County is also currently recruiting for one full time AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) position to work on volunteer engagement with our education work group. The VISTA member will work on recruitment strategies to engage volunteers in United Way’s goal of all children being successful in school. Seeking a candidate with excellent organizational skills and the ability to think creatively. For more information contact Lori Johns, director of volunteer engagement at info@rhvc.org or 843-6626, ext. 357. Start date is mid-July or mid-August, depending on availability.

• The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence is recruiting for full time and part time AmeriCorps members to provide academic interventions and enrichment activities to students during the school day and after school programs during the 2015-16 school year. Contact Erika Zimmerman at ezimmerman@bgclk.org.

• The Lawrence Public Library is recruiting one full time AmeriCorps VISTA position to serve as its Volunteer & Grants Coordinator. The successful candidate will build a robust volunteer program for the library and seek out grant funding for programs that serve Lawrence’s low income community. Strong writing and people skills are a must. Join a great team of people who share the mission of bringing learning and information to everyone in our community. For more information, visit www.lawrencepubliclibrary.org/library-jobs. The position starts July 21, 2015.

• Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is recruiting for both summer positions and positions starting Sept. 1, for the Kansas Outdoor AmeriCorps Action Team. This group of AmeriCorps members serves the State of Kansas by performing environmental service projects in state parks and local communities, including Clinton State Park. Contact Cherie Riffey at 620-672-0745 or at cherie.riffey@ksoutdoors.com.

–For more volunteer opportunities, please contact Shelly Hornbaker at the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center at 785-865-5030, ext. 301 or at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or go to www.volunteerdouglascounty.org.