United Way offers summer volunteer program for youth

The United Way of Douglas County is offering area youth a way to stay busy this summer by helping the community.

Organizations hosting group projects

Operation Wildlife

Hidden Valley

Baker Wetlands

Penn House

Theatre Lawrence

Willow Domestic Violence Center

Ballard Community Services

Just Food

Lawrence USD 497 Farm to School

Sunrise Project

Registration for the volunteer program, Summer of Service, opens Wednesday. The program runs June 1 to July 31 and is offered for youth ages 12 to 18. There is no fee to participate.

The program exposes participants to the experience of volunteering and builds relationships between youth and community agencies, said Shelly Hornbaker, volunteer center coordinator for the United Way.

“It’s pretty much a win-win for everybody involved,” she said.

Luna Stephens, 14, is photographed with her mother, Melissa Freiburger. Luna participated in last year's Summer of Service program through the United Way of Douglas County. She worked with the Lawrence Community Theatre and with the school supply drive.

Participants can choose from various group projects hosted by local non-profit organizations for the eight-week program. Projects are scheduled 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, and each project lasts one to five days.

In addition to learning how to work in a group, the kids learn how the work they are doing fits into the big picture, Hornbaker said.

“We try to make sure that the kids understand their value in volunteering,” she said.

Spots in the program tend to go fast, Hornbaker said. To offer more volunteer opportunities, the United Way has added three projects to the program this year: Penn House, Farm to School, and the recently founded Sunrise Project. The Sunrise Project is in the process of purchasing the vacant eastern Lawrence property that formerly housed the Sunrise Garden Center.

Melissa Freiburger, co-director of the Sunrise Project, said youth in the summer program will focus on community gardening, including work in the Lawrence Community Orchard, 830 Garfield St. Freiburger, whose daughter participated in Summer of Service last summer, said she is happy to be able to offer another opportunity for youth engagement.

“Youth really want a way to plug in and learn new skills, be in new environments, and meet new people while doing something productive for the community,” Freiburger said.

As an alternative to the group projects, the program also offers more flexible internships, where participants volunteer individually with the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen or the Lawrence Humane Society.

Those interested in participating can apply online at www.VolunteerDouglasCounty.org. Anyone needing assistance can visit the United Way office, 2518 Ridge Court, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call 865-5030, extension 301.