Agency: The Willow Domestic Violence Center

Contact: Megan Stuke, 785-331-2034, ext. 104 or mstuke@willowdvcenter.org

The Willow Domestic Violence Center provides safe shelter, advocacy and hope for survivors of domestic and family violence in Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson Counties. The Willow has many ongoing volunteer opportunities including Administrative Office Assistant, Shelter Advocate, Community Educator, Community Advocate, Marketing and Publicity, Court Advocate, Special Events and Projects, Child Activities Assistant, and more. The volunteer opportunities require varying levels of training, ranging from six to 40 hours, depending upon the opportunity. Please contact Megan Stuke at 785-331-2034, ext. 104 or mstuke@willowdvcenter.org for more information.

Teach Spanish

The Plymouth Language Program provides the community with low-cost classes in language, citizenship and culture. The Language Program is looking for interested volunteers to instruct community Spanish Classes at Plymouth Congregational Church. Beginner, intermediate and advanced classes are available. The interested volunteer should have experience speaking Spanish and be able to create lesson plans for the class periods. Guidance for the curriculum will be provided. Classes take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. We ask the instructor to commit to one day a week, either Tuesday or Thursday. Please contact Joshua Spain at plymouthesl@gmail.com or 785-766-0928 to volunteer.

Help seniors

Community Village of Lawrence helps neighbors remain in their homes as they age by creating a network of support to make aging at home a long-term, affordable option. Volunteers are needed to assist Community Village Lawrence with a variety of tasks for their clients including mowing lawns, sweeping walkways, and driving clients to appointments. Contact Ben Tasner at bentasner@outlook.com or 785-505-0187 for more information.

Offer aid

Visiting Nurses Association provides hospice care, home health care, rehabilitation care and private duty care. The agency is looking for volunteers for a variety of tasks. Patient Companions work directly with patients and families by providing needed companionship for patient and/or respite for primary caregiver in home settings or care facilities once a week. Friendly Visitors make rounds at local nursing homes served by VNA Hospice. CareCuts provide simple haircuts to hospice patients unable to leave their home. Massage therapists provide simple, light massage (no massage table/chair needed) to hospice patients. Musical volunteers share your talent with clients at care facilities one on one or as a group activity. Mandatory hospice training will be provided. No medical knowledge required. Very fulfilling experience. Find your purpose through service! Contact Sarah Rooney at sarahro@kansasvna.org or 785-843-3738.

Deliver meals

Douglas County Senior Services Inc. is committed to promoting quality of life for older citizens.

Volunteers are needed to deliver lunchtime meals to homebound seniors in Lawrence. This is a fantastic opportunity to deliver a hot meal, and a smile while making a big difference in the lives of local seniors. Delivery routes take less than one hour. Grab a friend, tag team the route, and then treat yourselves to lunch. This is a fun and easy way to accrue volunteer hours with your best friend. Lawrence routes run between 11 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday. You can choose a steady one-day-a-week assignment or a more flexible schedule. Volunteers drive their own vehicles. To help defray gas expenses, a reimbursement of $0.45 per mile is offered for miles driven on the meal delivery route in personal vehicles. For more information, please contact Jerry Guffey at jguffey@dgcoseniorservices.org or 842-0543.

Become a Big

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 serving Douglas County is looking for a male mentor 18 years of age or older to spend a few hours a week with a 6-year-old boy on our waiting list. This young man is energetic, active and loves being outdoors. He loves playing video games, riding his bike, and going to the park. If you are ready to make a difference in the life of a young person in our community, ask about volunteering today. Please contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at 785-843-7359.

— 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 volunteerdouglascounty.org.