Agency: The Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center

The Care Center provides support to anyone affected by sexual trauma and abuse in Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson counties. Volunteer advocates help run the 24-hour crisis line by providing crisis-intervention, counseling, medical advocacy, resource referral, etc. to victim-survivors of sexual violence. Volunteers may also assist with awareness and prevention education, community programming, and outreach services.

Advocates must complete a 40-hour Advocate training. We ask volunteer advocates to commit at least 1 year of service. The Summer Volunteer Advocate training begins July 5. Applications are due by June 26. The training will be on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. and on Saturdays from noon-3 p.m.

Apply today at www.stacarecenter.org/volunteer. For more information about volunteering with The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center, please contact Jared Konecny at (785) 843-8985.

Assist at StopGap

StopGap, Inc. empowers youths aging-out of foster care and at-risk youths in attaining ownership of their lives by providing them with a foundation of life skills to transition from dependence to independence.

StopGap, Inc. is in need of a volunteer to assist the executive director with general office responsibilities. Previous office experience required with excellent grammatical and typing skills. Conversant in Microsoft Office and Apple software and accounting skills are needed. The volunteer opportunity will run 2-4 hours on Tuesday and Thursday. Please contact Justine Burton at stopgapinc.org@gmail.com or at 785-856-7833.

Collect school supplies

The United Way of Douglas County brings community resources together to support a better life for residents by focusing on improvements in health, education, and financial stability.

The United Way is looking for groups of volunteers interested in making an impact on educational needs of local school children by adopting one of the 10 collection sites for the annual school supplies collection drive planned for July 16-17 and 23-24. Collected supplies will benefit The Ballard Community Center, ECKAN, The Salvation Army, and Penn House, who provide free school supplies to children in need. This is a great opportunity for business groups, civic groups, book clubs, groups of friends, or families. For more information, please contact Colleen Gregoire at development@unitedwaydgco.org or at 785-843-6626, ext. 340.

Help Visiting Nurses

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 opportunities.

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 Visitor volunteers visit patients at local nursing homes served by VNA Hospice. Volunteers are also needed to provide simple haircuts to hospice patients unable to leave their home. Massage therapists are needed to provide light massage. Musicians willing to share your talent with clients at care facilities are welcome either on a one-on-one basis or as a group activity. Mandatory hospice training will be provided. No medical knowledge required. Please contact Sarah Rooney at sarahro@kansasvna.org or at 785-843-3738 for more information.

Work at Theatre Lawrence

Theatre Lawrence partners with volunteers to create and deliver extraordinary theater and education programs that engage community members of all ages and backgrounds as audience members and participants.

Theatre Lawrence needs volunteers to help answer the phones and perform administrative tasks in the Theatre box office during peak sales periods. The box office is open 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday so the ideal time for this position is noon to 4 p.m. For more information, please contact Steve Fendt at volunteer@theatrelawrence.com or at 785-843-7469 X 211.

Be a Big Brother

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 of times a month, you can give a “Little” the invaluable gift of your friendship.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for a male mentor 18 years of age or older to spend a few hours a week with a young man who is very outgoing and enjoys doing things that keep him active. This young man is outspoken, loveable, compassionate and a great improviser. He does not have a relationship with his father and would benefit from having a Big who has a strong personality, enjoys being active and up to trying new things. 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 www.volunteerdouglascounty.org.