Agency: Women’s Fresh Start Project

Contact: Patricia Roach Smith at proach@bertnash.org or at (785) 830-1735.

Women’s Fresh Start Project provides employment for women who are in transition, homeless, under/unemployed, or caught in the cycle of poverty. Fresh Start provides a safe work environment, job readiness and life skills training, a mentor/coach and an opportunity to experience success.

Fresh Start Project is looking for a volunteer to serve as Project Coordinator. Responsibilities include handling correspondence, oversight of sales and inventory, and working closely with board members and volunteers. For more information, please contact Patricia Roach Smith at proach@bertnash.org or at (785) 830-1735.

Musicians needed

Visiting Nurses Association provides hospice care, home health care, rehabilitation care, and private duty care. The agency is looking for volunteers to share their musical talents with residents at local memory care facilities, including hospice patients who may be living there.

Volunteers are needed who are willing to play piano, guitar and/or sing songs with residents. Volunteers should be comfortable “going with the flow” and responding to client reactions/needs. Visit once a month or once a week as you are able. Best visit times between the hours of 9-11 or 3-4. Please contact Sarah Rooney at sarahro@kansasvna.org or at (785) 843-3738 for more information.

Native plant sale

The Grassland Heritage Foundation preserves tallgrass prairie in northeast Kansas through education, stewardship, and land protection.

Support GHF by volunteering to assist with the annual native plant sale May 14. This is a very large event and volunteers are needed to help set up, tear down, help customers and restock plants. Two-hour shifts starting at 7 a.m. are available. No experience is necessary. For more information, please contact Kim Bellemere at grasslandheritage@gmail.com.

Supporting 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.

Community Village Lawrence is looking for creative, energized volunteers to serve on one of eight committees, including volunteer, membership, fund development, outreach, finance, services, and organizational support. Full descriptions of each committee can be found at communityvillagelawrence.org. Please contact Heather Cook at info@communityvillagelawrence.org or call (785) 505-0187.

Fair trade retail

Ten Thousand Villages-Lawrence is a nonprofit, volunteer-operated, fair trade retailer of artisan products from about 40 developing countries around the world. Ten Thousand Villages creates opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories to market through long-term, fair trading relationships.

Volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of tasks-customer service, fundraising, event planning, marketing, social media, and community outreach. All volunteers commit to working in the store a minimum of 8 hours a month. Flexible scheduling allows you to work when you can, utilizing your talents when your time allows. Contact the volunteer coordinator at Lawrence@tenthousandvillages.com to find out how you can impact the lives of those in the most need.

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 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 12-year-old boy on their waiting list. He enjoys going to the library and bookstores, and loves animals. He needs consistent contact with a role model.

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.