COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Bilingual Make-A-Wish Volunteers Needed

We are in need of bilingual, Spanish-speaking wish volunteers.  The kids in our region that are Spanish-speaking will typically have a longer wait to be visited because of a shortage of Spanish-speaking volunteers.  The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Sacramento & Northeastern California is a charitable non-profit organization whose purpose is to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

If you interested in becoming a wish volunteer, please contact:
Diana Siers at 916-437-0206 or . 

Middle School Mentors in South Sacramento

James Rutter Middle School in Florin (South Sacramento)  is looking for successful role models who can inspire and guide students in making right choices and        reaching their highest potential in school. If you are willing to speak to students who are habitual behavior problems and are struggling academically or are willing to meet with students on a more regular basis please contact:
Vice Principal Richard Wall by phone at 422-3232 or at .

LINKS Mentoring Program

View the flyer (PDF) | Get the Mentoring Application (PDF) | Interview, Orientation and Training Info (PDF)

The LINKS Mentoring Program is seeking adult 2011/12 school year volunteer mentors to become positive role models for students at Hickey and North Area Jr/Sr High Schools and Calvine and Kinney Continuation High Schools.

This mentoring program is unique because it offers ongoing support to mentor/protégé matches by providing staff-facilitated, structured mentoring sessions each week.

Mentors meet with their protégés for one hour each week. Meetings and activities focus on specific themes, including Career Exploration/Job Seeking Skills, Interpersonal/Life Skills, Financial Savvy and Money Management, Community Service/Service Learning projects, Health and Wellness, and Planning for the Future.

Participating students have expressed a desire to work with a mentor to help them prepare for life after high school and have completed an application and orientation process. For information, application, contact:

Lindsay Cathcart at (916) 228-2565 or lcathcart@scoe.net

Ryan Miranda at (916) 228-2412 or rmiranda@scoe.net

Habla por un niño maltratado! Become a CASA volunteer and stand up for a child in foster care!

The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is currently seeking volunteers from the Hispanic/Latino community. We would greatly appreciate your assistance in sending this information out to your contacts and any groups that might be interested in learning more about helping a foster child/youth from the Hispanic/Latino community.  CASA empowers volunteers as the eyes and the ears of the juvenile court on behalf of children in foster care. Appointed by judges, CASA volunteers are matched with one youth at a time and commit to supporting the child during a stay in foster care. Foster youth often experience a lack of stable living while moving through the foster care system. CASA volunteers provide the consistency children need in order to thrive. CASA volunteers support youth with a wide variety of life skills, including issues related to foster care, school, social issues, sports, and community activities. CASA volunteers serve as a liaison between the child, the juvenile court, and the county child welfare agency. Hispanic/Latino children/youth make up the second largest ethnic group in foster care and the numbers are increasing.

The time commitment is 10 to 15 hours a month, on average, for is a minimum of a year. Volunteer hours are flexible, as there is no set schedule. Training is provided and no prior legal or social work experience required. CASA volunteering is a great opportunity for active retirees, students and working professionals. Bilingual volunteers and male volunteers are especially encouraged to apply.

Training and background checks are required prior to being matched with a child. An application, interview, and background check are also required for prospective trainees.

One of our orientation sessions is scheduled for Saturday, July 31st at ZOCALO’S, 1801 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95811-4104 between 10:30 am – 11:30 am.  Please join us for appetizers and refreshments and learn about our program and how you can help!

The other orientation sessions have been scheduled from 6:00-7:00PM at the Carol Miller Justice Center, 301 Bicentennial Circle, Suite 220, Sacramento, CA 95826:

Wednesday, July 21st
Tuesday, August 3rd
Wednesday, September 1st

PLEASE RSVP TO THE ORIENTATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND.  For more information contact:
Sacramento CASA at (916) 875-3011 or email lupe@sacramentocasa.org. Please include your full name, address, e-mail, and telephone number.

Do you want to become a Puente Mentor?

Over the years, thousands of professionals judges, doctors, and civic leaders have taken time from their busy schedules to serve as volunteer mentors to Puente students. In addition, hundreds of local businesses and community-based organizations have supported Puente by donating scholarship fund, hosting field trips to work sites, or providing in-kind resources.

Please complete the Mentor Profile Form and send to mapesor@crc.losrios.edu.

For more information click here.