[Volunteers] OVP Volunteer Listserve 2/6/06

[Office of Volunteer Programs]

Monday, February 6, 2006
OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS WEEKLY LISTSERVE
Brought to you by CUVolunteer.org, the most comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities in Champaign county.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. RSO Service and Leadership Workshop
2. Illini Mentor Program Orientation Sessions
3. Teach for America
4. Martin Luther King Elementary Tutors
5. American Cancer Society Day of Hope
6. Crisis Line Training Opportunity
7. Dominican Summer Public Service Project
8. Perfect Prom Project Donations
9. Habitat for Humanity / HOMEWORKS Pick-Up and Delivery Volunteers
10. OVP Facebook Group
 

1.  RSO SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
RSO leaders!  OVP is putting together a one-day workshop on Saturday, February 25 from 1 PM to 3 PM in 209 Illini Union.  This workshop is a fantastic and FREE opportunity for you and your organization to learn how to organize service projects on campus and in the community.  RSVP with your organization's name and your contact information to ovp at uiuc.edu by Thursday, February 23 at 5 PM.  Space is limited.  
 
2.  TEACH FOR AMERICA
You want to change things? Start here. FINAL INFORMATION SESSION: Wednesday, February 8 at 7 PM in 100 Greg Hall.  FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, February 17.  Learn more and apply online at www.teachforamerica.org.
 
3.  ILLINI MENTOR PROGRAM ORIENTATION SESSIONS
The Illini Mentor Program is looking for new mentors this Spring!  They need enthusiastic individuals to create meaningful and lasting one-on-one relationships with a local child in a fun setting.  If you love working with kids, this is a great way to get involved in the community as well as a great experience for your resume.  The minimum commitment is two hours a week at one of their community partnerships, both easily accessible by bus, and mandatory attendance at biweekly mentor development meetings at 7 PM on Sundays.  Anyone who wishes to become a mentor must attend a mandatory orientation at the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club Park Street Unit at 7 PM on either February 13 or February 21 as well as the first general membership meeting on February 12 at 7 PM in 100 Gregory Hall.  Please contact Membership VP Lauren Eichmann at leichma2 at uiuc.edu if you have any questions.
 
4.  MARTIN LUTHER KING ELEMENTARY TUTORS
Martin Luther King Elementary School is in need of tutors for their Saturday School program.  They are in the process of studying for their upcoming state tests.  Volunteers would be needed every Saturday from February 4 to March 4 from 10 AM to 12 PM.  Please contact Principal Jennifer Ivory-Tatum or Site Mentor Coordinator Alan Douglas at 384-3675 if you are interested.
 
5.  AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DAY OF HOPE
The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to help staff collection sites for their "Day of Hope" drive on Wednesday, February 22.  There will be collection sites throughout the area for community members to drop off donations.  The goal is to raise enough money so every cancer patient at the three area hospitals receives a Gift of Hope during the delivery week.  By giving the Gift of Hope, we will touch the lives of more than 1,200 patients.  The day will last from 7 AM to 6 PM and volunteers are needed for any chunk of time between those hours.  Please e-mail Jason McClelland at jason.mecclelland at cancer.org if you are interested in participating.
 
6.  CRISIS LINE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
The Mental Health Center of Champaign County has an exciting opportunity for individuals interested in volunteering with their 24-hour Crisis Line.  Volunteers help callers with a variety of situations, including providing resources and information, social support for individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, suicide prevention, etc.  Volunteers take Crisis Line calls from their home and must commit to 12 hours per month of volunteer service.  In order to participate in this training, volunteers must have the ability to take shifts during the summer months.
 
Crisis Line volunteers must complete an intensive training program consisting of a total of 20 hours.  The next volunteer training is scheduled for February 21, February 23, February 28, and March 2.  Sessions will be held at the Mental Health Center, and will run from 5:30 PM to 9 PM.  Potential volunteers must attend all four sessions, as well as two 3-hour on-the-job sessions.  
 
For further information, please contact Barb Bressner, Crisis Line Coordinator, at 373-2430 or by e-mail at bbressner at mhcenter.org.  
 
7.  DOMINICAN SUMMER PUBLIC SERVICE PROJECT
It's impossible for most Americans not to take for granted simple amenities that help to keep us safe from illness.  But there are areas even as near as the Caribbean Islands, where a lack of basic sanitation and clean water are just as commonplace as their presence is here.  The result is frequent, preventable illness and malnutrition for hundreds of children. If even a modest system of sanitation could be implemented, the quality of life for entire neighborhoods of families could be significantly improved.
 
Project CURE is looking for highly motivated, open-minded and personable student volunteers to aid in the development and completion of a public service project in the area surrounding La Romana, Dominican Republic. The trip would take place in July and likely last between six to nine days (exact dates and duration are to be determined).  Volunteers would aid in fund-raising for and the construction of low-maintenance, sturdy latrines to help give families a lasting means of disease prevention.  In addition, Project CURE aims to teach interested families to produce, package and sell soap, so that they may provide themselves with a readily accessible means of maintaining adequate hygiene and a source of supplementary income.
 
If you've been looking for a way to make a lasting and profoundly positive contribution, this would be a very promising opportunity for you.  Join the movement and help these families to build a community they can be safe in, and be proud of.
 
Please contact David Klein at daklein at life.uiuc.edu for more information.
 
8.  PERFECT PROM PROJECT DONATIONS
The Perfect Prom Project is ready to accept your donations of formal dresses, shoes, purses, and accessories.  These donations will be provided for free to Champaign-Urbana high school girls who may not be able to otherwise afford them.  There is a donation box at the Office of Volunteer Programs.  Other drop-off locations will be added as the school year progresses.  Visit http://www.uiuc.edu/ro/prom/ or the Perfect Prom Project group on facebook for more information on how you can help with this cause.
 
9.  HABITAT FOR HUMANITY / HOMEWORKS PICK-UP AND DELIVERY VOLUNTEERS
Are you looking for a fun and rewarding place to volunteer?  Habitat for Humanity's home improvement resale store, HOMEWORKS, needs you!  HOMEWORKS is currently looking for volunteers on weekdays to help out with donation pick-ups and merchandise deliveries.  The store helps raise money for local Habitat for Humanity home building projects, and is located at 40 E. University in downtown Champaign.  HOMEWORKS has 10,000 sq. ft. of furniture, household items, building materials, and appliances.  Everything is donated and the store is open to the public 6 days a week.
 
We are currently looking for Pick-up and Delivery Volunteers to help with donation pick ups and merchandise deliveries in the Champaign-Urbana area.  We use our pick up and box trucks, and we generally have a staff member drive, so a driver's license is not required.  We pick up donations of furniture, household items, appliances and building materials from area residents and local businesses.  All items are sold in our store and proceeds go to local Habitat for Humanity home building projects.  We are looking for volunteers during the following shifts:  Tuesday from 12 PM to 4 PM or 4 PM to 7 PM, Wednesdays from 12 PM to 4 PM or 4 PM to 7 PM, or Thursdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.  If you are interested please contact Angela Miller at 355-6460 x14 or homeworks at cuhabitat.org
 
You can also fill out a volunteer application online at http://cuhabitat.org/volunteer/volunteerform_homeworks.html 
 
10.  OVP FACEBOOK GROUP
Want more information on volunteer opportunities?  Want to connect with other volunteers?  Check out the Office of Volunteer Programs group on facebook.
 
Have a great week! 
 
Stu Schaff
Williams Intern
 
Office of Volunteer Programs
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
277 Illini Union (in the Student Organizations Complex)
Phone: 217-333-7424
E-mail: ovp at uiuc.edu
Web: http://www.union.uiuc.edu/ovp/