Johnson County Community College
Hope everyone had a good snow day! For those of you interested in service, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is sponsoring a couple service events this spring! Both events are on Fridays from 1-3pm. We will take JCCC vans to and from the locations so plan to be gone from about 12:30-3:30pm. Below is a poster with more information. Come sign the travel packets in COM 201 if you’re interested!
Stay warm out there!
I don’t know about you, but some of my best memories growing up were going to the library with my parents. When I was broke in college, it was a great way for me to always have something new to read and to rent DVD’s. In grad school, I was there almost every day doing research for my thesis. Now that I have nieces and nephews, I love taking them to the library for story time. The library is not only a center for learning, but also a center of the community. The Kansas City Public Library in particular has amazing programs that help the community and, of course, they need volunteers! Here are a few volunteer opportunities that came across my desk today:
Refugee & Immigrant Services & Empowerment (RISE)
Help KC immigrants and refugees learn English or become citizens. Commit 2-4 hours per week to help patrons increase English proficiency and more.
To find full position descriptions: http://www.kclibrary.org/community-services/immigrant-services/rise-volunteer
Digital Literacy Facilitators: Tech Coach
Help KC adults reach across the digital divide. Commit 4 hours per month to help patrons develop basic computer and internet skills, create and use email and social media accounts, build resumes and more. Morning, afternoon, or evening times are available Mon-Sat.
To find full position descriptions: http://www.kclibrary.org/techcoach
Outreach Street Team
(NEW! Launching in April)
The library is seeking volunteers who are passionate and enthusiastic about the Library and its importance to our patrons and local community. Commit 4 hours per month for 3 months. Volunteers need to be willing to learn about library resources, programs, and services. They should also be personable and comfortable working with diverse and vulnerable populations.
Full position description available upon request.
Geeks Wanted to mentor teens at the Southeast Branch
(NEW! Launching soon)
Recently, the Southeast Branch built a STEM lab that is intended supplement the tech science lessons students receive during the school day. The grand opening happens soon and volunteer mentors are being recruited by Andrea Ellis at 816-701-3733 or AndreaEllis@kclibrary.org
Happy Volunteering!
Make an impact this summer!
LIVE, LEARN, INTERN & SERVE in Washington, DC
June 2 – July 27, 2018
www.DCinternships.org/IPVS
The March 13 final application deadline is fast approaching for the Summer 2018 Institute on Philanthropy & Voluntary Service in Washington, DC. This comprehensive program focused on community leadership and service includes academic credit, an internship placement and fully furnished housing in the heart of Washington, DC.
This summer you can:
• Work with social entrepreneurs to develop community programs.
• Contribute to operations in a community-based urban food system.
• Lead enrichment activities for at-risk youth to propel future successes.
• Support victims of domestic violence as they rebuild safe and stable lives.
• Raise money and awareness for diseases that affect millions.
• Research nonprofit policy and report on agency programs.
• Provide hands-on training to jobseekers facing barriers to employment.
• Reclaim and revitalize urban green spaces for the local community.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP + SERVICE PROGRAM
Sponsored by The Fund for American Studies, the Institute on Philanthropy & Voluntary Service is an academic internship program held in Washington, DC for undergraduate students active in service and leadership on their campuses and in their communities. Our comprehensive program includes academic credit, an internship placement and fully furnished housing in the heart of Washington, DC.
LIVE in the heart of Washington, DC, just blocks from the national monuments, State Department and White House in fully furnished housing on the campus of George Washington University.
LEARN through a combination of academic coursework and professional development opportunities; earn 3 to 9 academic credits through courses at George Mason University and taught by top rated faculty.You will also engage in debate and discussion on issues in social entrepreneurship, poverty and more with prominent nonprofit executives, and attend exclusive briefings at key Washington institutions including the State Department, Peace Corps, Social Service Organizations, American Red Cross, World Bank, and foreign embassies.
INTERN with a leading nonprofit organization and work on the front-lines to solving local and national issues; our staff works closely with you to find the best internship match for your interests and qualifications.
SERVE the greater DC community through hands-on leadership projects, service activities and a student led grant award program.
APPLY BY THE FINAL DEADLINE – March 13
Apply by the March 13 final deadline. To start your application, visit www.DCinternships.org/IPVS.
We strive to make the program accessible and affordable to the best and brightest students regardless of financial status. Scholarships are awarded based on need and merit with over 70% of students receiving funding.
Questions may be directed to Kayla Anderson at IPVS@tfas.org or 202.986.0384.
Visit their website for more information. If you’re interested, contact Kelsey Davis: 913-291-1883.
TurnStyles Thrift of Catholic Charities is a lot more than just a thrift store. In 2017 they helped redeem over 4,600 emergency assistance clothing vouchers. Revenue from TurnStyles also helped serve 15,264 meals during the Kids Summer Food Program. It also allowed them to provide food, shelter, utility assistance, case management and financial education 4,403 times via their mobile resource bus. Because TurnStyles is a part of Catholic Charities, donations not only help eliminate waste and provide gently used clothing and household goods at discounted prices, but the revenue also supports other Catholic Charities’ programming.
TurnStyles is always looking for volunteers both from individuals or groups, long term or episodic.
Currently they’re looking for volunteers to help accept and process donations at their new
TurnStyles Thrift store at 135th/Nieman
For more information, visit their website and sign up today!
The Whole Person connects people with disabilities to the resources they need by supporting independent choice and advocating for positive change in the community. They envision a fully accessible community where opportunities and choices are not limited by disability.
Volunteer Opportunities Available
Assistance in our office on projects
Support at Fundraisers or Special Events
Internships
Special Events Community Outreach
Volunteer Guest Speakers
Read routine mail for blind and visually-impaired adults
For more information and to apply, click here!
They also have an annual art show, so spread the word! The Deadline is this Friday, February 9th!
Expressions Art Exhibition: 2018 Call for Artists
The Whole Person is seeking artists for our 8th Annual Expressions Art Exhibition. This is an opportunity for artists with disabilities to exhibit their work in a professional setting while making connections with the Kansas City arts community. Applications will be accepted from January 9 – February 9, 2018 at 5:00 pm (CST).
The exhibition, which will open April 6, 2018 at the Kansas City Young Audiences (KCYA) Auditorium, and will remain on display at multiple venues through February 2019. Selected artists will receive an honorarium.
Who can apply?
All artists with disabilities (physical, cognitive, mental health, or other) in the Greater Kansas City area are invited to submit their work for consideration. Both visual artists (2D and 3D) and performing artists (dancers, musicians, actors, and spoken word artists) are encouraged to apply.
What will participation in Expressions entail?
In addition to having their work exhibited at multiple venues from April 2018 through February 2019, selected artists will receive an honorarium and have opportunities to participate in professional development workshops.
How are artists selected?
Artists will be selected by a volunteer committee of arts professionals.
For accommodations or guidance on the application process, artists may contact Lea Klepees at 816-659-9403 or by email to lklepees@thewholeperson.org.
Apply three ways
1. Apply online
2. Email your information and images to expressions@thewholeperson.org
3. Mail your information and images to: The Whole Person, Attn: Expressions, 3710 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111 (Note: submission materials may not be returned to the artist)
The International Essential Tremor Foundation is an organization that provides hope to the essential tremor (ET) community through awareness, education, support, and research. Once known as familial tremor, benign tremor or hereditary tremor, ET is a neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs or trunk. Some people even feel an internal shake. ET is often confused with Parkinson’s disease although it’s eight times more common, affecting an estimated 10 million Americans and millions more worldwide. But essential tremor is more than just a tremor. Because of stereotypes and a lack of awareness, many people with ET never seek medical care.
They are always in need of volunteers to help put together information packs and event bags. Volunteers can also help spread the word by making follow-up calls to active Support Group Leaders and Community Ambassadors. Data entry tasks could also use an extra hand. Click here for more information about volunteering with IETF.
If you have a desire to help educate others about ET, contact Dawanna Fangohr.
Here is a volunteering testimonial from Ana Lim, a Student Engagement Ambassador here at JCCC. Ana is working towards earning the Civic Leadership Distinction and will be presenting about her experiences at the National Community College Conference on Service Learning & Community Engagement in Denver, CO in the Spring.
Last Wednesday, I headed to Happy Bottoms distribution center right after work, located at 14820 W. 107th, Lenexa. Happy Bottoms is a non-profit organization that works to provide diapers to low income families in the Kansas City Metropolitan area, and I volunteered to package diapers that evening with State Line Service League ladies.
As soon as all of us arrived, the Community Outreach and Volunteer Manager invited us to walk with her to the backside of the building where all the diapers were stored. Then, she told us what I did not expect to hear about diapers. Over the years, Happy Bottoms has witnessed that lack of diapers was one of the factors that culminated in neglect and abuse of babies, many of whom wear dirty diapers over a prolonged period of time, which causes health problems. This information struck my heart to the core. I didn’t think much about the importance of clean diapers up to this point, and I realized that sometimes making a difference in society begins with recognizing what most people (including myself) would consider to be a not-so-grand problem in the community, such as diapers.
I was impressed to see the different sizes of diapers Happy Bottoms provides to families, and packaging them with the amazing State Line Service League ladies was so much fun!
Happy Bottoms is always looking for volunteers throughout the year, and I highly recommend Happy Bottoms for any volunteers in the Civic Leadership program. Every baby and child deserves to wear clean diapers.
-Ana Hyo Young Lim
Student Engagement Ambassador
President’s Office
Happy Friday! The Overland Park Spring 2018 Recycling Extravaganza is looking for volunteers. Come help save the planet and enjoy some beautiful, spring, Kansas weather! The event is at JCCC in April and they need help directing traffic, unloading vehicles etc. If you’re interested contact Jim Twigg:
Jim Twigg
913-895-6273
Jim.Twigg@opkansas.org
In addition, the Center for Sustainability on campus will be doing the JCCC Bird Collision Study in March, April, and May. This study determines when and where birds are hitting the windows on campus. They need volunteers to walk paths looking for birds and the volunteers will be trained to tag, bag, and record data. If you’re interested contact Krystal Anton:
Krystal Anton
913-469-8500 ext. 4929
kanton@jccc.edu
This Friday, February 2nd, the office of Community Based Learning is hosting a Volunteer Fair in the COM building from 9am-1pm. If you’ve been wanting to volunteer but have questions about what is expected of you, what scheduling looks like, or how rewarding it truly is, this is your chance to come talk to local nonprofits!
Here is a list of agencies that will be attending: SAFEHOME, Ronald Mcdonald House, Bridging the Gap, Goodwill, the CLEAR program, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Lawrence Humane Society.
See you there!