Volunteer! for May 27, 2012

Volunteer opportunities, provided by Volunteer! United (formerly Volunteer! Baton Rouge), are outlined in this column every Sunday. To learn more about these opportunities, contact the listed agency directly.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, Ochsner Medical Center-Baton Rouge — [phone]: Volunteer opportunities are available in the surgery waiting room, front information desk, and the patient registration and patient surveys areas. Participants will work in two shifts, 8 a.m. to noon and noon to 4 p.m., and are asked to volunteer for one shift per week. Clerical and greeter volunteers are also needed at Ochsner Clinic on Jefferson Highway and Ochsner Clinic on Summa and Picardy, both in Baton Rouge, and Ochsner Central Clinic on Sullivan Road in Central. For more information, call the above listed number.

LOOKING FOR A REWARDING VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE? GaitWay Therapeutic Horsemanship — Shelley Rose, [phone] or [e-mail]: GaitWay Therapeutic Horsemanship is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people of all ages with cognitive, physical or emotional disabilities through the benefits of therapeutic riding and hippotherapy. The faith-built, volunteer-based center has volunteer opportunities for those with and without horse experience. A comprehensive training program will be provided for all interested parties. For more information on how to become a volunteer, contact Rose.

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS? Hospice Compassus — Melissa Cothern, [phone] or [e-mail]: Hospice Compassus is seeking volunteers to help with activities hosted in numerous nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. Activities may include bingo, crafts, manicures, birthday parties, scrapbooking, etc. This is a great opportunity for students to get service hours. Volunteers are required to have a background check, provide their own transportation, and go through a free orientation process. Contact Cothern for more information.

LIKE SPORTS? YMCA of the Capital Area — Kristen Hogan, [phone], ext. 1104, or [e-mail]: The YMCA is looking for sports coaches to assist during its More Than A Game 10-week sports season. Sports include tackle football, flag football, soccer and basketball. Duties include one-hour coaches meetings, weekly practice and weekly games. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. A background check will be completed by the YMCA. If interested in this ongoing volunteer opportunity, contact Hogan.

SUMMER READING CLUB, The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge — Onya Carter, [phone] or [e-mail]: The Boys & Girls Club will operate summer enrichment programs reaching more than 900 youth throughout Baton Rouge. Each morning starts with breakfast and Harambee, meaning “lets pull together” in Kiswahili. Harambee includes a read aloud, chants, cheers, theme song and recognition of achievements or simple acknowledgements of good deeds. The Boys & Girls Club is asking community members to volunteer to read their favorite childhood book to club members. One will be provided for volunteers who don’t have one. Readers are needed from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday from June 11 through July 19. Summer Reading Club locations are Alaska Street BREC Park, Forest Heights Elementary School, Greenbriar Elementary School, Twin Oaks Elementary School and Park Forest Elementary School. Contact Carter for more information.

THE PHONE, Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center — Allyson Pardue, [phone] or [e-mail]: Do you want to help others by listening? The Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center is looking for volunteer crisis counselors for THE PHONE and Crisis Chat. The deadline for joining the upcoming training class is Friday . Main qualifications are the ability to be empathetic and nonjudgmental, and a willingness to learn. Training is about 60 hours. Once training is complete, a volunteer commitment of 12 hours per month for at least six months is requested. If interested, contact Pardue at the Crisis Intervention Center. More information, an application packet and a training schedule can be found at the website, http://www.brcic.org.