Volunteer: Garden, write letters, learn mediation or help at Bloomington's ReStore.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network provides information about volunteering locally. For a complete listing, visit BloomingtonVolunteerNetwork.org or call 812-349-3433. The inclusion of an organization in this list does not imply City endorsement or support of the organization’s activities or policies. Information and registration links for the following opportunities can be found online at BloomingtonVolunteerNetwork.org.
Monroe County Youth Council Service Week opportunities
MCYC invites all Monroe County teens to be a part of Global Youth Service events every April. This year, MCYC has several opportunities for Monroe County high school teens to get involved.
Three Sisters Gardening with Hoosier Hills Food Bank: April 22, 4-6 p.m. Volunteer at the Hoosier Hills Food Bank Community Garden, get your hands in the dirt raising a Three Sisters garden, and learn about how growing food locally connects to addressing poverty.
Letter Writing & Book Packing with Pages to Prisoners: April 25, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Join Pages to Prisoners to support incarcerated community members' mental health, combat isolation and increase access to books. Volunteers will read letters from prisoners, package their book request and write a letter in response.
Restorative Justice Workshop with CJAM: April 26, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Ever been in conflict with a friend, parent, teacher or someone else you know? Join mediators from the Community Justice and Mediation Center to learn about restorative justice principles.
Visit the MCYC organization page at https://tinyurl.com/MCYC-Global-Youth-Service-Week to learn more, find listings for each opportunity, and get signed up today! Contact mcyouthcouncil@gmail.com for additional questions.
Hoosier Hills Food Bank garden volunteering
Come join the Hoosier Hills Food Bank Garden at Will Detmer Park. They have one acre of land where they grow food for our community. Everything grown goes to over 100 partner agencies in six counties. Groups of up to 20 volunteers are needed on Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon starting May 3 until Nov. 1. No experience or green thumb necessary. Volunteers should be between the ages of 8 and 85. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To learn more and sign up today visit https://tinyurl.com/2024-garden-volunteers. If you have any questions, please contact garden manager, Cory Lamping, at garden@hhfoodbank.org or call 812-334-8374.
ReStore volunteers
Ongoing opportunity every Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The ReStore has three different positions available each day, with each providing a slightly different ReStore experience. Volunteers are needed as cashiers, donation intake assistants and showroom assistants. Volunteers 14 years and older are welcome, customer service experience is a plus. Visit https://tinyurl.com/ReStore-volunteers to learn more about the duties and responsibilities of each position and pick the one that is right for you. Questions? Give Volunteer Facilitator, Ron Smith, a call at 812-331-2660, ext. 101, or ronsmith@monroecountyhabitat.org.
Community Wish List Spotlight
CASA Wish List
Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) mission is "To help ensure that the abused and neglected children of Monroe County live in safe permanent homes and have the opportunity to reach their full potential." Monroe County CASA is a volunteer-powered program that provides representation in juvenile court for child victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Donations directly benefit CASA volunteers and the children that they advocate for.
Donation Delivery Address: 320 W. Eighth St., Suite 201, Bloomington, IN 47404
Contact: Amber Shride, 812-333-2272 or amber.shride@monroecountycasa.org
Featured Wishes: gas cards, restaurant gift cards, Starbucks (or other coffee shop) gift cards, coloring books and crayons, journals and colored pens for writing, puzzles for all ages, and more
View Complete Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/casa-wish-list
You can find the year-round Community Wish List at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org/communitywishlist.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Garden, write letters or mediate at youth council, or help at ReStore
