volunteering

Building a house book by book

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Most of us have heard about the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity or even shopped in their thrift stores called the ReStore. We know Habitat builds affordable housing for selected families who qualify. Did you know the houses they build aren’t built brick by brick, but book by book?

ReStore
Greeley ReStore, Photo by slc

A couple of weeks ago, I was browsing in one of my favorite thrift stores, the local Habitat ReStore. This particular ReStore has a wonderful used book selection. While purchasing another furniture refinishing project, I asked the manager if they needed any help shelving books. His answer was, “Let me introduce you to the man who works in the book section.” I met Steve, a retired gentleman, who had been volunteering for Habitat for many years. He showed me around and welcomed my help. I started volunteering the next day.

Belle the bookseller
Belle from Disney’s Beauty & the Beast

Now, feeling like Belle in the Beauty and the Beast, I am a bookseller and I am loving it. Steve does a wonderful job sorting, cleaning and shelving the hundreds of books donated to Habitat. Before I showed up, he didn’t really have time to sort fiction into categories like romance, mystery, and fantasy. That’s where I came in. Now, Steve and I sort books into specific genres making it easier for patrons to find their favorite books. We have also pulled several rare, out-of-print, and new books for special pricing and shelving.

An avid reader throughout my adult life and a former marketing coordinator at Barnes and Noble, volunteering as a bookseller at the ReStore suits me. Now, I am helping my local community by raising money to build affordable housing book by book.

Are you doing something in your community? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Volunteering – the game has changed

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I will find out when we are allowing volunteers into our schools as we would love to have you. 🙂

–School Principal, February 11, 2021

This is the response I received from a middle school principal after asking if I could help with reading development at her school recently. Children have been out of their traditional classroom setting for almost a year now. Has the volunteering game changed too? I can substitute at a school, but I cannot volunteer at one.

volunteering
readingpartners.org

Years ago, before becoming a full time high school teacher, I volunteered at a middle school in Loveland two days a week. I worked exclusively with four students, identified by a teacher, who were behind in their reading development. I tested them on their ability to recognize sight words, brought in materials for them to make their own flash cards, and brought in fun reading materials, like Shel Silverstein poetry, to read out loud with me. We worked one-on-one and we saw results.

Literacy has always been a passion of mine. My thinking is that if you can read well you can do anything.

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My first CASA anniversary

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CASA
Front of My CASA T-Shirt, Photo by slc

A year ago May, I was sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). In June of 2019, I received my first abuse and neglect case so this is my first CASA anniversary. That case is still active and may be for several more months. This extraordinary experience has given me the first chance to have an impact on the lives of young people, besides my grandchildren, since retiring from full time teaching in 2015.

CASA
Postcard from CASA Case Supervisor

The CASA program has always been on my volunteer work radar. Any news report of abuse and neglect of young people over the years has always shaken me up. One in particular was the case of Douglas and Leah Dyer that occurred in 2013.

Their daughter, 7-years-old and weighing just 37 pounds, couldn’t walk or talk when she was found “living” at home. One headline read, “‘Basically torture‘: Child abuse case causes outrage.” I still drive by that home a couple of times a month and that case still haunts me. That little girl touched my heart and soul. In 2016, a childrenshealthcare.org newsletter reported she was “walking, attending special education classes, and starting to speak in sentences through an electronic communication device.” But “she will require a lifetime of specialized care.” Her parents were found guilty of child abuse and sentenced to 15 years in 2017.

This week while researching the Dyer case, I discovered that the original caseworker in the case was also the original caseworker on my case. She is a dedicated professional who represented these cases with grace and genuine care for the young people affected by the abuse. The staff in the CASA office, which trained me, supports and guides me along the way. They are committed to being a voice for these young people. I have never worked with a more professional and caring group of individuals.

Strolling with a CASA child, Photo by slc

So what do I do as a CASA? The Larimer County brochure says, “We are a voice in court for abused and neglected children and a safe place in the community for conflict-free interactions.” But in reality I play, sing, skip, read books, run, listen, smile a lot, stroll, write reports to caseworkers, attorneys and the judge, talk with foster parents, research, find resources, attend meetings and court, advocate, advocate, and advocate. It takes dedication but I look forward to seeing my CASA kids every week and report how they are progressing. It is very rewarding “work.”

If you want to know how you can become a CASA volunteer, a Friend of CASA, or support CASA monetarily, check out the National CASA website. In Larimer County go to casalarimer.com.

Are you doing good by volunteering?

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volunteering
fgcsic.es

Seniors Find That Doing Good Is Good For You

The Brownsville Herald, March 17, 2017

“There are two things that older adults have in spades these days: time and knowledge. And both make them the perfect match for volunteering.

By giving back as little as two hours a week, or about 96 hours a year, older adults are discovering how to keep their lives active and healthy.

Research shows that seniors who volunteer can combat depression, stave off chronic pain, and boost brain power. In short, volunteering can promote longevity.

Still need another reason to get out and volunteer? With the number of volunteers age 65 and older expected to double in a few years, chances are you’ll reconnect with old friends and make new ones.”

The point is, there’s a volunteer opportunity for everyone, and it can be found with the simple click of a mouse.

Read more or download Doing Good is Good for You brochure