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Volunteer opportunities 

03/16/2021 06:41:36 PM

Mar16

Looking to volunteer? Need a b’nai mitzvah project? Here are ways to help people in our community.

Nehemiah Court Observer Program
The Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development runs an ongoing court observer program to keep watch on how the court system affects individuals from communities of color. Several TBE members currently participate in this program and find it rewarding. Volunteers begin with a three-session training (now provided via YouTube) to familiarize volunteers with the basics of the cases they will be observing. The training covers how to use the Dane County Circuit Court calendar to identify cases to observe, how to follow along with the cases to complete the observation form, and how to submit the form.

Following training, volunteers observe the courts' handling of criminal cases and housing eviction cases. Currently this observation can be done from home, since court procedures are being livestreamed during the pandemic. Volunteers can observe as many cases as desired, with a modest minimum time commitment per month. To date, volunteers across Dane County have observed over 1,000 cases, and data is continuously being entered and analyzed. Volunteers have found the experience to be highly enlightening, and it has led to recommendations for changes in procedures. For more information, contact TBE court observer volunteer Lynn Silverman.

Jewish Social Services
JSS needs volunteers for no-contact delivery of groceries and other essentials, phone contact, and other tasks and projects.The need is particularly high for one or two volunteers to help with tech support. For further info, please contact Paul Borowsky at 608-442-4083.

JSS is launching its new refugee mentorship program, Aljirani Madison, and is now seeking volunteers! From the Swahili jirani and Arabic aljar—both meaning “neighbor”—Aljirani Madison is a six-month volunteering program that partners community volunteers with a local refugee individual or family to provide a warm welcome, companionship, and practical help. See here for a full description of the program. For further information, contact Sam Van Akkeren. Please note: partnerships will meet digitally for the foreseeable future.

Meals for Catholic Multicultural Center
The Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) meal program provides grab-and-go meals from the CMC parking lot. Our volunteers drop off food every other Wednesday to meet the growing need. We cook for 80+ people by sharing recipes and dividing up the work. If you are interested in preparing food at home for delivery to the CMC, please use this signup link. Contact Sue Levy you have any questions.

Healing House Meals
Healing House serves individuals without homes as they recuperate from surgery, illness, or childbirth. TBE cooks meals for the residents and staff on a quarterly basis. Our next week will be May 23–29, 2021. If you are interested in preparing food at home for delivery to Healing House, please use this signup link. Contact Cathy Rotter if you have questions or would like to be on the volunteer mailing list.

Porchlight Wish List and Volunteer Opportunities
The Porchlight Men’s Emergency Shelter has made the move from the Warner Park Recreation Center to First Street. Porchlight is always in need of ground coffee (like Folgers), hotel size toiletries, deodorant, and toothbrushes. Items can be dropped off at 306 N. Brooks Street and they will deliver to the shelter. See here for items needed, or contact Pam Robbins for more information.

Food Boxes for Madison School Families
The Thoreau Weekend Food Bag Program is part of the wider Madison West High Area Collaborative, delivering 250 boxes of food each week to Madison school children from the 14 elementary schools in the West High area. On Tuesday mornings, volunteers are needed to unload shelf-stable food and stock the pantry. On Friday mornings, volunteers pack large boxes of food and household goods for that day’s delivery. Masks and social distancing are maintained. This would make a great b’nai mitzvah project for a young person able to work in company with others.

There are also no-contact volunteer opportunities for drivers on Friday mornings to pick up supplies and deliver food boxes to family’s doorsteps throughout the west side of Madison. People with larger vehicles and those who are comfortable carrying moderately heavy boxes are encouraged. Volunteers can sign up on the United Way’s website. At present no other registrations or background checks are necessary. Contact Vic Levy if you have any questions.

April 16, 2024 8 Nisan 5784