Vital Newsletter

. . . V.I.T.A.L. News

BCCS VITAL orientation do not worry. In April you April 2008 300 North Fair Avenue will have two opportunities to complete Volume 1, Issue 1 Hamilton, OH 45011 Module 1 of Orientation. Welcome to VITAL April 15, 2008 from 4pm to 6:30pm

Brett Richardson April 17, 2008 from 6pm to 8:30pm

Inside this Issue Welcome to the first V.I.T.A.L. News *Both April Orientations will be held at column! We are excited to begin 2008 Butler County Children Services, 300 Welcome with a new program dedicated to North Fair Avenue, Hamilton Ohio. If bringing in volunteers to work with our you are interested please contact Carrie 1 staff and clients. Our mission statement Jones at 785-5920. is simple “We are committed to Orientation News protecting children by strengthening 1 families. Through open communication, we will partner with Thank You the community to ensure quality outcomes for the children and families 1 we serve.” This is a wonderful opportunity and we are happy to share it 10 Tips on Volunteering with you! As the program develops, our Wisely 2 newsletter will provide more information to our volunteers, staff, You are VITAL clients and community members, about upcoming family events, developments 2 within the program, and new volunteer Picture courtesy of Liturgy of the luminous Additional VITAL opportunities. If at any time there is Mysteries opportunities information that should be included in 3 our newsletter, please submit that information to me, and we will get it out to the community. Again, welcome to our V.I.T.A.L. program. We are happy Thank You to have you!  A big thank you to Baskets of L.I.F.E. and Heavenly C Ministries For the World. It is a somber reality but the Orientation for truth is that many children served by Butler County Children Services do not volunteers receive the little luxuries that other children are privy to. VITAL thanks The first five VITAL volunteers Baskets of L.I.F.E. and Heavenly C checked Module 1 of Orientation off Ministries For the World for all their their “to do lists.” Module 1 of time, support, generosity and allowing Orientation provides volunteers with an so many deserving children the chance overview of the volunteer program. to enjoy all the fun and surprise March 18, 2008 was the first associated with Easter Baskets. orientation, but if you missed that

...... April 2008 A big thank you to Ms. Judith Stewart communications. For one of these a park or working with kids. Or, if for the absolutely amazing donation of positions you might decide to do you've been meaning to take a cooking Beanie Babies. Ms. Stewart’s donation something comparable to what you do class, try volunteering at a food bank was in memory of Ms. Barbara Davis. on the job during your workday, or that teaches cooking skills. something that you already enjoy as a 10 Tips on hobby. This sort of position allows you 5. Don't over-commit your schedule. Volunteering Wisely to jump right into the work without Make sure the volunteer hours you want having to take training to prepare for the to give fit into your hectic life, so that 1. Research the causes or issues assignment. you don't frustrate your family, exhaust important to you. Look for a group that yourself, shortchange the organization works with issues about which you feel 3. Would you like to learn something you're trying to help or neglect your job. strongly. You might already be giving new? Many nonprofits seek out people Do you want a long-term assignment or money to one of these organizations, who are willing to learn. Realize something temporary? If you are unsure and that might be a good place to begin beforehand, however, that such work about your availability, or want to see your volunteer experience. If you can't might require a time commitment for how the work suits you before making find such an organization, here's a training before the actual volunteer an extensive commitment, see whether challenging and intriguing thought: why assignment begins. the organization will start you out on a not start one yourself? limited number of hours until you get 4. Combine your goals. Look for the feel of things. Better to start out 2. Consider the skills you have to volunteer opportunities that will also slowly than to commit yourself to a offer. Many positions require a help you achieve your other goals for schedule you can't or don't want to volunteer who has previous familiarity your life. For example, if you want to fulfill. with certain equipment, such as lose a few extra pounds, pick an active computers, or who possesses certain volunteer opportunity, such as cleaning 6. Nonprofits may have questions, skills, such as ability in athletics or too. If you contact an organization with an offer to volunteer your time, you You are VITAL- Volunteer opportunities may be asked to come in for an interview, fill out a volunteer April 21, 2008 application, or describe your 7p-9p, Family Connections qualifications and your background just FAST meeting Child Care as you would at an interview for a Volunteers are needed to provide child care and help with crafts. For more paying job. It is in the organization's information please contact Brett Richardson at 887-4351. interest and more beneficial to the people it serves to make certain you May 8, 2008 have the skills needed, that you are truly 6p-10p, Stradford Heights Church of God, 4419 Nelson Drive, Middletown committed to doing the work, and that OH your interests match those of the Movie Night nonprofit. Furthermore, in volunteer During the FAST dinner at La Comedia, child care will be provided. It is a pirate work involving children or other at-risk night with Pirates of the Caribbean, crafts, a treasure hunt and much more! For populations, there are legal more information please contact Brett Richardson at 887-4351 by April 8, 2008. ramifications for the organization to Can’t volunteer time? What about donations? consider. Donations are VITAL to helping upcoming events be successful. Everything from snacks, drinks, cups and plates to crafting supplies such as glue, crayons, paper 7. Consider volunteering as a family. would be gladly accepted. Anything you could donate will be VITAL. When a family volunteers to work together at a nonprofit organization, the experience can bring them closer together, teach young children the value of giving their time and effort, introduce everyone in the family to skills and experiences never before encountered, and give the entire family a shared

2 ...... VITAL NEWSLETTER experience as a wonderful family o Museums, Art Galleries, and . . memory. Monuments .. Can’t volunteer 8. Virtual volunteering? Yes, there is o Community Choirs, Bands and Orchestras time? What about such a thing! If you have computer donations? V.I.T.A.L. access and the necessary skills, some o Prisons, Neighborhood Parks, organizations now offer the opportunity Youth Organizations, Sports Donations are VITAL to helping to do volunteer work over the computer. Teams, and after-school programs upcoming events be successful. This might take the form of giving free Shelters for Battered Women and Everything from snacks, drinks, cups legal advice, typing a college term paper Children and plates to crafting supplies such as for a person with a disability, or simply glue, crayons, paper are always gladly 10. Give voice to your heart through keeping in contact with a shut-in who accepted. Anything you could donate your giving and volunteering! will be VITAL. has e-mail. This sort of volunteering Bring your heart and your sense of might be well suited to you if you have humor to your volunteer service, along limited time, no transportation, or a with your enthusiastic spirit, which in physical disability that precludes you itself is a priceless gift. What you'll get from getting about freely. Virtual back will be immeasurable! volunteering can also be a way for you (Article courtesy of to give time if you simply enjoy www.networkgoods.com) computers and want to employ your computer skills in your volunteer work. Additional VITAL opportunities

9. I never thought of that! Many  Baby Sitting (on site) community groups are looking for volunteers, and some may not have  Clothing and Furniture Prep for occurred to you. Most of us know that the Depot hospitals, libraries, and churches use volunteers for a great deal of their work,  Adult and/or Child Mentoring but here are some volunteer  Movie and Game nights opportunities that may not have crossed your mind:  Arts and Craft nights o Day care centers, Neighborhood Watch, Public Schools and  Homework Nights Colleges  Stuffing envelops for mailings o Halfway houses, Community Theaters, Drug Rehabilitation  Budget classes for adults Centers, Fraternal Organizations and Civic Clubs

Retirement Centers and Homes for o What are the VITAL skills not listed that the Elderly, Meals on Wheels, you would like to volunteer? Church or Community-Sponsored Soup Kitchens or Food Pantries

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BCCS VITAL 300 North Fair Avenue Hamilton, OH 45011

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

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