|
From welcoming babies to
shoveling snow to
making decisions about spending three quarters of a million dollars to
helping offenders and victims come to terms about the impacts of crime,
there are a broad array of opportunities to become involved in community
service in Burlington. Please contact us to learn more or
become involved.
The Champlain Senior Center, Inc. has launched a new project to
provide older Vermonters and all other community members with
affordable, healthy meal alternatives. At two sites, new soup &
salad bars are providing participants with the fresh nutrients and wholesome
foods they need to stay healthy and active. To maintain this important
project, they need your help! From prep-cooking to set-up to dishes to
special outreach projects, there are many ways to get involved with this
significant initiative. Volunteers are invited to eat a free lunch with
the seniors and staff, and will gain valuable food service training in a
fun environment! They are looking for folks who can offer two hours of
their time, once or twice a week, at either site: The McClure
Multi-Gen Center at 241 N. Winooski Ave. or the Heineberg Senior Centre
at 14 Heineberg Rd. Visit
www.champlainseniorcenter.org for more information. To volunteer,
contact Yasmina at
cafevista@gmail.com or at 802-658-3585.
Community volunteers visit Burlington residents with newborns or
young adopted individuals to provide a Welcome Baby Bag, which includes
free gifts for family members and community resources to help new
parents be successful. For more information, contact Amanda Van
Vranken at 865·7182.
Join a team of Community Members meeting weekly to repair the harm
done by crime & conflict in our neighborhoods. The Burlington Community
Justice Center is seeking new Restorative Justice Panel Members to
represent the community in the restorative justice process where
offenders of low-level crimes make amends to the victim and community.
No experience is necessary to join one of these effective, fun and
dedicated teams. A commitment of 2 hours a week is all it takes. Panel
members are provided with training on restorative justice and conflict
resolution.
Weekly panel meetings are held: Wednesdays 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Thursdays
5:30 - 7:30 pm, Fridays 9 - 11 am. For more information contact
Jocelyn Juaire at 865·7589.
Victim Liaisons provide the link to a successful
restorative justice process. Restorative justice practices rest upon
cooperation of the victim, community, and offender. Victim Liaisons
contact victims, offer advocacy and referrals and support their
participation in the restorative justice process. Liaisons receive
Victim Impact and Advocacy Training and orientation to the restorative
justice process. Contact: Karen Vastine
at 865·7185.
 |
The Graffiti Removal Team is made up of community
members joining together in response to property crime. Groups go out
monthly to clean graffiti, replant gardens and fix broken fences etc.
- Join the Team and receive regular emails informing you of clean-up
opportunities.
- Become an Adopt-A-Block Volunteer by committing to
watch over your "block" and cleanup any new graffiti or
vandalism quickly. Adopt-A-Block Volunteers receive training and their
own clean-up kit. This is a great way to keep your street safe and
clean.
- Become a Team Leader and train to take out teams of volunteers
or school groups on graffiti cleanups.
Contact: Ita Meno
at 865·7548
|
CJC holds monthly sessions on the impact of party noise in our
downtown neighborhoods. Persons who have received noise violation
tickets, neighborhood residents, police officers and city officials
discuss Burlington's Quality of Life Ordinances and ways to improve
relationships between neighbors with a range of life styles.
Facilitators lead the sessions and assure that restorative principles
are met. Training and support is available. Contact: Karen Vastine at
865·7185.
Volunteers selected by the Neighborhood Planning Assemblies make
recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on how to spend around
three quarters of a million dollars each year. Contact:
Ita
Meno at 865·7172.
Help to clear sidewalks for the elderly and disabled. Contact:
Ita Meno at 865·7548.
Help Your Low- and Moderate-Income Neighbors File Their Taxes, Take
Advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and Get their Refunds
As a tax site volunteer, you:
- Work one-on-one with families
- Help families save money
- Receive free training to put on your resume
- Gain experience and confidence for future employment
- Get information to help you with your own tax return
- Make a HUGE contribution to your community
How do you get involved?
- Complete a self- paced, on-line link and learn training session
& pass the basic module certification test (available anytime at
your convenience, approx. 20 hours for new volunteers and 5 hours
for returning volunteers) AND/OR
- Attend classroom training sessions led by local CPAs and pass
the certification test (available at the beginning of January during
weekday, evening and Saturday hours, approx. 15 hours, principally
for new volunteers) AND
- Attend computer labs to learn how to use the Taxwise filing
software used in the program (offered on Friday, January 5 and on
Saturday, January 13)
Volunteers are asked to commit to working a minimum of three 3-hour
or 4-hour shifts at one of the sites. Times and days are very
flexible.
The Free Tax Assistance sites are a project of the Creating Assets,
Savings and Hope (CASH) Coalition (www.cashvt.org). CASH is made up of individuals,
local business, community service agencies and government agencies
working together.
Contact any of the following:
CVOEO – Burlington Site – Peggy Treanor – (802) 863-6248 x736
Winooski Site – Robyn Bahar – (802) 655-6688
Burlington City Hall Site – Ita Meno – (802) 865-7172
For more information about the CASH Coalition, or the overall free
tax assistance program, call Christine Curtis – Internal Revenue Service
- (802) 859-1050.
|
