At Home At School (AHAS) is a WSUV project in K-20 service learning and volunteerism. The lab school integrates courses in Education and is the site of internships, independent research projects, and volunteerism for WSUV students. Students from the BA and master's programs in Education, as well as English, Human Development, Anthropology, and Digital Technology are among the participants in the AHAS Scholars service-learning project with Americorp. AHAS is host to senior projects and includes Youth Advisory Board representatives from five local school districts. Volunteers are needed to teach or assist teachers in all areas of the AHAS curriculum, including visual arts, theatre, music, video story-telling and computer literacy, pre-engineering, and environmental science; volunteers are also needed to mentor students and for everything from office support to physical labor involved with moving, building theater sets, and other ongoing projects.

For further information, contact Founding Director, Susan Finley, at finley@vancouver.wsu.edu

The Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program is intended to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors. Volunteers are needed to mentor youth by meeting together for recreational activities a couple of times a month for one year.

Contact the Big Brother Big Sister Enrollment Specialists at 360-891-8382 or bbbsnorthwest@bbbs.org.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers are men and women from all walks of life who step forward to make a difference in a child’s life. Appointed by a Judge, they work as trained advocates for children who have entered the court system as victims of abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers investigate the child's situation, report to the Court, monitor case progress, encourage positive communications, and advocate for the best interests of the child. In many instances, the CASA volunteer is the one consistent adult in the life of a child, who has already lost so much by the time he or she enters an over-burdened system. Children with CASA representation generally spend less time in the Court system, less time in foster care, and have a better chance at a safe, stable home.

No experience is necessary to become a CASA. Volunteers are provided with extensive training and constant support. CASA volunteers are asked to make a minimum one-year commitment to the program and serve approximately 5-8 hours a month. Internships and other volunteer opportunities are also available. Men and Women from all walks of life are encouraged to apply and Spanish-speakers are especially needed.

Contact Emily Landis at 360-906-9150 or elandis@ywcaclarkcounty.org, or visit the Clark County Casa website. Para más información del programa, por favor visite el sitio en español.

The Lunch Buddies program was established to provide one-on-one mentors for elementary students who are experiencing changes at home, difficulty at school, or who just need a positive role model in their lives. Volunteers are needed to spend one lunch per week with a student at an elementary school.

Contact Barbara Nordstrom at 360-313-4725 or barbara.nordstrom@vansd.org for more information.

• Lunch Buddies Application Packet

The StreamTeam program is a volunteer based stream restoration and environmental education program of Clark Public Utilities. Not only is the StreamTeam committed to bringing salmon back to Salmon Creek but to facilitating meaningful, hands-on experiences in the community.

Volunteers are needed to help with projects that include native tree plantings, environmental education, water quality monitoring and maintenance of restored sites. Visit www.streamteam.net for more information.