FortBendNow.com

Volunteer Fort Bend is looking for people who are interested in helping local civic and nonprofit organizations. 

Here are some current needs:

Amazing teens need you

Caring adults or families are needed to host international exchange students in January 2010. Hosting an exchange student fosters lifelong friendships and deeper understanding of other cultures.  Host families provide a bed, meals, as well as friendship, understanding, and a desire to share their American way of life with students in the 15 to 18-age range. All students speak English, are covered by medical insurance and have their own spending money.  This responsible volunteer assignment calls for an adult 25 or older, an application process and a background check.

Children First

Protect and defend the rights and well being of child abuse victims.  An agency based in Fort Bend County that works directly with the courts has many key volunteer assignments available. Some volunteers research placements for children who have been removed from their homes; others review foster care cases and make recommendations for permanent placement; still others work with families in which abuse has occurred.

Help families outfit school children

Assist a local school district with cleaning, sorting, and folding clothing donations for low-income families with school-aged children.  Coming by on Tuesdays or Thursdays between 9 a.m. and noon or Wednesdays between noon and 4 p.m., you’ll help bring order to what would otherwise be a chaotic collection of children’s garments and make the process of matching the various items to individual children’s needs more efficient.

Additional opportunities:

-         A Fort Bend area hospice program needs volunteers to provide support to terminally ill persons and their families.

-         Artists are invited to share their time and talents with at-risk children one hour a week for six weeks at local social service agencies.

-         Help price donations, stock shelves and assist customers at a new home construction resale store in Stafford benefiting Habitat for Humanity.

-         Help provide food, tutoring, and recreational activities for Pre-K and elementary school children in a Stafford child-care program.

-         Make friendly visits to a resident of a 24-hour care facility in Richmond for persons with mental disabilities.

-         Teach life-skills classes to residents of a women’s shelter in Rosenberg.

For more information on volunteer opportunities, call Volunteer Fort Bend at 281-499-9102, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Information on additional opportunities is available at www.VolunteerFortBend.org