UNASSIGNED RCRV PROJECTS

The mission of the DCS mentoring services is to reduce the risk of new offenses by engaging supervised (parole, probation or transisitonal) offenders with the community.

The program envisions a community in which every offender experiences nurturing one-to-one relationships and community support, which in turn allows each of them to develop their full potential, capable of making informed and responsible decisions as involved, law abiding members of our community.

Evidence based practice has shown that providing offenders with a positive role model is one effective way of reducing recidivism.

What does a mentor do?
Mentors are asked to provide offenders with a good example of positive pro social and legal behavior.

Offenders are often overwhelmed by such things as employment issues, educational needs, housing issues, treatment issues, and transportation problems.  Mentors can work with the DCS to address some of these concerns.  Mentors help to reintegrate the offender with their community.

An important function of a mentor is to introduce the offender to new leisure activities.

Mentors are good listeners and show the mentee that they care!

Mentor quote:  "Success in mentoring is a challenge.  If nothing else is accomplished, healthy seeds can be planted.  Compassion and good listening go a long way in creating a good relationship between the mentor and mentee"  Bob Smythe, Adult One-to_One mentor.

Mentor Requirements:  Complete an intake interview and thorough background check.  A staff person wioll provide a one hour training on the "Do's and Don'ts" regarding the mentor relationship.  All mentors are plaed with a mentee based on mutual preferences and itnerests.  The matches are same-sex.

Mentors are asked to spend 1 hour a week for six months with the mentee.  This is flexible and only suggested.

There are short term projects available as well.  A mentor can help an offender study for the gED, apply to trade school or community college, and do interfiew coaching

*  Must be 18 years or older
*  Pass background, reference, and DOT screenings
*  Have access to an automobile or reliable transportation
*  Have a current driver's license and auto insurance
*  Never been accused, arrested, charged, or convicted of child abuse or molestation
*  Do not use illicit drugs, alcohol, or illegal substgances.

Mission:  To connect children, ages 6 -17, which have a parent incarcerated or on parole or probation with a caring, well-trained adult mentor.

What does a mentor do?  Mentors help connect youth with resources, safe places, and structure activities during out of school time.

Mentees gain new skills and expand their experience beyond their families, schools, and neighborhood.

Mentors spend a minimum of 1 hour per week with the chld for no less than one year.

What are the results?  Research shows that quality mentoring programs increase a child's self esteem, social competence, regular school attendance, and academic achievement.

Mentor requirements:  Staff provides an initial orientation and interview.  If everything checks out, they will have a trining session.  Then staff will match the mentor with a child based on mutual interests and preferences.  The staff will continue to support the new mentors through a monthly training option and ongoing contact.

Must be 18 years or older
Pass background, reference and DOT screenings
Have access to an automobile or reliable transportation
Have a current driver's license and auto insurance
Never have been accused, arreted, charge, or convicted of child abuse or molestation
Do not use illicit drugs, alcohol or illegal substances.

Qualifications:
Graduate of an accredited high school or GED program.
Strong desire to assist others with their educational goals.
Ability to commit to at least one hour per week for a minimum of ten weeks.

Responsibilities:
* Work one-on-one with a student in various subject areas including reading, social studies, math, writing or English as a Second Language.
* Work with Education Coordinator, staff and student to set educational goals.
* No lesson planning is required; staff are available on-site to advise.
* Attend volunteer training session.

Hours:
Education hours are Monday-Thursday 9:00-8:00, Friday 9:00-4:00 and Saturday 9:00-12:00.

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Tutor please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at the Catherine McAuley Center, (319) 363-4993 or by e-mail volcoordinator@qwest.net. or visit our website www.catherinemcauleycenter.com

If you would like to be a part of this potentially life-changing assistance, please contact Marianne Wanerus at the Kirkwood Lincoln Learning Center, (319) 366-0142.

We have a few residents who aren't able to enjoy the system because of their physical limitations.  One stroke victim can only use one hand and her favorite game is a horse race requireing the the use of both controllers.  I would like to know if there is any way to make an adaptive device to use the Wii controllers.

Qualifications: handy and flexible schedule.

If you are interested in becoming a Maintenance Volunteer please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at the Catherine McAuley Center, (319) 363-4993 or by e-mail volcoordinator@qwest.net. or visit the website www.catherinemcauleycenter.com.

Qualifications:
Should possess good communication skills.
Basic knowledge of phone equipment.
Applicant should be friendly and enjoy people.

Responsibilities:
* Answer telephones and direct calls to the appropriate person or voice mail.
* Greet visitors.
* Aid staff in special projects as needed.

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Tutor please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at the Catherine McAuley Center, (319) 363-4993 or by e-mail volcoordinator@qwest.net. or visit our website www.catherinemcauleycenter.com

My name is Mary Clapp, I am the Commander of American Legion Post #298 in
Marion, IA. Our post is partnering with Honor Flight of the Quad Cities to send
World War II Veterans from the Linn County area to Washington D.C. to visit their memorial on November 10, 2009. Our target is to send 76 passengers including guardians on this once in a lifetime flight. And time is of the essence. We are in need of four essential ingredients to make this a success.

First, we are in need of volunteers. Caring people are vital to fill roles from office management, clerical support and setting up an Honor Flight website to assisting with parades, booths or speaking to veteran’s or possible donor organizations. If you would like to schedule a presentation for your group please call 373-5138.

Second, we are in need of guardians. Guardians play an important role on every trip, ensuring that every veteran has a safe and memorable experience. Duties include, but are not limited to, physically assisting the veterans at the airport, during the flight and at the memorials. Guardians must take special training and are responsible for their own expenses (airline fare, etc.) Current fee is $550.00.

Third, funding is critical. These flights are at no cost to the Veterans and are completely paid for by area donations. Our Veterans have already paid the greatest price. In many cases major gifts have enabled veterans to make their Honor Flight.

On Sat. Sept. 5th 2009, Legion Post #298, 625 31st Street, Marion, IA, will hold a Veteran Registration Morning from 9 a.m. to 12:00. We will also be providing applications for volunteers and guardians. Many times the whole family becomes involved. Applications are also available at www.honorflightqc.org and should be mailed to the address below.

Finally, we must raise funds from all over Cedar Rapids and surrounding community by Sept. 15th. This is the deadline for confirming the flight. Donations are tax deducible.
“American Legion Post #298” should be noted in the memo section.
Make payable to and mail to:
Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, Inc.
Ridgecrest Village
4130 Northwest Blvd.
Davenport, IA 52806

Your involvement is essential,
Mary Clapp, Commander
American Legion Post #298
ianurse@mchsi.com
319-373-5138

Please feel free to contact Laura with any questions or concerns.  She would be more than happy to help.

  Mission: We are a volunteer organization, based in Iowa, that provides hand knit, sewn, and crocheted clothing items to premature babies in neonatal intensive care units. Items are given free of charge to infants and    their families. In addition, we provide infant bereavement items such as gowns, layettes, blankets, and items of remembrance for grieving families.  We strive to provide warmth and comfort to critically ill, premature infants and their families.

Volunteer Activities #1: Volunteers will knit, crochet or sew preemie clothing and bereavement items. Some supplies may be provided.  Most volunteer hours can be completed on a volunteers own time at their leisure.

   IMPORTANT things for volunteers to keep in mind:
      1. Please use very soft materials.  This is extremely important!  Preemies have extremely sensitive,  paper thin skin that tears easily.  The nurses will not use scratchy items.  When in Doubt try the Scratch Test:

         Scratch Test: Rapidly rub the yarn or material on your inner forearm.  If the yarn feels scratchy at  all it will be much too scratchy for the premature infants.  When in doubt, just choose something else.

      2. Please do not use or donate wool.  Very important!  Many Preemies are allergic.  

      3. Please use acrylic/machine washable materials: The nurses will have to wash everything in the units before they can be used.  The items will go through the wash!  Be sure to always Pre-Wash your fabric before sewing!!

      4.  Examples of acceptable and non-acceptable materials.  These materials can be found at any craft store, such as Walmart, Ben Franklin, Hobby Lobby, Joann's Fabrics, Hancock Fabrics, etc.

          This is simply a guideline for choosing yarn:

             A. Examples of Acceptable Yarns: Plymouth Dreambaby DK, Wendy Peter Pan, Bernat Softee Baby,                 Bernat Baby Coordinates, Bernat Cottontots, Caron Simply Soft, Red Heart BABY ONLY, Lion Brand         Babysoft, Lion Brand Microspun, Lion Brand Homespun Baby, Pound of Love, Polarspun, etc.

             B. Examples of Non-Acceptable Yarns: (These are all too scratchy) Red Heart Sport, Supersaver and    Pompadour.  Pompadour Yarns are not acceptable.  

             C. Acceptable Material: Fleece, Flannel, Jersey, Soft Cotton Blends

      5. Please check the Measurements Guide, in the Brochure, when making your items.  Be sure that items in  a set will fit the same size infant.  Thanks!

Patterns:

You can find an extensive list of patterns on our website.  www.thepreemieproject.com  
Click "volunteer" at the left hand side of your screen.  Then click "patterns collection" at the top of the next page.

Other sites with preemie patterns: http://www.bevscountrycottage.com
                                                            http://www.p2designs.com/Links-CharityPatterns.htm
                                                            http://home.inreach.com/marthac/preem.html
                              http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/preemies.php

Donating Your Handmade Items:

      1. Where will your donations go?

              You will give your donations to Laura Aker to be organized and given to the facilities we  support.  All Iowa Chapter Donations will go straight to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics NICU and Touching Hearts Program.  We hope to branch out to additional Iowa Hospitals in the future. Please contact us with your suggestions of hospitals in need of our support.

      2. How do you get your items to Laura?

          A. United States Postal Service  (This is also Laura Aker's Home address)
             The Preemie Project
             2607 Flagstone Ct
             Coralville, Iowa 52241

          B. Set-up a time with Laura to drop your donations off at the address above.  Another option would   be to bring your donations to one of the bi-monthly chapter meetings or another event.  

          C.  Leave your items at one of our donation centers.  Be sure to include your name, address, email  and clearly mark the items as being for The Preemie Project.  It is VERY important that your items are marked for The Preemie Project.  We do not want them to be misplaced!

               Donation Centers

                    -Beads and Beyond (Cedar Rapids)
                     4333 Czech Ln NE
                     Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402-2337
                     Phone: (319) 743-3444

                   -Iowa City Senior Center (Iowa City)  
                   (Please leave your items in the gift shop.  If it's closed leave them at the front desk.)
                    28 S Linn St
                    Iowa City, Iowa 52240
                    Phone: (319) 356-5220
                    Website: http://www.icgov.org/senior/
                    Gift Shop: http://www.icgov.org/senior/eldercraft.htm
                    Email: Srcenter@iowa-city.org

                   -UIHC Volunteer Office (Iowa City)
                  (Take the F Elevator to Level8.  You can leave your items in the Volunteer Services Office.
                    200 Hawkins Drive, 8025 JCP
                    Iowa City, Iowa 52242
                    319-356-2515 Tel

      3. Please do the following with your items before donating:
         A. Wash them if they are soiled.  Please do not use fabric softener.
         B. Place each item or set in a separate zip-lock bag (This is to ensure that they will stay clean.)
         C. Place a filled out Donation Tag in with each item or set

            - These tags can be downloaded off of our website.  If you're unable to print the tags, you  can include the information you would like on each tag in with your donation.  A volunteer will copy this information onto tags for you.

            - Please write at least your first name and last initial on each tag.   You may write additional information you want the family to have, such as your full name, city and state.  

            - You may include a personal note on the back of each tag, if you wish.  Families are often very appreciative of these notes. However it is up to each individual volunteer to decide if they would like to include one.

            - Remember that the patients in the hospitals we support are of every race and religion.  So it is important that your note does not pertain to one religion.  It is always best to generalize.
For example: "Your baby is in my thoughts and prayers."  Is appropriate
             "Christ will take care of your little one."  Is NOT appropriate

         D. Please include your first and last name, email and home address with your donation.  Thank you!

Please Record All Preemie Project Volunteer Hours!

   We ask that volunteers keep track of all hours they spend volunteering for us.  This includes everything!    (knitting, crocheting, sewing, to time spent at meetings and events)  You will turn in your completed hours at the end of each month.  We then turn these hours into the UIHC Volunteer Services Office per their request.

   You can turn them in by way of the electronic form on the website:.     http://www.thepreemieproject.com/pages/13/index.htm

   Or turn them in by email to:
   volunteerhours@thepreemieproject.com

   We hope that you will turn in your hours so that we can accurately reflect the hours of hard work our  volunteers put into serving infants in need.  Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Volunteer Activities #2: Create Memory Boxes.  These will be given to families who have lost an infant to hold all of the memetos they will take home.
Please see the following site for more info: |
http://www.teraleigh.com/memoryboxes/index.html

More information on The Preemie Project can be found on our website:
www.thepreemieproject.com

We ask that volunteers try to attend our meetings and events if possible.

Please contact Laura Aker to be added to a list of volunteers.  You may contact Laura by phone or email:
Phone (319) 338-6129
Email: info@thepreemieproject.com

Trained volunteer representative payees serve people with limited income who have been designated as incapable of handling their own finances by the federal agency administering the benefit--usually the Social Security Administration.  The representative payee:

  maintains control over the benefits;

 signs all checks; and

 spends the money to meet the current needs of the client.

Trained volunteer bill payers serve clients with limited incomes who are still in charge of their financial affairs but need some help organizing their bill and checkbooks by

 helping the client to manage monthly income and expenditures

 writing checks for the client’s signature; and

 assisting the client with paperwork related to bill paying.

Volunteers can also assist with monitoring the client/volunteer records on a quarterly basis.

Volunteers who are interested in participating in the program should contact Linda Dearinger at 398-5559 or linda.dearinger@kirkwood.edu.  Potential volunteers must complete an application which includes references.