Can you help at Bug Fest, as a club tutor or in mediation and restorative justice?
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network provides information about volunteering locally. For a complete listing, visit BloomingtonVolunteerNetwork.org or call 812-349-3433. The inclusion of an organization in this list does not imply City endorsement or support of the organization’s activities or policies. Information and registration links for the following opportunities can be found online at BloomingtonVolunteerNetwork.org.
Bug Fest
Volunteer help is needed at Bloomington's 10th annual Bug Fest, happening on Saturday, Aug. 24, at Karst Farm Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will learn all about amazing insects, and enjoy various crafts and activities related to all things insect. Volunteers are needed 9 a.m. to noon, and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for five different roles: Welcome Table, Games/Activities, Crafts, Toddler Area, and Floater. Volunteers must be 16 years and up. Those under 18 must have an Underage Waiver of Liability signed by a parent or guardian and must bring it with them when they arrive for their shift. On-site training is provided. Bug Fest is also hosting a food drive for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank, visitors are encouraged to bring a canned fruit and/or vegetable donation, remember, most are pollinated by insects! Learn more, find the waiver link, and sign up at https://tinyurl.com/2024-bug-fest. Questions? Contact Emily Buuck at [email protected] or 812-349-3739.
Club tutor to inspire learning
You can make a difference for a child in our community by becoming a club tutor! Help a child learn and close gaps in math and language arts during the after-school hours at the Bloomington or Ellettsville Boys & Girls Club locations. Training and task support are provided, and background checks and interviews are required. This semester-long volunteer opportunity is for individuals 18 years and older. Training will occur in August, tutoring starts in September. Applicants should be able to: plan highly effective and flexible tutoring sessions, use visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning methods, tutor in math and/or reading across multiple grade levels, monitor student progress, provide feedback, and more. View the complete list of requirements and submit your application today at https://tinyurl.com/club-tutors. For more information, contact [email protected].
40-hour virtual mediation & restorative justice training
The Community Justice and Mediation Center (CJAM) is offering a 40-hour training program for community members interested in learning about conflict resolution, mediation and restorative justice. The training offers hands-on skill development combining role plays, exercises and lecture. Completion of the training qualifies participants to become volunteer mediators with CJAM. Zoom trainings are Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Oct. 1 from 7 to 9 .p.m, and Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Oct. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuition is $300 with an early bird discount of $275 if received by Aug. 15. A limited number of scholarships are available. Visit https://tinyurl.com/40-hour-virtual to register today! For questions contact 812-336-8677 or [email protected].
Community Wish List Spotlight
VITAL Wishlist for Adult Learners
Due to the high volume of tutoring requests, adult learners are often placed on a waitlist until they can be matched with a volunteer tutor. Providing books for learners allows free access to self-study opportunities while they wait. They are also helpful for adults with limited transportation or childcare who need flexible learning opportunities.
Donations: Items can be shipped at any time to: Monroe County Public Library — VITAL Program, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47408. Donations can also be made in person at the downtown library Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. or Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
Contact: Bethany Turrentine, VITAL Coordinator at 812-349-3173 or [email protected]
Featured Wishes: English for Everyone: Level 1 Coursebook, and Reading and Learning: A Handbook for Adults. Visit https://tinyurl.com/VITAL-wish-list to learn more about these books and place an Amazon order.
You can find current in-kind, material needs on the year-round Community Wish List at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org/communitywishlist.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Help at Bloomington Bug Fest, as club tutor. Train to be a mediator.
