Volunteer opportunities

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for children) is available to assist you with any questions regarding volunteer positions and your interest in becoming CASA volunteer advocates. Men are greatly needed to advocate for and be a positive role model to boys in the foster care system. Call Kate Kenney, 631-2272, to RSVP and receive an application, and visit its website at www.kerncasa.org for more information.

Garden Pathways invites you to become a volunteer and explore the possibility of becoming a mentor. Family to Family Mentoring has a heart to inspire hope and purpose within youth and adults in the Bakersfield community. Call Annette, 633-9133, for its next orientation date.

Epilepsy Society of Kern County is looking for volunteers to serve as receptionists and/or database entry personnel at its office at 5117 Office Park Drive from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Call Doug Valdez, 634-9810, for more information.

Consumer Family Learning Center has volunteer opportunities available for individuals who would like to provide peer support by leading a group or class. You may share leading an anonymous support group or a class such as public speaking, cooking or arts and crafts. Call Brigid Daly, 868-5074, for more information.

AHEADD (Achieving in Higher Education with Autism/Devel opmental Disabilities) is seeking volunteers to serve as peer mentors to college or university students with social disabilities. Qualifications include an interest in learning about Autism Spectrum Disorders; to serve as a role model for appropriate social behavior; be compassionate, empathic, patient and reliable; able to meet weekly with a client in different social settings; willing to debrief with AHEADD staff after social interactions with the client; able to observe rules of confidentiality; and can respect differences in other people. Contact Mary Noriega, program coordinator at mnoriega@aheadd.org, or 319-6279 for more information.

Reach 4 Greatness Mentoring Program is looking for volunteers to mentor youths up to 18 years old, one-on-one or in a group, tutor or help young people follow a career exploration resource program at local schools or at its office at 1225 California Ave. An initial training session, followed by an ongoing training program throughout the first three months of service, will be provided. Volunteers must be able to commit to serve one year, and must pass a background check. Call Alicia at 322-4673 to arrange for an interview.

Ronald McDonald House needs volunteers to help provide comfort and support to families staying there. Volunteers are welcome to help on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis; for two hours, four hours or more. Volunteers are especially needed for weekday mornings and weekends. Duties range from cleaning to yard work, relaxing with families to working on event preparations and everything in between. All House volunteers must be cleared through the Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Human Resources Department. For more information call the House at 327-4647, ext. 4290.

Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center Foundation is seeking volunteers to drive local patients to their appointments at CBCC. Volunteers using their own vehicle will receive mileage reimbursement. An interview and background check will be required. Volunteers must be 21 or over to apply. Call Michelle Avila for more information at 862-7145.

M.A.R.E. Therapeutic Riding Center would like to hear from volunteers interested in helping with its program. No horse experience is necessary. Volunteers must be 14 years old or older and attend a volunteer orientation to start. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Heidi Hays at heidi@mareridingcenter.com or 589-1877 for more information and orientation dates and times.

Optimal Hospice Care is inviting seamstresses, notaries, hair stylists, massage therapists, pet therapy teams, counselors, home and yard care professionals, musicians, singers/karaoke and compassionate people from all walks of life to join its team of caring volunteers in the effort to enhance the lives of terminally ill patients in our community. If you have a little time and heart to share, call the volunteer department at 716-4000 or email rfrankhouse@optimalcares.com to register for orientation.

Kern Assistive Technology Center (KATC) is looking for assistance raising funds to support programs. Duties include grant writing, supporting fundraising committee efforts, designing and implementing campaigns and reaching out to potential new donors using mail, email and social media and in person. Contact Aaron, 852-3291, for more information.

For more volunteer opportunities, call the Volunteer Center of Kern County at 395-9787 or visit Volunteercenter.info. To get included in this list, call the center or enroll via its website by clicking on "organizations register here."