PACER offers workshops
PACER Center offers useful free and low-cost workshops for families of children with disabilities. Register in advance. All workshops are at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, unless specified.
Fraser offers groups
Fraser offers a wide variety of classes and programs for families dealing with disabilities. Classes, which typically cost $30 per person or $50 per couple, are held throughout the region. Pre-registration required. Fraser offers a wide variety of classes and programs for families dealing with disabilities. Classes, which typically cost $30 per person or $50 per couple, are held throughout the region. Preregistration required. FFI: 612-798-8331 or workshops@fraser.org.
Volunteer with RSVP
Volunteers age 55 and older are eligible to receive free supplemental insurance, mileage reimbursement and other benefits through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) sponsored by Volunteers of America of Minnesota. RSVP/Volunteers of America of Minnesota and AARP Foundation need volunteers with good budgeting and organizational skills to help manage finances of older or disabled low-income individuals. Have a few hours a month to volunteer?
Money Management Program staff will train and match you with someone in the community. FFI: Money Management Program Coordinator, 612-617-7821
Give away that car
Autos for Arc can take old vehicles off your hands, give you a tax deduction and say “Thank you” for helping change the lives of people with disabilities. Autos for Arc accepts cars and trucks of any model and condition and other vehicles including boats (with trailers), RVs, ATVs, golf carts personal watercraft, motorcycles and snowmobiles. Within the seven-county metro area, Autos for Arc can arrange to have a vehicle towed free of charge. Call the toll-free Autos for Arc hotline, 1-877-778-7709, to arrange a pickup. Or drop off vehicles at a Value Village location. FFI: 1-877-778-7709, www.autosforarc.org
Be an English language tutor
Encouraging, enthusiastic volunteers needed to help adult immigrants and refugees learn English. By donating two to three hours a week, you can make lasting friendships and foster stronger communities. Ongoing training and support is provided by the Minnesota Literacy Council. The adult English language tutor program offers 12 hours of training, including materials adapted for blind and visually impaired volunteers. Ask about accommodations for other council programs. Contact Allison for details: volunteer@themlc.org, (651) 251.9110, or visit www.themlc.org/volunteer
Home care volunteers sought
Courage Center Volunteer Services is recruiting skilled volunteers with special “people skills” to serve as telemedicine volunteers working with primary care clinic patients. Volunteers work with Courage Center adult clients in their homes as a non-medical social support.
Through relationship-building visits and setting up for telemedicine (Skype) conferences with Courage Center’s Primary Care Clinic staff, volunteers can have a positive impact on a client’s health and independence by diminishing the unhealthy affects of social isolation; reducing hospitalizations; and empowering clients to manage their health care plan. Candidates will be interviewed through Jan. 12. Group training is held Tuesdays, Feb. 14-March 20, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. The flexibile time commitment is a 2-3 hour weekly shift, for a minimum of one year. FFI: Cathleen Godsall, Volunteer Coordinator for Healthcare Home, 763-520-0241, Cathleen.Godsall@CourageCenter.org
