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May 2007

Last month I spent some time visiting with the executive director of The Bridge of Lubbock, Lisa Green.  I was impressed with all the activity going on in the old Posey Elementary School building at 1301 Redbud Avenue.   Part of the building is occupied by Lubbock Children’s Health Clinic, but The Bridge of Lubbock keeps the largest portion of the building open to a variety of daily activities.

One of the most successful programs they operate is the Second Helpings Lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  This offers a hot meal to anyone in need from 11:30 to 1:00 pm.  On Tuesday and Thursdays, the Clothes Closet is open and food voucher assistance is available from 10:00 to 2:00.  According to Lisa, volunteers are needed to help sort and arrange clothes, as well as fill out food vouchers.

As I was talking to Lisa, I could tell her heart was reaching out to me to find her volunteers for her greatest need.  She spoke passionately about the program Bridge 2 Success, a faith-based, teen mentoring program for middle school students on Monday afternoons.  She said the most important thing is consistency with the mentors.  For the teen, seeing the same person or people from week to week, and knowing that someone cares enough to come back, gives the student the opportunity to build relationships and work on life skills.  Lisa told me that consistency is not something that many of these teens have in their lives, but it is something that they desperately need.

Teens face a complicated world characterized by ever increasing pressures and decreasing stability at home and in their community.  At “Bridge 2 Success” they try to empower teens to reach their full potential in life.  They are committed to making a difference in the lives of teens in East Lubbock.  They are seeking individuals, churches, civic clubs, service organizations and businesses to share the vision.  Please consider becoming a mentor and supporting The Bridge of Lubbock.

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, 3601 4th Street, needs volunteers to be escorts and pathfinders at the lobby information desk.  Able-bodied volunteers may assist with wheelchairs if possible but not necessary.  Volunteers work one 3 to 4 hour shift one day a week (Monday – Friday) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Friends may volunteer in pairs.  Volunteers will attend a two hour orientation and work closely with front desk employees who team with volunteers to provide a safe and friendly environment for visitors, patients and students.

Do you love the smell of popcorn?  No sales or cooking experience necessary!  Only four hours per week and all the popcorn you can eat.  Be one of the most popular people in the UMC cafeteria.  University Medical Center needs volunteers to operate the popcorn cart.  Proceeds from the sale of the popcorn go toward the UMC Auxiliary Scholarship Fund for medical students.  The UMC Auxiliary uses volunteers in many other areas of the hospital, too.  Volunteers work at the information desk and may serve as messengers, who deliver mail and flowers to patients.  Greeters escort patients or family members to their desired location.  They also help in the Ronald McDonald Family Room, the gift shop and waiting rooms.  So there’s plenty to keep you busy at UMC.  They need lots of volunteers.

To volunteer, or for more information about these or other volunteer positions, please call the RSVP office at 742-2423.

HOW do I join RSVP?
Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 742-2423 and chat with Ronda Casey or Dana Bear about your interests. If you are not certain what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just the right job for you. Just mail in the enrollment form (requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!