While Charleston is a smaller town, the number of ways residents can give back to the community is anything but.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Mid-Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), a mentoring program for children ages five to 17 that spans 11 counties, is actively seeking volunteers to match with more than 50 children currently waiting mentors, said Toq Lawrence executive director of Charleston’s BBBS.

BBBS volunteers can mentor children either through the community or school based programs, she said.

“For the community based program, a volunteer meets with a child once a week at the child’s home,” she said. “They take them out in the community and do activities with them for two to three hours a week.”

Lawrence said the school based program only runs for the duration of a school year. In this program, the volunteer usually goes to the child’s school during their lunch hour.

With both programs, mentors and children spend time doing kid-friendly activities, as well as developing personal relationships with each child, she said.

“They spend time talking to the child, playing board games, shooting baskets and doing art projects,” she said.

Lawrence said volunteers and the children can also participate in pre-arranged activities sponsored by Charleston’s BBBS around three times a month.

“Sometimes we go to an Eastern football or basketball game, a picnic or craft night, or holiday themed parties,” she said.

Volunteers are encouraged to visit with their sponsored child weekly.

Lawrence said all volunteers must go through a rigorous screening and background check before becoming a BBBS volunteer.

Each applying volunteer must have three references, an Illinois state police check and a local sex offender check.

Lawrence said volunteers are asked to commit themselves to the child they sponsor for a minimum of three semesters. However, she said many volunteers stay in touch with their sponsored children once the school year is over though letters or emails because of the strong connection created between them.

“They really get to be real siblings where they want to stay in touch and know what each other is doing,” she said.

For more information on BBBS, visit www.joinsomethingbig.org.

HOPE

The local domestic violence agency, HOPE of East Central Illinois, provides a variety of services, such as a 24- hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, traditional housing, individual and group counseling, legal advocacy and community outreach for Coles County and six surrounding counties.

Angie Hunt, housing program director, said volunteers could get involved with HOPE in both big and small ways.

“One of the great things about HOPE is that it’s a well-rounded experience,” she said. Depending on what someone wants do, they can volunteer time, fundraise or help with donation drives.”

Hunt said volunteers could also work directly with clients by answering crisis lines and providing supportive counseling after undergoing a 40-hour training orientation.

While most people that come to HOPE are related to domestic violence, the center encounters a wealth of other issues from all age ranges, from infants through elderly, Hunt said.

“We work with woman and children from all walks of life, all with different situations,” she said.

Other volunteer opportunities in the Charleston area:

Red Cross: Be a part of the local disaster response volunteers or help at the blood drives on Eastern’s campus. Call (217) 345-5166.

Habitat for Humanity: Work on construction sites building homes or off-site as a general volunteer. Call (217) 348-7063 for more information.

Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Services: Volunteers can work in clerical or guest relations positions or work with or work with the home care Meal Deliverers. Call (217) 258-2500 for more information.

Sara Hall can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].