22 | JULY 11 • 2024 J N G iving back is so good for the soul. When you volunteer in your community, you are making a direct impact on causes you care about, whether it’s food insecurity, animal welfare, saving the environment or something else entirely. As a volunteer, you can sign up for a one-time event or find something you enjoy on a regular basis. The possibilities are endless. Since Youth Arts Alliance’s founding in 2013, more than 10,000 young people, their families and supportive community members from across Michigan have engaged in healing-centered, high-quality arts programming. These opportunities are made possible by master-level, experienced teaching artists. YAA intensively trains and supports teaching artists to build curriculums in their areas of artistic focus. YAA prioritizes youth and families impacted by the legal system, particularly those who have limited access to arts experiences. YAA has offered workshops in creative writing, movement, theater, fiber art, music, mosaic, photography, illustration, comics, zines, printmaking, horticulture, mural-making, expressive arts and more. Short-term volunteer opportunities include setting up and/or tearing down an event, putting together artist boxes, etc. Long-term volunteer opportunities include administrative help, programming assistance, etc. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. To learn more, visit www. youthartsalliance.org/volunteer. Relive your camp counselor days at the Meer Center with Friendship Circle’s Adult Day Camp. From July 29-Aug. 9, 20 adults with special needs will be having a great time with trips, fun games, activities and much more. Volunteer roles for summer camp include general support, running an activity, supervising lunch or providing companionship for an individual participant. The camp runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and there are options to volunteer for a full or half-day. If you would like to get involved, email Mendel Shemtov at mendel@friendshipcircle. org. Harvest Heroes is a Forgotten Harvest volunteer group created to rescue food throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties and deliver it to designated food pantry partners. Each volunteer uses his/her own vehicle and gas mileage to complete the assigned route of 4-5 food rescue locations and 1-2 agency/food pantries within a 10-mile radius. Typically, the route is scheduled for once a week with an approximate three-hour commitment. Most routes start around 9 a.m. and are usually completed by noon. Sign up to be a Harvest Hero today by emailing Dan Burbulla at dburbulla@ forgottenharvest.org. Emagine Theater is hosting a Hunger Free Summer Drive in partnership with Kroger, iHeart Radio and Gleaners Community Food Bank to make sure children in our area have a Hunger Free Summer. Emagine Theater guests can make a financial donation to Gleaners and get a voucher for a small popcorn. Friendly and outgoing volunteers are needed to collect money (via QR code), provide movie vouchers and thank the donors. This position requires that you can stand for several hours. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and anyone under 18 must volunteer with a responsible adult. Saturday and Sunday shifts are from noon-3 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. throughout July and August at the Canton, Novi, Rochester Hills and Royal Oak Emagine Theaters. To sign up for a shift, email Julie Ptasznik at jptasznik@gcfb.org. As Oakland County’s only comprehensive program for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, HAVEN provides shelter, counseling, advocacy and educational programming to nearly 30,000 people each year. HAVEN has a ¾-acre produce garden onsite. It allows HAVEN to provide survivors with healthy food and programming around healthy eating and living. On Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.- noon, volunteers are needed to help get the garden ready for the new season. To sign up, email Kimberly at kliepshutz@ haven-oakland.org. If your organization is looking for volunteers, email Samantha Foon at samanthafoon14@gmail.com for possible inclusion in an upcoming column. Worthy organizations are looking for a helping hand. Step Up This Summer Samantha Foon Contributing Writer OUR COMMUNITY Help HAVEN of Oakland County get their garden ready.