Lutheran Child & Family Services

Lutheran Child & Family Services seeks men and women to serve as Mentors for at-risk youth living at Lutherwood Residential Treatment Center & School. We ask that our Mentors visit with their matched child at least 2 times per month. The Mentoring Program is designed to build a special relationship around the Mentor and the young person. Mentors must be at least 21 years of age and are allowed to take the matched child off of the LCFS campus to experience community activities. As a Mentor, you can:

•Show by example how one can be a productive citizen
•Involve the child in activities, sports, educational or civic events
•Introduce the child to hobbies and opportunities to help others
•Help the child experience the community as a safe environment
•Share interests, life stories and solutions to daily problems

Lutheran Child and Family Services (LCFS) seeks qualified and competent tutors to help youth age 6-18 who are residents of Lutherwood Residential Treatment Center & School. Over 50% of our children are behind their appropriate grade level in reading. The major goal of our tutoring program is improving each child’s reading skills. We ask that our Volunteer Tutors meet with their assigned child either every week or every other week. As a prospective tutor you must possess the following characteristics:

•Be at least 21 years of age
•A basic knowledge of materials covered in grades K – 12
•The ability to help a child set educational goals
•The ability to focus on the strengths of the child
•Conviction about the capacity of persons to grow and change
•A belief that education is a key that can unlock many barriers in life
•Able to maintain appropriate boundaries and to set limits in working with the child
•The ability to recognize and respond appropriately to cultural differences

Assist with office and administrative activities at your skill level including filing, research, computer work, reminder calls, stuffing envelopes, project organization and a variety of other projects. “Virtual Volunteering” (working from your home) opportunities also available.

Lutheran Child & Family Services seeks volunteers to assist at Sharing Place East and West, food pantries and clothing banks serving children and families in need. Located near 10th Street and Shadeland Avenue and 38th Street and Georgetown Road, both Sharing Place locations are staffed almost entirely by volunteers. Volunteer position days and times vary. Opportunities exist in the following areas:

· Sort donations of food and clothing
· Data entry on a computer
· Work directly with clients by performing triage (helping to uncover needs and to break the cycle of poverty)
· Organize food and clothing drives
· Answer phones
· Fill client orders
· Work at home to make blankets, quilts & infant layettes

Give the gift that keeps on giving! Donate toys, games, clothes, books, hair supplies, etc. for residents who arrive at Lutherwood late in December. Unused items will be saved and used throughout the year for residents' birthday gifts. Donate items such as TVs, DVD players, etc. that can be utilized campus-wide or can be used in a dorm or in a classroom. A specific Wish List of needed items will be provided by November 22, 2007.

Groups and individuals needed. Decorate the campus for the holiday season, wrap gifts that are donated to the children at Lutherwood, present at Sunday chapel, serve Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, hold a New Year's Eve campus party, assist in the Sharing Place food pantry and clothing bank or collect food for the food pantry, etc.

Donate items for The Sharing Place food pantry and clothing bank's "Christmas Store" where needy families can experience the dignity and joy of carefully selecting free Christmas gifts for their loved ones.