BROOKINGS – Sarah Lippert, Brookings volunteer connections coordinator for the Helpline Center, recently announced the following opportunities for area residents to become more involved in the community through volunteering.

Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program, youth mentor

BCYMP is a community-based youth mentoring program that recruits, trains, matches and supports adult mentors for K-12 grade students in Brookings County. Volunteer BCYMP Mentors must be 18-plus years old, complete training, a background check and interview before being matched, and must commit to spending at least an hour a week for one year with their mentee. Currently, there are 36 males and 16 female students waiting for a BCYMP mentor.

Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership, volunteer income tax assistant

ICAP’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is seeking volunteers to assist clients with filing tax returns. 

Volunteers for Brookings County who are willing to assist individuals with filing their tax returns. Volunteers will be required to attend training and be certified. VITA offers eligible tax filers in Lake, Moody, Miner, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Clark, Lincoln, Turner, Codington, McCook, Grant, Minnehaha, Brookings and Deuel counties the opportunity to meet with volunteers trained by the IRS to process their returns. 

Eligibility is based on a household income of less than $56,000. All assistance provided is confidential, free and each participant receives copies of their return for record-keeping purposes.

SDSU Extension, Better Choices, Better Health volunteer leader

Better Choices, Better Health SD offers chronic disease self-management education workshops that are designed to help adults living with ongoing physical and/or mental health conditions and caregivers understand how healthier choices can improve quality of life, boost self-confidence, and inspire positive lifestyle changes.

 Volunteer leaders are needed. To become a lay leader, you will attend a four-day training session and agree to a minimum two-year commitment. You’ll receive a leader manual and complete training activities identical to those taught to workshop attendees. You’ll learn how to implement and administrate the program and complete a set of practice teaching assignments.

Children’s Museum of South Dakota, volunteer open house

Come and play in the museum at its open house and learn more about opportunities to share your skills with the Children’s Museum of South Dakota. Museum staff and current volunteers will be on hand to give tours and answer any questions. The volunteer open house will be held Jan. 21,  from 1 to 6 p.m.

For information on these volunteer opportunities, and hundreds of others in the community, dial 211 or visit www.helplinecenter.org.