TRIUMPHS OF THE SPIRIT become regular occurrences for children with disabilities through a dynamic arts program that will in session on Saturday mornings from late January through mid-April at a community center near River Oaks. This program helps kids express their creative potential in music, painting, mime, drama, or sculpture. You don't have to be a professional to help in this process, just a caring individual willing to contribute an hour or more a week. Volunteers as young as 15 are invited to participate.
TURN OVER A NEW LEAF by helping tend a community garden that is used to produce vegetables for organizations serving the needy. The sponsoring agency will teach you all you need to know to seed, weed, and feed a garden successfully. Your commitment can be short-term or ongoing, and the hours are very flexible. There are community garden sites throughout Houston from which to choose. Minimum age: none, if able to do the work needed.
ADD A LITTLE WARMTH to your life by making blankets for infants and small children. An all-volunteer organization called Project Linus is looking for persons willing to create blankets for kids in distressed situations, particularly pediatric cancer patients. The blankets may be sewn, woven, crocheted, knitted, or quilted, and size doesn't matter. You can do the work at home and on your own schedule. Theres no minimum age for this volunteer opportunity.
GO ALONG FOR THE RIDE by volunteering with a program that provides therapeutic horseback riding opportunities for youngsters with disabilities. As a "side walker" you'll accompany these kids while they enjoy the special thrill of a horseback stroll in a protected environment under the guidance of physical therapists. The program has sites in Hockley, Spring, and Missouri City, and riding sessions take place on weekdays (during the daytime and evening) and Saturdays (during the daytime). The minimum age for volunteers is 14.
HOME REPAIR and yard maintenance volunteers are wanted by an agency that provides a broad range of services to low-income families in an area just southeast of downtown. Some of the agency's projects require professional level skills but many do not, and some are appropriate for youth involvement-- either individually or in organized groups, down to age 16. Projects are available on weekdays and Saturdays.
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FOR SELF-STARTERS: Visit elderly or disabled shut-ins. There's probably a nursing home in your area that would welcome your coming by to play games with residents or just chat with them.
