If your New Year's resolution is to help out your community, consider being a volunteer for the agency, A New Leaf. Based in Mesa, this nonprofit provides a range of shelters, programs and services across the Valley to empower families and youth in need.
There are many ways you can help. You might coordinate a donation drive, lead an after-school program, or mentor an adult in improving his or her job skills - to name just a few volunteer opportunities. You can serve as an individual volunteer or as a group or even through an Eagle Scout project.
To volunteer, you must be at least 21 to help in youth residential programs and at least 18 for all other programs, submit an application with four personal references, commit to volunteering for a minimum of two hours per week for six months, and complete a time report each time you provide a volunteer service. Positions working with children also require a fingerprint/background check at a cost of $65. Volunteers helping at the agency's licensed child care facilities at La Mesita and Faith House and residential programs must also have a TB test and current health certificate.
To learn more, visit http://www.turnanewleaf.org/volunteer_opportunites_application online.
It could be your chance to help someone in need turn over a new leaf in the coming year.
• A Helping Hand is our weekly spotlight on a volunteer opportunity in the East Valley. Find other ways to help at www.volunteermatch.org.
