Activate!

In this week’s segment of Activate! CASA volunteer and board member, Jim Shelton, explains the crucial void filled by CASA volunteers in an overtaxed foster care system.  The Department of Child Services is struggling to keep up as  more families are impacted by the opioid crisis. CASA volunteers fill an important void in case management of children in foster care. Volunteers …

The Ground Floor in the Monroe County Public Library provides a space for teens to gather, create community, have fun, and learn new skills. Volunteer mentors play a vital role by sharing their life-experiences and skill sets with teens, often providing a valuable “nudge” inspiring them to try something new. The Ground Space is open for teens aged 12-19. In …

In this episode of Activate!, we interview a few of the organizers of the Black Lives Matter Rally that took place in Bloomington earlier in 2016. Zoe and Peyton talk about how they were influenced by BLM rallies in other cities, and how that led them to work together with other members of the community to organize the Bloomington Black …

In this week’s Activate! – Mark Voland discusses the benefits of mentoring with Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS). As Executive Director, Mark knows first-hand the positive impact being a big brother or big sister has on the lives of children, and on the mentors themselves. There are currently 80 kids on the waiting list to be paired with a …

Spencer Pride supports the rural LGBTQI community in South Central Indiana and beyond. Listen as Executive Director, Volunteer Coordinator, and Treasurer Judi Epp discusses why our rural communities are in particular need of resources and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people. Spencer Pride cultivates compassion and community, and offers a range of services that are often …

Mary Richardson’s found a way to channel her love for animals into service in her community. Listen as Mary details the diverse services and educational opportunities offered by the Monroe County Humane Society and the positive impact on animals and the people who love them. For information on volunteering with the Humane Society, go to http://www.monroehumane.org/volunteer. Information about additional opportunities …

The Community Kitchen works to eliminate hunger in Monroe County by providing free, nutritious meals to those that would otherwise go without food. In addition, the Community Kitchen seeks to educate the general public about the extent of hunger in Monroe County. In this episode of Activate!- volunteer, Chrissy Geels, shares insights about the extent of food insecurity in our …

District 10 Pro Bono Project provides free legal services in Clay, Greene, Hendricks, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, and Putnam counties in Indiana. Listen as Sarah Waters describes this important work and the volunteer opportunities available for you to lend a hand. LINKS District 10 Pro Bono Office Assistant Basic Mediation Training New Leaf, New Life Front Desk

In this week’s segment of Activate, Brian Winterman describes the leap he took from “interest” to “action” to become a captain with the local chapter of the Bernie Sanders campaign, Bloomington for Bernie. Brian describes a transformation in the way he understands political action, and encourages others to become involced in causes you believe in. That’s this week on Activate! …

From the Activate! Archives: Local mom and activist, Rachel Guglielmo, discusses her work with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America; an organization originally founded by fellow Hoosier Shannon Watts. There are chapters of Moms in 50 states, and Rachel is active in the local, Bloomington chapter. Listen to Rachel’s empowering experience committing her time and passion for a …