VOLUNTEER CONNECTION

Serving the City of Las Cruces for over 40 years!
VOLUNTEER CONNECTION
THE NETWORK VOLUNTEER CENTER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
September, 2016
Volunteer Spotlight—Volunteer Dance Committee
We had a blast in August celebrating our volunteers at a combined Dance/Ice
Cram Social (see pictures below). But many people don’t know that our
dances would not happen if it weren’t for our amazing Volunteer Dance
Committee! Thank you for all you do!!!
Made up of five amazing volunteers—Jimmy Riley, Flora Seamans, Anna
Fernandez, Velia Autrey, and Jean Lopez—the dance committee helps to plan
for each dance’s music and activities, brainstorms themes, and decorates the
Munson Center dining room to get it ready for all the dancers. Along with
Recreation Services Leader, Jeneca Maya, the Dance Committee always
makes sure that we’re ready to have a fun time with all the snacks and prizes
to hand out to our monthly Dance Guests.
And while not an official “Dance Committee Volunteer,” Mr. Lajos Kiss is
essential in making sure people know about the upcoming dances, passing
out our dance flyers printed in both English and Spanish. Thanks Mr. Kiss!
Finally, an amazing shout out to Liz Ambrose, a long-time Network Volunteer
who helps at a lot of our Volunteer appreciation events. Thanks Liz for all
your help! Our dances and events would simply not be possible without all
our amazing volunteers!
In This Issue

Volunteer Spotlight

Food Distribution Update

Theater Volunteers

Volunteer Opportunities

Mariachi Conference

Big Brother/Big Sister

Munson Garden News
Pictured from L to R: Jimmy Riley, Liz Ambrose, Flora Seamans, Anna Fernandez,
Velia Autrey, Jean Lopez, and Lajos Kiss.
Jimmy, Flora, Anna, Velia, and Jean serve
on the dance committee that helps to put
on the dances each month, Liz helps at all
of our volunteer events! Lajos Kiss helps
to hand out dance flyers.
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Call to Action: Food Distribution Sites at our Senior Centers
On August 24th, Munson Center held its first food
distribution, provided in partnership with Roadrunner Food
Bank and Casa de Peregrinos. It was a huge success!
Over 50 people were provided food through this muchneeded program. We would like to thank Network
Volunteers Jim Schaefer, Anika Voris, and Cynthia Sigala,
as well as Kris Gomez of Molina Health Care and the local
LDS Missionaries serving Las Cruces for helping to make
this project happen.
We will continue to provide this service at Munson Center
on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, and we will be
adding service at an additional center each month until
December when all five centers will provide this service.
This will require many volunteers to make it happen!
Volunteers are needed for set-up/tear-down, check-in
interviews, food line volunteers, and helping with carry out.
In total, we will need anywhere from 15-20 volunteers at
each food distribution site each month. Groups and
individuals are welcome. Contact Ryan Steinmetz at 575528-3035 or via email at rsteinmetz@las-cruces.com.
Top to Bottom: LDS Missionaries, Elder Erickson and Elder Ensign helping on the
food line; Kris Gomez from Molina Health Care comes by to help; Network Volunteer, Anika Voris, helps to keep things organized along the food line; Roadrunner
Food Bank brings in a palette of food to hand out during the food distribution.
Theater and Storytelling Volunteer Opportunity
The Theater Department at NMSU is looking for a few volunteers to participate in two class sessions highlighting storytelling. It is meant to be an intergenerational activity, connecting college students from the theater department with
members of the community. We are looking for about 5-10
volunteers who would be able to attend both sessions.
The dates are not quite decided for this activity, but we are
looking at Oct. 27th, Nov. 1st, and Nov. 3rd for possible
dates. If you are at all interested, please contact Ryan
Steinmetz at 575-528-3035 or via email at
rsteinmetz@las-cruces.org.
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The Network Volunteer Center
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES—SEPTEMBER 2016 We have lots of places who have been waiting for a volunteer like you! Contact Ryan Steinmetz at rsteinmetz@las-cruces.org or 528-3035 to schedule a time to discuss
volunteer possibilities and to sign up for a volunteer orientation.
Codes Enforcement—Senior Programs is developing a partnership with Codes Enforcement and is looking for groups
of volunteers interested in helping with yard maintenance projects to help seniors in need. There are a lot of
seniors waiting on this list so this is a Priority Need!
Community Development Department—The Community Development Department at City Hall is needs volunteers
every day from 8-5 serving as a volunteer greeter and receptionist; looking to fill this need ASAP!
Human Resources Department—Volunteers are needed on an on-call basis to help with front-desk coverage.
Juvenile Citation Program—Office Volunteers and tutors/mentors are needed for this important program working with
youth in our community.
Las Cruces Police Department—The Victim’s Assistance Unit will be recruiting for a new group of CIRT volunteers
(Crisis Intervention Response Team). The new training of volunteers will take place this fall (most likely in September). Volunteers will receive extensive training to help respond to victims of domestic violence and other violent
crimes. Many volunteers are needed to help support this program. This is a great volunteer opportunity for those
who want to have a profound impact on people in need. It is a challenging placement and is a great professional
development opportunity for those wishing to enter careers in law enforcement or social work or retirees with experience in these fields.
Museums—All Museums—There is a huge need for greeters, tour guides, docents, and receptionists for these museums, and on weekends in particular. Museum volunteers are also especially needed for the afternoon hours.
Museum of Art—Volunteers are especially needed on Saturdays.
Railroad Museum—Volunteers are especially needed every other Saturday from 12-2, and every Thursday, 12-2.
Senior Programs: General
Front Desk Assistant —We are in need of front desk assistants to aide the receptionists in providing quality customer service for the seniors of Munson Center
Greeters—Volunteers are needed to help welcome our guests at the Munson Center to various programming activities held in the building. Tasks include checking in on groups to see if they need anything, tracking participation
in various activities, and garnering feedback for Senior Programs
Eastside Café—Senior Programs is looking to start an “Eastside Café” selling coffee and pastries in the mornings,
much like the Keyboard Café at Munson. Volunteers are needed M-F, from 8am-10am and would be setting up the
café and helping to sell items.
Spanish Translator—Our Senior Programs Office Assistant, Lisa Padron, is looking for volunteers who will help in
the Spanish Translation of articles that will be going in to our monthly messenger. Help us make our Messenger
more accessible for all of our community members!
Quilting and Crochet Volunteer Groups—Want to learn how to quilt or crochet and help the community with the
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items you make? These groups are for you!
Volunteer Opportunities September 2016 Continued
Senior Programs: Nutrition and Meals
Meals on Wheels Respite Driver—Help deliver much-needed meals to our senior population. We are in
need of a crew of volunteers willing to drive their own vehicles to help with “mini-routes” that will deliver food to our seniors. (Mileage reimbursement now available).
Food 4 Paws Program—This program helps to provide dog and cat food and other pet amenities to our
Meals-on-Wheels recipients. Drivers priority needed.
Papen, Munson, and Eastside Centers—Volunteers are needed to help at the centers serving meals
and helping with clean-up of tables, especially Thursday and Friday.
Food Distribution Sites—Beginning August 24, Las Cruces Senior Programs will begin conducting
monthly food distribution sites for needy families, starting with Munson Center and then adding a distribution site each month until all five centers provide food assistance. The Network Volunteer Center is
trying to recruit volunteers for this endeavor. Many volunteers are needed to help with set-up/teardown, check-in interviews, helping on the food line itself, and helping to carry out food bags/baskets
for seniors. We are looking for around 15-20 volunteers per site each month. Groups welcomed. Priority Need
Weed and Seed Program and After-School Programs—Working with Youth
Tutor/Activity Support—Working on tutoring and other programming with area youth through Weed and
Seed , especially needed for summer hours.
Mentor—Working one-on-one with a youth matched with you through the Weed and Seed program
Network Volunteer Center—The planning process for the 2017 Volunteer Fair begins! Volunteers are needed for the Steering Committee that will help in the preparation for the fair held in March of 2017.
Community Volunteer Needs
New Mexico State Theater Department
Looking for volunteers who are interested in participating in a storytelling theater workshop for two sessions in
late October/early November. Stay tuned for more details. Looking for 5-10 volunteers total who are able to
attend both sessions.
Mesilla Valley Community of Hope
The Mesilla Valley Community of Hope serves homeless individuals in our community. Volunteers are needed
to help serve area homeless individuals and families by serving at the front desk and connecting people to
needed services. New: Also, volunteers are needed to help with the Community of Hope Garden.
Mariachi Conference
Approximately 20 volunteers are needed to help with registration and presentation monitoring with the Mariachi
Conference happening Thursday and Friday, October 6-7. Interested volunteers can contact the Network to
get further details
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Mariachi Conference, October 6th and 7th
10-20 Volunteers are needed on Thursday
and Friday, October 6th and 7th to help
with registration tables, class monitoring,
and directing people to the correct classrooms. If you’re interested in participating
in this annual event, contact Ryan
Steinmetz at 575-528-3035, or via email at
rsteinmetz@las-cruces.org. Volunteers
will be coordinated through Clara Chairez
for this event.
Big Brothers Big Sisters need Volunteers
Big Brother/Big Sister has put a call out for more “Bigs” as their
waiting list has increased to over 30 area youth in need of mentors. If you enjoy spending time with kids and want to make a difference in the life of an area youth, please consider connecting
with this amazing organization. You can contact Dawn Starostka
at Dawn.Starostka@bbbsmountainregion.org, or by phone at 575449-2728. All it takes is 4-6 hours a month to be a mentor—YOU
cann make a difference!
Munson Center Community Garden Planting—Friday Sept. 2nd!
Our garden volunteers are resuming regular garden meetings on the third Wednesday of each
month. Our next meeting will take place
Wednesday, September 21st at 10:00 am They
will be discussing updates on garden plans for
the fall.
Special Thanks to Nancy Breard, Community
Garden volunteer co-chair, who arranged for a
Thrivent Action Team Event on Friday, September 2nd! This Action Team Event will take
place at the garden from 8:00-10:00 and will provide breakfast & t-shirts for the gardeners.
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We Want YOU to be a Network Volunteer!
Contact Us
The Network Volunteer Center is always in need of volunteers to serve their community in many different ways. The Network is open to people of all ages! How
can you be a Network Volunteer? It’s as easy as 1-2-3!
Give us a call for more information about volunteering
with the City of Las Cruces!
1.
Fill out a Network Volunteer Application. You can find our application online
through the City of Las Cruces website, or you can contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Ryan Steinmetz, at the contact information listed to the right.
The Network Volunteer
Center
2.
Attend a Volunteer Orientation. This is a brief orientation that only lasts an
hour-and-a-half; it gives you all the tools and basic training you’ll need in order
to be placed.
3.
Get matched to a meaningful volunteer experience. Once placed, you will receive training specific to your placement.
975 S. Mesquite St.
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 528-3035
thenetwork@las-cruces.org
Note: The City of Las Cruces does may require criminal and driving background checks depending on the tasks of the position. Volunteers under 18 will
need parental permission and may require parental presence to participate in volunteer service. Visit us on the Web! www.las-cruces.org/volunteernetwork
Ryan Steinmetz, Network Volunteer Center Coordinator
August’s Dance and Ice Cream Social Pictures!
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