‘You will learn how to teach…students who are both American-born and English language learners’

Good morning Prince William – Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince William is looking for volunteers to tutor adults who wish to improve their lives through literacy. Previous tutoring experience is not needed as their training series will give you all the skills needed to be successful. The next Tutor Training Workshop is Saturday, March 18th (8:45-4:00) with the follow-up on Saturday, April 1st (9:00-12:00). ‘

You will learn how to teach reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills to the students who are both American-born and English Language Learners. Both classroom and one-on-one matches are available. Please visit their website for further details: www.lvapw.org or call them at 703-670-5702. You will truly make a difference in their lives and our community.

· Don’t forget the Powell’s Creek Cleanup is this Saturday February 25th at 9am. Please dress for the weather that day. Cleanup supplies are provided. You’ll want to register for this event at: pwtsc.org/event/powells-creek-cleanup-Saturday-february-25-2017. You can call Neil at Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition for more info at: (703) 232-4037. It’s the perfect way to welcome spring.

· Prince William Conservation Alliance invites you to their Open House on Tuesday February 28th, 5:30-7pmwith a speaker on new storm water rules and the Chesapeake Bay. Their also having an Environmental Advocacy Workshop in Alexandria on March 18th. You can register on line for this at: audubonva.org. There’s their Annual Party with guest speaker Alonso Abugattas on March 12th in Woodbridge, 3-6pm and lastly there are bird walks on the last Sunday of every month at Merrimac Farm in Nokesville. Please call (703) 499-4954 or [email protected] to learn more.

· Mark your calendars for the 29th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup on Saturday April 8th – 9am-12 noon. Come be part of this huge event for clean land, safe waters and healthy lives sponsored by the Alice Ferguson Foundation. Please visit their website at: potomaccleanup.org to see all the locations and continuing opportunities throughout the month of April. Last year 9,465 volunteers removed 300,000 pounds of trash from the watershed! Please call Hannah at (202) 417-3524 to learn more.

· Historic Manassas is looking for volunteers to help with the Live Well Festival on Saturday April 22nd – 9am-2pm. Positions include morning directional to help get vendors situated from 7am-9am. Also needed is assistance with helping set up the Brunch from 9:30am-12:30 pm. Please call Erin at (703) 361-6599 to register for this fun event.

· How would you like to take a 2 hour lunch and do super stuff in that time? Being a Meals on Wheels volunteer driver to deliver a noon meal to homebound seniors is just the answer! Come be part of this wonderful team of volunteers who go out 5 days a week to share a warm meal and a friendly face. Volunteers are needed on both sides of the community, either picking up at the Woodbridge Senior Center or the Manassas Senior Center. This super activity only takes 2 hours or so making it perfect for a professional who can flex out of work for these 2 hours. You pick the day of the week or month best for your schedule! Please give Melodee a call at (703) 792-4583 to learn more.

· The Virginia Volunteerism and Service Conference Is May 16-17 in Richmond. This is a fun, worthwhile opportunity for volunteer managers from across the Commonwealth. It offers workshops, networking events and opportunities for service. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to learn from or share with others. Please visit their website to learn more at: virginiaservice.virginia.gov. This conference is a bargain so come invest in your professional development.

· The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is looking for volunteer’s age 55+ to transport veterans to their doctors’ appointments and perhaps stop by the pharmacy to fill a new prescription. There is an immediate need in the Woodbridge area! It’s a great way to say thank you for their service. The second need is to present life skills to 4th grade students who may be home alone for a short time period after school. It’s a fun curriculum and certainly a fun age to work with. Please call Jan at (571) 292-5307 for more info.

· If you are looking for other opportunities, please don’t forget to call my wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William. Jan can help you with the Retired and Senior Volunteer (RSVP) opportunities at (703) 369-5292 ext. 1, Shelley can help with any individual or group project and send you weekly updates if you’d like. Shelley is at (703) 369-5292 ext. 0, and Bonnie can help you with opportunities available in Disaster Preparedness at (703) 369-5292 ext. 3. Please visit our newly re-vamped website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.

Call to Action is a column written by Volunteer Prince William Director Mary Foley.