If you have ever thought about getting involved in community service, but weren’t sure where to begin, I would like to recommend the website www.iBelieve.us.

iBelieve is a coalition of ordinary people who are willing to believe they can make a positive difference in their community by reaching out to children and families … one person at a time.

Many children and families need help, but not just the help of a committee, an event, a program, or a check. People need hands and hearts reaching out, person-to-person. It’s not that difficult, really. It’s simply being a friend.

• Youth need caring mentors and healthy, safe activities
• Adults need information, resources, training and a supportive network
• Churches need members equipped to serve as the heart of the community
• Nonprofit groups must maximize their impact by sharing resources and working together
• Business leaders should support the people that support their business
• We all have a responsibility to care for one another

How do they do it?

• They build partner relationships on the foundation of trust, service and responsibility by following through on what we say we are going to do – these partners work together to address local needs and advocate for their community
• They gather information and connect resources to the people and agencies that need them
• They recruit and train caring adult mentors and volunteers to engage with local schools, youth serving groups, and individual kids and families
• They train people to effectively reach kids involved in risky behaviors like alcohol, drugs, gangs, violence, sex, dropping out of school

To fill out a volunteer application, go to www.the-solution.org or for more information, please call 516-1607. There is a great need for mentors in our area, so don’t miss out on your opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life today.