Volunteers: the lifeblood of a community

Looking for ways to feel more connected to your community? There are lots of organizations and programs in Bellevue that would welcome your help, from gardening to mentoring. Here's a selection of opportunities available.

Bellevue Botanical Garden

Lead tours, greet visitors, perform yard work: 12001 Main St.; 425-452-2750 or www.bellevuebotanical.org.

Bellevue Parks and Community Services

Wide range of opportunities from probation-case monitor to senior-center computer assistant, sports coach, gardener and special-events positions. Application required; 11511 Main St.; 425-452-6881 or www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/sitemap.asp and click on Volunteer!

Bellevue Teen Services Division

"Safe Rides" driver, office assistant, Youth Link Board Member. Application required: 10001 N.E. Fourth St.; 425-452-5254 or www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/sitemap.asp and click on Teen Services.

Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue

Sports coach, tutor, summer-camp leaders, groundskeeper. Application and training: 206 100th Ave. N.E.; 425-454-6162 or www.bgcbellevue.org.

Crossroads Mini City Hall

Answer phones, assist with special projects, provide customer service; Crossroads Shopping Center, 15600 N.E. Eighth St.; 425-452-2800.

Eastside Domestic-Violence Program

Crisis intervention, administrative support, computer/technical assistance; 425-562-8840, or www.edvp.org.

Eastside Literacy

"Talk Time" leader, English-as-a-second-language-class leader, literacy tutor, office assistant. Interview, orientation and training. Volunteer orientation 7 to 8:30 p.m. first Wednesday of every month: 14812 Main St.; 425-643-1912 or www.eastsideliteracy.org.

Hopelink

Many opportunities, including food-bank worker, child-care provider, maintenance worker, interpreter, computer assistant and fund-raiser: 14812 Main St.; 425-869-6066 or www.hope-link.org.

Jewish Family Service

English-as-a-second-language tutor, receptionist, food-bank worker, senior-services volunteer. Contact Seattle branch to volunteer: 206-461-3240. Application and background check; 1811 156th Ave. N.E.; 425-643-2221 or www.jfsseattle.org.

· Some who shaped Bellevue

· Who to call to get things done

· Volunteers: the lifeblood of a community

Kindering Center

Special-needs child-care assistant, classroom aide, office assistant, special-events volunteer. Application and background check: 6120 N.E. Eighth St.; 425-747-4004, Ext. 4294, or www.kindering.org.

Lake Washington Kidney Center

Reception and office support. Application, interview, background check. Training for some positions. Contact Seattle branch to volunteer: 206-292-2771; Pacific Office Park, 1474 112th Ave. N.E., Suite 100; 425-454-0067 or www.nwkidney.org.

The Stream Team

Stream cleanup projects, native tree and shrub planting, water-quality assessment. Training for some positions: 301 116th Ave. S.E., Suite 230; 425-452-5200 or streamteam@ci.bellevue.wa.us; www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/sitemap.asp and click on Stream Team.

United Way of King County

Mentor, classroom assistant, office assistant. Interactive volunteer form available on the Web site; 13010 N.E. 20th St., Suite B.;425-869-0980 or www.uwkc.org. Contact Seattle branch to volunteer: 206-461-3655.

YMCA of Bellevue

Customer-service representative, maintenance worker, volunteer fitness trainers. Application and background check: 14230 Bel-Red Road; 425-746-9900 or www.seattleymca.org.

Youth Eastside Services

Youth mentor, receptionist, office assistant, phone intake counselor. Application, background check and training: 999 164th Ave. N.E., 425-586-2314 or www.youtheastsideservices.org.

Compiled by Angie Ma.