Be the Voice of an Abused &/or Neglected Durham Community Child Change a life of hurt into one of hope. 25-30 hours free group training provided to become a community person who advocates in a judicial setting for the best interest of an allegedly abused &/or neglected child. There are currently 100 volunteers representing 300+ children. Info: 564-7289, Caitlin.M.Cullitan@nccourts.org, www.nccourts.org/Citizens/GAL.

Blackademics "The premier online roundtable for young black thinkers," created by Durhamite Pierce Freelon, featuring exclusive interviews with John Hope Franklin, Maya Angelou, Herbie Hancock, more. pfreelon@gmail.com, www.blackademics.org.

Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocates Work with African-American & Latino students in Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools on education & life subjects. Non-school hours, 1-to-1 sessions, set your own times. Special need for male & Spanish-speaking volunteers. Contact: Graig Meyer, 918-2170 x1, gmeyer@chccs.k12.nc.us, www.chccs.k12.nc.us/brma.

Boys & Girls Clubs Seeking volunteers to mentor, tutor, coach teams & empower youth members ages 6-18 in 5 Clubs in Wake County (Raleigh, Wake Forest, Zebulon). Opportunities are built around your schedule. 834-6282, tmclaurin@wakebgc.org, www.wakebgc.org.

Club Nova Thrift Shop Seeking volunteers; Club Nova promotes & provides opportunities for individuals living with mental illness to lead meaningful & productive lives of their choice in the community. A volunteer packet can be picked up at the shop, or contact 967-6985, cmorton@clubnova.org. , Club Nova Thrift Shop, , 103-C W Main St, Carrboro, 967-6985, www.clubnova.org.

Common Sense Foundation Help in the fight to bring equality & justice to all North Carolinians. Progressive public policy org in downtown Raleigh seeks talented, motivated volunteers to assist with tech support, web design, graphic design & fundraising. david@common-sense.org, 821-9270, www.common-sense.org.

Communities in Schools of Durham CIS pairs adult volunteers & at-risk students in 1-to-1 mentoring relationships. Mentors are matched with same-sex middle & high school students for 12 academic months & are asked to spend 4-6 hrs/mo for at least 1 year with their mentee (evenings & weekends, flexible). The time is spent developing healthy behaviors, friendship & social skills. Intense screening includes an application, FBI background check, home assessment, & training. 682-9000, www.cisnc.org.

Durham City Council Coffee & Conversation Face-to-face meetings with residents & City Council members held throughout the city are designed to give citizens the opportunity to provide direct input to council members on budget items for the upcoming 2008-09 fiscal year. Topics of discussion include: public protection, economic development, water & sewer utilities, quality-of-life issues & any other services offered by the City. Through March 13. Info & Schedule:, www.durhamnc.gov/departments/bms.

Durham Literacy Center Help change the course of an individual's life through literacy. Three programs: Adult Literacy & GED prep, English for Speakers of Other Languages, & Teen Career Academy. Info: volunteer@durhamliteracy.org, 489-8383, www.durhamliteracy.org/home/volunteers.

Facing Controversy: Struggling with Capital Punishment in NC Exhibit of 50 documents & photographs in Davis & Wilson libraries (UNC-Chapel Hill). Through Feb. 28. Info: 843-1833, creativecampus@unc.edu.

Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Trans Helpline Provide resources to people in crisis. helpline@tcworks.org, 821-0055.

Healthy Kids Campaign The Orange County Partnership for Young Children announces a broad-based collaborative effort to target the crisis of childhood obesity in Orange County, which has one of the highest rates in the state. Campaign hopes to raise $600,000 for 5 model programs. Info & contributions: 967-9091 x18, www.orangesmartstart.org.

Independent Voices Award-winning 30-minute bi-weekly grassroots news show from & usually about the Triangle; currently airs on Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill public-access cable TV channels. To help out or host a local screening: indyvoices@yahoo.com, indyvoices.blogspot.com.

Interfaith Coalition to Save Darfur Working to raise awareness of, advocate for change & provide support for the victims of the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. See website for upcoming events. sudanpeace.meetup.com/84, savedarfur.org.

The League of Extraordinary Volunteer Women The Chapel Hill Service League, a group of women with a desire to make a difference in our community, seeks volunteers. Work with orgs such as Ronald McDonald House, the Children's Fund of NC, HomeStart & the Family Violence Prevention Center. 933-1141, www.chapelhillserviceleague.org.

Male Survivors of Sexual Violence 10-week support group starts Feb 4. Pre-screening required. Through May 1. Info: 968-4647, sage@ocrcc.org, www.ocrcc.org. , Orange County Rape Crisis Center, , 825-A Estes Dr, Chapel Hill, 968-4647, www.ocrcc.org.

Meals on Wheels of Durham Delivers 300+ meals every day to seniors & others who cannot feed themselves. Contact to learn more or volunteer. , Meals on Wheels of Durham, , 406 Rigsbee Ave, Ste 101, Durham, 667-9424, www.mowdurham.org.

Men Against Rape Culture Multi-racial, anti-racist org based in Durham committed to ending male violence by educating, building skills & leadership, & organizing men to address the root causes of sexual violence Info: dasan67@aol.com, bproffitt33@yahoo.com.

Mentor CH-Carrboro Students Teach life-skills & build confidence in young boys & girls. School Reading Partners: minimum two 1-hour sessions/wk for 10 weeks during school hours with elementary school children. Contact: 967-8211 x336, srp@chccs.k12.nc.us. Classroom Volunteers: minimum 1 hr/wk for 10 weeks at any school to enrich school lessons; some after-school time possible. Contact: 967-8211 x339, gmccay@chccs.k12.nc.us. ESL Volunteers: minimum 1 hr/wk for students in any grade; 1-on-1 or small groups during school or limited after-school times. Contact: 967-8211 x339, gmccay@chccs.k12.nc.us. Register for training: 967-8211 x281, volunteer@chccs.k12.nc.us.

NAMI Newsletter The National Alliance of the Mentally Ill in Durham seeks original contributions of words, sentences, paragraphs & short pieces on any topic regarding physical, mental & emotional health and fitness, or music, culture, recovery & your struggles and triumphs, for its monthly newsletter. financial-advocate@juno.com.

Operation Frontline In partnership with Share Our Strength, the Food Shuttle offers Operation Frontline nutrition & cooking classes for low income populations. The goal is to create a long-term solution to hunger by giving people the confidence & ability to be more self-sufficient, improve their eating habits & food budgeting skills. Seeking volunteers to help teach classes held at local food assistance agencies & community centers, providing practical, hands-on experience with food & nutrition. Contact: nutrition@foodshuttle.org, 250-0043, www.strength.org.

Orange County Literacy Council Seeking tutors. Training schedules & info: 933-2151, 732-0868, www.orangeliteracy.org.

OUTTriangle.com Regional GLBT website with news, events, business listings & community resources. OUTTriangle.com.

Overeaters Anonymous Support Groups Meetings every day in various Triangle locations. Ongoing. Free, Info: 406-9300, www.triangleoa.org.

Peace Vigils Ongoing weekly vigils for justice & peace. Chapel Hill: Fridays, 5-6 pm, corner of Elliott Rd & E Franklin St (info: 942-2535). Durham: Saturdays, noon-1 pm, Gregson & Main Sts, opposite Brightleaf Square (info: 402-0424). Raleigh: First Wednesdays, noon-1 pm, Fayetteville St at the courthouse (info: 821-2014).