United Way lights the path to volunteerism in Springs

The Pikes Peak United Way maintains a Web site listing more than 130 local nonprofit organizations that might need volunteers.

Created by United Way and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence in 2006, the database provides residents with the ability to match their skills to a nonprofit. During 2009, the site had 36,737 unique visits, resulting in 2,641 referrals, which led to 1,335 volunteers connecting with 140 agencies. Here’s a random selection of nonprofits in the database.

Alzheimer’s Association

The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

American Red Cross Pikes Peak Chapter

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Business of Art Center—Manitou Springs

The Business of Art Center opened its doors in 1988 as a business incubator for the arts and has continued to fulfill its mission for more than 20 years: to create an environment in which artists can flourish.

Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado

Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado’s mission is to bridge the gap between hunger and abundance in Southern Colorado. This is done through agencies that place food in the hands of those faced with the daily reality of hunger.

CareAgain

CareAgain works to provide a better understanding of wolves, to effect significant changes toward improving the overall environment for wolves both in the wild and in captivity and to allow others to share in this experience.

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region ensures safe environments and lasting homes where every child in need can thrive. CASA of the Pikes Peak Region provides a volunteer’s voice in court for children who are victims of abuse, neglect or domestic conflict.

Cerebral Palsy Assn. of Colorado Springs

Its mission is to provide financial, emotional and community support to individuals with cerebral palsy and related neuromuscular disabilities .

Cheyenne Village

Its mission is to help individuals with developmental disabilities lead happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

Colorado Legal Services

The organization provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals and senior citizens.

Colorado Springs Police Department Victim Advocacy Unit

The Colorado Springs Police Department Victim Advocacy Unit provides a wide variety of direct services to crime victims and witnesses.

Designated Driver of Colorado Springs

Designated Driver of Colorado Springs provides free rides to impaired drivers in their own vehicles to help decrease the amount of DUIs.

Dreampower Animal Rescue Foundation

Provides adoption services for companion animals, sponsor educational programs and furnish health services to those animals in our foster care network.

Friends of the Fountain Fund

The mission of the Friends of the Fountain Fund is to secure and maintain financial support for certain capital and operating costs of the Uncle Wilber Fountain.

Marian House

The Marian House seeks to enhance the value and dignity of human life. The mission of Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs is to provide services to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.

Mission Medical Clinic

Mission Medical Clinic is a Christian-based clinic that offers free medical services to uninsured and low-income residents, ages 18 to 64, living in El Paso or Teller counties.

Pikes Peak Habitat For Humanity

It is the mission of Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity to provide simple, decent places to live for families who cannot afford homes.

Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care

Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care provides compassionate and expert end-of-life care to patients and their families and partners with those who share that vision.

Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center

The organization’s mission is to provide therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities to encourage independence and improve their quality of life.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 to help the poor, the homeless, the hungry and those in need or in crisis. “Our mission is to meet basic human needs without discrimination.”

SET Family Medical Clinics

The clinics’ mission is to provide basic medical services and holistic health programs to uninsured, underinsured and low income people without discrimination.

Southern Colorado AIDS Project

The Southern Colorado AIDS Project, or S-CAP, provides support and hope to men, women and children infected with and living in families affected by HIV/AIDS in order to assist them to regain stability and maintain optimal health following this life-altering diagnosis.

Suicide Prevention Partnership

The mission of Suicide Prevention Partnership (SPP) is to unite the community in addressing suicide in the Pikes Peak Region through prevention, intervention and ongoing care.