Volunteer Opportunities

MENTORING!
Reading Partners
Description: To read with Youthbuild participants in order to develop a love of reading.
Responsibilities: Meets with Youthbuild participant for an hour each week to read a book or magazine on the topic of their choice.
Desired Qualifications:
–Interest in reading
–Desire to work with youth
–Supportive and caring attitude
Time Commitment: 1 hour per week

Student Supportive Services
Description: To provide mentoring and support for Youthbuild participants. To offer life skills training that will allow participants to navigate the transition to independence.
Responsibilities:
–Acts as a resource and support system for Youthbuild participants
–Assists with life skills such as obtaining a driver’s license, securing insurance, registering
for college classes, etc.
–Researches pertinent information as the need arises
Desired Qualifications:
–Desire to mentor youth
–Supportive and caring attitude
–Flexible availability
–Good oral and written communication skills
Time Commitment: 4 – 6 hours per month as needed

Youth Mentor
Description: To spend time with and cultivate a healthy, supportive relationship with a youth in Vinton County.
Responsibilities:
–Provides a fun, stable, positive relationship for youth
–Plans activities and outings to expose youth to a variety of experiences
–Acts as a resource for youth as they navigate life
–Gains trust and maintains confidentiality while understanding what information may
need 
to be relayed to appropriate supervisors or guardians
Desired Qualifications:
–Desire to mentor youth
–Fun, supportive and caring attitude
–Sensitivity in working with vulnerable populations
–Flexible availability
Time Commitment: 10 hours per month as needed

Summer Foster Care Mentor
Description: To act as a mentor for foster care kids during their summer break.
Responsibilities:
–Plans projects and outings to keep youth active during the summer
–Provides fun, responsible interaction for foster care participants
–Acts as a resource and mentor for youth
–Delineates clear boundaries for appropriate interaction
–Maintains confidentiality while understanding what information may need to be relayed to
appropriate supervisor
Desired Qualifications:
–Desire to work with youth
–Fun, supportive and caring attitude
–Sensitivity in working with vulnerable populations
Time Commitment: 8 – 10 hours per month in the summer

TUTORING!
Leadership Development
Description: To facilitate the Youth Advisory Committee which is the student government for Youthbuild participants.
Responsibilities:
–Provides guidance and assistance for students on the Youth Policy Committee
–Helps students to set an agenda for their committee
–Acts as a consistent and knowledgeable facilitator
Desired Qualifications:
–Experience in student government or a strong interest in learning
–Ability to set aside personal ideas to promote a student led committee
–Desire to work with youth
–Good oral and written communication skills
–Well organized, able to keep accurate records and train students to do the same
Time Commitment: Flexible, 4 hours per month

Classroom Tutors / Content Specialists
Description: To assist Youthbuild students with math or reading in order to increase academic rigor and performance in secondary learning.
Responsibilities:
–Works with students to raise the level of their math or reading comprehension
–Supports programs to help students achieve at their grade level
–Provides consistent assistance as needed in math or reading
Desired Qualities:
–Experience teaching math or reading, or a strong background in either subject
–Patience and flexibility to work with youth who may struggle with math or reading
–Good oral and written communication skills
–Ability to work independently
–Proficient in use of computers and internet would be helpful, but not required
Time Commitment: Flexible depending on volunteer’s availability

Classroom Aids
Description: To assist Youthbuild teachers in implementing curriculums and administering online schooling.
Responsibilities:
–Assists Youthbuild students in the classroom
–Helps Youthbuild teachers to manage student coursework
–Works with students to ensure that they are completing the necessary lessons to earn
their online diploma or GED
Desired Qualifications:
Ability to work well with youth
Good oral and written communication skills
Proficient with computers and the internet
Supportive and caring attitude
Time Commitment: Flexible depending on volunteer’s availability

JOB TRAINING!
Job Site Volunteers
Description: To assist and help supervise Youthbuild crews with construction at job sites.
Responsibilities:
–Works alongside Youthbuild supervisors to teach students the construction trades
–Assists Youthbuild crews in completing construction jobs
Desired Qualifications:
–Experience working in the construction trades
–Desire to work with youth
–Good communication skills
Time Commitment: Flexible depending on volunteer’s availability

Job Placement and Employability
Description: To conduct mock interviews and provide information about interview etiquette to Youthbuild participants.
Responsibilities:
–Assists Youthbuild participants with job readiness training
–Plans and conducts mock interviews
–Offers training sessions for interview etiquette (ex. appropriate attire, resumé writing,
greetings)
Desired Qualifications:
–Experience in business and interview situations
–Good oral and written communication skills
–Desire to work with youth
–Experience with resume writing
Time Commitment: 4 hours per month

Recycling Center Volunteers
Description: To work with the Youthbuild program to plan and implement a curbside recycling program. To create an effective community recycling center.
Responsibilities:
–Creates a model for implementing curbside recycling
–Works with local authorities to coordinate logistics
–Assists in plans for establishing a permanent community recycling center
–Assesses and modifies programs to ensure that they are sustainable
Desired Qualifications:
–Experience implementing community projects, or a strong interest in doing so
–Desire to work with youth
–Good oral and written communication skills
Time Commitment: Flexible depending on volunteer’s availability

SHARING!
Community Center Volunteer
Description: To supervise youth during open hours at the Sojourners Community Center in McArthur, Ohio. The Community Center is open each Wednesday and Thursday from 4pm – 6pm.
Responsibilities:
–Provides safe, compassionate supervision
–Documents names and ages of youth present at the Community Center
–Understands policies and procedures to implement if any youth need assistance
Desired Qualifications:
–Ability to work well with and supervise large numbers of youth
–Sensitive and caring attitude
–Sensitivity in working with vulnerable populations
Time Commitment: 1 evening per week from 3:45 – 6:15 pm

Transitional Living Activities Volunteer
Description: To provide fun, educational programs to Transitional Living Program
participants including teaching life skills or sharing personal hobbies.
Responsibilities:
–Shares life skills, hobbies or personal interests with TLP participants
–Offers engaging activities that expose TLP participants to a diverse set of experiences,
ideas and interests
–Provides fun, responsible interaction
Desired Qualifications:
–Interest in working with youth
–Desire to share skills, hobbies or interests
–Fun, supportive and caring attitude
–Good communication skills
Time Commitment: 3 hours during a weekday evening with the possibility for more sustained volunteer hours

Special Activities for Foster Parent Training
Description: To coordinate or teach activities, such as arts and crafts, music, or games, to youth during Foster Parent training sessions. To provide childcare to foster children while their parents attend training.
Responsibilities:
–Provides a safe, fun environment for children and youth
–Plans fun, educational activities and games for youth during the 2 hour sessions
–Maintains confidentiality while understanding what information may need to be relayed to
appropriate supervisors
Desired Qualifications:
–Interest in interacting with youth
–Ability to be flexible and adapt to needs as they arise
–Fun, supportive and caring attitude
–Sensitivity in working with vulnerable populations
Time Commitment: 1 evening per month for 3.5 hours

ENGAGING!
Event Facilitator / Assistant
Description: To provide support for special, one-day events. Possible events include: MLK Day celebration, Golf Scramble, Chinese Auction, Car Show
Responsibilities:
–Assists with setup and cleanup of event venues
–Handles and serves food
–Assists staff as necessary depending on event
Desired Qualifications:
–Ability to be flexible and adapt to tasks as they arise
–Good communication skills
–Ability to get along well with others
–Work well in crowds and busy situations
Time Commitment: As needed for one-day events

Fundraising Volunteer
Description: To help secure donations, both monetary and other items, for special events and programs.
Responsibilities:
–Interacts with community businesses and individuals to raise funds and get donations
–Clearly explains how donations will be used by Sojourners to serve local youth
–Builds partnerships with organizations to create a sustainable source of monetary funding
and in-kind donations
–Creates a database of contacts and records donations
Desired Qualifications:
–Ability to get along well with others in a variety of situations
–Effective communication skills
–Being comfortable with asking for donations
–Friendly, social personality
–Strong organizational skills
Time Commitment: As needed to meet fundraising goals

Assistant Volunteer Coordinator
Description: To work with staff, volunteers and community members to implement and maintain the volunteer program at Sojourners.
Responsibilities:
–Assists in recruiting and training volunteers
–Maintains a database of volunteer partners
–Makes presentations to local organizations and groups to promote the volunteer programs
at Sojourners
–Brainstorms ideas for volunteer recognition programs and events
Desired Qualifications:
–Excellent oral and written communication skills
–Approachable, friendly attitude and a passion for volunteering
–Proficient with computers and the internet
–Strong organizational skills
Time Commitment: 4 – 6 hours per week

OUTREACH!
Street Reach County Advocate
Description: To assist with the Sojourners Street Reach program in designated counties. To act as trusted resources for local youth who may need assistance.
Responsibilities:
–Works with the Street Reach program to disseminate food and hygiene packs
–Acts as a resource in the community for youth who may need assistance
–Contacts Sojourners if there a youth that need their services
–Assists with events that Sojourners holds in their county
Desired Qualifications:
–Ideally someone living in the given county who is between the ages of 16 – 24
–Sensitivity in working with vulnerable populations
–Friendly, caring and approachable personality
–Understands the importance of confidentiality in sensitive situations
Time Commitment: 3 — 4 hours per month as needed

Street Reach Support Team
Description: To travel with the Street Reach van to distribute food and hygiene packs and to offer information about Sojourners services.
Responsibilities:
–Assists with Street Reach program in 7 surrounding counties
–Speaks knowledgeably about programs that Sojourners offers
–Maintains the confidentiality of youth who may seek assistance
Desired Qualifications:
–Desire to positively impact youth in local communities
–Sensitivity in working with vulnerable populations
–Good oral communication skills
–Ability to be flexible and adapt to situations as they arise
Time Commitment: 4 hours per month as needed