Volunteering

Volunteers (both adults and students) are a vital part of First Place School programs and activities. Volunteers generally have the following duties:

• Supervising student activities
• Tutoring (one on one and in small groups)
• Communicating concerns to First Place staff
• Ensuring that students are safe at all times
• Building a rapport with students
• Encouraging and motivating students

Student volunteers that need to fulfill community service requirements for graduation can participate in trainings and other projects to gain the most from their volunteer experience here at First Place.

Current Openings

Teachers Aides
Volunteers assist the teachers in the classroom in subjects such as reading, math, art or science. Some aides work either one on one or work with a small group of students. Teachers’ aides are in the classroom for 2 to 3 hours per day, once a week.

Tutors
Volunteers tutor one on one with a student. They will tutor the same child for one hour per week in math, arithmetic, or reading. Teachers will have lesson plans for tutors to use with their student. The commitment would be for the entire school year.

Mentor
Volunteers mentor a child for 1 hour per week. Mentoring is more social than academic. It gives the child a person that they can form a friendship with and at the same time, it teaches them how to form healthy boundaries. The commitment time for mentoring is for the entire school year.

Receptionist
Volunteers would support First Place staff by providing a welcoming environment for clients and donors and provide support to the staff by assisting with special projects. Training on the switchboard will be provided for all volunteers.

Club Leaders
Volunteers will design, implement and maintain an enrichment club for the students that will enhance their learning. Club leaders can provide clubs such as knitting, art, dance or any type of sport. Clubs are done in 6 week cycles with students changing clubs at the end of the cycle.

Event Volunteers
First Place has many special events throughout the year such as auctions and the Annual Fundraising Breakfast.  Event volunteers help represent First Place to the community through greeting guests, preparing materials, and helping the day of events with decorating, registration, and clean-up.  Volunteers are called upon as needed.

Marketing and Fund Development Volunteer
Main volunteer functions include filing, assembling mailings, supporting community outreach and data entry.  Other duties may include creating and packaging marketing materials, acknowledging donors, event planning, organizing in-kind donations and helping with the holiday “Adopt a Family” gift drive.  The commitment is for up to 4 hours per week during the time frame of 8am – 4pm, Monday through Friday.

Training

First Place volunteers will experience challenging and rewarding experiences working with our students. Some helpful skills that First Place volunteers have and/or will learn are:tudents to improve their behavior

Building positive relationships with students to improve self-esteem

Using non-punitive ways to encourage students’ development of life skills

Developing strong boundaries and healthy limits

Taking time for training with students to clarify expectations

Using “teachable moments” when students make mistakes while encouraging students to take risks

Using practical problem-solving methods to show students how to see problems as learning opportunities

The power of Positive Time Out

Allowing some “special time” to spend with students to help them develop a sense of belonging and significance

Contact

Please contact Joyce Scoggins, Volunteer Coordinator, at (206) 323-6715 ext 1205 for information about volunteering.