House of Peace & Education, Inc.
29 Pleasant Street, Gardner, MA 01440
978.630.4752
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CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
FALL 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR

HOPE FOR KIDS PROGRAM

HOPE for Kids is comprised of 3 different programs which operated during the school year. Pals for children in K-grade 2; Afterschool for children in grades 3-5 and Teen HOPE for youth in grades 6-8. See Programs section for program descriptions. Volunteers commit to a specific day each week. Volunteers may choose to make a commitment to additional day(s). It is most beneficial to our participants if weekly volunteers are able to commit to the duration of the school year program which is from September-May. We realize this commitment may not always be possible and try to work with volunteer availability when necessary.  

Pals Mentors: Pals is a group mentoring program with a recreational format of small and large group activities. Volunteer mentors assist participants during the group activities under the direction of the Pals Coordinator. Mentors help the children to learn how to successfully interact with peers, appropriately express and deal with emotions while enjoying arts & crafts or games. Mentors act as positive role models during large circle time and small group activities. Mentors work with the same children during small group activities and thus have the opportunity to be part of the success of the children they mentor. Children are assigned common group goals as well as an individual goal based on parent input. Activities are geared towards assisting children in achievement of established goals.
The Pals Program operates on Wednesdays from 3:00-5:00 p.m.. Saturday Pals operates onsite at HOPE from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

After school Mentor/Tutors: Volunteers provide one-on-one tutoring to children to assist participants in homework completion, studying and reading requirements. One hour is devoted to academics and the second hour is devoted to small group recreational activities which target socialization skills through peer and adult interactions. Volunteers fill a mentor role in conjunction with the tutor role by role modeling, supporting and encouraging participants as they get to know each other. Mentor/mentee bonds are formed within the program boundaries. Snack time is utilized to model conversational skills and appropriate social skills. Each child has individual goals that have been assigned by Academic Director based on input from parents and school faculty as well as staff observations. Volunteers work under the direction of the Academic Director to help children achieve their goals. After school operates onsite at HOPE, Mondays-Thursdays, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Teen HOPE Mentor/Tutors: As tutors, volunteers provide guidance and support to small groups of 2-3 participants during the academic hour. Independence and accountability are a focus for teens' personal development. The Teen HOPE Coordinator supports and supervises volunteers in their mentor/tutor roles as they encourage teens to be independent and take responsibility for their academic and life success. As in the other two programs, volunteers are able to form mentor/mentee bonds with the students and have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the success of the participants.Tutors assist youth in checking online grades,assignments and test/quiz scores.  Group socialization is offered during each program upon completion of the academic hour. Teens play games with peers and volunteers and learn/practice appropriate social interactions.  Each teen has individual goals that have been assigned by Academic Director based on input from parents and school faculty as well as staff observations. HOPE operates Monday-Thursday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the HOPE site. Participants typically attend program twice weekly.


HOPE FOR KIDS VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS: Age: 17+ preferred but will interview 16 yr. olds to determine maturity level. Excellent interpersonal skills are critical for positive interactions with participants. Must enjoy working with the specific program age group of children. Reliability and commitment to program attendance is critical. Children count on meeting with their mentor/tutor each week and staff rely on your help.


Other helpful qualities: Flexibility and adaptability to adjust to changes during program time. A sense of humor helps engage children and lighten their struggles. The ability to communicate well with staff and seek help from staff as needed. Tutors need basic grade appropriate Math and English knowledge and the ability to utilize reference materials if subject matter is unfamiliar.

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 

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BUILDING AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE AT 29 PLEASANT ST.

HOUSEKEEPING AT PLEASANT ST.

CLERICAL/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE AT PLEASANT ST.

PROMOTION OF FUNDRAISERS BY ASSISTING IN TICKET SALES

BE A SPECIAL PRESENTER AT ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS. SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO BENEFIT OUR PARTICIPANTS. 

HAVE A SPECIFIC SKILL SET THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH HOPE?

PLEASE CONTACT US TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF UTILIZING YOUR TALENTS TO HELP US CARRY OUT OUR MISSION IN THE COMMUNITY!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUMMER 2019

HOPE SUMMER CAMP:  HELP OUR HOPE KIDS HAVE A SUMMER OF FUN & LEARNING!
If you enjoy working with children ages 5-12 in the role of a caring adult mentor, we would be happy to talk with you about our HOPE Summer Camp volunteer opportunities described below. Camp operates at The Winchendon School located in Winchendon MA.  HOPE operates three two-week sessions of camp. 

TUTOR/MENTORS NEEDED FOR SESSION 1 AND 2: Tutor/mentors assist children entering grades 3-6 in the fall that have academic challenges .  Tutors work with the same 3 children each day for two weeks. Summer reading, book reports, math work and review in areas of need are the focus. Tutoring environment is relaxed and games are often incorporated to meet learning goals.  Tutors act as mentors as well, providing encouragement, support and positive role modeling to campers.The Academic Director supervises volunteers and offers support throughout the sessions. A two-week commitment of Monday-Friday from 9:45-12:45 each day is needed for this position. Volunteer training is scheduled the week prior to camp opening at HOPE, 29 Pleasant St.  

ONE-ON-ONE MENTORS ("BUDDIES") NEEDED FOR ALL 3 SESSIONS: Buddies are mentors that work with a particular camper that needs a little extra TLC to have a successful camp day, staying safe and having fun. Buddies help the camper navigate the camp activities schedule by guiding them to activities and helping them engage with their peers. As well, Buddies may engage in quiet time activities if camper is not able to participate in a given activity. This position is more physically active because activities are at various locations on the property. Buddies are encouraged to participate in activities when appropriate. A two-week commitment of Monday-Friday from 9:00-12:45 each day is needed for this position. If Buddies are available to stay until the last activity of the day ends at 2:40, that is helpful to staff and campers, but not mandatory. One-on-one mentors attend the volunteer training. 

Tutor/mentors and One-on-one Mentors (Buddies) need to be 17 years of age+.  Excellent communication skills, patience, sense of humor and ability to relate and enjoy kids between 5 and 12 years old are a must! Tutors: comfort level with basic English and Math skills are needed. VOLUNTEERS WITH EDUCATION BACKGROUNDS ARE VERY WELCOME!


OTHER HOPE SUMMER CAMP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
STORY TIME READERS: Volunteer with the youngest campers, ages 5 & 6. Readers share a short 15-20 minute story and guide children through a simple arts and crafts activity related to the story. Books and Arts & Crafts activities are planned by HOPE staff and ready to go for volunteers.  Readers arrive @ camp 8:50-9:00 a.m. to get book and materials. Campers attend activity immediately following breakfast which ends at 9:10. This activity requires some flexibility and patience as the youngest campers sometimes finish breakfast a little behind schedule.


SPECIAL EVENTS PRESENTERS: Share a hobby or passion with campers in a presentation format or in a camper activity. Special events can be scheduled once during a session,  or once at each of the 3 sessions. Presenters may come in the for the morning schedule and work with multiple groups of children or have one presentation in the afternoon, usually at 1:30 for approx. an hour.

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY LEADERS: Campers that do not attend tutoring attend Enrichment each day to participate in broad-based experiential learning with a variety of educational topics and themes. Volunteers for this activity need experience in leading groups in activities and carrying out a planned lesson. Individuals with an Education background are a good fit for the position.

ACTIVITIES PLANNERS: A diversity of activities need to be prepared prior to camp opening. This opportunity needs individuals that enjoy researching and planning age appropriate activities and gathering the necessary materials to implement the activities. Material kits are made for use in activities.

Please contact Carlee Mills, HOPE for Kids Program Director: afterschool@hopegardner.org or 978-630-4752 ext. 8.

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