The
majority of Grand Street’s
volunteers fall into one of the following categories:
J.U.M.P.! Volunteer (Juniors Undertaking
Manhattan Pleasures) Program:
J.U.M.P.!
is a group mentoring
program that occurs one Saturday a month from October to June every
year. Volunteers
are young, New
York City
professionals who accompany children and teens on
recreational and cultural outings around the metropolitan area. For
Grand
Street Settlement’s young participants, these Saturday outings offer an
opportunity to see and experience the city with mentors and role models. The J.U.M.P.! program expands horizons,
fosters curiosity and imagination, and promotes intergenerational
communication. Each year, approximately 75 volunteers and 90 children
and teens
take part in J.U.M.P.!
In
addition to monthly trips,
volunteers participate in the planning of our annual Taste of the
Lower East Side event which raises more than $350,000
to support J.U.M.P.! and other Grand Street Settlement youth programs.
Orientation for this
year’s
J.U.M.P.! program takes place on Thursday,
October 15, 2009.
Mentors at Grand
Street Settlement's Intel Computer Clubhouse:
Grand Street
Settlement is
seeking volunteers for 2-3 hours,
one-day a week placements within our Computer Clubhouse.
Volunteers will assist youth participants in learning new technology,
multi-media projects, and homework help. Computer Clubhouse hours are Monday –
Friday from 3 p.m.
to 7 p.m. We
require a commitment for at least 3 to 4 months.
What
would I do as a Clubhouse Mentor?
Mentors
participate in many activities at the Computer Clubhouse, but it’s
important
for Clubhouse volunteers to understand that Mentors help youth express
themselves through technology. Clubhouse Mentors support youth as they
connect their interests with the computer technology skills they need
to
express those interests. Mentors
focus on developing relationships and successful Mentors understand the
importance
of establishing relationships based on respect and trust.
Activities you might be
involved in:
- Developing
themes for group projects
- Contributing
to the Clubhouse to College/Clubhouse to Career (C2C) Program
- Assisting
youth with homework
- Helping
with technical systems maintenance and equipment
- Offering
a a workshop
- Creating
new projects or curriculum
Are technical skills
necessary to be a good volunteer/Mentor?
Not at
all. The most important skill a Clubhouse Mentor can possess is the
ability to
work well with youth. Knowing about computers and/or the software
titles is
great but what the youth need is consistent caring adults. The Computer
Clubhouse is not all about gaining technical skills. It's about
building
self-confidence, exploring creativity and gaining life skills. Without
technical skills you can still encourage a Member, and one of the most
powerful
things for youth to see is your willingness to learn right along side
them.
There are all kinds of resources to learn how to use the software and
hardware
in the Clubhouse and many opportunities to improve your computer
skills, from
printed matter to online tutorials to other youth and Mentors. If there
are
specific technology skills that you'd like to acquire, ask the
Clubhouse
Coordinator what's available in your Clubhouse.
Computer Clubhouse
Programming begins on October
5, 2009 but
volunteers are accepted on a rolling basis as needed.
AmeriCorps
Volunteer Program at Grand Street Settlement:
Grand Street Settlement
has a robust AmeriCorps
program where the two organizations work together to serve the
residents of the Lower East Side community. AmeriCorps Members serve an
important role in supporting the programs at Grand Street Settlement by
serving as program aides, activity specialists, teaching assistants,
and
group leaders. Members have the opportunity to work in many different
programs and departments, including Youth Services, Early Childhood,
Grand Coalition of Seniors, Single Stop and the Beacon Center.
For more information,
please contact Yani Lopez at ylopez@grandstreet.org.
Corporate
Volunteer Projects;
Grand Street
Settlement will work with corporate volunteers to design projects that
fit the
interests of volunteers and the needs of our organization. Past
projects
have included mural painting, arts & crafts with young people, gift
wrapping during the holiday season, and early childhood carnivals. Such
projects
.
Your programs sound fantastic! How Do I Apply?
Thank you for taking the next
step in becoming a volunteer at Grand Street Settlement!
We applaud your commitment to empowering Lower East Side youth, young adults, families and seniors.
So begins
your application process. There are two
easy steps to becoming a volunteer at Grand Street Settlement:
1) Paperwork:
All volunteers submit a volunteer
application, two references, and sign an agreement of volunteer service. Volunteers also fill out a State Clearance
Form, which screens for records of child abuse. This
form is very important, and is required of any
adult working in an
organization that serves young children.
2)
Interview/Orientation: We
want to learn more about you! All volunteers will participate in
either a
one-on-one interview or a group orientation.
This process allows us to learn about your interests so we can
determine
the best placement for you at Grand Street Settlement.
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