Volunteer Opportunities
Friend of the Foundation The "Friends of the Foundation" auxiliary support group actively assists the standing committees of the Foundation in completing a variety of tasks that will enable the organization to financially support the districts schools, teachers and students. To find out more about the "Friends of the Foundation" group please contact Dr. Jerry Abbott- Foundation Director, at 913-422-5600. YouthFriends The YouthFriends program began in the Bonner Springs – Edwardsville School District in 1997 and provides a wonderful opportunity for adult volunteers to serve as role models of students of all ages by providing both academic and social support as a “friend” for an hour per week. YouthFriend volunteers and students choose a time to meet within the school day that may include lunch, the classroom or before or after school. Identified programs and activities may include but are not limited to tutoring, being a lunch buddy, mentoring before or after school tutor or guiding a project.
Another YouthFriend opportunity is the E-mentor Program established at Bonner Springs High School in 2003. The program offers students the opportunity to establish a relationship with an adult using the technological avenue of e-mail. Following several weeks of addressing such topics as mutual areas of interest, current and past experiences, and the identification of career goals and aspirations, the mentor and mentoree will get together at a spring luncheon. The program offers the students a real world experience that may lead to future activities such as internships and possible employment.
The YouthFriends Program begins with an application that may be completed on line. Following a screening process, YouthFriends participants will complete a training session that will give them information on expectations and skills to make the volunteer experience and enriching and successful one.
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Be a WATCH D.O.G.S.® VolunteerWATCH D.O.G.S.®is the father involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering that was founded by Jim Moore, a concerned father who chose to take action in response to a 1998 middle-school shooting in Jonesboro, AR. Moore wanted to help prevent violence from occurring at his children’s school or at any school. The first program was launched at George Elementary in Springdale, AR, the school of Moore’s oldest child. Today, more than 1,659 programs in 38 states and New Zealandparticipate in WATCH D.O.G.S.®
Program Goal To help every school in America be positively influenced by the committed involvement of fathers and father figures in lives of their children and students. How WATCH D.O.G.S.® WorksWATCH D.O.G.S.®, a K-12 program, invites fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or other father figures to volunteer at least one day all day at their child’s/student's school during the school year. Individuals sign up at a kick-off event such as a “Dads and Kids Pizza Night” or “Donuts with Dad” or in the office at any time throughout the school year. The program is overseen by a “Top Dog” volunteer who partners with the school administrator to coordinate scheduling and identify opportunities for WatchDOGS to provide assistance at the school. WatchDOG volunteers perform a variety of tasks during their volunteer day including monitoring the school entrance, assisting with unloading and loading of buses and cars, monitoring the lunch room, or helping in the classroom with a teacher's guidance by working with small groups of students on homework, flashcards, or spelling. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Mendy Brents at 913-441-1777. |