Volunteer!
How can you contribute?
The needs are great and the possibilities are almost endless. For most positions, there is no experience necessary and no special skills are required. Simply a willingness to help will qualify you for many jobs, ranging from a one-time to a weekly commitment. However, opportunities do exist for volunteers with special skills, interests, and backgrounds. Some opportunities require training which VIPS will provide.
A list of general needs--some available at all schools, others geared for elementary-age students--is followed by a brief description of some of our core volunteer programs. Volunteer opportunities are available in the following categories:
Working with Students One-on-One or in Small Groups (Training Required)
School-Based Mentoring Programs
Project RISE (Raising Interest and Self-Esteem)—this year-long mentoring program matches adult volunteer mentors with a student who may not be reaching his/her full potential, either socially,
VIPS Mentor Programs Leader, Sharon Sodekson
emotionally, or academically. Mentors and mentees meet weekly, for approximately one hour. Initial and ongoing training is provided; special skills for mentors include a sense of humor, a compassionate, non-judgmental attitude, and good listening skills.
Falmouth High School Mentoring Program—similar to Project RISE, but working with high school age students, this mentoring program pairs adults with teens with the goal of creating a positive role model for the student. Initial and ongoing training is provided; special skills for mentors include a sense of humor, a compassionate, non-judgmental attitude, and good listening skills.
Project INQUIRE leaders Maureen "Reenie" Dwyer and Ted Burt
Project Inquire—this is a six to 12-week mentoring program that matches volunteers with motivated students. This is an enrichment study program for students who welcome the challenge of going beyond the classroom curriculum to explore a topic or subject area that interests them. Mentors and mentees meet once or twice each week for approximately one hour. Training is provided.
Literacy/ESL—volunteers tutor English as a Second Language (ESL) students or those who may be functionally illiterate. This program also matches students in need of translation assistance, often younger students whose families have relocated from a non-English speaking country. Volunteers and students meet at a mutually convenient time and the frequency varies depending on the situation. Most often, volunteers meet with a student at the student’s school.
Read Naturally—this fluency-building, instructional reading program is now in place at each of Falmouth’s four elementary schools and the grades 5-6 school. Developed by a reading teacher, the program helps students improve fluency, an important component of good reading and reading comprehension. Training is provided.
CAST (Cross Age Science Teaching)—Junior high school students at Lawrence School are trained to teach hands-on, inquiry-based science lessons to elementary school students. Volunteers are currently needed to coordinate this program (training provided).
School to Business Partnerships—individual schools or school-based programs work with a business or organization to develop a mutually beneficial program that enhances the educational experience of the students. Together, the business/organization and the school, classroom, or program establish a structure for the sharing of resources, which may include (but is not limited to) knowledge, skills, time, space, or materials. Examples include: local bank branches partnering with students to learn applied math; local scientific institutions partnering with the schools to provide career and topic-specific speakers; local elder care facility partnering with neighborhood school to foster inter-generational relationships. Have an idea? VIPS will assist with training and/or the facilitation of School to Business partnerships. (more about Business Partner in Education Program )