Volunteers
Volunteers are an integral and valuable part of the AventWest Children's Mentoring/Kids Cafe tutoring program. They provide transportation, tutor students on homework and basic skills and provide food preparation services at each site.
- Job Description
(click to view) - Volunteer Application (click to view)
- Confidentiality Agreement (click to view)
The students attending AventWest Children's Mentoring are very fortunate to have a large number of community volunteers from area high schools, colleges, universities, churches, community organizations and the AventWest community to help with homework and basic skills.
Tutors are asked to complete a registration form and background check. At the beginning of the school year, volunteer tutor orientation gives an overview of the program, information about expectations and responsibilities and a general discussion of the day to day program. Volunteer tutors that join after the initial orientation are given a brief program orientation and site tour by the site coordinator. In addition, mini-volunteer training sessions are offered during the year.
When they register, tutors are asked to decide the age of students they prefer to work with and/or the location that works best for them. New tutors have the option of "shadowing" an experienced volunteer or observing the first few days.
Tutor Responsibilities
The number of tutors available each afternoon determines how many students are assigned to an individual tutor. For this reason, it is very important for volunteers to commit to attending one or two afternoons each week and to honor that commitment. The Site Coordinator attempts to assign the tutor the same student(s) each afternoon. By doing this, the student benefits from the working and mentoring relationships that develop. The tutor benefits by getting to know the academic needs of the student and understands the best approach to take when working with the student.
Tutor Responsibilities:
- Assist with homework and basic skills activities to promote learning and to strengthen student's self-confidence.
- Work with students to develop reading, writing, language and math skills.
- Maintain order and discipline to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning for all students and to ensure the safety of all students.
- Evaluate performance and document progress after each session in the individual student folders.
- Encourage teamwork and responsibility by overseeing students as they clean their work area and return materials to proper place.
- Participate in enrichment activities developed to promote confidence, competence and caring attributes.
Tutor Orientation and Training Opportunities
Volunteer tutors are asked to attend an orientation session at the beginning of the school year and on-site during the year. Volunteers are given information about the program for the upcoming school year and the site coordinators review the activities at each site. Volunteers are asked to update or complete a volunteer application form and a background check is completed.
If the volunteer is unable to attend orientation or begins after the initial orientation session, the site coordinator provides a mini-orientation and tour of the site. The site coordinator is always available to answer questions and provide support.
AventWest Children's Mentoring provides training sessions for the volunteer tutors. Teachers and other professionals are invited to discuss working with academically at risk students and students for whom English is a second language.
Other Volunteer Opportunities:
- Van or bus driver - C license required
- Food Preparation - dinner meal or healthy snacks
- Computer Lab Assistant - Avent Ferry UMC
- Be Active NC Physical Education Assistants
Volunteer Application Documents
Get Involved
Tutors are recruited throughout the year. If you are interested in becoming a tutor, contact:
AWCM Director at 919-332-8720
awcmdirector@nc.rr.com
or
Stop by one of the sites to visit and request a Volunteer Registration Packet or print and complete the online application.
- Job Description (click to view)
- Volunteer Application (click to view)
- Confidentiality Agreement (click to view)
