SERVE SCHOOL KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY

Then Jesus took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to his disciples, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:36-37)

There are many different opportunities to come alongside children and families served by our Local Outreach partners: from weekly commitments to drop-in support to once-a-month opportunities. I guarantee you that as we follow Jesus’ call to love our neighbor by blessing a child, you will be blessed in return. Please prayerfully consider how God might be calling you to reach out and provide support to children in our community! Please contact the partners directly or contact Cindy Frost (cindy@lacanadapc.org) to learn more.

Here are a few service opportunities with some of our local partners:

HARAMBEE

Harambee is transitioning from offering an elementary school to providing wrap-around support through a quality after-school program. As they make this transition, they would love your volunteer support.

  • Class C licensed drivers to transport children in a 15-passenger van from local schools to Harambee after-school program.
  • Substitute drivers for 8-person van to transport children from local schools to Harambee after-school program.

If you’re interested, please let Cindy Frost know to be kept in the loop. Or contact their volunteer coordinator, Christy Meeks,  emailchristyjoy@gmail.com.

STARS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Stars After School is a great program that serves 100 low-income students within Pasadena, Kinder through 12th grades. Volunteers commit to about one hour per week. This program runs from August 21, 2018 through May 2, 2019. The volunteer opportunities are as follows:

  • Elementary Reading, Tuesdays with 4th and 5th graders and Thursdays with 1st through 3rd graders, 4:15-5pm. You would work with the same small group of students every week. Read to them to help build comprehension, work on vocabulary words and have them read to you.
  • Enrichment, Tuesday-Thursday, 4:15-5pm, Kinder through 8th grades.Provide students with fun, skill-building and character-building activities. We are especially looking for an art class and gardening class for 4th and 5th graders on Wednesdays or Thursdays or science enrichment for any grade.
  • Homework Time, Tuesday-Thursday 5:30-6:30pm, Kinder through 12th grades. Work with the same group of students every week to develop a trusting, effective relationship. Groups sizes vary depending on age and day, but are usually around 2-4 students.
  • High School also takes time for group mentoring, where students and volunteers gather together on Tuesday nights 6:30-8:30pm to check in with each other, discuss planned topics and walk alongside the students.

STARS MENTORING PROGRAM

This opportunity is great for those who want to have a deep and impactful relationship with a young person. We ask our mentors to spend an average of 2 hours per week with their mentee for at least 1 year. We offer mentor training, coaching and ideas for what to do with your mentee, focusing on developing assets which will help the mentee develop into a thriving adult. Also, as a faith-based non-profit, we walk alongside our students as they consider their faith and pray for them on a regular basis that they might develop a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.

GETTING INVOLVED AT STARS

To get involved, please start by filling out a volunteer application. Once completed, you will be contacted to schedule a meeting for a brief interview and to get you started as a volunteer.

NOTE: If you would like to first observe what volunteering at STARS is like, STARS’ LCPC advocate, Susan Gentilucci (sgentilucc@aol.com), would be happy to have you for an observation visit.

DOOR OF HOPE

After school program: M-F 2pm-5:30pm. Involves assisting our children's coordinators for whatever they need help with - whether that be prepping, tutoring, cooking or other enrichment activities! If you’re interested in applying to volunteer, contact volunteer@doorofhope.us.

HOPE GARDENS

After School Program: M-F 3:30pm-5pm. Provide homework assistance, private tutoring, occasional story time or art workshop. There may be opportunities to come try it out one time to decide whether you would like to make some sort of regular commitment (Hope Gardens asks for a 3-month minimum commitment.)

Many other opportunities are available - from offering a one-time workshop to loving on kids by helping with preschoolers. Hope Gardens would love to find a way for you to volunteer that matches your gifts and interest. To volunteer or learn more about various opportunities, come to a mandatory New Volunteer Orientation meeting on September 29, 10-11:30am (register using this link: URM Volunteer Registration) or contact their volunteer coordinator, Christie Wells: cwells@urm.org.

PCC STUDENT VETERANS

Be a Tutor for PCC Student Veterans
We need math and chemistry tutors for student Veterans at Pasadena Community College. Contact Bill Goldmann, (818) 399-6911 if you are interested.