SSCDC YOUTH PROGRAMS VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK
Mission Statement
The Seneca Street Community Development Corporation (SSCDC) partners with residents and businesses of the Seneca Babcock neighborhood to improve and revitalize the economic, educational, and social environment of this area. Through partnerships and collaborations, the SSCDC provides opportunities for the entire community to acquire skills that build resiliency and self-reliance, enhancing the quality of life and potential for current and future generations in the Seneca Babcock neighborhood.
Basic Volunteer Information
Your Rights
• A healthy and safe working environment. You do not have to agree to do anything you feel endangers your health or safety.
• A workplace free of discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on race, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic.
• A workplace free from sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other behavior of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment).
• To have a copy of the volunteer handbook.
• To be provided with any training necessary to fulfill your volunteer role.
• To have your personal information kept confidential.
Rights of the Organization
• SSCDC reserves the right to deny a volunteering position to any person who has been convicted of a felony, crime of violence, or crime against a person.
• Information provided to the SSCDC (on the volunteer information all volunteers must fill out) is subject to verification, which may include a criminal history and personal reference check.
• Intentionally omitting or falsifying information on the volunteer information form may be cause for dismissal from volunteering.
• If you are injured while volunteering, you can not hold the SSCDC or its organizers, promoters, instructors, or participants liable.
• Repeated neglect of volunteering responsibilities can lead to dismissal or denial from volunteering.
Your Responsibilities
• Volunteers should sign in when they arrive each day.
• Arrive on time and stay for the full length of time you agreed to. If you are going to be late or absent, let someone at the SSCDC know as soon as possible.
• Always act with the best interests (physical and emotional) of our youth in mind – safety first.
• Conduct yourself quietly, calmly and rationally – set a good example.
• Refrain from swearing or using other questionable language and behavior at all times.
• Maintain a 5:1 (5 children to 1 adult) ratio in all situations unless otherwise instructed or assigned and always partner with another adult in case of emergencies.
• Do not deal with serious discipline problems yourself – please see a staff member when in doubt.
• Any personal information divulged about a youth through your volunteer position should be kept confidential. Do not share the information with anyone other than staff of the program.
• Do not under any circumstance volunteer while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and do not bring these substances on the premises. Any violation of this responsibility will be grounds for immediate dismissal from volunteer service.
• No smoking is allowed inside the church, or any of the rooms within the church.
• New volunteers will be required to fill out a volunteer information form, which will be stored on file with the SSCDC. This form will never leave the premises, and will never be shared with anyone outside of the CDC staff.
Program Information
After School @ Seneca Street (September - June)
(Homework Help and Enrichment)
Description:
The After School program has two main components. The first is homework help, as well as tutoring in reading and math. Children work in grade groups during this time. The second half of each day consists of enrichment activities designed to expose the children to new activities and topics. The children receive both a snack when they arrive, and a meal after their homework and enrichment time. There are occasional field trips or other special activities.
Program Schedule:
3:30 – 4:40pm – HW Help in Grade Group Classrooms
4:40 – 5:15pm – Enrichment Activities
5:15 – 5:30pm – Meal together
5:30pm - Dismissal
Days/Times:
This program is held after school every Monday-Thursday while school is in session, from 3:00pm-5:30pm.
Available After School Volunteer Positions:
Program Assistant: These individuals are needed to work with a specific age group on their homework and reading and math skills. They must also possess simple classroom management skills and the ability to engage students in other quiet activities if they complete their work. They also assist with the daily enrichment activities in whatever capacity is needed. Long-term availability is preferred.
Enrichment Instructor: These individuals share a particular talent or interest with the youth, on a one-time or ongoing basis. Responsible for planning and implementing enrichment activities for all age groups, based on your area of interest/expertise. Examples include arts/crafts, science, music, physical activity, cooking, etc.
Kitchen Crew: Help is also needed in the kitchen! This includes preparing and serving the snack and evening meal for all the kids, and clean up after the meal is over.
Summer @ Seneca Street
Please See our Calendar for Schedule
Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Description:
VBS is a one-week long program for youth entering grades K-9. This is the only summer program to have a religious theme. There are approximately 100 youth participants each year. Youth are divided into five age groups. Each day, the groups rotate through five different stations, which are music, crafts, storytelling, games, and snack. Breakfast is available to the participants before the program starts each day, and lunch is served at the end of each day.
Days/Times:
The VBS program runs Monday-Friday, from 9:00am - 1:00pm. On Friday afternoon, youth who have attended the entire week are taken on a field trip to amusement park Fantasy Island.
Available VBS Volunteer Positions:
Group Leader: Provides supervision to one of the five age groups of youth participants.
There are generally three or four group leaders per age group.
Responsibilities include:
• taking attendance
• making sure all group members stay with the group throughout the day
• encouraging participation and attentiveness during the activities
• modeling appropriate behavior
• communicating effectively with co-group leaders and other staff/volunteers
• dealing with minor disciplinary issues as they arise within your group
• administering minor first aid as needed
Group leaders also attend the field trip to Fantasy Island, free of charge, but must continue to monitor their group participants throughout the entirety of the trip.
Station Leader: Leads one of the stations that each of the five groups visit throughout the day. If you have a passion for music, crafts, telling stories, or leading games, this is your chance to share your talents with over 100 youth! Must plan an activity for each of the days and carry it out with all five groups. There are generally multiple volunteers per station.
Station leaders are also encouraged to attend the field trip to Fantasy Island, where they may be assigned to one of the age groups to provide additional support.
Kitchen Crew: Help is also needed in the kitchen! This includes preparing and serving breakfast, snacks, and lunch each day for the youth.
Summer Fun Theme Weeks
Description:
This program runs for five weeks during the summer. Each week has its own theme, and all activities relate to this theme throughout that week. It is for students entering grades 1-9 and students may sign up for any combination of weeks. There are between 40 and 50 youth participating each week. Youth are divided by age into four groups, and groups rotate between four different stations each day. These stations include recreation/reading, Gym/playground, a workshop, and either Science, crafts, or waterslide. Lunch is served to participants before the program starts each day, and a snack is served at the end of each day.
Days/Times:
This program runs from Monday-Thursday during designated weeks, from 9:00am - 1:00pm. Thursdays consist of field trips related to the theme, for youth who have attended all of the previous days that week.
Available Volunteer Positions:
Group Leader: Provides supervision to one of the four age groups of youth participants. There are generally two or three group leaders per age group.
Responsibilities include:
• making sure all group members stay with the group throughout the day
• leading simple activities and/or encouraging participation and attentiveness throughout activities led by outside professionals
• modeling appropriate behavior
• communicating effectively with co-group leaders and other staff/volunteers
• dealing with minor disciplinary issues as they arise within your group
• administering minor first aid as needed
Workshop Instructors: If you have a specific talent or area of expertise, why not share it with our youth during a theme week? We need station leaders who can commit to the full day for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of any given theme week. (If you are available less than all three days, there may still be opportunities available).
Kitchen Crew: Help is always needed in the kitchen, serving the lunches and snacks each day and keeping the kitchen neat.
Reading Camp
Description:
This is an academically based program that runs for two weeks each summer. It is for students entering grades 1-9, and there are approximately 65 participants. Students are divided into groups and rotate through different stations with
academically-based content tailored to each age group. Breakfast is available to the participants before the program starts each day, and lunch is served at the end of each day. Youth who attend the entire program receive a backpack filled with school supplies for the upcoming school year.
Days/Times:
Reading Camp runs from Monday-Thursday for two weeks, from 9:00am - 1:00pm.
Available Reading Camp Volunteer Positions:
Curriculum Planner: These individuals are needed during the weeks leading up to Reading Camp. If you have experience writing curriculum and lesson plans, we could greatly use your help! Volunteer to develop the two-week curriculum for one or more age groups and one or more subject areas. While the development will primarily be your duty, there are opportunities for input and advice from other Reading Camp volunteers, through staff meetings to prepare for the program.
Station Teacher: This is your opportunity for hands on work with the children. We need experienced leaders in each of the subject areas. Often the curriculum planners teach their own curriculum, however this is not necessarily a requirement. Subject areas available to teach generally include: reading, writing, math, science, music/movement, art, and relationships. You are the primary “teacher” for the classroom.
Kitchen Crew: As with any program, we also greatly need and appreciate any kitchen help.
Station Assistant: This position allows for direct interaction with the children as well. You would be placed in one of the classrooms and help each group as they pass through it during the day. Though each room has a primary teacher, other helpers are needed to keep the youth focused and on task, and help them with their work as needed.
School Supply/Book Organizer: Each participant in the program has the opportunity to receive free books for leisure reading, as well a backpack filled with needed school supplies. However, this would not be possible without volunteers willing to sort and organize the books by age, and sort and stuff the book bags. Put your organizational skills to use!
Group Leader: Provides supervision to one of the five age groups of youth participants. There are generally two or three group leaders per age group.
Responsibilities include:
• taking attendance
• making sure all group members stay with the group throughout the day
• encouraging participation and attentiveness throughout the activities
• providing assistance with the activities in each group, as needed
• modeling appropriate behavior
• communicating effectively with co-group leaders and other staff/volunteers
• dealing with minor disciplinary issues as they arise within your group
• administering minor first aid as needed
*While it is best to have volunteers who are available the entire two weeks, we will also gladly accept help from individuals who can only come on certain days.
*It is possible to volunteer for more than one position during these two weeks, as much of the school supply and book organization is done outside of program hours.
