Diamonds in the Rough

Diamond In The Rough Youth Development Program is currently accepting applications for our Mentoring and Leadership Program. If you or someone you know is interested in joining a dynamic team of individuals involved in a program that is changing the lives of girls ages 4-18, give us a call.

We have both short term and long-term opportunities available for the 2012-2013 school year. If you have a passion for youth, a heart to serve and courage to soar to new heights we would like to talk to you.

New volunteer applications being accepted for the new year through August 25th.  

Volunteer Opportunities

• Community Development
• Fundraising
• Guest Speaker
• Grant Development
• Group Mentor
• Mentor Coordinator
• Marketing & PR
• Program Trainer
• Research & Development
• Special Events
• Volunteer Services
• Youth Services 

 Please be sure to share this information with church members, sororities, women's clubs, business    groups, college students, and social clubs. 

Don' delay... call today. 

 Volunteer Application   

Diamond In The Rough
2140 McGee Road, Suite C-640
Snellville, Georgia 30078
(678) 376-9676 

www.ditr.org 

Mentoring Program with B.L.U.E Jeans

Would you like to be a role model and make a positive impact on a young man in your area!!!! If the answer is YES... B.L.U.E .² Jeans Mentoring Program is right for you! B.L.U.E.  Jeans is a mentoring program enhancing the self-esteem, self-acceptance, leadership, and professional skills of boys at Parks Middle School, empowering them towards a positive and productive future. Click on the link below to learn more about the program from the official website! To apply to be a mentor click on the Volunteer tab on the homepage and gain access to the application. If you have any questions feel free to email us at bluejeans727@gmail.com or bluejeansmentor@gmail.com. Check out the B.L.U.E .² Jeans Mentoring Program Facebook and Twitter as well!  Good luck and we look forward to working with you!

B.L.U.E .² Jeans Mentoring Program website: bluejeans727.wix.com/bj2012

Make a difference...Mentor!

Forest Park Street School is currently accepting applications for its mentoring initiative which focuses on preparing youth to transition from adolescence to adulthood. 

Types of Volunteer Opportunities:
-One on One and Group Mentoring
-Workshop Facilitators
-Tutors
-Advisory Board Members

Program Highlights:
-Monthly life skills training:  goal setting, spiritual enrichment, public speaking, problem solving/conflict resolution, etiquette, leadership, economic empowerment, image building, personal branding
-Exposure to cultural activities & field trips
-Post secondary education and/or career placement

Requirements/Time Commitment:
-21 years or older
-Background screening
-Commit to 15 month minimum
-Spend a minimum of 8 hours or one day per month one-on-one with mentee
-Communicate with mentee weekly
-Attend an initial two hour training session
-Attend mentor/mentee group events, mentor support groups and program recognition events

For more information, contact Paula Palmer Green at 404-363-9600 or paulapalmergreen@gmail.com.

Location:
Forest Park Street School
260 Forest Parkway
Forest Park, GA 30298
www.fpss.org

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction”.
John C. Crosby Mentor
 

The Radloff Middle School Mentoring Program

Cordially invites you to Attend

A Mentoring Luncheon

When: May 11, 2012

Time: 11:00am-12:00pm

Louise Radloff MS

3939 shackleford Rd

Duluth, GA 30096

Please rsvp Kizzie or Donna at 678-245-3417

Or e-mail: donna_power@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

Kizzie.bell@gmail.com

Camp New Hope Counselors

Who: Volunteers who are self-motivated and willing to go the extra mile to provide an exceptional experience that will be talked about for years to come. Age requirement: Minimum age of 21 (exceptions are made only by the Camp Director) What: A camp created especially for children living with sickle cell disease. When: June 9-15, 2012 Where: Camp Will-A-Way, a Camp Twin Lakes, Inc. facility located in Winder, GA at Fort Yargo State Park * Cabins are air conditioned and handicap accessible. Campers and volunteers have 24/7 access to medical staff. To apply for Camp New Hope, fill out the application form by April 27, 2012. Once the completed application form is received you will be emailed or mailed the follow up paperwork which includes: waivers, immunization form or copy of immunization records, and a medical form that must be signed by a medical professional (e.g. student health center). This paperwork must be returned by May 11, 2012.
Link to volunteer application: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dDRHX2RCOHdBOHNXcWNwOHBqNXczUmc6MA#gid=0

 Individuals may also go to the website www.sicklecellga.org

and click 2012 CAMP NEW HOPE INFORMATION!!

Camp Twin Lakes
Attention: Mandy Smith, Camp New Hope Co-Director 600 Means Street Suite 110 Atlanta, GA 30318 (404) 231-9887 ext. 235 mandy@camptwinlakes.org

Mentor Immigrant and Refugee Youth

The Go-Betweener Mentoring Program 

Unique Philosophy:  “Go-Betweeners” 

Immigrant and refugee youth have the experience of "going between" their culture at home and American
culture at school and in the community. This can prove to be especially confusing and challenging. Often,
these youth are able to learn English and adapt to American culture faster than their parents, but with
little support and guidance present as their parents are usually working multiple jobs to make ends
meet. They are at particularly high risk for falling behind in school, dropping out, or becoming involved with
drugs and gangs.

We match both 1st and 2nd generation youth (ages 7-17) very specifically with mentors who are:
• also immigrants and refugees;
• who speak the same home language; and
• are from the same (or very similar) home culture, and if they were born outside of the U.S. they
have been in the U.S. for several years.
This way, they are able to relate to and support their mentees in a way that no one else could. They
understand the unique challenges that their mentees face, and they are able to communicate effectively
with their families - connecting them with resources in the community and helping them to learn to be
successful in American culture while maintaining their roots with their own culture.  

A mentor can:  
• be a caring and supportive adult presence
• help with school work
• help with English skills
• help their mentee to set and work towards goals
• connect their mentee (and sometimes his/her family) with resources in the community
• foster an attitude of succes
Other information about the program:
• We thoroughly screen our mentors through in-person interviews, background and reference checks.
• The program is community based. This means that mentors and mentees schedule activities together
independent of Culture Connect. They may participate in community service projects; attend cultural
festivals, or visit museums, theatres, and venues such as the Zoo. Sometimes, they just hang out and
talk while cooking a meal or walking in the park.
• The program requires mentors and mentees to spend at least 4 hours per month with each other for 1
year.
There is an application process and training required for both mentors and mentees.
Contact us for more information today!


Culture Connect, Inc.

P.O. Box 250          
Clarkston, GA  30021       
tel. (404) 292-8457 x 4 
fax (404) 292-8458 
www.cultureconnectinc.org

Culture Connect Mentor

The Go-Betweener® Mentoring Program

Immigrants and refugees, especially children and adolescents, have the experience of "going between" their culture at home and American culture at school and in the community. This can prove to be especially confusing and challenging as these youth are often able to learn English and adapt to American culture faster than their parents. Sometimes, there may be little support and guidance present as their parents are working long hours at multiple jobs to survive. These children and adolescents are at particularly high risk for falling behind in school, dropping out, and becoming involved with drug abuse and gangs.

We match these youth very specifically with adult mentors who share 3 important characteristics with them:

1. They are also immigrants or refugees.
2. They are from the same (or similar) cultural background.
3. They speak the same home language.

This way, they are able to relate to and support their mentee in a way that no one else could. They understand the unique challenges that their mentees face, and they are able to communicate effectively with their families - connecting them with resources in the community and helping them to learn to be successful in the United States while maintaining their roots with their home culture.

What are the requirements? You must:

• Be between 18-50 years old
• Be 1st/1.5/2nd generation immigrant or refugee
• Have reliable transportation
• Speak English fluently
• Speak the target language fluently
• Commit to spend time with your mentee at least twice per month for a minimum of 1 year

Want more information about being a mentor? Download our informative PDF. If you cannot read the PDF, download Adobe Reader for free.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please download and fill out this application and email it to volunteer.coordinator@cultureconnectinc.org, fax it to 404-292-8458, or send it by mail to P.O. Box 250, Clarkston, GA 30021. If you have questions about this program please contact us.

Project One-on-One, Academic Mentoring Program

Project One-on-One is a tutoring and mentoring program for homeless children in Atlanta.

We need volunteers for weekly sessions in Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cherokee, Cobb, Forsyth, Douglas, Clayton, and Fulton Counties. Each session is an hour and a half long and allows mentors to get to tutor homeless children while also getting to know them.

Our program is structured as team mentoring, meaning a team of volunteers meets with a group of children at the same time. We try to keep the ratio one to one, but this is not always possible due to limited volunteer resources. That's why it's so important to be consistent and reliable, and to help us get the word out!

The mentor sessions are academically focused. You will find that most of the students are lacking in basic skills and the best way to help them is to fill in those gaps. Additionally, students may need help with their homework. Other academic resources are available to help you with the tutoring.

While this is an academically focused program, we also ask mentors to develop more meaningful relationships with these kids and serve as a positive role model. We call it a mentoring program because without a trusting, friendly relationship there is no getting through to a lot of these kids. They need skills, yes; but more than that they need encouragement and attention that is crucial to healthy social development.

As a mentor, you can show your students that education is important and learning can be fun, and you can celebrate progress. There are few greater accomplishments than helping a struggling student learn how to learn!!

Please sign up at our website for more information and faster placement!

To volunteer, please visit: http://www.childrn.org/crn_trial_4_020.htm

Skills

• Tutor/Mentor: We are looking for caring and responsible adults (must be 18 and a high school graduate) to provide positive interaction and academic help to residents in Metro Atlanta's group homes. A brief meeting or orientation session with the program coordinator is required. We also need a completed background check, which is completed through Children’s Restoration Network. Mentors are required to volunteer with the program for at least four months. Other than that only understanding, tolerance, a lot of patience, a bit of knowledge, a little time, and a smidgen of wisdom is needed. You can check out our website at http://www.childrn.org/crn_trial_4_020.htm

Requirements

• An orientation session with the program coordinator is required.
• We also need a completed background check, which is completed through Children's Restoration Network.
• Mentors are required to volunteer with the program for at least four months.

Ezra Project

We are a nonprofit organization that works with 8^th grade boys at Brown Middle School in Atlanta, GA. (Brown is located on Peebles St. in the west end; approx. 2 mi from Morehouse.) We are looking for mentor volunteers. Someone who can invest “positive” time in and with the boys. The word “mentor” brings up sort of a stereotypical notion; our definition of mentoring is relational, yet the personality and creativity of the mentor is welcome to come forth as they present a positive impression on the students.

We welcome your creativity in determining what time is spent, events attended, educational or recreational style, etc.; as long as “quality” time is the objective. Group collaborations are a good way to involve your peers in volunteering. For example, one engineering major from Morehouse thought to incorporate the boys in a Lego-like building project. Athletes let the boys attend their practices, give them tickets to games. Law students may let the boys attend mock trials or debates – things like that. Dare to be as creative as you like!!

The most important thing is commitment. No matter how little or much time you can give, the boys being able to count on you is the key. We are looking for twenty volunteers that have “some” time to invest in another young student. For those interested, please contact Stan Wardsworth (ezra.foundation@gmail.com) either by phone or email, I will arrange a time to meet with you (Collectively is best, but we understand your busy schedules.) We look forward to having you be a part of the work that is so much needed. 

Information: 

http://ezra-foundation.org/

Premiere CDC

Volunteers Tutors Needed

To Provide Academic Support for Children in our

 Therapeutic After-School Program!

We are in need of undergraduate and graduate students who are looking to work in the field of education, behavioral health and psychology to provide tutoring to our students in the after-school program.  This would be a rewarding and great opportunity to get your feet wet and to work one on one with our students.

For More Info Call:

 Ms. Ida Johnson

 (404) 768-5553

 (404) 333-7531

Premiere CDC

5495 Old National HWY Suite C-1

Atlanta, GA 30349

Email: ijohnson@pcdcofga.com

Delivered Vessels

Help us put an end to child sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Demonstrate your shared commitment to the eradication of this horrific instance that has plagued our children long enough. Together we make a difference- but first it starts with you-won't you join us?

We need students to help at a local charter school in Cobb County near Fulton County line. We are looking for student volunteers that would be interested in tutoring students from 3rd-8th grades in Math and Reading.

If interested in volunteering contact Chandra Southern by emailing info@deliveredvessels.org.

For more information check out our website at

www.deliveredvessels.org

Youth Connections, Inc.

CRITICAL NEED FOR MENTORS

Youth Connections Inc’s., Soaring Towards Excellence Program (STEP I) is a 501(c)(3) Mentoring Program whose focus is to match positive mentors to mentees that are coping with having an incarcerated parent.  We have a critical need for mentors. 

We feel that it is our mission to break the cycle of behaviors and actions that lead to incarceration.  We need caring mentors who are willing to show these children that there is another road they can choose. 

For more information or to take action and participate, contact the STEP I office in Atlanta by calling Deirdre Reynolds at 404.474.7479 or by emailing dreynolds@youth-connect.net. 

Become a Mentor and Change the life of a Child.

Clarkston Community Center

TUTORS NEEDED

• After-school program, 5 days a week, 3:30 to 5:30 pm
• Tutors work in small groups with elementary school children for one hour on homework help, then work with middle schoolers for second hour or assist with enrichment for second hour (math, science & technology, art, music, fitness)
• Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Annie Irankunda at 404-508-1050

International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee is a non-profit resettlement agency helping refugees to rebuild their life in the United States.  They have volunteer opportunities for students interested in gaining experience working with diverse groups of clients, meeting new people from other cultures, and helping others. 

There are two opportunities available:
1)  Family mentor

• Want to make a difference?  Experience a new culture?  Help refugees rebuilding their lives in Atlanta?
• Minimum requirements:  2-3 hours a week for 3 months
• Share what you love about Atlanta with a refugee family!
• Contact Amber Mull, Volunteer Coordinator at 678.636.8928 or VolunteerATL@theirc.org

2)  Resettlement shop

• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
• Contact Bekelech Wodajo at 678.636.8952 or bekelech.wodajo@theirc.org

YES! Atlanta

YES! Atlanta transforms the lives of "at-risk" youth ages 14-17 through educational and personal development coaching. 

We believe in second chances for our children. Since 1988 we have striven to eradicate the high dropout rate in our public schools that is strongly correlated to eventual incarceration.  Yes! Atlanta has helped 1,000 students overcome the obstacles that stood in the way of their high school graduation.  We are very proud that 70%+ of our students leave the juvenile system.

Yes! works with teachers, parents, the judicial system to help “at-risk” students graduate.  Through our programs, our youth learn the value of educational advancement, and the life skills to break their cycle of negativity.  Following the intensive, our youth re-engage in school attendance, improve academic performance, have better relationships, and a better worldview.

While youth enter our program through our partners, they may continue to participate voluntarily until graduation or placement in college or vocational school.

Scope of Activities
Youth Intensive
We provide a “Youth Intensive” course that provides hope and a new path for “at risk” youth.  Our five-day intensive addresses the key issues impacting our students, including hopelessness, distrust of others, and low self-esteem.  From group activities to guest speakers, the youth are challenged to think and behave in new ways that are beneficial to themselves and their long-term success.

Coaching For Success
We accept 50-60 youth capable of escaping the cycle of underperformance for a weekly tutoring session titled “Coaching for Success.”  Most of our youth come to the program through the judicial system for non-violent events such as school truancy.  We provide a safe atmosphere, and students attend voluntarily, which we believe is key to their understanding of responsibility and opportunity.  While we sustain the “program,” the key ingredient to our program is the bond between our tutors and the youth.  To complement the education sessions, we occasionally take the youth to various arts, sports, or other community events to expand their worlds.

International Rescue Committee

A few of the available opportunities with the International Rescue Committee (IRC):

• Be a family mentor
• You can "adopt" and work one-on-one with a newly arrived refugee family to help them adjust to their new lives in the United States.  This may include English conversation practice, discussions of cultural differences, city orientation and other things involved in getting to know the new community.  Family mentors volunteer for at least 2 hours a week, for a period of at least 3 months.
• ESL Assistant
• Our English as a Second Language (ESL) Program helps newly arrived refugees learn English so that they can secure early employment and perform the daily tasks necessary for their family's well-being.  Volunteers assist our teachers to teach ESL.  The adult ESL classes take place from 9-11 am and 11:30-1:30 pm Monday through Thursday.  We also have Vocational English classes that target on vocabulary and contexts critical to finding employment and succeeding in the workplace.  These take place Monday through Thursday 11:30 to 1:30 pm and Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 pm  A commitment of 2-3 hours a week is required.
• First Things First Assistant
• IRC's First Things First Program is a woman's literacy class that provides English instruction to refugee mothers while providing educational childcare.  We need volunteers to help care for the children and also to help their mothers learn.  The classes are held from 9 to 11:30 am, Monday through Thursday.  A commitment of 2-3 hours a week is required.
• Help out at the Resettlement Shop
• Spend a few hours working in this thrift-shop environment helping refugees choose clothing and house wares appropriate for their new homes.  You can also help with the presentation of the shop to make it a welcoming place for refugee clients and community donors.  The shop is open from 10 am to noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  Volunteers are needed off hours as well.
• Teach in the Computer Lab
• IRC needs volunteers to help clients utilize computer equipment and to provide them with necessary guidance.  Computer lab monitors will help refugee clients learn how to navigate the Internet, set up email accounts, improve their typing skills, create resumes, and learn basic functions of MS Office.  The computer lab is open from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday.  A commitment of 2-3 hours a week is required.
• Tutor refugee youth
• IRC's After School Program is designed for refugee and American students in grades 7 to 12.  The program provides academic assistance, helps youth transition into their new homes and schools, and builds leadership skills.  Volunteers provide homework help, mentoring, and support for students.  The program takes place every school day between 3:00 and 5:00 pm at two locations:  Clarkston High School and the International Student Center, and also during the summer.

For more information, please contact 678.636.8928 of VolunteerATL@Rescue.org

Hands On Atlanta's Discovery Program

The Discovery program is a model educational initiative, which boosts the aspirations and self-confidence of students through a multi-faceted, volunteer-led program.

The program strives to:

1. Encourage children to see the importance of education.
2. Broaden their horizons.
3. Be a positive force in their lives.

The Hands on Atlanta Discovery Program is a volunteer-led Saturday tutoring and enrichment initiative that supports Monday through Friday elementary school instruction through homework assistance, tutoring, educational games, mentoring, and enrichment through field trips and service-learning projects.  

To volunteer, please contact:

Julia Bunch

404.979.2817

jbunch@handsonatlanta.org

Bonnie Fee

404.979.2846

bfee@handsonatlanta.org

Wes Pitts

404.979.2857

wpitts@handsonatlanta.org

AfterSchool Classe

AfterSchool Classe needs volunteer tutors to work one hour per week at Burgess-Peterson Academy.

For more info, please contact Barbara Hardwick at 678.644.9513.

B.E.S.T. Academy

This all-male academy is seeking volunteers Monday through Friday from the hours of 8 am to 4 pm.  Individuals and student groups are needed to serve as mentors and tutors in various academic subjects.

For more information or to sign up to volunteer, please call 404.802.4944.

The Literacy for Youth Foundation

Volunteers are needed in children's hospitals, shelters, local libraries, recreation centers, classroom settings, and more!  Serve as a tutor, mentor, friend, and much more.

To be a volunteer, visit www.Literacy4youth.vpweb.com or contact us at 404.454.3058 or email Literacy4youth@yahoo.com.