Volunteer Opportunities with Youth

 

A Case for Dignity

Contact Number: 843-1760

Looking for bags and luggage to donated to children who have none and are in foster care. When these children move from place to place, they often only have trash bags to put their belongings in. This works toward making the children feel like more than garbage and giving them some dignity.

Drop of any bags or luggage to the ALIVE Center.

Please email this cause at acasefordignity@gmail.com for more information.

 

The Adoption Resource Program

Contact Number: 781-6714

Looking for volunteers to provide child care and/or activities at our monthly foster and adoptive parent support group meetings.

Volunteers will be responsible for providing childcare and/or facilitating an children's or youth activity, such as games, crafts, etc. for the children who attend our meetings.

These meetings are held the third Thursday of every month, with the exception of June/July and Nov/Dec., from 6-8 p.m. at First Christian Church, 1106 State Street. It is mandatory that volunteers complete a Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check, which costs $10.00 and the record must be on file before we can allow volunteers to work with the children.

Any WKU students whose classes require community service are encouraged to volunteer, especially those who are majoring in any areas that involve children. Please contact C. Denise Lambrianou at (270) 781-6714 x 3 for further information.

 

American Red Cross

Contact Number: 781-7377

Needs volunteers for: Youth Team Leader: Adults are needed to help coordinate and supervise activities and service projects. Adult leaders act as positive role models for youth and encourage leadership and personal development. If you are interested in volunteering with the South Central Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross, call (270) 781-7377.

 

Barefoot Republic Camp

Contact Number:  615-599-9683

Year-round volunteers needed at the camp property to do various work projects, including:  outdoor work (cut fire wood, clear trails, spray weeds, stain tree houses & amphitheater), small building projects (canoe rack, ropes course, & shed), and deep clean camp buildings.

Seasonal volunteers needed in the summer to assemble care packages in campers in need, write encouraging letters to campers, send bedding and other camp necessities, & donate money for scholarship fund. Volunteers are also needed to serve as counselors, instructors, kitchen help, facilities maintenence, and clerical work.

Contact Candace at candace@barefootrepublic.org or call at 615-599-9683.

 

Barren River Child Advocacy Center

Contact Number: 783-4357

Child & Family Volunteer (On-Going):As a Child Life volunteer you will assist our Crisis Intervention Counselor by supervising playroom activities and interacting with children as they await their services. Playing, reading, assisting with arts and crafts, providing snacks, supervising the family waiting area, and escorting families and/or children to specific areas as needed are all part of the duties of this volunteer position. You will also be responsible for alerting the Crisis Intervention Counselor or other core staff when a child or family needs immediate attention.

Office Volunteer (On-Going):Provide general clerical and administrative assistance. This may include answering phones, filing, and working on special projects as needed.

Special Events Volunteer (One Time or On-Going): Assist with BRACAC special events, such as fundraisers, training, etc. Responsibilities may include helping with event set-up, registration tables and invitations.

Landscape Volunteer (Seasonal): Coordinate on-going landscaping for BRACAC building, which includes cleanliness of grounds, planting flower and shrubs, window cleaning, snow blowing and other duties as assigned.

Requirements: Must be 18 years or older, Complete BRACAC Volunteer Application, Complete Pre-Training Interview, Make a commitment to volunteer a minimum of 20 hrs a month for a minimum of six months, Complete 24 hours of training (Contact the BRACAC for the current schedule), Complete criminal background and Central Registry checks, Submit three references, Complete Pre-Training Interview, Commit to the terms and conditions of the volunteer program. To ensure the safety and confidentiality of all children and families who visit the Center, Center policy requires all members of the Board of Directors, staff (contractual & employed) and volunteers complete a criminal and a central registry background check before becoming active with the Center and its mission. If you would like to become a volunteer at BRACAC, please call the Center at (270) 783-4357 and ask to speak to a staff member about volunteer opportunities and sign up to complete the next volunteer training session.

Child Life Volunteer: Assist the Crisis Intervention Counselor by supervising playroom activities, and interacting with children as they await their services. Playing , reading, arts and crafts, providing snacks, supervising the family waiting area, and escorting families and/or children to specific areas as needed. Responsible for alerting staff when a child or family needs immediate attention.

 

Bellewood Home for Children

Bellewood Home for Children in Bowling Green has a need for mentors. To become a mentor, someone must be 21 years of age. Bellewood requires some paperwork. Once the paperwork is complete and background checks have been done, mentors will be trained, matched with a mentor, and the mentoring begins.

Bellewood only asks for one hour of your time a week. There are numerous kinds of activities you can enjoy with your mentee, and most importantly, you will be providing a positive influence to children who do not have very large support systems.

If you would like to find out more about the mentoring program, please contact Janis.Watt@bellewood.org

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central KY

Contact Number: 781-1180

School based mentoring programs and community based mentoring programs. Please contact (270) 781-1180, or visit bbbssky.com.

Community-based Program: Volunteers provide Littles with one-on-one time and attention in their community, typically two to four hours per week. Volunteers must be at least 18-years-old, and activities can include any variety of outings in the community.

School-based Program: Volunteers provide Littles with one-on-one time and attention in their school, typically one to two hours per week. BBBS currently serves Dishman-McGinnis, Parker-Bennett-Curry, Briarwood, Cumberland, Lost River, Warren Elementary, Bowling Green Junior High, and Girls Inc. Volunteers must be at least 15-years-old, and all activities must take place on school grounds.

 

Boys and Girls Club of Bowling Green Tutors

Contact Number: 781-3549

Monday through Friday, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30, during the school year. Would like volunteers to be at least 18. If interested call Abbey Kitchens at 781-3549.

 

Boys and Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson

Contact Number:  270-586-6082

Needs volunteers as daily homework helpers, for preparation of snacks, and for special presentations based on careers.

 

Bowling Green Independent Schools Even Start Program

Contact Number: 746-2276

Needs volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at the Parker-Bennett-Curry School during the school year. The parents in the program attend Adult Education Classes - English as a Second Language classes and GED preparation classes at Parker-Bennett-Curry while their children (infants to age 12) are in childcare. Volunteers will work with these children on homework assignments, snack time, recreational activities, crafts, reading and other center-structured activities. Parker-Bennett-Curry Elementary is located at 165 Webb Drive. If you would like more information, please call Teresa Sneed at 746-2276. Volunteers must be 18 years and older.

 

Bowling Green Independent Schools Preschool Program

Contact Number: 746-2277

Needs volunteers 8:00am - 11:00am and 12:00 -3:00pm. Monday thru Thursday during the school year. Volunteer duties would be interaction with the children at the various activity centers. These centers include a Literacy Library Center, Housekeeping Center (dress-up play and cooking), Block and Art Center. All volunteers need to have a criminal background check prior to volunteering. This can be done at the Parker-Bennett-Curry Elementary located at 165 Webb Drive. If you would like more information, please call 746-2277. Volunteers must be 18 years or older.

 

Boy Scouts of America-Shawnee Trails Council

Contact Number: 684-9272

Assisting with troop activities; leadership training for those that want to become troop leaders.

 

Bowling Green Parks and Recreation

Contact Number: 393-3691

A new afterschool program! Volunteers are needed from between the hours of 3pm and 6pm, Monday through Friday. Volunteer duties may include helping in the homework room, supervising the game room or TV room, helping with gymnasium activities or helping out in the kitchen with arts and crafts and other activities. If you would like more information about this opportunity, contact Omar at 393-3691 or omar.rogers@bgky.org. Please note that a background check is needed to volunteer at Parks and Rec.

 

CASA Fostering Futures

Contact Number: 782-5353

Looking for volunteers to help young people “aging out” of foster care. Fostering Futures assists those aging out by helping with job searches and transportation needs. Young people in state care who extend their commitment for educational purposes must attend a post secondary school and work 20 hours per week. Many fail due to lack of support. Kentucky is #1 in the nation for school drop outs and growth rate of incarceration. It costs the state $2,300 to send a young person to WKU and $25,000 to send them to jail. Email us at Irene@casaofsck.org.

www.casaofsck.org

Irene Parker, CASA of South Central KY, P O Box 867, Bowling Green, KY 42102

270-782-5353

 

Community Action - Foster Grandparents Program

Contact Number: 782-3162

The Foster Grandparent Program engages persons age 60 and over in volunteer service assisting children with special and exceptional needs at various locations within the community the volunteer lives. The program provides a $2.65 per hour stipend, a meal each day of service, an annual physical exam, mileage reimbursement and other insurance benefits to the volunteer that enables the income eligible senior to participate in the program without any cost to them. Volunteers assist children at schools, Head Start classrooms, and non-profit childcares. A thorough Pre-Service orientation program is provided for all volunteers. Contact: Renee Coleman, Volunteer Coordinator

Phone: 270-782-3162 or e-mail: rcoleman@casoky.org

 

Dream Factory, Inc.

Contact Number: 793-1022

Agency fulfills dreams for critically and chronically ill children ages 3 to 18. Duties may include home visits, fundraising, delivering “dream” items to the home. Fundraising events include the "Taste of Bowling Green," in April, Fall Festival at Jackson's Orchard in October and a Christmas Party in December. Contact Vicky Weaver 270-793-1022.

 

Family Enrichment Center, Inc.

Contact Number: 781-6714

Needs volunteers to assist with general clerical duties such as mailings for community events, filing and data entry. Opportunities are also available to assist with child care in the Wee Care Nursery at different times throughout the year. Family Enrichment Center’s mission is to empower families and prevent child abuse by providing education, social support, crisis intervention, and a safe environment for children and their families. Hours are Mon.- Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For more information contact Denise Lambrianou at 781-6714.

 

4-H

Contact Number: 842-1681

A community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H depends on volunteers to be club leaders, council members, activity leaders, judges and much more. Interested individuals wanting to volunteer must complete an application process and background check. Contact the Warren County Extension Office at 270-842-1681 for more information.

 

Girl Scout troop leaders needed

Contact Number: 842-8138

We have a waiting list across Bowling Green and surrounding counties of girls wanting to join Girl Scouts but not enough volunteers to become troop leaders. Anyone 18 years or older can volunteer. We do a background check on all adults, and it does require two adults for every troop. Troop leaders can be moms, grandmothers, aunts, big sisters, or just plain volunteers. No Girl Scout experience necessary! We provide FREE training and some materials to get started. The greatest reward is the fun you will have, and the knowledge of making a difference in girl’s lives. We also need other volunteers to help with public relations and fund-raising. Also needed are volunteers to provide programs in which the Girl Scouts can participate, or to help staff to present these programs. We need volunteers who can provide leadership training for adults or on-going enrichment classes. If interested please call Cathy Parker, 842-8138 or email cparker@kyanags.org.

 

HOPE Mentoring Program

The Training Resource Center (TRC) at WKU is collaborating with Murray State University’s TRC and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide HOPE for foster youth in Kentucky. HOPE is: Helping to Organize, Provide for and Empower youth. The goal of the program is simple: to help youth in out-of-home care (foster care) transition successfully into adulthood. You could be a mentor to a youth who lives in your community! We are looking for mentors that are at least 21 years old and can make at least a one year commitment. For more information, please call. Download the HOPE postcard and the Mentoring FAQs.

 

Housing Authority of Bowling Green

Contact Number: 467-7140

Learning Center needs volunteers to tutor children with reading at one of the three Learning Centers in Bowling Green. Volunteers can choose one day a week between Monday through Thursday to read with a child. Volunteers are expected to meet with their reading buddy once a week at the assigned Learning Center. Volunteers need to be graduated from high school. For more information contact Shannon Montgomery, Program Coordinator at 270-467-7140.

 

Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky

Contact Number: 782-0280

Dedicated to educating young people to understand business and economics and be workforce ready. This is accomplished through volunteers sharing their life experiences through stimulating hands-on activities. JA staff provides training materials and ongoing support for volunteers. Volunteers usually teach at the school and grade level of their choice. The volunteer's role includes: A once a week commitment for a minimum of five classroom visits and facilitating activities for 30-45 minute class periods. Classes begin late August to early September for the fall and January to Early February for the spring. Call 270-782-0280 for more information, or email ashley@jaforkids.com.

 

Kentucky Library & Museum

Contact Number: 745-6082

Recruiting volunteers to act as docents to assist with large school tour groups. If you are between the ages of 17 and 99, work well with children, and have a love of KY history then the KY Museum needs you! Volunteers will be trained with exhibit scripts.

If you are between the ages of 14 and 99 and have a love of KY history,

the Kentucky Library & Museum needs you! The Kentucky Library & Museum

needs volunteers to assist in a variety of areas including:

*Special Events*

Work a two to four hour shift at one of our many special events throughout the year such as Appraisal Day, US Bank Art Show, or Christmas in Kentucky. Duties are as diverse as registering participants, taking photographs, or guiding Big Red around the museum! Special events are always festive and fun.

*Kentucky Library, Manuscripts or WKU Archives* Work as much or as little as your schedule permits. Duties could include sorting photographs, organizing a manuscript collection, transcribing an early

letter, and much more. Fascinating work!

*School Field Trips*

Work a two hour shift assisting with one of our many large school field trips. Children engage in a variety of hand-on activities throughout the museum and an extra pair of adult hands is always needed! Students and teachers are always so appreciative for the extra volunteer support.

*Camps*

Work as much or as little as your schedule permits with one of our outstanding spring, summer, or fall break camps. Assist one of our staff members with art and history programs as campers explore that week's theme. Camp is always a blast!

Please call Christy Spurlock at 745-6082 or email Christy.spurlock@wku.edu for more information or go to http://www.wku.edu/library/kylm/education/volunteer.html.

 

Newborns in Need

Contact Number: 282-3275

A 501 3c national charity with local chapters all over the US. This is the first one to be established in the state of Kentucky. This charity serves low income babies and toddlers to age 5. The purpose is to provide essential baby items free of charge to low income families and families in crisis.

Donation Items

Below is a list of items needed for the infant care kits as well as items needed for families with greater needs. All donations are tax deductable. We can pick up large donations. Used, new and homemade items are welcome.

Diapers, wipes, soap, lotion and diaper cream.

Blankets, quilts, afghans, or fleece blankets.

Sleepers, onsies and clothing (sizes 0-5T)

Stuffed animals, small toys, or books.

Preemie sized diapers and sleepers

Cribs, pack and plays, changing tables, strollers, etc.

Monetary Contribution

If you’d like to make a monetary contribution, make a check out to NEWBORNS IN NEED and send check to 669 Willow Bend Circle, Bowling Green, KY 42104. A tax receipt will be mailed back to you immediately.

Volunteering

We need help!! If you can help us collect items through your child’s school or church, if you make baby blankets or hats, if you want to come help us pack care kits- we need you! Children are welcome! If you have one hour per month or want to do more, please contact us. Any questions? Contact 282-3275; Email: bgnewborns@gmail.com or visit the website at www.bgnewborns.wordpress.com.

Parker Bennett Community Center

Contact Number:  393-3310

The Parker Bennett Community Center is dedicated to helping the community by providing after-school activities for area youth.  Volunteers are needed in the after-school program to help youth ages 5-14 with homework, arts & crafts, activities, and games.  Requires a background check.  Monday-Friday starting September 5 from 2:30-6pm.

 

Parker Bennett Curry Elementary

Contact Number: 746-2270

Mentoring program for students in Grades K-5. The goal of the mentoring program is to build positive relationships with the children. Volunteers are needed to meet at least 20-30 minutes twice monthly with a designated student. The purpose is not to focus on academics but to be their friend. Mentoring times will be during school hours and could consist of eating breakfast or lunch with the student, playing a game, visiting the school library, playing on the computer or reading. If you want to visit your mentee outside of school hours you must get written permission from the parents and let the school know. If you would like more information about this Mentoring volunteer opportunity, contact Jennifer Lindsey at 746-2270 or jennifer.lindsey@bgreen.kyschools.us.

Potter Children's Home

Contact Number: 843-3038

Childcare and tutors needed at Potter children's home. Childcare: 3:00 - 5:00 PM during school year; Noon - 3:00 PM during summer, Monday-Friday. Tutors: 1 hour a week at Potter between the hours of 3:30 - 5:00 on Mondays or Thursdays. Other volunteers are needed in the resale shop. For more information, contact Geneva Brewer at (270) 843-3038.

 

St. Joseph School

Contact Information:  sandra.mcallister@wku.edu

Volunteers are needed to help students with their homework after school.  They meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 4:30 and could really use help!  No experience needed - just a desire to work with young people (elementary and middle school aged). 

 

Warren East Middle School

Contact Number: 843-3118

Welcomes volunteers for tutoring at-risk students during the school day. Volunteers will work one-on-one with students who need more individual attention with their classroom studies. Call Brenda Lawrence at 843-3118 to inquire about volunteering as a classroom tutor.