How to Volunteer

Parents, as well as members of the community, provide valuable assistance in the overall quality of the program through volunteering.

For more information on volunteering call us at 305-273-0028 ext 104.

 Frequently Asked Questions:

What would I do as a volunteer?
As a volunteer for the After School Program (elementary school aged-students) you would either
(a) assist school-aged children with homework or help facilitate academic enrichment (tutoring);
(b) work with students in the literacy component of our program (i.e. read to/with students, facilitate reading comprehension extension activities)                                                                                                                  
As a volunteer for Saturday 4 Arts, Familias Unidas, Mommy & Me you would either
a) assist the coordinator with classroom instruction for children or adults
b) work with students in child initiated activities
c) assist in completing important documents and files designed to evaluate and provide feedback on the program
d) share your own experiences and interact with the participants as a way to enrich their experience in the program

What qualifications/experience do I need to volunteer with the after school program?
Most of the volunteers have not previously had experience working with children in an academic setting. In fact, the center is often used as an agency where those who are interested in pursuing careers in education can get practical, hands-on experience.

Are trainings offered?
In order to make your time with the children and the adults more productive, we offer trainings. Trainings focus on reading comprehension and tutoring children in mathematics and are conducted by After School Program staff or other qualified personnel. Trainings for those working with adults focuses on communication skills, problem solving, information and referral.

What are the program hours?
In the After School Program we ask that volunteers arrive between 2:45 and 3:00pm. The program starts promptly at 3:00 and ends at 7:00pm. Saturday 4 Arts we ask that volunteers arrive at 9am until 12pm.
Familias Unidas is every Friday starting at 7:00pm and ending at 9:30pm.  Mommy & Me will be on Saturdays from 11am – 2pm.

What kind of commitment will I have to make?
In the After School we ask that volunteers commit to one day a week and, when possible, stay until the end of the school semester/year. We encourage participation whether or not you are able to make this commitment. The other programs we would ask to commit for a full cycle ranging from 8 to 10 weeks depending on the program.

What are the age ranges of the Children?
Our program serves children from infancy to teenagers. 

Do I need to speak Spanish?
No. The majority of the participants Spanish-bilingual and have a high level of verbal English proficiency. However, when working with adults Spanish is necessary as many are recent immigrants.

Is this a place where I can practice Spanish?
Yes. However, those interested in practicing Spanish should be aware that our main emphasis is on helping our participants complete their homework and facilitating other academic enrichment activities.

Is there an opportunity to do non-academic activities?
Yes. We encourage volunteers to share their passions with the children. We have time designated for art and will do our best to accommodate any other activity that you would like to share.

Can I get class credit for volunteer work?
Yes. Get in touch with us, and we will explain how.

How do I begin?
Schedule an appointment with the Executive Director or one of the Site Coordinators. We will use this time to evaluate your motivation and explain the program fully so that the candidate and the staff can make the best choice for both.

How do I get there?
Click here or on the “Contact Us ” tab on FLC’s web site.

Can I come on days for which I have not made a commitment?
Yes. We encourage you to drop in when you have free time. Prior notice is not necessary.

What if I have to miss a day?
We are counting on your participation. If you are not going to be able to come, we ask that you call as soon as possible so that we have time to prepare for your absence.

Can contact with the children extend outside of the Family Life Center?
Activities that do not involve a member of the Family Life Center Staff are not considered functions of the Family Life Center. If there are activities from which you think the participants would benefit or would be interested in, let us know and we will try to incorporate them into our program.