Creating Opportunities for High School Volunteers

By Briana Keating, VIP Fellow at Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa

Catholic Charities serves people in need through three program areas: caring for seniors, counseling immigrants, and challenging poverty. As the VIP Fellow and sole member of the Volunteer Department at Catholic Charities, I spend much of my time fielding calls from people, many of whom are youth, interested in volunteering in one of these program areas. One of the challenges I have faced is trying to find a place for high school volunteers to fit. Youth can be great volunteers because of their enthusiasm, desire to help others, and ability to learn new things quickly.  Unfortunately, we do not have enough volunteer opportunities to accommodate every interested youth and we frequently encounter volunteers who just want to fulfill their required volunteer hours then never show up again.

In an attempt to come up with a solution to this challenge, my supervisor and I have developed a new volunteer program at Catholic Charities called the Caritas Corps, set to launch this August. Named for the Latin word for charity, the Caritas Corps will be a youth service corps for high school students. Youth will have the opportunity to volunteer in one of our many programs: from tutoring children at our homeless shelter to building food boxes for the Rural Food Project to making phone calls to seniors living alone.

High school students and community partners joined VIP Fellow, Briana Keating (right) for a presentation and feedback session on the Caritas Corps.

Interested youth will have to go through an application process which includes a written statement of intent and an interview. The hope is that the interview process will help us to pair volunteers with programs that best fit their skills and interests. Volunteers will be asked to make a commitment to one program over the course of the school year, allowing them to make greater impacts and greater connections with staff and the clients we serve. I will also be coordinating monthly service days where teens can volunteer and gain service hours without making a long-term commitment.

The Caritas Corps was developed to provide more than just a volunteer opportunity, but also as a way to encourage and develop social awareness in youth through education and social events. We want to help develop socially minded individuals who will grow up with a passion for service and who will continue to give back to their communities. Additionally, this is a really exciting new program for Catholic Charities as it will allow us to utilize youth volunteers to their full potential and help us to fill a huge need for volunteers in our agency.

Making a difference at the Sonoma County Family YMCA

By Heather Seney, VIP Fellow at the Sonoma County YMCA

As a community-based nonprofit, the Sonoma County Family YMCA is an integral part of the Santa Rosa community. The Y focuses on strengthening the community through programs in youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. When you think of the Y, the first thing that comes to mind may be the Y’s fitness programs. Or perhaps taking swim lessons when you were a kid. And let’s not dance around the fact that you may want to sing that song—you know which one.

But many people, including myself before joining AmeriCorps, may not realize that the Y also has many after school programs. The Y runs nearly 20 after school and childcare programs throughout Sonoma County, each providing enriching experiences for youth during before and after school hours.

With so many different programs, the Y has a diverse selection of volunteer opportunities. I love that the Y’s volunteer program has an opportunity for everyone. If you’re looking to do office or administrative work, the Y has you covered. If you’re looking to work with youth, perfect! You enjoy sports? We have opportunities to coach, assist with an aquatics program, or lead a fitness program. Are you just looking to help out for a couple hours? Volunteer at the Y’s Harvest Run or Healthy Kids Day! I always tell volunteers that if they discover a position isn’t what they expected, it’s okay, the Y has another opportunity that may be a better fit.

When I first arrived at the Y, I expected to find a volunteer program that needed to be developed—that’s why I’m here. But I was surprised to learn there wasn’t a single volunteer in any of the after school programs. I’ve always been an advocate for education, so naturally, I saw a great opportunity for volunteers to offer academic assistance, develop positive relationships with youth, and in general, elevate kids’ experiences at the Y’s after school programs. 

Since August, the Y’s after school programs have benefited from volunteers who have spent hours upon hours helping kids to master math problems, inspiring kids to love reading, and engaging youth in various educational and recreational activities. There were definitely challenges to developing a volunteer corps in the Y’s after school programs, but it’s incredibly gratifying to hear about and see first-hand the impact that volunteers have had this year.

 As the year begins to wind down, I am happy to report that the Y has established a partnership with Sonoma State University (SSU)’s Join Us Making Progress (JUMP) program for next school year. Through the partnership, JUMP will refer SSU volunteers to one of the Y’s highest-need after school programs throughout the year. In addition, the Y is in the process of developing an intern program which will place university and college students in the Y’s after school programs next year, as well.

To all the Y’s volunteers (and the Y staff who help support volunteers)—YOU ROCK!

The Volunteer Round Table Seminar

Our local VIP Fellows serving at CalSERVES and Extended Child Care have partnered up to facilitate a monthly Volunteer Roundtable (VRT) seminar.  These seminars provide a unique professional development opportunity for the dedicated volunteers throughout our partner site programs.  Volunteers have the chance to network with volunteers at different organizations, and learn about topics ranging from leadership to emotional intelligence.  The VRT also gives our VIP Fellows the opportunity to develop their own leadership skills by creating and facilitating the seminars.  

Capacity building is an important aspect of the VRT that has made it a focus to our local team.  By giving volunteers additional training they develop into even more high value volunteers and they also feel more connected to our programs because of the opportunity to participate in such a unique seminar series.

An important aspect of the VRT is the emphasis on open discussions.  The volunteers delve into issues and come up with creative ideas about leadership that they can use in their volunteer roles.   By creating a space for the volunteers to have their perspectives heard, we have open and useful discussions around leadership topics.  It makes for an interactive and engaging seminar. 

The VRT is also a sort of appreciation for our volunteers.  It allows us as facilitators to show that we care about their own development as volunteers and as individuals.  What’s more, by learning new leadership skills, the quality of their service also increases, and everyone comes out on top.  

The VRT has been a success in our program, and we encourage other volunteer programs to develop similar enrichment programs for volunteers. You will be amazed at how thankful volunteers will be for a worthwhile training experience!

VIP Fellows Meghan Schuttler, CalSERVES,  and Sydney Tanimoto, ECC,  appreciate their volunteers at the VRT

Santa Rosa Area AmeriCorps members recognized for AmeriCorps Week

For AmeriCorps Week last month, CalSERVES VIPs took an active role in the community through service and by spreading the word about AmeriCorps’ Impact in Santa Rosa.  We began the week with a service project at VIP partner site Catholic Charities.  Our VIP team cooked dinner for over 60 people staying at the organizations Family Support Center.  Items on the menu included mama’s fried chicken, pappy’s homemade mashed potatoes, and salad.  Our team had a great experience working together to cook the meal, and also to serve it to the families at the center.  

 CalSERVES VIP Fellows preparing dinner at Catholic Charities

 

Our VIP team didn’t stop there; we also received a proclamation from the mayor that recognizes the impact of AmeriCorps in Santa Rosa.  When we drafted the proclamation, we didn’t only want to recognize the role of VIP in Santa Rosa, we wanted to highlight the role of all AmeriCorps members.  So we went in search of the numerous AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Santa Rosa in an effort to bring us together and recognize our collective impact in the community.  

AmeriCorps members after receiving a proclamation from Santa Rosa Mayor Scott Bartley

Local VIP Leader, Alex Rowan, accompanied by six other AmeriCorps members, received the proclamation and gave a compelling speech to the City Council that gave an overview of the collective service efforts of all AmeriCorps members in Santa Rosa. From tutoring at risk students, to homeless outreach, to gang prevention, to family support networks, to energy independence, it was great to see the broad and meaningful impact of AmeriCorps service in our city.

Alex Rowan, Local Leader, delivering a speech about AmeriCorps impact in Santa Rosa 

AmeriCorps Week Recap: VIP Fellows in Action

CalSERVES VIP Fellows from around the state did some amazing work during AmeriCorps Week.   We got the word out, and showed our communities why AmeriCorps works.  From service projects, to official governmental recognitions, to our contest winners, our AmeriCorps Week efforts demonstrated our passion for service, and our valuable impact in communities throughout California.  I want to highlight some of the unique AmeriCorps Week activities at Jewish Family Service, Cal Poly, and here at CalSERVES.

VIP Fellows at Jewish Family Service of San Diego received recognition for their service by their U.S. House Representative Scott Peters, Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, and Senator Diane Feinstein!  Representatives from the Peters and Maienschein offices also attended a lovely luncheon put on by Margot Schein, VIP Leader at JFS, to show official public support for the program and their work.  At the luncheon, JFS CEO, Michael Hopkins, spoke about the value of service and volunteerism.  There was even a guest appearance from our Program Coordinator Lauren Serpa and Program Manager Sara Sitch who travelled all the way from Santa Rosa to attend the event during their program site visits. 

JFS VIPs at the AmeriCorps Week Luncheon, with Program staff Lauren Serpa and Sara Sitch

The VIP cohort at CalPoly SLO received an official proclamation from the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors recognizing AmeriCorps Week in the county.  They also spread the word to potential future AmeriCorps members while passing out AmeriCorps swag at a Farmer’s Market in downtown San Louis Obispo.

CalPoly SLO VIPs outside the county office with the AmeriCorps Week proclamation in hand.

The VIP team here at CalSERVES kicked off AmeriCorps Week with a service project, at VIP partner site Catholic Charities, where we cooked dinner for the sixty people staying at the organization’s Family Support Center. We also received a proclamation from the Mayor that recognized the collective impact of AmeriCorps in Santa Rosa. From tutoring at risk students, to homeless outreach, to family support networks, it was great to see the broad and meaningful impact of AmeriCorps service in our city being recognized by the City Council.

CalSERVES VIPs with other AmeriCorps members receiving a proclamation with the City Council. 

I’m glad to see our VIP program getting the word out and about. AmeriCorps service is a unique opportunity that is often challenging and unglamorous, but when we step back and realize our collective impact, it is clear that our service is important and invaluable to the individuals and communities we serve.

by Alex Rowan, Local VIP Leader at CalSERVES

AmeriCorps Works... for our video contest winner!

Congratulations to our AmeriCorps Week video contest winner - the local CalSERVES VIP team!  This video speaks for itself - take a look at how AmeriCorps VIP and other programs are making a difference in the lives of the children in the Santa Rosa community.  Take a look on YouTube.

Note: if the dance sequence at the end of the video didn't make sense - take a look at the recent trend of Harlem Shake videos online!

We hope you all had a great AmeriCorps Week!

The CalSERVES Intern Program: a new way to utilize volunteers

There is an exciting development in the volunteer programs here at the CalSERVES Office and the CalSERVES After School Programs in Santa Rosa.  We have recently started to offer volunteer internships.  These internships provide volunteer interns with greater professional and leadership development than our traditional volunteer positions.

Meghan Schuttler, CalSERVES VIP Fellow, is taking the lead on our internship project.  Her enthusiasm and "get things done" attitude push all of us on the VIP Fellow team to work hard to provide exceptional volunteer opportunities to the community.  Her leadership on the internship program has also helped us develop a series of professional development seminars for volunteers at all of our local partner sites.

Meghan Schuttler, CalSERVES VIP Fellow

With the internship program, Meghan is finding where interns can best serve our organization, while also developing the positions in such a way as to make them rewarding to our interns. Thus far, the program is off to a promising start.  Meghan enthusiastically tells me, “The program is great! Local colleges and high schools are able to provide course credit to our interns and we can set learning goals to provide interns with the skills they want to perfect.”  Being able to tailor the internships to the intern’s specific needs is an important aspect of the program that Meghan is particularly excited about. Intern projects range from event planning for the office to writing and teaching lesson plans at the elementary schools.

Westyn Narvaez, the Administrative Intern at Meadow View School is the most recent addition to the CalSERVES team. A current student at Santa Rosa Junior College, he hopes to pursue a career with the State Department, and thinks this internship is an important step forward to achieving his goal. Westyn has quickly adapted to the CalSERVES program and provides invaluable support to his site supervisor. When asked why he chose this position he stated, ”Because it’s something that I’m good at. If entering data into spreadsheets helps you with your overall goal then I am happy to help.”  This kind of enthusiasm and dedication to the CalSERVES mission is what makes our interns valued members of the CalSERVES team.

As the Spring semester continues at local colleges, more and more applicants are flooding in. Four interns have been placed with CalSERVES and there will be many more to come.  CalSERVES is excited about the new intern program, and excited to see how it develops into the future!

by Alex Rowan, CalSERVES VIP Leader

New Years Resolutions: VIP Style

By Alex Rowan, AmeriCorps VIP Local Leader at CalSERVES

The CalSERVES VIPs in Santa Rosa have a lot to look forward to as we enter the New Year.  2013 looks like it will bring tremendous growth for our VIPs, who will make a lasting impact on their organizations.  Here is what some of our VIPs are looking forward to:

Heather Seney, VIP Fellow at the Sonoma County Family YMCA, says, “I look forward to continue recruiting volunteers for the Y’s programs, while establishing partnerships in the community. I am also helping launch a college prep program for high school freshmen, Your Path Your Way. I am eager for the spring, when I plan to get my hands in the dirt and garden with Y kids. This will be a fantastic opportunity for me to talk with kids about something I’m very passionate about.  With 2013 in full swing, I anticipate the remainder of our VIP service term to be the best stretch yet!”

Briana Keating, VIP Fellow at Catholic Charities, says, “I have a lot of exciting new projects for 2013.  For starters, the inaugural edition of a Catholic Charities Volunteer Newsletter will be sent out this month. But, what I am most looking forward to is getting volunteers into new positions at our adult-emergency shelter who can implement a Friday Game Night, lead a library revamp project, and develop healthy living activity classes. I have high ambitions for the rest of my term as a VIP, and I am excited to take on the challenge of implementing all these new projects and am eager to see what 2013 has in store for us!”

Meghan Schuttler, the VIP for the CalSERVES Office, “looks forward to the bright and eager volunteer faces that will soon fill our office and school sites. From training and mentoring, to agreeing on education goals and surpassing them, 2013 will be full of challenges and new beginnings. Another project I am excited to help create is our Volunteer Roundtable, which will offer helpful professional skills that our volunteers can take with them even after their service. 2013 will be a great year of ongoing creation, innovation and education!”

One of Extended Child Care's dedicated volunteers!

Sydney Tanimoto, one of the VIPs at Extended Child Care, is “excited for this new year and the opportunity to continue building sustainability at ECC.  One project I am especially excited about is creating an internship position for a volunteer coordinator to keep the volunteer program running smoothly after our term is up.   This will take time and work but I believe it will be a great benefit to the organization.”

 

Cody Cibart, Statewide VIP Leader, says, “My resolution for the new year is to provide more leadership development opportunities for VIP Leaders around the state. As a volunteer coordinator, I hope to transfer skills to my sites that will result in sustainable volunteer retention techniques without the assistance of a VIP. With determination, hard-work, and collaboration with some very important people, 2013 looks to be a great year!”

2013 will be an amazing year for the Santa Rosa VIP Team.  I’m excited to see them build upon the accomplishments, and overcome the exciting challenges ahead.  I hope VIP Fellows at programs across the state are as excited as we are about the opportunities that 2013 is sure to bring. Happy New Year!

"Like" the CalSERVES Facebook page and $1 will be donated to promote child literacy!

CalSERVES is participating in the Sonoma County Human Race on Saturday, May 5.  As a part of our efforts to support child literacy through this event, we're donating $1 to fund our summer programs for children for every new "like" on our Facebook page.

"Like" us today, and help us support summer literacy for our students!

Want to help even more?  Donate to CalSERVES and help children preserve precious academic ground over the summer.

Thanks for the support!

Volunteer In Action Photo Contest Winner

Our AmeriCorps week photo contest winner for Best Volunteer Action shot goes to:

 

Julianna Whittaker, VIP Fellow at CalSERVES!  This is a photo of a committed volunteer at Bellevue Elementary School, taking part in pumpkin carving with the students she serves.  Congratulations, Julianna!

Volunteer Vision: A story from CalSERVES After School

We love our volunteers.  They are the best resources in our program, and they make a huge difference in nonprofits around the state.  They not only allow organizations to make a bigger impact, but they themselves are often changed through the service they so generously offer. 

The following is a statement from Verenice Chavez, a volunteer at the CalSERVES after school program at Taylor Mountain Elementary School in Santa Rosa, CA.  Verenice was recruited by VIP Fellow Richelle Andrae.

"My experience with CalSERVES has very much impacted my life in a positive way. When I started to volunteer, my objective was to be updated on both my sisters who attend the program.  I also attended the program when I was in elementary.

As time passed by, I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with a third grade class at Taylor Mountain. Being in that classroom twice a week helping out the mentors, I had one on one time with the kids and I realized most of them didn't have the resources CalSERVES offered. Those kids are very talented and with the little push we give them they will go a long way. They may not show they have been impacted, but if you see the changes from the beginning of the year till now, it has shown they have grown in many aspects. I know I wanted to help kids as a career choice.  This experience made me comprehend that I want to be more than just a teacher, but a mentor too. I never would have thought those kids would have so much to learn from. They may be small but they sure know what they are talking about. There's not a day where I don't remember them, all of them I shared moments with, and their ways of being."