Undergraduate Studies
RIGHT COLUMN TITLE
Community Involvement and Volunteering Guide
"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it" - Marian Wright Edelman
Achieving Independence Center
Description: Established by the Department of Human Services, the Achieving Independence Center was created to encourage successful transition to adulthood and aims to ensure that youth leaving foster care have an opportunity to develop independent living skills, build a network of social supports, find safe, affordable housing and stable employment before they leave care. The AIC is a collaborative one-stop center that provides access to a full range of independent living services to meet each youth's individual transition needs.
Commitment: Minimum one year commitment (meeting four times per month with mentee).
Contact: Stephanie Sylvain (267) 514-3551.
ALL
Description: The Achieving through Lifelong Learning engages high school and middle school students in various programs to strengthen grades and encourage academic achievement. Students also participate in education and cultural trips, including college tours, community service opportunities, and fun family-oriented events. High school program is held at Temple University!
Commitment: Monday-Thursdays 3-5:30pm and trips on Fridays.
Contact: Steven Witherspoon (215) 204-8237; Email: Spoon@temple.edu
ASAP
www.phillyASAP.org
Description: ASAP (After School Activities Partnerships) works to rally the Greater Philadelphia region in a broad campaign to increase supervised after-school programs for kids of all ages. They recruit volunteers to assist existing programs and organize new after school clubs and programs as driven by their interests and the needs of the community. They also seek to organize and make available information on after school recreation programs to increase awareness and accessibility.
Commitment: Depends on the program (note: the website has complete listings of every all partner schools- well over 200!)
Contact: (215) 545-2727; Email: ASAPinfo@PhillyASAP.org
Center for Literacy
www.centerforliteracy.org
Description: The Center for Literacy is the nation's largest community-based nonprofit literacy provider, and the first in Pennsylvania. Its mission is to provide a range of literacy services for adults, including reading, writing, math, life and work skills, to help a diverse population of learners meet their needs and achieve their personal and employment-related goals.
Commitment: 6 month sessions at various sites around the city.
Contact: (215) 351-1670; Email: cfltutor@centerforliteracy.org
Center for Social Policy & Community Development
www.temple.edu/cspcd
Department of Youth and Community Development
Description: To collaborate with businesses, schools, community and faith-based organizations, social service and healthcare providers, community leaders and residents, and Temple University students and faculty in order to build strong, stable communities in North Philadelphia through: Advocacy, Direct Services, Education, and Research. Some locations might offer stipend for volunteers.
Contact: 215-204-7491; Email: CSPCD@Temple.edu
Cross-Cultural Solutions
www.crossculturalsolutions.org
Description: As an international volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions, you will be making a meaningful contribution, working side by side with the local people, and sharing in the goals of a community that warmly welcomes you. Programs in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Tanzania, Peru, and more!
Commitment: 1-12 weeks
Contact: (800) 380-4777
Disability Resources and Services
www.temple.edu/disability
Description: Disability Resources and Services (DRS) supports Temple University students with disabilities in accessing the multitude of opportunities and services available to them through the university. A department within the Division of Student Affairs, we promote a campus environment in which accommodating students with disabilities is a natural extension of the university's vision to "provide access to superior education for committed and capable students of all backgrounds." There are volunteer opportunities as student note-takers.
Contact: John Bennett (215) 205-1280; Email: John.Bennett@Temple.edu
Drueding Center/ Project Rainbow
www.holyredeemer.com
Description: Drueding Center/Project Rainbow is a tangible expression of Holy Redeemer Health System's dedication to women and children. With the goal of ending the cycle of dependency, the Center offers transitional housing and support services to homeless women and their children, giving them the tools they need to live full lives and help them to achieve self-sufficiency. Volunteers participate in the mentoring program that gives women in transition a support system to help them overcome life's challenges. Our mentors build and maintain meaningful relationships with a mother, offering support, guidance and encouragement.
Commitment: Each mentor must commit six months and spend at least two hours a month with assigned resident. Eight hour training session is really nice.
Contact: Nathalie Borozny (215) 236-1506, ext. 3039; Email: NBorozny@holyredeemer.com
Family Friends
www.templecil.org/node/3
Description: Matches adult volunteers (50yrs. +) with special needs children. The volunteers are people who love children and want an ongoing relationship with a child and family. They visit their child at least once a week, offering the kind of attention and caring that is unique to grandparents and Family Friends.
Contact: Nancy Hale (215)204-3193; Email: NHale@Temple.edu
Gaudenzia
www.gaudenzia.org
Description: Gaudenzia helps people affected by chemical dependency, mental illness and related conditions to achieve a better quality of life-allowing them to live as productive and accountable individuals. Volunteers would be working as mentors and tutors at a women's facility located on Spring Garden.
Contact: Ms. Tolbert (215)227-4408
Get Smart
www.temple.edu/community/c_impact
Description: Get SMART mobilizes 150 Temple students each semester to tutor elementary school students throughout Philadelphia at their schools, at recreation centers and in public housing developments, with funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Contact: Eileen Mays-Voss (215) 204-6840
Girls Hope
www.girlshope.org
Description: Girls Hope helps academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential and become women for others by providing value-centered, family-like homes, opportunities and education through college.
Commitment: Opportunities to participate in occasional volunteering and frequent volunteering at the Girls Hope residences and the Girls Hope office.
Contact: 724-869-2868; Email: girlshope@bhgh.org
Grandma's Kids
www.templecil.org/node/3
Description: Grandma's Kids is an after-school program (operated at four public school locations) designed for children that are being raised by grandparents or alternative caregivers. Present vacancies for student workers who would assist with tutorial assistance, life skills lessons, group counseling, and cultural/recreational activities.
Contact: Shanelle Minaya (215)204-3554; Email: Shanelle.Minaya@temple.edu
Jumpstart
www.jstart.org
Description: Jumpstart Philadelphia trains and supports college students (Corps members) to serve as part-time AmeriCorps members, working individually with preschool children to build skills crucial to school success.
Contact: Gillian Smith Sharkey (215) 204-334; Email: gillian0104@gmail.com
The Lighthouse Project
www.lighthousephilly.org
Description: The Lighthouse Project offers educational, recreational and economic improvement programs that provide families and individuals in the North Philly/Kensington areas the opportunities to affect positive change and improve the quality of their lives.
Commitment: Depends on the program- call today to find how your talents can best be put to use!
Contact: Kim Mitchell (215) 425-7800; Email: KMitchell@lighthse.net
Lutheran Settlement House
www.lutheransettlement.org
Description: Dedicated to the empowerment of individuals, families, and communities to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through an integrated program of social, educational and advocacy services, the Lutheran Settlement House offers a plethora of programs for volunteers to be involved with, including: Bilingual Domestic Violence Services, Education and Employment Services, Homeless Services, and Senior Services.
Contact: (215) 426-8610
National Constitution Center
www.constitutioncenter.org
Description: The National Constitution Center is seeking volunteers who have an interest in our nation's history and who enjoy working with visitors as well as behind the scenes. Volunteers are needed in almost every department within the museum and if you have a special skill, they may be able to match your areas of expertise with the Center's needs.
Contact: Kim Fink (215) 409-6761; Email: Volunteer@Constitutioncenter.org
Path to Education
www.temple.edu/community/education
Description: Operated and supported by Temple University, this organization targets at-risk youth and families living in the Nicetown-Tioga community of Philadelphia. The center offers educational and recreational programs for youth, parent and family support, and educational and professional development for adults. Stipend available for volunteers.
Contact: Melinda Sanchez (267) 709-6812
Philadelphia Cares
www.philacares.com
Description: Greater Philadelphia Cares supports the creation of vibrant communities by motivating people to volunteer their time, talents, and resources. Website provides online calendar to facilitate fast and easy access to volunteering opportunities in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Contact: Frankie (215) 564-4544; Email: Volunteer@gpcares.com
Philadelphia Reads
www.phila.gov/philareads
Description: Philadelphia Reads works with individuals, schools, community and faith-based organizations and businesses to provide mentors, resources and advocacy for in-school, after school and summer programs. Together these partners and Philadelphia Reads help to strengthen the literacy skills of Philadelphia's youngest and neediest school children.
Commitment: Depends on the program- Phila. Reads is currently seeking Reading Coaches, Book Sorters, and coordinators to organize book drives.
Contact: (215) 851-1748; Email: PhiladelphiaReads@Phila.gov
Project SHINE
www.project shine.org
Description: Project Shine (Students Helping In the Naturalization of Elders) links college students with older immigrants and refugees seeking to learn English and navigate the complex path to U.S. citizenship. Students tutor elders in English, helping them become more actively engages in their communities and teaching the U.S. history and civics needed to pass the citizenship exam.
Commitment: 10 week program starting September 15th, 2007.
Contact: Debra Lytle (215) 204-3212; Email: PRJShine@Temple.edu
Project SHINE: Health Literacy Initiative
www.projectSHINE.org/healthliteracy
Description: Designed to create partnerships among universities and community-based organizations to address the health literacy needs of elderly immigrants and refugees. Student have an opportunity to raise health care awareness, learn about health literacy needs of immigrant elders, increase cultural competency of future healthcare professionals, and develop appropriate health literacy curriculum geared towards literacy abilities of elder immigrants.
Contact: Hitomi Yoshida; Email: HYoshida@Temple.edu
The Steppingstone Foundation
www.steppingstonescholars.org/
Description: The goal of The Steppingstone Scholars Program in Philadelphia is to prepare the Scholars to get into (and succeed at) top independent and public exam schools. Success at these schools opens doors previously unimagined to the Scholars. And by succeeding, both in and out of the classroom, the Scholars change their own lives, positively impact the schools which they attend, and open doors for Scholars who follow. Volunteers can choose to be involved with events or mentors.
Commitment: 2 hours every Saturday.
Contact: Christine Beady (215) 599-0353; Email: Cbeady@steppingstonescholars.org.
Teenshop, Inc.
www.teenshop.org
Description: Teenshop encourages academic excellence, promotes abstinence, and empowers girls to reach their full potential through an innovative series of workshops and activities. Program includes focus on etiquette, financial literacy, and cultural arts.
Commitment: Chapters (Mount Carmel, Zion, World, and Grace) meet every two weeks on Saturday mornings from September to June.
Contact: (215) 851-1843 (General info); Email: MountCarmel@Teenshop.org;
Grace@Teenshop.org;
Zion@Teenshop.org;
World@Teenshop.org
THEO
www.temple.edu/theo
Description: THEO (Temple Health Empowerment Office) is an on-campus office staffed by health professionals and peer health educators who are committed to provindg comprehensive wellness education, resources, and prevention services to empower and support Temple University students in making informed and healthy choices and encouraging them towards academic success.
Commitment: Flexible schedule per semester
Contact: Dina Stonberg (215) 204-3854; Email: Adina.stonberg@temple.edu
Time Out Respite Program
www.templeCIL.org
Description: Time Out Respite focuses on training college students providing in-home care to the elderly. Possibility to fulfill practicum and/or community service requirements.
Commitment: Flexible semester schedule with two trainings (September 7th, 3-6pm, and September 8th, 9am-4pm). Stipend available for participants.
Contact: Susan G. Smith (215) 204-6540; Email: SusanG@Temple.edu
TRIP
www.yesphilly.org/trip
Description: TRIP (Truancy Recovery Intervention Project) is a year round program that targets "missing" out-of-school students. Working in partnership with Youth Empowerment Services and the Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network (PAAN), TRIP assists these youth transition into full-time school attendance or (for those who will not return to school) initiates activities and case management that prepare them to participate successfully in other programs, especially enrollment in education and training programs and job placement.
Contact: (215) 769- 0340
Youth With Voices
www.temple.edu /voices
Description: Youth With Voices is a project-based learning initiative that engages Philadelphia youth in civic activities, while providing mentorship opportunities for university students in field-based youth development activities.
Contact: Catie Cavanaugh (215) 204-2007; Email: CatieC@Temple.edu