Community Service Opportunities Available in Ohio
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-07-30 13:04:00
Grocery shopping for an elderly neighbor. Tutoring an elementary school child. Driving people in need to their doctor's appointments. Giving a little time to make an impact in the lives of people in your communities. These opportunities and more are available to you through AARP and the powerful partnerships with some of the country's most established service organizations.
AARP is proud to have developed national partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), Experience Corps, and Faith in Action. Each organization shares AARP's commitment of enriching the lives of those in need, and we encourage you to share your life experiences and volunteer with one of these three rewarding opportunities.
AARP Big Brother or AARP Big Sister School-Based Mentoring Program
AARP and Experience Corps Work together to Help Children
Help Someone Live More Independently Through AARP and Faith in Action
AARP Big Brother or AARP Big Sister School-Based Mentoring Program
Elaine's Little struggled academically and socially and felt he could not do things as well as his peers. During the spring, the AARP Bigs and Littles got together to fly kites. Elaine's Little was the first to get his kite up, and it went the farthest. It was great for him to have a success, and Elaine was glad she had the opportunity to share in the experience.
For these kinds of rewarding and heartfelt memories and to help children improve their academic and social skills, AARP Ohio encourages you to become an AARP Big Brother or Big Sister. Beginning in October 2003, AARP and Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) will work together to steer an In-School Mentoring Program. AARP members will be matched with third-graders for one hour a week at either lunchtime or after-school. This one-on-one program includes an AARP Activity Guide that will assist you in building a relationship with your Little Brother or Sister.
Lunchtime programs will be held in Columbus at Pilgrim Elementary on Taylor Avenue or Cherrington Elementary in Westerville. A location for an after-school program in Franklin County is yet to be determined.
Geauga County will be offering after-school programs in five area schools. Choose from Maple, Hambden, or Munson Elementary in Chardon, Westwood Elementary in Chesterland and Newbury Elementary in Newbury.
Weekdays for all programs will be determined in September.
Research shows that children who have a Big Brother or Big Sister in their lives, in addition to family members, are more likely to develop self-confidence, trust their teachers, receive higher grades and have improved relationships with peers.
Submit an online application and develop friendships and use your life experience to be a role model to a child as an AARP Big Brother or Big Sister. After an initial screening, volunteers must attend an orientation meeting. Big Brothers Big Sisters will then match you with a child, and ongoing support will be provided by BBBS onsite and by AARP.
AARP and Experience Corps Work Together to Help Children
AARP and Experience Corps have joined forces to help make a difference in the lives of Cleveland's youth.
This year alone, 70 Experience Corps volunteers have helped 450 Cleveland area students and have dedicated over 16,750 hours to helping them improve reading performance, self-esteem and enthusiasm for learning.
And now, AARP is working with Experience Corps to give older adults in Cleveland the opportunity to share their life knowledge with children in grades K-3. Volunteers are matched up with a child and are given a schedule for one-on-one sessions during the school day. Tutors devote anywhere from 2-20 hours of their time each week to their child.
In addition to improving student academic performance, the goals of the Experience Corps program include building student self-esteem and helping develop a positive attitude, expanding family involvement in schools, and providing meaningful volunteer opportunities to older adults in Greater Cleveland.
Benefits to this rewarding opportunity are a stipend, supplemental insurance, making friends, having fun, and helping a child learn to read.
"Just seeing children learn is such a delight!" said one Experience Corps tutor.
AARP encourages you to use your life experience to help a child. Call (216) 391-9500 ext. 19 for more information or apply online to be an Experience Corps volunteer.
Help Someone Live Independently Through AARP and Faith in Action
Would you like to improve the quality of life for older adults by helping them live with dignity and independence? AARP and Faith in Action have established a national partnership that will enable you to do just that.
Locally, this national partnership is bringing AARP Ohio together with Volunteer Services Agency, Inc. - a Faith in Action program - to connect AARP members to a meaningful volunteer opportunity. As an AARP Faith in Action volunteer, you will spend one-on-one time and make friends with older adults who need just a little help to get along independently in their daily lives.
If you have a few hours a month or a few hours a week to give, you have the power to make it better. Volunteer opportunities include:
- Grocery shopping
- Transportation
- Telephone reassurance
- Friendly visits
- Assist with correspondence (bill paying, letter writing, etc.)
- Group socialization activities
Your simple acts of kindness can have a tremendous impact on the lives of others. If you can lend a hand, please complete an online application. You will enrich your life through many rewarding moments of service knowing that you have helped make your community a better place to live.
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