Volunteer

Dreamers are the leaders of tomorrow ready to take on the world...with your help!  I Have a Dream projects could not operate without volunteers, who work as tutors, mentors, chaperones, office assistants, fund raisers, special-events coordinators and in a hundred other roles.

The I Have A Dream Foundation program has adopted more than 2,200 students since 1987 and assisted more than 1,000 students to graduate from high school. Our program provides ongoing support in schools by monitoring attendance and behavior. We have provided financial support via scholarships to more than 750 students whom attend colleges, universities, and trade schools around the nation. We have recruited more than 600 volunteers since our inception to serve as mentors and/or tutors. Services provided include but are not limited to:

	Tutorial assistance
	Social and cultural outings
	Tours and fairs of various colleges
	Responsible sexuality (health) workshops
	Sporting events
	Career exploration opportunities
	Community service projects (house painting, nursing homes, feeding the homeless, etc.)
	SAT preparation
	Youth Leadership Training
	Advocacy and mediation with schools and other community groups

You can volunteer at our special events.  This could entail organizing events or simply chaperoning.  You could  volunteer administratively by assisting staff with mailings, data entry, scheduling, and other office duties.  The sky is the limit when it comes to volunteering!

Mentors & Tutors

Tutors volunteer in our Cedar Springs Place Home-based program located near downtown. Students attend the after-school Home Study Center and receive individual and computer assisted learning.

A major component of the Foundation's program involves participation from volunteers who serve as mentors for the students whom we affectionately call, Dreamers. This relationship is usually long-term and involves interaction with the student at least once a month.

A Volunteer Mentor (Dream Partner) provides individual support, academic and social guidance and companionship to our Dreamers on an on-going basis (generally, one hour a week). Related tasks include establishing good working relationships with assigned Dreamers and their parents/guardians and teachers; assessing and reporting individual Dreamer needs (including but not limited to nutritional, relational, social esteem, academic, etc.) to the Project Coordinator; and always behaving in an exemplary manner to serve as positive role models for Dreamers.

Requirements

	Must have earned a high school diploma
	Must be a person of high morale character with no criminal record of child abuse and/or child molestation.
	Must exhibit a genuine concern for the education of children and possess a personality compatible with children.
	Must have sufficient time in personal schedule to work with assigned "DREAMERS" on a consistent basis and as scheduled by the Project Coordinator.
	Must submit a thoroughly completed Volunteer Application with a signed Consent for Criminal Background History Check Authorization.

Volunteers are a valuable resource in every "I Have a Dream" community.  They work as tutors, mentors, and organizers for Dreamers' activities.  They provide consultant, administrative, and programmatic support.  We encourage you to join our family...we need you!  Training/Orientation will be provided.  Contact Phillip Lyles or Marsha French to get started today!

Click here to download the Volunteer Form.