volunteer

INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS, OLDER TEENS & COMMUNITY MEMBERS

ADULT VOLUNTEERS:

Adult volunteers include all individuals not presently enrolled in high school or those individuals over 18 years of age who wish to volunteer their time at Charlie's Place. While we welcome any and all applicants, we do require that all volunteers have a Criminal Background Clearance and a Child Abuse History Clearance. This requirement is necessary to protect the safety and well-being of the attendees at Charlie's Place and we cannot make exceptions to this rule. The clearances are $10.00 each and we will provide the short and easy forms that need to be filled out. You do not need to have any special training or skills to volunteer at Charlie's Place, just a love for children and a wish to help them succeed in life. You may find that you enjoy playing games or sports with the children or that you love reading with them or assisting them with their school work. You might wish to do craft projects with them or simply sit and talk with them. If you do have any hobbies or talents that you would like to share with our attendees, that would also be more than welcome! If you would like to volunteer at Charlie's Place, please call Allan at 814-367-0422 or stop by any time between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m during the school year or 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the summer. Please note that Charlie's Place does reserve the right to refuse individuals the right to volunteer if their presence becomes detrimental to the well being of any of our attendees.

STUDENT VOLUNTEERS:

Student volunteers include all individuals age 16 or older who are presently enrolled in high school. Student volunteers must either be registered at Charlie's Place prior to their 16th birthday or they must have a letter from a teacher or administrator at their high school recommending them for work at Charlie's Place. All student volunteers must sign a student volunteer contract and must attend a training workshop (offered free of charge twice a year at Charlie's Place). They must abide by all rules applicable to attendees of Charlie's Place as well as a few that are only applicable to student volunteers. These extra rules include:
1.Volunteers must show up for all scheduled hours
2.Volunteers must attend mandatory orientation meeting
3.Volunteers must attend mandatory monthly meetings
4.Volunteers must demonstrate willingness, ability and good faith effort to
   provide a positive role model to attendees
5.Volunteers must demonstrate willingness, ability and good faith effort to serve
   others (i.e., the attendees of Charlie's Place)

Some of the tasks that student volunteers may be asked to do while at Charlie's Place include:
1.Assist with Web Page updates
2.Assist with writing, editing or distributing Newsletter
3.Assist with tutoring and homework assistance
4.Develop new programs/activities for Charlie's Place attendees
5.Assist adult staff with supervising games, activities, programs

Students of local high schools are also welcome to complete their graduation projects at Charlie's Place but must be recommended by an official at their high school and must abide by all the sames rules and regulations as regular student volunteers.

Some students may be able to complete community service requirements at Charlie's Place but they must be recommended by the official in charge of their case file and they are subject to all the same rules and regulations as regular student volunteers as well as to the restrictions imposed by their case worker.

As with regular community volunteers, Charlie's Place reserves the right to refuse student volunteers admittance to Charlie's Place if their presence there becomes detrimental to the safety or well-being of any of our attendees. Also, breaking any of the rules imposed by the contract they sign will lead to their permanent expulsion from Charlie's Place and any activities/programs associated with Charlie's Place.

Student volunteers who graduate from high school or who turn 18 must become adult volunteers and must obtain their Child Abuse History and Criminal Background Clearances if they wish to continue volunteering at Charlie's Place.

Any students interested in volunteering at Charlie's Place should make an appointment to speak with Allan by calling 814-367-0422 or by dropping by Charlie's Place during our open hours (2:30 - 6:00 during the school year, 11:00 - 4:00 during the summer).