SUYI Volunteer Opportunities
We have identified a number of local agencies connected to the Youth Initiative that could use volunteers. This is a great way to make a difference in the lives of youth and families in our community, to support a local organization, and also for faculty and staff to take advantage of HR’s Community Service leave benefit. We focused on these opportunities based on their need and convenience for SU faculty/staff/student volunteers. There are many other opportunities available, and if you are interested in exploring alternative options, please feel free to contact us: suyi@seattleu.edu.
Getting Started:
- Take a look at the organizations below and decide which one makes the most sense in terms of your interest and availability.
- Contact the organization directly both by email and phone (contact information included below). If you don't hear from them right away, be persistent! The volunteer coordinators stay very busy throughout the year, and it's always good to remind them of your interest.
- Let us know where you end up and how it is going! We love to hear about the various experiences!
*Because most of these organizations work directly with youth, they do require a background check and a training/orientation. It can take a few weeks to process and get started, so be patient! In addition, because the opportunities are based on building relationships (often with youth), many of them require a commitment of anywhere from 3 months to one year. This is for the benefit of youth and families so that there is some consistency and stability in the relationships they form with volunteers.
Organizations:
Big Brother Big Sister
Children's Literacy Project
East African Community Services (EACS)
GroundUP Organics Compost Demonstration Project
King County Juvenile Detention Services
Northwest Harvest
NELA Center for Student Success
Pratt Fine Arts Center
The Food Bank @ St. Mary’s
Read Out Loud Early (ROLE)
Youth Tutoring Program
YWCA E. Fir School Age Program
Organization Descriptions:
Big Brother Big Sisters
Contact: Jesse Gilliam | p: 206.763.9060 x203 | jesse.gilliam@bbbs.org | www.bbbsps.org
Opportunity: School-Based Mentoring Program at Bailey Gatzert Elementary SchoolBig Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is a true change agent, committed to providing an adult mentor for every child who needs or wants one. We help children build the attitudes and behaviors needed to stay in school, succeed academically, make healthy choices, and create promising futures. By matching children (the Little) with adult mentors (the Big) in one-to-one relationships, we transform the life of a child, transform the life of an adult, and together transform our schools, our neighborhoods and our communities for the better. You can help make school fun just by showing up! As a School-based mentor, you can broaden a child's horizons and bring a little magic into his or her life. School-based Big Brothers and Big Sisters are matched with kids who have similar interests. School-based Bigs meet with their Littles for just one hour a week. The minimum volunteer time is one year. You can meet your match at the school before work, between classes, over lunch - whatever works for you and your Little. Becoming a School-based Big Brother or Big Sister is quick and easy: you complete a simple application, we interview you, check your references and match you with a child who shares your interests.
Children's Literacy Project
Contact: Sally Haber | 206.296.6411 | sallyh@seattleu.edu | www.seattleu.edu/csce/clp/ Opportunity: One-on-one tutoring program in Bailey Gatzert Elementary or Washington Middle Schools Seattle University Children's Literacy Project provides academic support and encouragement to children so that they may succeed and thrive in school. The children we serve face many learning challenges: low academic achievement, low self-esteem, unstable family situations, poverty, homelessness, poor school attendance, differences in culture, and learning disabilities. CLP tutors help mitigate these challenges by offering academic help and hope, and by being a positive presence in the lives of elementary and middle school students. Seattle University Children's Literacy Project recruits, trains, and places volunteer tutors in local elementary and middle schools. Volunteers work in the schools during school hours to help students become better readers, to improve academic performance, and to increase self-esteem and motivation to learn. They tutor one-on-one, work in small groups and assist teachers. Partner schools include both Bailey Gatzert Elementary School and Washington Middle School.
East African Community Services (EACS) | 7054 32nd Ave S, Suite 207 | www.eastafricancs.org | Contact: Elizia Artis | volunteer@eastafricancs.org
East African Community Services (EACS) was established in 2000 to provide culturally specific advocacy, information, referral and direct social services to Somali, Oromo, Ethiopian and other East African refugees living in King County. The organization provides direct service to East Africans through assistance in finding housing, employment, obtaining citizenship, apply for a passport, and general networking opportunities throughout the community.
Volunteer positions:
• Computer Literacy Facilitator: Thursday~ 6:00-7:30pm | Friday~ 5:30-7:00pm
• English Language Instructor: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday ~ 6:00-8:00pm
• Citizenship Instructor: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday ~ 10:00-12:00pm | Mon & Wed. 6-7:30
• After School Tutor: Monday – Thursday ~ 4:00-6:00pm
GroundUP Organics Compost Demonstration Project
| Yesler Terrace 825 Yesler WY | Contact: Karen Toering Program Director | 206.852.7631 | karen.toering@gmail.com
C4C’s GroundUp Organics Compost Demonstration Project at Yesler Terrace has been establishing a working composting model and soil building training program on the south-side of the Yesler site to use the Yesler Terrace redevelopment process as a learning laboratory to integrate green living practices into the daily lives of current residents and build a culture of a sustainable, equitable and empowered living environment that will be embraced by future residents. GroundUp is part of the Urban A&T (Agriculture and Technology) Pre-Employment Training Program which focuses on introducing stipend interns to the fundamentals of urban ecology, sustainability, low-cost or cost-saving “green” principles while building critical employment skills. The pilot project focused on composting, recycling, and urban ecology systems. Teens and young adults work with Yesler Terrace residents and program partners, including Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Tilth, P-Patch, Seattle University, and neighborhood organizations and merchants, in the planning, design, construction, management, and maintenance of the composting demonstration site.
Volunteers will assist youth leadership teams in the development of compost, growing garden vegetables and herbs, and learning together about food justice and food security. Trainings are held Tuesdays, Thursdays from 4:30-6:30PM and Saturdays from 9AM - 3PM.
King County Juvenile Detention Services
Contact: Karen Kinch | 206.205.9550 | Karen.Kinch@kingcounty.gov
1211 E. Alder St. | Seattle, WA 98122
Opportunity: Various programs available - Click here to read more... The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, Juvenile Division, is committed to providing quality, innovative, comprehensive services to youth, families, the community, and the juvenile justice system within a quality work environment by professional, caring staff. Juvenile Detention’s first priority is to provide safe and secure supervision of detained youth while their case is being processed through the court system. All applicants must complete a detailed application, interview, detention orientation training and pass an extensive criminal background check. The ideal candidate is thinking about or has decided to pursue a career related to the juvenile justice system.
Northwest Harvest
Contact: Jeri Chonle | 206.625.0755 | jeric@northwestharvest.org | www.northwestharvest.org
711 Cherry | Seattle, WA 98122
Volunteer at Cherry Street Food Bank to help sort, package and distribute food. Northwest Harvest provides food to hungry people across Washington State. They serve clients at their facility in Seattle, in addition to providing food to more than 300 independent food banks throughout the state. Northwest Harvest delivers service to our disadvantaged neighbors, week after week, year after year. Harvest helps ensure that the voices of the poor are heard. Volunteers will help give food supplies to people in need of food, sort and bag food. Cherry Street Food Bank serves youth and families in our neighborhood. Opportunities are available M-F.
Neighborhood House
| 905 Spruce Street, #200 | www.nhwa.org
Contact: Abdirashid Isaak| 206.461.8430 ext. 250 | abdirashidi@snhwa.org
Since 1906, Neighborhood House has helped immigrants, refugees and low-income people overcome economic, educational and employment challenges. They learn to rely on themselves and each other to fulfill their dreams and to become active members of a free and democratic society. From the moment of their birth to the twilight of their years, people depend upon Neighborhood House for hope and opportunity. Volunteers will assist with the Head Start program held at Yesler Community Center located just south of Seattle University.
NELA Center for Student Success
| 309 23rd Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98144| 206.461.5366
Contact: Juan Gallegos | Juan.Gallegos@usafunds.org
The NELA Center for Student Success is a non-profit college access center dedicated to helping any person pursue higher education after high school, particularly underserved groups and first-generation college students. Known for empowering leaders for a just and humane world, we are excited to facilitate mentorship opportunities for Seattle University students. Located 1.36 miles from the Seattle University Campus, the NELA Center for Student Success is easily accessible by bus, walking, or your favorite foot-powered vehicle. Interested students will have the opportunity to mentor first-generation underrepresented students in the Seattle Public School District through the college, scholarship and financial aid processes.
Pratt Fine Arts Center
| 1902 South Main St. | Seattle, WA 98144
Contact: Myra Kaha | lmkaha@pratt.org | 206-328-2200 ex. 224
Pratt Fine Arts Center is a visual arts education and studio resource center dedicated to promoting creative development and artistic engagement in our local and global community. Pratt fosters creative expression, community and shared inspiration by providing high-quality visual arts training to individuals of all ages, skill levels, ethnicities and economic means. Through the Youth Art Works programming, Pratt serves hundreds of youth annually by providing free hands on fine arts classes at both on and off-site locations. Classes offer basic skills and techniques in a variety of artistic mediums and work to instill the arts as a tool for youth to expand their capacity to enjoy life and find success.
Volunteers will provide basic classroom support. As classroom aides, service learners will assist the instructor in the set up, instruction, and clean up of the day’s activities. Class aides will also help guide and motivate students as they work through the arts curriculum. Classes vary from glass fusing to printmaking, drawing and painting to sculpture. Experience in these mediums is fantastic but not necessary! Available schedules are: Tuesday and Wednesdays 9:00 – 1:45 or Saturdays 9:30 – 2:00.
The Food Bank @ St. Mary’s
| 611 20th Avenue South| Seattle, WA 98144
Contact: Tina Kimbrell | 206.324.7100 x23 | tina@thefbsm.org
The Food Bank @ St. Mary's is a supplemental food program committed to the fight against hunger. We have been operating in Seattle's Central District for over 50 years and we now serve 1,200 families per week with free, nutritious groceries. We operate our Walk-In Program on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10am-1pm and our Home Delivery Program all day on Wednesdays, but staff members need assistance throughout the week Monday-Saturday between 9am-3pm. Hours are flexible and we ask for a 2 hour minimum per week. As a volunteer you can: help clients select food; unload, sort, and crate food donations; assist with food pick-ups; or deliver food to clients who are homebound. If you are energetic, caring, and have a strong desire to make a difference in your community, please contact us!
Read Out Loud Early (ROLE)
Contact: Alexa Wayman | 206-220-8570 | waymana@seattleu.edu|
1223 E Cherry St. E Cherry St. | Seattle, WA 98122
What is ROLE? Seattle University’s READ OUT LOUD EARLY Program is a start-up preschool education program taking place in a classroom at Bailey Gatzert Elementary School, providing services to families in the Seattle University Youth Initiative neighborhood who are eligible for Head Start, Step Ahead and ECEAP programs but are not receiving services. ROLE aims to provide evidence based early literacy support to children, families and childcare providers. Groups of Seattle University students will be trained in early learning practices and will work to create a safe and engaging learning environment. Students will then implement a 20-week Peace Curriculum, which will facilitate children’s educational, social, and emotional learning. Students will focus on individualized services to ensure that children receive an effective education, emphasizing language and literacy acquisition. Professional development and adult education will be provided to parents and childcare providers to increase quality of instruction for children while not attending ROLE or preschool programming. The program will provide one-on-one support for children, strengthen adult-child relationships and cultivate life skills in a structured environment.
All students are encouraged to apply.
Youth Tutoring Program (CCS)
| 100 23rd Ave. S. | Seattle, WA 98144 | www.ccsww.org/ytp
Contact: YTP Volunteer Team| 206-328-5970| volunteerytp@ccsww.org
The Youth Tutoring Program (YTP) of Catholic Community Services is an innovative and successful after-school and evening academic enrichment program for elementary, middle, and high school students who live in six low and mixed-income housing communities in Seattle. Our students are wonderfully diverse—representing many nationalities, cultures, languages and religions and are primarily from low-income refugee and immigrant families. Begun in 1991 as a partnership with the Seattle Housing Authority, the tutoring centers provide youth with a safe, positive, and stimulating environment to explore learning and experience academic and personal success. Volunteer tutors work one-on-one or in small groups with students on homework and building math and language arts skills. Volunteer tutors are needed Monday-Thursday between the hours of 4:20-7:40pm. Most SU students find our Yesler Terrace Tutoring Center to be the most convenient location but other sites are available. An online volunteer application (found on YTP’s website) and orientation is required before beginning your service learning with YTP.
YWCA E. Fir School Age Program
| Physical address: 1025 E. Fir Street
Contact: Kaitlin Bartik | 206. 490.4366| kbartik@ywcaworks.org
YWCA Seattle Emergency Housing is a homeless shelter located 4 blocks south of campus. We offer an after-school program from 3:00-6:00 p.m. for children ages 6-12. We are looking for tutors to help the children with their math, science, reading, and writing homework from one to three days per week. In addition, you will play games, oversee creative activities, serve snack, and attend field trips. TB Test required. Food Worker’s Permit encouraged, but not required. Contact Kaitlin Bartik A.S.A.P. to sign up and complete paperwork, including the clearance of our Criminal Background Check and submitting a copy of your TB Test results.