Volunteer Opportunities

Central Falls Coventry Cranston East Providence Exeter

Johnston Lincoln North Kingstown North Providence Northern R.I.

Pawtucket Providence Statewide Locations Warwick Woonsocket

The following is a list of sites that you might want to consider for your community service. You do not have to select from this list. You can also go online to search for volunteer opportunities in Rhode Island. Both The Volunteer Center of Rhode Island (www.vcri.org) and Volunteer Match (www.volunteermatch.org) enable you to search for volunteer opportunities using several criteria.

Central Falls

Channel-One, Central Falls, After Care Program

Students in K through 6th grade attend the After Care Program to receive homework help and to participate in enrichment activities. The program is licensed for forty students by DCYF and takes place Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Volunteers are needed one or two days a week for 10 to 15 weeks to provide homework assistance and enrichment activities for approximately 27 children in small groups or one on one.

Contact: Maria Oterio at 617-0531 or email meoch1@msn.com
Location: The Learning Community Charter School (LCCS)
21 Lincoln Avenue
Central Falls, RI 02863

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Coventry

Hopkins Hill Math Mentors Program: A Rhode Island College Partnership Program

Volunteers are needed to serve as a Math Mentors to fourth and fifth graders enrolled in the Hopkins Hill Math Academy. Mentors choose one Academy Session per week to work with their student and schedule visits to the school on their own time to be with their student. Academy Sessions occur on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. Mentors commit to the program for ten weeks.

Contact: Liz Garofalo, RIC Program Liaison 456-8877 or email mgarofalo@ric.edu
Location: RIC Program Liaison is located in Horace Mann 068
Hopkins Hill Elementary School
95 Johnson Blvd.
Coventry, RI 02816

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Cranston

Cranston Arc Recreation

Cranston ARC Recreation serves adults with disabilities. They focus on providing recreational activities along with crafts, hosting dances, and organizing dinner & movie nights. They are in need of volunteers to assist with group activities and help overseeing dances. There is a particular need for volunteer soccer coaches for the 2008 Special Olympics Training in September as well as in other sports.

Contact: Lori Colucci at 942-3445 or lcolucci@cranston_arc.org
Location: 60 Stamp Farm Road
Cranston, RI 02921

Kidventure At Gladstone Street School

Kidventure is an after school program designed to provide a safe and fun learning environment for Gladstone Street students. The goal of Kidventure is to offer expanded enrichment opportunities and to bridge what the students are learning during the day with after school.

Volunteers are needed to assist students in the after school program with homework and enrichment classes. Volunteers can lead activities during Discovery Zone or assist teachers with enrichment classes. Special event planning, office duties, technical assistance, and other opportunities based on specific interest and skills are also available.

Contact: Tina Carter, at 270-8718 or tcarter@cpsed.net
Location: Gladstone Street School
50 Gladstone Street
Cranston, RI 02920

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East Providence

Bradley Hospital

Bradley Hospital is the nation's first psychiatric hospital devoted exclusively to children and adolescents. Bradley Hospital offers numerous services to the community, including: 24-hour emergency evaluations, support groups for parents and siblings, parent, teacher and child care provider training, consulting services to school special education departments, training for professionals from across the country in child psychiatry, psychology, social work and related fields , and advocacy for children with public representatives and agencies. Every year, Bradley presents Parenting Matters, a daylong conference that invites parents, teachers and child care providers to learn from top child development and behavior professionals. In the spring and fall, Bradley Hospital and Hasbro Children's Hospital present Speaking of Kids, a series of free workshops for parents, teachers and child care providers. Workshops are held at Bradley Hospital and in schools across Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.

Volunteers have the opportunity to serve in a variety of areas, including: research, speech pathology, activities assistance, family resource center, reading programs, occupational therapy, office support and classroom assistance.

Each volunteer at Bradley Hospital must:

1. Interview with a volunteer coordinator
2. Be at least 18 years old
3. Commit to a 2-3 month period
4. Be willing to help the unique needs of the children
5. Have an interest in the mental health care community
6. Submit a complete application with references
7. Produce an updated immunization record
8. Submit to two tuberculosis tests
9. Participate in a half-day orientation about hospital policies and procedures, including patient confidentiality
10. Get a Bureau of Criminal Information fingerprint

Contact: Rachel Shields at 444-8395 or email rshields@lifespan.org
Location: 1011 Veterans Memorial Parkway
East Providence, RI

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Exeter

STARS: WICS Job Corps

STARS (Speakers, Tutors, Achievement, Retention and Success) is a Job Corps program designed to increase student retention, student achievement and Job Corps completion. Job Corps is the nation's largest residential educational and vocational training program for economically disadvantaged youth ages 16 to 24.

STARS is seeking volunteer Tutors and Mentors to work one on one with students. Tutors must be 17 and older and Mentors must be 21 and older.

Contact: Volunteer Coordinator at 268-6062
Location: Women in Community Service
Exeter Job Corps Center
162 Main Street
Exeter, R.I.

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Johnston

Tri-Town is a community-based, multi-purpose organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive social and advocacy services to individuals and families in need while promoting their self-sufficiency. The Agency serves the low-income residents of Johnston, North Providence, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Burrillville and Glocester.

Volunteer opportunities are spread across 38 service programs. Of particular need are volunteers to assist in the Even Start Family Literacy Program.

Contact: Joseph Neri for Adult and Youth Education/Training (Even Start Included) volunteer opportunities at 351-2750 ext. 1124 or email or jneri@tri-town.org. For all other volunteer opportunities call the main number at 351-2750 ext. 1100.

Location: 1126 Hartford Avenue
Johnston, R.I. 02919

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Lincoln

Beyond The Bell: After School Enrichment Program

Volunteers are needed to share their talents and interests with students in grades 2 to 5. The six to eight week enrichment program offers students exposure to enrichment within their learning community.The volunteer commitment is 1 1/2 hours per week at the school for 6 to 8 weeks. Planning and consulting assistance will be available to volunteers.Some examples of offerings to provide would be Arts and Crafts,Physical Education (basketball, volleyball skills), Science, Foreign Language (Intro to Spanish), Math, Photography, Literacy. All suggestions and interests will be considered!

Contact: Jackie Sroka 524-9748 or email TomorrowsFuture@aol.com
Location: Sayesville Elementary School
50 Woodlawn Street
Lincoln, RI 02865

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North Kingstown

LINKS

LINKS works within the North Kingstown School District to identify needs and bring programs into the classroom and the school that will enrich and enhance the academic experience for all students.

Volunteers are needed to help out in the Parent/Teacher Resource Center (PTRC). The PTRC maintains patterns and prototypes for over 500 teacher-requested classroom materials. Volunteers will assist in the creation of the teacher-requested materials. The commitment is a semester long and free training will be provided. Volunteers will also be able to access the materials for their own use.

Contact: Karen van Vierssen, Director at 268-6594, 268-6595 or email Karen_vanvierssen@nksd.net
Location: Fishing Cove Elementary School
110 Wickford Point
North Kingstown, RI 02852

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North Providence

Saint Mary's Home For Children

St Mary's is the State's most comprehensive treatment facility for boys and girls who may have been traumatized by abuse and those experiencing psychiatric and/or emotional impacts. Children are treated and cared for in both the residential program located in North Providence and the outpatient treatment facility in Cranston.

Volunteers are needed for After School Clubs, Big Buddies, and evening activities. Activities include Arts and Crafts, Creative Expression, Cooperative Games, and Music Expression.

Contact: Heather Butler at 353-3900 ext 295 or hbutler@smhfc.org
Location: 420 Fruit Hill Avenue
North Providence, RI 02911

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Northern R.I. (Lincoln, Cumberland, North Providence, Smithfield, etc.)

Northern Rhode Island Collaborative

The Northern Rhode Island Collaborative is a public, non-profit, multi-purpose educational institution that provides educational programs and services primarily to its member school districts (Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Foster-Glocester, Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket). The Collaborative offers a variety of programs and services including school-age and family programs, teacher resource center, grants and initiatives, and school support services. Volunteers are needed to socialize with students, work with children in the classroom, or assist with clerical duties.

Contact: Betty Viau at 658-5790 ext 214 or bviau@nric-ri.og
Location: Main Office
2352 Mendon Road, Unit 6
Cumberland, R.I. 02864-3715

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Pawtucket

Teens For Teens

Teens 4 Teens (T4T) is a non-profit community outreach program offered to Rhode Island youth ages 13 and older. T4T members participate in a variety of outreach projects across the state and meet to discuss relevant topics to America's teens such as media images, faith, self esteem, time management, relationships, and self reflection. T4T also offers free tutoring. T4T meets two Sundays a month from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the meetings, serve as tutors and/or youth leaders.

Contact: Sarah at 728-4300 or teens4teensRI@hotmail.com
Location: 50 Park Place
Pawtucket, R.I.

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Providence

Capital City Community Center

Capital City Community Center is a multi-service agency providing infant, toddler, preschool, kindergarten and school age child care programs. The agency provides a drop-in youth center program, social services, senior services, school-linked programs, substance abuse prevention, victims' assistance, domestic violence advocacy, employment programs, community gardens and other community-driven programs. The agency maintains five facilities in three Providence neighborhoods.

Contact: Colleen O'Connell at 455-3880 ext. 250
Location: 110 Ruggles Street
Providence, RI 02908

Casey Family Services: Homework Club

The Casey Family Services Homework Club is a big hit with the children and parents-so much so that 24 children are currently enrolled and they have a waiting list! The staff takes a no-nonsense, caring, supportive approach to providing homework help. Students receive consistent, positive reinforcement by earning dollars (play money of course!) that they can spend in their "store". The Homework Club meets Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, from 3:30 to 4:30.

Volunteers are asked to commit to two days a week for ten to fifteen weeks. (They will consider a one day a week commitment as well)

Contact: Jose DaLomba at 781-3669 or 345-5964 or jdalomba@caseyfamilyservices.org Location: 1268 Eddy Street Providence, RI

Classical High School

Classical High School integrates a rich and challenging program of study in the arts, sciences, languages and humanities. In addition, Classical incorporates a wide variety of extracurricular activities that include academic competitions, content specific field-trip experiences, athletic programs and sports events, art presentations, theatre productions, music groups/shows and many diverse student clubs and organizations. Classical is in need of volunteer tutors across all subject areas.

Contact: Mr. LouisToro, Director of Guidance at 456-9147
Location: 770 Westminster Street
Providence, R.I. 02908

College Crusade For Rhode Island

The College Crusade of Rhode Island is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 to reduce high dropout rates and increase educational and career success for disadvantaged youth. They reach out to students early and provide consistent support and guidance all the way to high school graduation Ð as well as higher education scholarships for those who qualify financially.

The College Crusade of Rhode Island needs caring volunteers who want to make a difference in children's lives by sharing their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm. Volunteers encourage Crusaders to do their best in school and achieve their goals. Volunteer opportunities include participating with another mentor in conducting a discussion group with middle school Crusaders. Groups meet weekly for a minimum of 75 minutes in middle schools in Pawtucket, Providence, Central Falls and Woonsocket. Topics for discussion are selected by students and mentors together. Volunteers are also needed for after-school programs for elementary school Crusaders. Programs vary in length and content.

Contact: Erika Read at 854-5506 ext. 109 or eread@thecollegecrusade.org
Location: 134 Thurbers Ave., Suite #111
Providence, RI 02905

DaVinci Center For Community Progress

The DaVinci Center is a neighborhood, multi-purpose social service agency whose mission is to deliver needed services to residents of all ages in the North End of Providence and vicinity. Services include meals, trips, computer training, employment services, youth programs, counseling, emergency services, and community development.

The Center's current volunteer needs include tutors in the Adult Education program. Volunteer tutors work with adults, ages 17 to 50, studying for their GED and those in the ESL program. Tutoring sessions are one on one or in small groups.

Contact: John Deluca, Executive Director 272-7474 or email dvc@davincicenter.necoxmail.com
Location: 470 Charles Street
Providence, RI 02904

Dorcas Place Adult And Family Learning Center

Since 1981, Dorcas Place Adult and Family Learning Center has focused on giving low-income Rhode Islanders the educational opportunities they need to realize their full potential and climb the ladder to success through literacy, workplace training, college preparatory programs, and employment. Their mission is to assist low-income adults in realizing their full potential through literacy, employment, advocacy and community involvement.

Volunteers are needed for a variety of services including tutoring adults during the day or evening, assisting with the after school program (COZ) at Alfred Lima, general office help, and in the Clothing Collaborative.

Contact: Steve Stycos at 273-8866 or sstycos@dorcasplace.org
Location: 220 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI 02907

Elmwood Community Center

The mission of the Elmwood Community Center is to advocate for solutions to problems which affect low and moderate income families. It also provides facilities and organizational sponsorship for community education and community cultural events for the residents of Elmwood and the city at large. Over two thousand people a visit the Center for family crisis intervention services, senior community services, emergency food and clothes assistance, youth recreation and skill development, classes for those with limited English proficiency, job training and placement referrals, cultural programs and related events.

Volunteers are encouraged to participate as tutors, assisting in the daily food distribution service, arts and crafts, assisting in recreation and athletic services, helping with toy distribution during the holiday season, interpreting for Hispanic, Cambodian, Laotian, Hmong, Vietnamese and Haitian clients.

Contact: Laurie Rebello at 461-7940
Location: 155 Niagara Street
Providence, RI 02907

Federal Hill House Association

In 1887, Federal Hill House was formed in the heart of Federal Hill as a settlement house to help Italian immigrants become acclimated to the New World and assimilate into the community. Today, Federal Hill House is a multi-ethnic, social service agency where people continue to seek services to improve their quality of life. The Houses' services include, Early Child Learning Center, After School Program, senior meals, emergency food, victims of crime assistance, Bundles of Joy Family Support Services Program, and Foster Grandparents program.

Volunteer opportunities range from a couple of hours a month, or as many hours as participants would like.

Contact: 421-4722
Location: 9 Courtland Street
Providence, RI 02909

Genesis Center

The Genesis center is an adult education center where adult immigrants and refugees learn English, basic math, survival skills, and citizenship, so they and their families can become self-sufficient.The Center has a childcare center licensed to serve 74 children ages 6 weeks to five years of age, a job training center where students learn culinary arts, teacher assistance, and clerical/office skills, and a support center for students and their families that provides on- site case management, job development services, health education, and referrals to needed social services.

Volunteer opportunities range from a one day, a few hours per week, or long term commitments.

Contact: Nancy Fritz at 781-6110 or Nancy@gencenter.org
Location: 620 Potters Avenue
Providence, RI 02907

Groden Center

The Groden Center is a school-based program that serves children and young adults ages 3 to 21 with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. Groden Center clients are referred by their school districts. The Center is looking for volunteers to assist staff members with the implementation of IEP's including educational and behavioral programs.

Contact: Peggy Stocker at 274-6310 ext. 1125 or email pstocker@grodencenter.org
Location: 86 Mt. Hope Avenue
Providence, RI 02906

Hasbro Children's Hospital

Opened in 1994, Hasbro Children's Hospital is the pediatric division of Rhode Island Hospital. Volunteers work in the following areas: pediatric playrooms, emergency department, recovery room, outpatient clinics, reading programs, tours, information services, office support, intensive care, elementary classrooms, psychology department, and oncology department.

Volunteers must be 18 and older and must 1)interview with a volunteer coordinator 2)be at least 18 years old 3)commit to a 2-3 month period 4)be willing to help the unique needs of the children 5)have an interest in the mental health care community 6)submit a complete application with references 7)produce an updated immunization record 8)submit to two tuberculosis tests 9)participate in a half-day orientation about hospital policies and procedures, including patient confidentiality 10)get a Bureau of Criminal Information fingerprint. Day, evening and weekend placements are available. Contact: Rachel Shields at 444-8395 or email rshields@lifespan.org. Location: 593 Eddy Street Providence, RI 02903

Henry Barnard School Social Mentors And Math Tutors: A Rhode Island College Partnership Program

Volunteer with this highly successful partnership program between R.I.C.'s Feinstein School and the College's Henry Barnard Laboratory School. Volunteers are needed to serve as either Mentors or Math Tutors to gifted students Monday through Friday during school hours (8:00 a.m. to 2:30p.m.).

Contact: Liz Garofalo at mgarofalo@ric.edu
Location: Horace Mann 068

Hope High School Music Tutors: A Rhode Island College Partnership Program

Due to budget reductions set by Providence Public Schools, all elementary and middle school music programs have been completely cut. As a result, music students enter Hope High at beginner level. Since over 90% of the student population qualifies for the federal low-income (poverty indicator), these students are unable to pay for private tutoring to better their skills.

Volunteers are needed to assist music teacher Mike Fitzgerlad during class time by working with students one on one or small groups in music theory, ear training, rhythm dictation, instrument technique, critiquing, and music history. The Hope program consist of jazz, chorus, and stage.Sessions run Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during the following periods: Period 2: 9:51 a.m.-11:18 a.m. Period 3 11:22 a.m.-1:19 p.m. Period 4: 1:23 p.m.-2:50 p.m.

Contact: Liz Garofalo at 456-8877 or email mgarofalo@ric.edu
Location: R.I.C. Program Liaison located in Horace Mann 068.
Hope High
324 Hope Street
Providence, R.I.

International Gallery For Heritage And Culture

The International Gallery for Heritage and Culture is a non-profit organization founded in 1996. Its goals are to educate and promote the rich heritage and culture of Africans and people of African descent, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, South Pacific, Native Americans, and recent immigrants by providing a gallery and educational resource center which hosts exhibitions, and promotes visual and performing arts. The Gallery has provided programs to 22 schools and community centers in Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket and Central Falls, through its AmeriCorps program. The art education programs have included exhibitions, visual arts, traditional arts, poetry, film, video, music, chorus, jazz guitar, keyboard, dance, quilting, mural painting and language through the arts.

Contact: Linda A' Vant-Deishinni, Executive Director at 781-6507
Location: 807 Broad Street
Suite 403 R.I.
Providence, 02907

John Hope Settlement House

Although the original mission of the John Hope Settlement House was to serve the African-American community in Providence, its programs now reach communities of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, particularly in the neighborhoods of South Providence, West End, Elmwood, Fox Point, and Olneyville. The John Hope Settlement House offers a wide variety of programs and services including: after school youth development programs, peer education on AIDS and violence prevention, daycare, foster grandparent program, residential services, community development, and comprehensive emergency services (CES). Providence CES seeks to prevent and reduce incidents of child abuse by providing services such as crisis intervention, case management, counseling, emergency foster care, day care, and referrals.

Contact: Joanne McDowell at 421-6993
Location: 7 Thomas P Whitten Way
Providence, RI 02903

Joslin Multiservice & Community Center

Joslin Community Development Corporation provides multiple services to their immediate community in the Olneyville neighborhood. Primary programs provide before and after school child care and family emergency services. Additional programming is being instituted with teens, elders, domestic violence prevention, and community law.

Volunteers are needed in almost every aspect of service.

Contact: Guia Sanchez at 421-8062
Location: 231 Amherst Street
Providence, RI 02906

Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement serves youth in grades K-12. Volunteers are trained and given all the necessary materials for the program. They act as program facilitators and go into the classroom for approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour to teach a lesson. The commitment is for 5 to 10 weeks. There are also 1 day commitments available.

Contact: Karen Healey, Program Manager at 331-3850 or khealey_rija@att.net
Location: 120 Waterman Street
Suite 200
Providence, RI 02907

Meeting Street School

Meeting Street is an internationally acclaimed educational innovator for learners of all abilities, from infancy through young adulthood. For six decades, Meeting Street has been a pioneer and leader in designing and advocating for inclusion, early intervention, and educational and therapeutic services for children. Each year, Meeting Street supports more than 1,700 children and young adults and their families, providing personalized services to meet individuals' unique needs and learning style through its core programs: Meeting Street Early Intervention, Bright Futures Early Learning Center, The Children's Network, Meeting Street School, and Meeting Street Specialty Services which offers clinics and consulting and training in our areas of expertise including sensory integration, assistive technology, gait therapy, audiology, and severe and profound disabilities.

Contact: Edwin Pacheco at 438-9500 ext. 3275 epacheco@meetingstreet.org
Location: 1000 Eddy Street
Providence, RI

Mount Hope Learning Center

The mission of the Mt. Hope Learning Center is to provide a safe environment in which the children and adults of the community can learn skills that will enable them to enhance their quality of life and have more productive futures. Programming includes children and youth tutoring, cooking classes, baking, arts, computer club, poetry slams, and more. Adult programs (18+) include GED preparation and ESL classes. Senior programs include computer classes, health and fitness, cooking, and music.

The center is in need of 70 volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring, homework help, teaching, music lessons, building maintenance, plants/gardening, cooking classes, arts & crafts, and committee work.

Contact: 455-8875
Location: 140 Cypress Street
Providence, RI 02906

Nickerson Community Center:

Nickerson Community Center is a non-profit, multifaceted social service agency in Olneyville. For over 115 years the agency has been a critical resource for some of R.I.'s neediest residents, young and old. Nickerson was the first to provide kindergarten services in R.I., first to create a supervised playground in the city of Providence, first senior citizens center in the nation operated by a private agency, first vision screening program, and much more.

Volunteer opportunities include painting projects, helping with the food and clothing pantry, preparing food and toy baskets at Christmas, assisting during the summer at Camp Hamilton in Coventry and helping out during the Nick at Night program (T, W,Th from 6:00 to 9:00.)

Contact: Ramon Forty or Nicole Cianci at 351-2241
Location: Nickerson Community Center
133 Delaine Street
Providence, RI 02909

Project Goal (Greater Opportunity for Athletes to Learn)

GOAL is a non-profit organization comprised of education, business, and sports professionals whose mission is to facilitate the development of Rhode Island's disadvantaged youth through after-school tutoring and soccer-related programs. GOAL currently operates an after school program at Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls (first semester) and Moses Brown in Providence (second semester) for sixth, seventh and eighth grade boys every Monday and Friday from 3:30 to 6:30p.m. Students are encouraged to "earn" time on the field by exhibiting good schoolwork habits. After a one-and-a-half hour schoolwork period, the children are directed to either the gym or soccer fields where accredited coaches - former professional soccer players - provide coaching. In addition to the coaching staff, GOAL invites active, well-known professional players to provide special clinics.

GOAL is looking for RIC male soccer players to serve as volunteer tutors a few hours a week. Join soccer players from PC, Brown and URI by volunteering today!

Contact: Darius Shirzadi, executive director at darius@projectgoal.org.

Providence Boys And Girls Club

The Providence Boys and Girls Club consists of five Clubs: Fox Point, Camp Davis, North Providence, Olneyville, Southside, and Wanskuck. All five Clubs have gyms, computer labs, classrooms, and gamerooms. Four of the five Providence Clubhouses have indoor pools. (North Providence Clubhouse has access to the town's pool.) All five Clubhouses serve supper Tuesday through Friday.

There are a variety of year-round volunteer opportunities including tutoring, athletics, outdoor activities, special events, arts and crafts and Clubhouse beautification projects.

Contact: Fox Point Clubhouse
90 Ives Street, Providence, RI 02906 - 3827
Telephone: (401) 444 - 0758

Olneyville Clubhouse
33 Atwood Street, Providence, RI 02909-3410
Telephone: (401) 444 - 0760

Wanskuck Clubhouse
550 Branch Avenue, Providence, RI 02904-2204
Telephone: (401) 444 - 0762

Wanskuck Early Years Learning Center
Telephone: (401) 444 - 0765

South Side Clubhouse
1 Louisa Street, Providence, RI 02905-2014
Telephone: (401) 444 - 0766

North Providence Clubhouse
33 Maple Avenue, North Providence, RI 02911-2415
Telephone: (401) 444 - 0768

Camp Davis
1 Camp Davis Road, Charlestown, RI 02813
Telephone: (401) 364-9679

Providence City Arts

Providence City Arts for Youth is a community arts organization that provides free, professional arts education to Providence youth ages 8 to 14. This well-known and respected organization is looking for volunteer teaching assistants to help with their in-school arts residency program and their afterschool arts programs.Course offerings include, animation, clay/sculpture, theater and video production,scientific discovery, set and light design, creative writing, musical and visual arts media.

Contact: Alyssa Holland, Program Director at 831-7323 ext. 13 or alyssa@providencecityarts.org
Location: Classes are held are schools throughout Providence.
The City Arts main office is on:
891 Broad Street
Providence, R.I. 02907

Providence Community Action: Interim Middle School

The Interim School is an alternative school for students' excluded and/or transitional placements from the Providence School System. The goal of the Interim School is to stabilize students emotionally and psychologically through clinical services, and socially and academically through educational services.

The School is looking for volunteers to help out in theYouth Zone After School Program. Volunteers will assist students in improving their reading skills. Hours are either 3:00 - 4:00p.m.or 4:00 - 5:00p.m. just 1 day a week. The optimum volunteer would have a language/arts background.

Contact: Sandra MacDonald at 272-0660, ext. 106
Location: 662 Hartford Avenue
Providence, R.I. 02909

Ready To Learn: Providence

Ready to Learn Providence serves children birth through five by promoting early childcare literacy through direct child engagement in childcare facilities and libraries throughout Providence. Ready to Learn is in need of volunteers to assist in the childcare facilities and libraries as well as volunteer administrative assistance.

Contact: Nancy Worthen at 490-9960 or nworthen@provplan.org

San Miguel School

The San Miguel School offers a quality education to those in need. Priority is given to boys from challenging circumstances who are in need of extra support to be able to attend to the tasks involved in learning. The San Miguel School is a middle school where the focus is on the positive. In a structured and caring environment, each "Miguel Man" is encouraged to learn, to serve and to grow to the best of his ability. Volunteers are needed for tutoring, after school, and art programs.

Contact: Heather Ruple at 941-7423
Location: 12 Carter Street
Providence, RI 02907

Southside Community Land Trust

Since 1981, Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT) has partnered with communities in inner city Providence to improve residents' health and welfare by helping them grow food. The Trust provides access to land, education and other resources so people in Greater Providence can grow food in environmentally sustainable ways and create community food systems where locally produced, affordable, and healthy food is available to all. There is a wide variety of volunteer opportunites at SLC:

Greenhouse and Field Volunteers
Contact:Rich Pederson at 273-9419, ext. 24
cityfarm@southsideclt.org

Education Volunteers
Contact: Kiera Mulvey at 273-9419, ext. 28
education@southsideclty.org

Mechanic, Construction, Handyperson
Contact Michele Kozloski at 714-0484

Community Event Planning, Graphic Design, Web
Design,Office Help
Contact Taylor Ellowitz at 273-9419, ext 23
outreach@southsideclt.org

The Met School

The Met Center is a network of six small public high schools in Providence.. All Met students have tailored curricula and apply their academic learning at internships in the community. To date, The Met has inspired a national network of 30 similar schools.

The Met is founded on the belief that students must be actively engaged in their education. At the core of the curriculum is the Learning Through Interests program, which helps students find opportunities to learn in real- world settings and through meaningful projects. Students are paired with adult mentors in the community who share their career interests and passions. Two days a week, students intern at these worksites and take on projects that benefit that organization. Back at school, students work with their advisors to build and reinforce the skills and knowledge needed to complete those projects. Unlike traditional internships which train students for specific jobs, the purpose of an LTI is to allow students to apply their academic knowledge and meet their learning goals.

Volunteers tutor students, lead "Pick Me Ups" (morning meetings that bring together the whole school), or run advisory activities on specific topics.

Contact: Patricia Holliday ,Recruitment & Volunteer Office, at 752-2627
Location: 325 Public Street
Providence, RI 02905

Urban League Of RI

The mission of the Urban League of RI (ULRI) is the elimination of racial discrimination and segregation in the state, and the achievement of parity for Blacks, other minorities, and the poor in every phase of American life. The Urban League of Rhode Island is one of 106 affiliates of the National Urban League, Inc. It is also a member of a network of community-based agencies providing health and human services to those most in need in greater Rhode Island.

Programs include: adolescent services programs, health promotion unit ,adoption /foster care at-risk youth programs, emergency shelters, employment assistance, education services and Job training, HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs for adults ,host homes providing short-term shelter for runaway youth, housing for transitional living and permanent affordable placement ,Safe Havens Program of supervised transitional housing ,supportive case management services, and The Urban League Bridge Alternative School.

Contact: 351-5000
Location: 246 Prairie Avenue
Providence, RI 02905

West End Community Center Tutorial Program

West End Community Center provides multi-services to their immediate community. Volunteers are needed in almost every aspect of service. One program is the West End Tutorial Program which seeks to match West End children who are in need of educational support with creative and committed volunteers. The program's goal is to enable student participants to realize their capacity to learn and succeed in school. Volunteers work one-to one with elementary school students one afternoon per week or staff the Homework Center.

Contact: Lisa Cardoza at 781-4242
Location: 109 Bucklin Street
Providence, RI 02907

Youth Pride, Inc.

Youth Pride, Inc. serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth ages 13 to 23. The agency operates a Drop In Center Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesdays from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. They also offer nightly programs with youth speakers, movies and Friday off-site activities. Volunteers are needed to hang out and chat with the youth in the Drop In Center, to assist with youth projects, and to serve as mentors.

Contact: Michelle Duso at 421-5626 or email youth_pride@yahoo.com
Location: 171 Chestnut Street
Providence RI 02903

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Statewide Locations

Once Upon A Time...Reading Program For Preschoolers: A Rhode Island College Partnership Program

The Once Upon A Time program...was initiated by the late Representative Stephen J. Anderson, Rhode Island College alumnus, and Dr. Susan J. Schenck, Director of School Partnerships and Field Placements, as a way to engage pre-service teachers in a community outreach program that benefited the state's preschool population. In its 1997 pilot year, nine Once Upon A Time...student volunteers conducted theme-based story hours in nine home care facilities in Coventry. Since that time, the program has grown to include fifty-three childcare facilities located in twenty-two communities and volunteers from all academic majors.

Once Upon A Time...volunteers conduct theme-based story hours one day a week, for ten weeks, at a childcare facility in or near their hometown. They bring their own stories gathered from local libraries. After spending time engaging the children in a pre-story discussion, volunteers share the lessons, knowledge, fun, and adventures contained in the pages of the books as they read aloud to the children. When listening time is over, volunteers enhance the theme of the stories by having the children play a related game, participate in an activity, or work on a craft project.

All Rhode Island College students with a love of reading, desire to volunteer in his/her community, and interest in working with young children are eligible to volunteer with the program.

Contact: Liz Garofalo, Program Coordinator at 456-8877 or email mgarofalo@ric.edu
Location: RIC Program Coordinator is located in Horace Mann 068

RI Family Literacy Initiative

RI Family Literacy Initiative serves beginning and intermediate level English as a Second Language adults and children ages 3 to 10 in the libraries of Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence and West Warwick. The Initiative provides ESL, citizen preparation and computer and family literacy classes. Classes are offered September through June and meet twice a week for two hours each (There is one three hour Saturday class in Cranston).

Volunteer opportunities include tutoring ESL adults, engaging children in literacy activities, assisting in the citizen preparation classes, helping with special projects or assisting in the computer classes. The volunteer commitment is once or twice a week for three months.

Contact: Karisa Tashjian at 455-8185 or ktashjian@provlib.org
Location: Sites are listed above. Main Office is located in the Providence Public Library
150 Empire Street
Providence, R.I. 02903

RI Special Olympics

Special Olympics Rhode Island provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Over 2,250 athletes are involved with Special Olympics across the state. Each year, Special Olympics Rhode Island hosts more than 40 tournaments and competitions in 24 different sports. Programs include: the Unified Sports Program, in which teams of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities compete in a variety of sports; the Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) designed for athletes with profound disabilities; the Global Messenger Program which trains athletes in public-speaking, who in turn serve as spokespersons for Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics program in Rhode Island offers year-round opportunities for training and competition; there's always a need for volunteer support in many different capacities. You can volunteer at the state level or get involved with a program in your local community. Not all duties involve interaction with athletes or even attendance at an event, so there is something for everyone.

Contact: For a specific sport call Tom Sienkiewicz at (401) 823-7411 or e-mail
tom@specialolympicsri.org.
For the many other volunteer opportunities call (401) 823-7411 or email
info@specialolympicsri.org
Location: 33 College Hill Road, Bldg # 31
Warwick, RI 02886

The Peace Flag Project

The Peace Flag Project provides the opportunity for people to create flags to express their deepest hopes and dreams. Based on the tradition of Tibetan Prayer Flags, they represent the marvelous things we all want for ourselves, our families, our communities, for the people of the world, and for the planet. Flags are created about gratitude, joy, love, peace, health, tolerance, success, reconciliation Ð beautiful thoughts that too often go unexpressed.

Student volunteers are needed to help in a variety of ways:

1. Assisting with groups to make flags
2. Making contacts with local progressive community groups, ethnic organizations and peace groups to expand involvement in the Providence/RI area.
3. Updating and expanding our mailing lists and our website links page
4. Volunteering
5. Helping with publicity for events

Contact: Ginny Fox at ginfox32@yahoo.com

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Warwick

Compeer Program

Volunteers are needed to serve as friends to children who are struggling with mental health issues. Training is provided.

Contact: Nadine Lilly, Compeer Director at 738-4229 ext. 233
Location: 50 Health Lane, Warwick, RI 02886

Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center

The Center serves individuals and families affected by abuse through a variety of programs and services. They offer a Crisis Hotline, Safe Shelter, Court Assistance, Counseling, Prevention School Programs, Community Awareness, and Professional Training.

Volunteers must be 18 and older. Opportunities include hotline, court advocacy, senior support, residential advocacy, childcare advocacy, and special events.

Contact: Coordinator of Agency Services at 738-9700

Kent County YMCA

The Kent County YMCA engages children, teens, adults and seniors in programs that range from childcare, camp, swim, sports, fitness & health, to dance, leadership and art. Volunteers are needed to serve as fitness center trainers, teen leadership development, aquatics, youth sports instructors, workers for summer camp, preschool program workers and more.

Contact: 828-0130
Location: 900 Centerville Road
Warwick, RI 02886

Kent County ARC: RI Special Olympics/Recreation

The Recreation Department prides itself on having one of the best Special Olympics Program in Rhode Island. The Trudeau Tigers are one of the largest delegations in the state with close to 175 athletes and unified partners. Select recreation staff has been certified by the International Special Olympics to train athletes in Power lifting, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Swimming, Track & Field, Bowling, Floor Hockey, and Gymnastics All volunteers must be at least 15 years of age and are required to provide 3 letters of recommendation and pass a BCI check (18 or older). For further information on volunteering for any recreational activities:

Contact: The Recreation Office at 739-2992 or 739-2700
Location: The Trudeau Center
3445 Post Road
Warwick, R.I.

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Woonsocket

Connecting For Children And Families

CCF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of family and community life in Woonsocket. They offer a range of educational programs, health initiatives, and social services for inner-city children and their families. Priority is given to families who live in Fairmount, the poorest neighborhood in the city. Established in 1995 as part of the Rhode Island Foundation's Children's Initiative, CCF continues is a leader in Woonsocket on child and family issues. CCF strives to help inner-city children get a good start in life, begin school ready to learn, and to achieve academic success.

Volunteers needed to improve the academic skills of Woonsocket students. Tutors assist with homework; lead students in supplemental activities focusing on math and reading, and help students improve study skills and organization. Tutoring Sessions are from 2:15 to 3:45 p.m. and 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Contact: Meliss Men at 766-3384
Location: 28 First Avenue
Woonsocket, RI 02895

Northern Rhode Island Coordinating Council: Child And Adolescent Service System Program (NRI/CASSP)

CASSP was established in 1990. There are eight different CASSP groups located throughout R.I. The program serves children birth to 18 who are considered at risk for out-of-home placement due to clinical behavioral diagnosis. CASSP helps families identify and coordinate services that will reduce the risk of out-of-home placements and to improve the well being of the entire family.

Due to a multitude of requests, CASSP is seeking volunteer tutors.

Contact: Janice Chabot, Program Manager at 765-5126 or email jchabot@nricommunityservice.org Location: 1 Cumberland Plaza, 4th Floor Woonsocket, RI 02895

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