Aspen Snowmass offers numerous opportunities for employees to extend their skill set to the local community through mentoring programs.
If you'd like to arrange a volunteer project for your department please email Matthew Hamilton.
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The Buddy Program
BECOME A BIG BUDDY AND MAKE A BIG IMPACT
You have a meaningful opportunity in front of you – to not only guide and inspire a youth today, but to transform their potential for tomorrow. And, your impact can directly strengthen our community. By giving a couple of hours, 3 to 4 times a month, you can give your Little Buddy the invaluable gift of friendship. As a friend, you can provide guidance and opportunities for your Little Buddy to learn and grown. By showing up, listening, and having fun, you can help change a young person’s perspective for the better. Little Buddies are 6 – 18 years of age who are referred by teachers, counselors, or parents and are in need of companionship and encouragement. Big Buddies are responsible, caring individuals who act as a positive role model and advocate for their Little Buddy. Volunteer requirements include full-time, year round residents who are capable of committing to consistent contact with their mentee for a minimum of 1 year. The Buddy Program is especially looking for male mentors to work with children in the midvalley.rich-text
Two ways to get involved:
Community Program: Buddy Pairs meet 3 to 4 times per month in the community to take part in a variety of activities, including free Buddy Program sponsored activities, like fly-fishing and cooking classes.
School-based Program: Buddy Pairs meet weekly at the youth’s school. This program is site-based and takes place during the academic year.
Visit the Buddy Program website to fill out a volunteer inquiry form and volunteer with an award-winning mentoring organization. Or watch their short video on mentoring to get inspired rich-text
Community Program: Buddy Pairs meet 3 to 4 times per month in the community to take part in a variety of activities, including free Buddy Program sponsored activities, like fly-fishing and cooking classes.
School-based Program: Buddy Pairs meet weekly at the youth’s school. This program is site-based and takes place during the academic year.
Visit the Buddy Program website to fill out a volunteer inquiry form and volunteer with an award-winning mentoring organization. Or watch their short video on mentoring to get inspired rich-text
English in Action – English Tutoring
Build a Stronger Community Two People at a Time
1 hour a week in locations throughout the Valley
Help mentor adult immigrants in their quest to learn English. No experience is necessary. You will make a big difference in someone's life, while building a stronger community and having fun! We have over 100 students waiting for a tutor, and your help is needed.Our community is stronger when we are more connected and when everyone has the skills they need to participate.
We have three ways to volunteer:
Individual Tutoring: We match tutors with adult immigrants at a time and location that works for both from Aspen to Carbondale. All of our students want to learn English and meet English-speaking community members. The initial commitment is one hour a week for the minimum of 6 months. The first step is to attend an orientation training.
Open Hours: Thursdays, 6 PM to 7:30 PM. This is an informal English practice session held on Thursday nights at our office in El Jebel. We match groups of 1-4 students with a volunteer tutor for the 1.5 hours session. We are looking for volunteer tutors who are available to tutor one or more Thursdays a month and can commit to volunteer at least 6 times. We will offer you a short orientation prior to your first session.
Interactive English Small Group Tutoring: Tutors are matched with a group of 3-8 students of similar English ability for 1.5 hours a week over the course of 8-10 weeks. Groups work out of a specific curriculum.
Want to learn more about volunteering or becoming a tutor:
- Tutor Orientation Training - Tuesday, April 10, 5:30-8:00 PM at the Pitkin County Library.
Contact
Phone: 970-963-9200www.englishinaction.org
Email: info@englishinaction.org rich-text
Junior Achievement of the Roaring Fork Valley
Teaching Volunteers: Volunteers throughout school year at local schools. Just 30-45 min/week for 5 or 6 weeks.
Junior Achievement is an education non-profit that provides fun, interactive programs which focus on business/entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy and workforce readiness...and are taught by community volunteers in local K-12 classrooms. Each volunteer is provided a program “kit” with all the materials he/she will need for the classroom, plus a Volunteer Guidebook that describes the easy lesson plans. The total time commitment for JA volunteers just 30-45 minutes per week for 5 or 6 weeks. Volunteers can arrange their times/dates with the teacher to fit their schedule and can commit to once a week; two times one week and three the next; or all in one week ... whatever works best. The volunteer kit is so user-friendly that volunteers don't need prior teaching experience in a classroom setting to make a meaningful impact in students’ lives.
Email: Laura.Seay@ja.org
www.jaroaringfork.com rich-text
Junior Achievement is an education non-profit that provides fun, interactive programs which focus on business/entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy and workforce readiness...and are taught by community volunteers in local K-12 classrooms. Each volunteer is provided a program “kit” with all the materials he/she will need for the classroom, plus a Volunteer Guidebook that describes the easy lesson plans. The total time commitment for JA volunteers just 30-45 minutes per week for 5 or 6 weeks. Volunteers can arrange their times/dates with the teacher to fit their schedule and can commit to once a week; two times one week and three the next; or all in one week ... whatever works best. The volunteer kit is so user-friendly that volunteers don't need prior teaching experience in a classroom setting to make a meaningful impact in students’ lives.
Contact
Laura SeayEmail: Laura.Seay@ja.org
www.jaroaringfork.com rich-text
Read with Me at Aspen Elementary School
Weekly for 1-2 hours throughout the school year. 1 year commitment.
A new community reading program through Aspen Elementary School. We target students who would benefit from 1 on 1 direct adult support in reading. We focus on reading skills, comprehension and fluency. Adult volunteers from the Aspen community will give 1-2 hours a week reading with these students. High school Juniors and Seniors will also be volunteering for this program. Register as a volunteer here.
Learn more about Read With Me.
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A new community reading program through Aspen Elementary School. We target students who would benefit from 1 on 1 direct adult support in reading. We focus on reading skills, comprehension and fluency. Adult volunteers from the Aspen community will give 1-2 hours a week reading with these students. High school Juniors and Seniors will also be volunteering for this program. Register as a volunteer here.
Learn more about Read With Me.
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Roaring Fork School District Capstone Projects
Monthly time commitment varies per project.
All Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) graduates complete a capstone project. A capstone provides an opportunity for students to direct their own authentic learning experience and build meaningful skills that ensure students have the knowledge, skills and character to thrive in a changing world. Capstones give students the time, space and resources to explore a topic of personal interest and enjoy the intrinsic satisfaction of learning.
Community members from all backgrounds are needed as community experts for student projects. Projects will be on a variety of topics and require varying levels of commitment. Some projects will require a one-time consultation with an expert, while other projects will need ongoing guidance over the course of the semester. The student and community expert will discuss how often and through what means they will communicate about the student's project - this is truly an opportunity tailored to the student's and community expert's interests and preferences. Please note that community experts who meet with a student four or more times must submit fingerprints and get a background check per the Roaring Fork Schools' volunteer policy.
If you are interested in learning more, volunteering, or otherwise supporting the program, please contact the district's Capstone Coordinator, Tom Penzel, at tpenzel@rfschools.com. Additional information is available here.
Or fill out the application to get started. rich-text
All Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) graduates complete a capstone project. A capstone provides an opportunity for students to direct their own authentic learning experience and build meaningful skills that ensure students have the knowledge, skills and character to thrive in a changing world. Capstones give students the time, space and resources to explore a topic of personal interest and enjoy the intrinsic satisfaction of learning.
Community members from all backgrounds are needed as community experts for student projects. Projects will be on a variety of topics and require varying levels of commitment. Some projects will require a one-time consultation with an expert, while other projects will need ongoing guidance over the course of the semester. The student and community expert will discuss how often and through what means they will communicate about the student's project - this is truly an opportunity tailored to the student's and community expert's interests and preferences. Please note that community experts who meet with a student four or more times must submit fingerprints and get a background check per the Roaring Fork Schools' volunteer policy.
If you are interested in learning more, volunteering, or otherwise supporting the program, please contact the district's Capstone Coordinator, Tom Penzel, at tpenzel@rfschools.com. Additional information is available here.
Or fill out the application to get started. rich-text
Stepping Stones
1 day/week. Minimum commitment of six months. Single event volunteer opportunities available.
Stepping Stones is a youth mentoring program that operates drop-in centers for youth and young adults ages 10-21. Our philosophy is that strong, long-term relationships with positive adult role models are the key to empowering youth and building a healthy community. Our drop-in centers are open five days a week and all services and programming are free of charge. Our services include youth mentoring, skill development, nightly dinners, basic needs assistance, educational support and advocacy, experiential learning, community engagement, and arts and outdoor recreation programs.
We are looking for energetic and unique individuals who are willing to share their time and skills with our community of young people. We need people willing to commit to a minimum of one day a week for six months, unless you are interested in facilitating a single project or event, of which we have a significant need. If you are interested, please complete this volunteer form.
Please reach out to Jonathan, jonathan@steppingstonesrfv.org, or Susy, susy@steppingstonesrfv.org, with any questions. rich-text
Stepping Stones is a youth mentoring program that operates drop-in centers for youth and young adults ages 10-21. Our philosophy is that strong, long-term relationships with positive adult role models are the key to empowering youth and building a healthy community. Our drop-in centers are open five days a week and all services and programming are free of charge. Our services include youth mentoring, skill development, nightly dinners, basic needs assistance, educational support and advocacy, experiential learning, community engagement, and arts and outdoor recreation programs.
We are looking for energetic and unique individuals who are willing to share their time and skills with our community of young people. We need people willing to commit to a minimum of one day a week for six months, unless you are interested in facilitating a single project or event, of which we have a significant need. If you are interested, please complete this volunteer form.
Please reach out to Jonathan, jonathan@steppingstonesrfv.org, or Susy, susy@steppingstonesrfv.org, with any questions. rich-text
Youthentity
YouthEntity engages and empowers youth to discover their potential through real-world learning experiences that make youth job ready, career ready and life ready.
Volunteers for our "I am financial knowledge." or Lemonade Day programs, you will spend 1 - 6 hours in the classroom with 3rd, 4th, 5th or 8th graders to teach them about entrepreneurship, financial literacy and other important life skills using our curriculum.
We also seek guest speakers in our career development programs. You will get the chance to share what you know about hospitality, restaurant management, human resources, or other areas of expertise with the next generation. In our My Career. My Life. program (watch the video below) volunteer coaches teach career exploration by offering a hands-on internship on school grounds. Through our programs, youth see how their collective efforts play out in real life, building their self confidence and providing an authentic source of hope for their futures.
Volunteer opportunities also exist at Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs Middle Schools as well as Two Rivers Community School. Volunteer with YouthEntity by teaching an "internship" about your career field during our career development days at local middle schools. Meet with 10-12 students in grades 6, 7 or 8 and give students hands-on learning experiences so that they can gain better understanding of your career field. Past internships include: veterinary medicine, law enforcement, design and architecture, acting, ecology and rivers, cosmetology, journalism, culinary arts, business and entrepreneurship, restaurant management, art making and curating and more!
For more volunteer information, contact 970-963-4055.
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Volunteers for our "I am financial knowledge." or Lemonade Day programs, you will spend 1 - 6 hours in the classroom with 3rd, 4th, 5th or 8th graders to teach them about entrepreneurship, financial literacy and other important life skills using our curriculum.
We also seek guest speakers in our career development programs. You will get the chance to share what you know about hospitality, restaurant management, human resources, or other areas of expertise with the next generation. In our My Career. My Life. program (watch the video below) volunteer coaches teach career exploration by offering a hands-on internship on school grounds. Through our programs, youth see how their collective efforts play out in real life, building their self confidence and providing an authentic source of hope for their futures.
Volunteer opportunities also exist at Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs Middle Schools as well as Two Rivers Community School. Volunteer with YouthEntity by teaching an "internship" about your career field during our career development days at local middle schools. Meet with 10-12 students in grades 6, 7 or 8 and give students hands-on learning experiences so that they can gain better understanding of your career field. Past internships include: veterinary medicine, law enforcement, design and architecture, acting, ecology and rivers, cosmetology, journalism, culinary arts, business and entrepreneurship, restaurant management, art making and curating and more!
For more volunteer information, contact 970-963-4055.
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YouthZone
Pals Mentoring
2-3 hours/week. Minimum commitment 1 year
Pals is a voluntary one-on-one mentoring program. Our program focuses on providing young people with support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement, positive role modeling, and activities. Volunteer mentors are 15 years of age or older. Youth in the program can be from K-8th grade. Both volunteers and youth go through a thorough interview and our mentors are all screened and trained. A mentor match is made according to activity interests, personality traits, individual likes and dislikes, location and shared life experiences. Contact Patty Schaffner at (970) 945-9300 or pschaffner@youthzone.com.
Restorative Justice Program
Approximately 4 hours/month
Restorative Justice is a wonderful opportunity for community members to help kids who have committed crimes to better understand how their decisions impact the people around them, what their assets and strengths are and how they can repair harm done to the victim, their parents, the community and themselves. The Restorative Justice Program happens within the context of court referrals, with youthful offenders. For youth who are in the Restorative Justice Program, about 88% do not re-offend as juveniles.
After an initial training, we would like volunteers to participate in the role of co-facilitators, surrogate victims and community members. The Restorative Justice Coordinator schedules a Restorative Justice Circle, which includes:
If you are interested in becoming a Restorative Justice volunteer, please contact Restorative Justice Coordinator Lisa Sobke atlsobke@youthzone.comor at (970) 274-1049. As a volunteer, you will be notified by email distribution list of upcoming Restorative Justice Circles, and you can participate as a community member or surrogate victim. For volunteers who wish to become more involved, after participating several times, there may be opportunities in the future to be trained as a facilitator.
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2-3 hours/week. Minimum commitment 1 year
Pals is a voluntary one-on-one mentoring program. Our program focuses on providing young people with support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement, positive role modeling, and activities. Volunteer mentors are 15 years of age or older. Youth in the program can be from K-8th grade. Both volunteers and youth go through a thorough interview and our mentors are all screened and trained. A mentor match is made according to activity interests, personality traits, individual likes and dislikes, location and shared life experiences. Contact Patty Schaffner at (970) 945-9300 or pschaffner@youthzone.com.
Restorative Justice Program
Approximately 4 hours/month
Restorative Justice is a wonderful opportunity for community members to help kids who have committed crimes to better understand how their decisions impact the people around them, what their assets and strengths are and how they can repair harm done to the victim, their parents, the community and themselves. The Restorative Justice Program happens within the context of court referrals, with youthful offenders. For youth who are in the Restorative Justice Program, about 88% do not re-offend as juveniles.
After an initial training, we would like volunteers to participate in the role of co-facilitators, surrogate victims and community members. The Restorative Justice Coordinator schedules a Restorative Justice Circle, which includes:
- Two volunteer co-facilitators
- One volunteer community member
- The victim (or a volunteer surrogate victim
- The client
- The client's parent(s)
- A police officer (and/or a school representative if the incident happened at school)
If you are interested in becoming a Restorative Justice volunteer, please contact Restorative Justice Coordinator Lisa Sobke atlsobke@youthzone.comor at (970) 274-1049. As a volunteer, you will be notified by email distribution list of upcoming Restorative Justice Circles, and you can participate as a community member or surrogate victim. For volunteers who wish to become more involved, after participating several times, there may be opportunities in the future to be trained as a facilitator.
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