WHAT THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS

.....IS YOU

WHAT THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS

Join The United Way of Iredell County’s challenge for 500 new

Readers, Tutors & Mentors and change a life.

“ONE THING I’VE LEARNED THROUGH MY VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE IS THAT EVEN THE SMALLEST OF EFFORTS HAS SUCH A

WIDE-REACHING IMPACT.”

-DAN WILKINS, youth volunteer

GET COUNTED. Think you want to join 500 volunteer readers, tutors and mentors to help students succeed? Get started today. United Way wants YOU and 500 others to make a public pledge to volunteer and to use our great online resources to learn more. Pledge your group or just yourself to become a volunteer reader, tutor or mentor at www.uwiredell.org

FIND AN OPPORTUNITY. Look at the enclosed volunteer opportunities or visit us at www.uwiredell.org for an online listing and find the right match for you to become a volunteer reader, tutor or mentor. orVolunteer from the comfort of your desk. Consider online and virtual volunteer opportunities. For example, In2Books provides a safe platform for busy professionals to help early grade students develop their reading and writing skills through an online pen pal program. To learn more, visit In2Books.org.

CREATE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITY. Can’t find an option that works for you? You can still take action and make a difference to help students succeed in school. Ask your neighbors for opportunities right in your own neighborhood and get involved.

SPREAD THE WORD. RECRUIT YOUR FRIENDS.While every reader, tutor and mentor will make a difference in the lives of students, we need lots of them to sustain long term improvements in the high school graduation rate. Spread the word about why volunteers are needed and recruit your friends to join our cause. Even if they’re not able to give their time, you may inspire them to donate books or support education in other ways that work for them. Use social media to help bring attention to the cause.

BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION

BECOME A VOLUNTEER READER,

TUTOR OR MENTOR

United Way of Iredell County1835 Davie Avenue, Suite 401

Statesville, NC 28677704.872.3000

www.uwiredell.org

4 WAYS YOU CAN HELP MAKE THE CHANGE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

• SHARE the Pledge UnitedWay.org/FacebookShare and encourage your network

to get counted.

• LIKE the ‘United Way’ Facebook Page:

Facebook.com/UnitedWayofIredellCounty

• SHARE our videos on YouTube YouTube.com/user/UnitedWayPSAs

• JOIN the United Way of Iredell County e-newsletter list and stay up to date on

all the happenings in our communityA special thanks to Kewaunee Scientific

for sponsoring this publication.

CHANGE WON’T HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

READER, TUTOR

OR MENTOR

THE CHALLENGEFewer Americans are likely to earn a diploma than their parents, a distinction not shared by any other industrialized country. We know that when students drop out of school, communities suffer. The scope of the dropout problem is staggering. About one quarter of all students – one million students a year, 3,000 a day – fail to graduate on time. In some large urban districts, the percentage is closer to half of the students, with the problem most acute for African American and Hispanic youth.

To combat this problem, United Way spent time listening to people in communities across the country to learn more about their hopes and aspirations when it comes to education. Above all, we heard that people are willing to do whatever it takes to set children up for success. While much of the attention and responsibility has been placed on schools, the people we heard from said again and again that while schools play a very important role, communities and individuals have to step forward too.

This is why United Way of America is committed to recruiting one million volunteer readers, tutors and mentors. It takes 12 years to create a student who graduates or who drops out, but during that time:

VOLUNTEER READERS can help ensure children can read well by 4th grade, when they will start using their reading skills to learn;

VOLUNTEER TUTORS can help prepare students for a successful transition into middle and high school and be ready for new challenges; and

VOLUNTEER MENTORS can help prepare high school students for college or work.

United Way of Iredell County is seeking 500 people just like you to join us to help children succeed in school. Anyone with passion and commitment can help a young person achieve greater academic success.

Thank you for joining us. Change won’t happen without you.

What you can expect as a

Reader, Tutor or Mentor How To Get Started

Thank you for giving thought to becoming involved through the 500 Tutor, Reader and Mentor challenge. Before you start to look at the programs that are available, think about and identify your own interests and needs:

To help you decide which type of mentoring program you want, ask yourself the following questions:

• What time commitment can I make?• What age of youth would I like to work with?• Would I like to work with one child or with a group of children?• Would I like to team with other adults to mentor a child or a group of children?• What types of activities interest me? Do I want to help youth learn a specific skill, pursue an interest, help with school-

work or just be a caring adult friend?• What mentoring location would I prefer?

Common ConcernsOn this page, we’ve listed a few common concerns you may have. We understand that committing to mentor a youth comes with a lot of responsibility and may feel like brand new territory. You may worry that you won’t know how to do this. Try thinking about your background; you may have already been a mentor in informal situations. Maybe you helped a niece or nephew with schoolwork or listened to a youngster who thought nobody cared. In each instance, you were acting as a mentor. By join a mentoring program, you are simply formalizing your commitment to help guide a young person. At the same time, you get the benefit of ongoing support and training.

What if.... We don’t hit it off right away?It’s not easy to trust a stranger, especially if you’re a young person who’s had a lot of bad experiences with adults in the past. It may take a while to build trust. Don’t interpret caution as rejection. A young person may not show it - in fact, he or she may not even know it fully - but your help is definitely wanted.

What if ...Something extremely serious comes up?There are support systems in place for real emergencies. Contact your mentoring program coordinator for information. The most a mentor is expected to do - and should do - is help guide a young person to the appropriate source of professional help.

What if ... We don’t have anything in common?Many first time mentors worry that differences in age, race, religion, education or gender will be insurmountable barriers. Actually, most experienced mentors report that mentoring a young person from a different background broadened their own horizons and deepened their understanding of other people and cultures.

What if... I can’t mentor anymore?This is a very serious concern. Mentoring is a deep commitment. There are times, however, when uncontrollable things happen - perhaps a job relocation or sickness- and you simply must withdraw from your mentoring relationship. If that happens, you need to talk with your program coordinator and discuss the best way to end the relationship.

What if ... I do something wrong?If you are there for your young friend no matter what; if you listen and really hear what’s being said; and if you do your best to counsel and not to judge, you will have done everything right. Some young people are more ready than others for a mentor. She may test a mentor’s commitment. Try not to take such behavior personally. Just keep doing your best and following your mentoring program’s guidelines. Gauge your success by your actions, not your mentee’s.

Position: A variety of volunteer opportunities

Description: Long and short term volunteer opportunities are available www.volunteermatch. org/search/org196790.jsp.

Requires: Background check will vary according to which volunteer opportunity is chosen.

Where: Varies with opportunity

Contact: Dir. of Membership 828.328.2444 [email protected]

South Iredell High Tim Ivey [email protected] 704.528.4536

Statesville Middle School Kelly Campbell [email protected] 704.872.2135

Third Creek Elementary Hillary Wells [email protected] 704.873.3002

Troutman Elementary Kim Cressman [email protected] 704.528.4526

Troutman Middle Johnny Bustle [email protected] 704.528.5137

West Iredell High Ellyn Gaither [email protected] 704.873.2887

West Iredell Middle Angel Dalton [email protected] 704.873.2887

Woodland Heights Elementary Justin Miller [email protected] 704.663.1370

Lakeshore Elementary Kellie Carr [email protected]

Mt. Mourne IB Boen Nutting [email protected]

North High SchoolTeresa [email protected]

NB Mills Elementary Kim Mitchell [email protected]

North Middle Donna Tomlin [email protected]

Northview IB Paula Huffman [email protected] 704.873.7354

Scotts LeAnne Hall [email protected] 704.585.6526

Position: Proctoring

Description: Volunteers will proctor in individual classes during End of Year exams. Requires: Application required, provided by ISS. Training may be required by ISS.

When: Proctoring opportunities are available, at the schools listed below, as one day opportunities during the school day. Volunteers will arrange their schedule directly with the schools.

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ONE DAY OPPORTUNITIES

Brawley MiddleKatie Moose [email protected]

CCTL Terri [email protected]

Celeste Henkel ElementarySusan Stevenson [email protected]

Cloverleaf Elementary Ellen Gallina [email protected] 704.978.2110

Crossroads Early CollegeAlicia Eller [email protected] 704.978.0034

East Elementary Chante Vaughn [email protected] 704.872.9541

Harmony Elementary Jen Dalton [email protected]

Lake Norman High Kimberly Gantt [email protected]

Contact: Volunteers are responsible for contacting individual schools for volunteer opportunities

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ONE DAY OPPORTUNITIES

Will lead/instruct an academy workshop session that may be for 6th - 10th grade students. The workshop will last 90 minutes or two separate 45 minute sessions; covering diverse topics to help enrich students academically, personally and financially.

Requires: Background check required. Training will be provided.

When: TBD

Where: Varies within Iredell County

Contact: Suzanne Wegmiller 704.873.5005 [email protected]

Position: Academy FacilitatorDescription:

Position: Community Volunteer

Description: Volunteer will work directly with teacher to facilitate activies for children ages 3 - 5. Volunteer may be asked to perform adminsitrative duties within classroom as well as aid in providing supervision for children within the classroom.

Requires: Background check require, Must be able to lift 5 - 25 pounds, must be oriented to work with basic childcare operations.

When: TBD

Where: Southeast Headstart

Contact: Jenna Byrd 704.873.2858 [email protected]

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service

of others.

-Mahatma Gandhi

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES

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Position: Troup Leaders

Description: Lead girls through an organizsed troop setting; inspre girls to follow their dreams and instill courage, confidence and character

Requires: Background check and training

Where: varies depending on opportuntiy Contact: Dir. of Membership 828.328.2444 [email protected]

Position: A variety of volunteer opportunities

Description: Opportunities to participate in a variety of programs working with underrepresented youth

Requires: Background check will vary according to which volunteer opportunity is chosen.

Where: Allison Woods Outdoor Learning Center 248 Allison’s Woods Drive Statesville, NC

Contact: Selena Goodin 704.929.9559 [email protected]

Allison Woods Outdoor Learning Center

Position: Support

Description: Will lead 9th or 10th grade students in an organized group setting presenting topics for discussion on college processes in order to prepare students for college

Requires: Background check required. Training will be provided.

When: TBD

Where: Varies within Iredell County

Contact: Suzanne Wegmiller 704.873.5005 swegmiller@crosbyscholar siredell.org

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ONE DAY OPPORTUNITIES Would your company like

to organize a one dayvolunteer opportunity for your employees?

Contact Liz Burns at United Way of Iredell County

704.872.3000

We can help you design an experience to meet your goals.

Position: Creating learning games and materials for preschool children

Description: Volunteers will create file folder games and other learning materials for pre school classrooms. ICPYC supplies materials

.

Requires: n/a

When: July 15, 2015 through no end date Where: ICYPC 734 Salisbury Road Statesville, NC Contact: Glenda Lambert 704.878.9980 [email protected]

Position: Miscellaneous (bus monitors, speakers, lunch coverage, science lab experiments, small group intervention/enrichment, etc.)

Description: Miscellaneous Opportunities within ISS are available.

Requires: Training as needed, application and/or background check depending on chosen opportunity.

When/Where: Varies depending on opportunity

Contact: Susie Wiberg 704.924.2014 [email protected]

Position: Tutoring & Homework Help Description: Read with young men 7-17 and assist with homework completion, studying and organization.

Requires: Background check required. 15 years old (13 with parent)

When: Year-round 3-7:30 pm T-TH

Where: 1133 West Front St., Statesville NC

Contact: Natalie Storment 704.402.8011 [email protected]

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Position: Reader & Homework Tutor

Description: Volunteers can read with children, help children with their homework, and tutor children who are behind in school.

Requires: Background check required. Training will be provided. 18 years old (12 with parent)

When: August - May, 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.

Where: 1001 Cochran Street, Statesvile NC

Contact: Melicia Rucker 704.397.2429 [email protected]

Position: Home Fire Preparedness Campaign

Description: Volunteers will conduct neighborhood canvassing and install free smoke alarms for residents who need them.

Requires: n/a

When: beginning 5/15/2015

Where: Mooresville Red Cross Office

Contact: 704.578.8597

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SONGOING OPPORTUNITIES

Position: Summer Camp/After School Reading

Description: Volunteers will work as reading and math tutors

Requires: Background check required. Training will be provided 21 years old (15 with parent)

When: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. (M-F)

Where: 828 Wesley Drive Statesville,NC Contact: Danny Gathings@ 704.873.9622 [email protected]

Position: Camp Volunteers

Description: Assist with play activities, craft activities and an evening in November to help children/youth process grief during the holdiays.

Requires: Background check required. Training will be provided ability to work with grieving children/teens/computer knowledgeWhen: TBD

Where: 2347 Simonton Road Statesville,NC Contact: Karen Lawler @ 704.873.4719 [email protected]

Position: Child Advocate

Description: Gather and assess independent information about the child’s situation. Ensure that the cout knows the child’s wishes. Monitor the situation on an on-going basis.

Requires: Background check required. Training will be provided When: TBD

Where: Iredell & Alexander Counties

Contact: Nalini Joseph 704.832.6621 [email protected]

Guardian Ad Litem

United Way fights for the

Health, Education and

Financial Stability of every

person in every community.

Position: Mentoring & Tutoring

Description: Volunteers will mentor/tutor students in reading and math. Volunteers may choose to work with individual students or in a group setting.

Requires: Background check to be performed by ISS

When: Mentoring opportunities are available, at the schools listed below, on an on-going basis during school hours Monday through Friday. Volunteers will arrange their schedule directly with the school of their choice.

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SONGOING OPPORTUNITIES

Celeste Henkel Susan Stevenson [email protected]

Cloverleaf Elementary Ellen Gallina [email protected] 704.978.2110

Lakeshore Elementary Kellie Carr [email protected]

NB Mills Elementary Kim Mitchell [email protected]

Scotts Elementary LeAnne Hall [email protected] Sharon Elementary Jason Humphrey [email protected] 704.872.3401

Statesville Middle School Kelly Campbell [email protected] 704.872.2135

Third Creek Elementary Hillary Wells [email protected] 704.873.3002

Troutman Middle School Johnny Bustle [email protected] 704.528.5137

West Iredell High School Ellyn Gaither [email protected] 704.873.2887

West Iredell Middle School Angel Dalton [email protected] 704.873.2887

Woodland Heights Justin Miller [email protected] 704.663.1370

Contact: Volunteers are responsible for contacting individual schools for volunteer opportunities

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SONGOING OPPORTUNITIES

Will help provide support at academies for things like check-in, traffice control, event staffing, etc.

Requires: Background check required. Training will be provided.

When: TBD

Where: Varies within Iredell County

Contact: Suzanne Wegmiller 704.873.5005 swegmiller@crosbyscholar siredell.org

Position: Support

Description:

Position: Troop Leaders

Description: Working with 1st through 5th grade Cub Souts at den meetings.

Requires: Background check will vary according to which volunteer opportunity is chosen.

Where: Varies with opportunity

Contact: Dwayne Cloar 704.495.5564 [email protected]

Live in Mooresville or Northern Mecklenburg County?There are numerous opportunities to engage in your

home community.

Contact:Sarah Degnan, MPA

Volunteer CoordinatorUnited Way of Central Carolinas

301 South Brevard Street | Charlotte, NC 28202Tel: 704.371.6255

[email protected]