Education and Services to Children
Children of Our Community Open to Achievement (COCOA House)
A children's cafè with a special focus on academic success. The program unites grade school children in Schenectady's Hamilton Hill community with Union College students for weekly homework assistance.
Activities: Volunteers can expect to offer after school tutoring and group recreation on Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30
Contact: Kinney Community Center 388-6609
ROAR
A mentoring program in the Schenectady city schools facilitated by the Jewish Chaplain together with the United Jewish Communities of Northeastern NY in conjunction with the National Jewish Coalition for Literacy.
Activities: The volunteer makes a commitment to work on literacy skills with a young elementary school student one hour/week for a term. Tutoring times and carpools to the school are arranged to fit into the volunteer's schedule.
Contact: Margo Strosberg (the Jewish Chaplain) 388-6539
Email: strosbm2@union.edu
Girls Inc.
Inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold. Their research based programs include 'She's on the Money' (economic literacy), Operation SMART (Science, Math and Related Technology), Sports and Adventure, Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy, Youth Expressions theater and Career Exploration.
Activities: Volunteers can expect to work directly with girls in these after school and Saturday morning programs.
Contact: Jen Sponnoble or Meghan Nichols 374 9800 ext 243
Schenectady Association for Retarded Citizens
A day care program. Schenectady ARC's primary goal is to provide care and supervision for individuals in need throughout Schenectady County. We work with developmentally disabled adults and children and their families as well as pre-school aged children.
Activities: Volunteers will work with children in a day care setting, and help teachers play with and entertain children. Activities run from rocking babies to assisting with arts & crafts, games or other recreational activities scheduled.
Contact: Director of human resources 372-1160
Carver Community Center
A neighborhood center with sites in several schools. It provides after school and remedial programs for students in grade 1 through 8. Evening computer and math programs are also available.
Activities: Volunteers can expect to help students with reading, study skills and homework.
Contact: Bud Mazurek 374-8456 ext. 104
Camp Lovejoy-Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady
Camp Lovejoy is a 7- week summer program that includes swimming, nature, arts and crafts, character education, sports, an adventure course, Indian Lore, and many special events.
Activities: Volunteers will work in program areas such as arts & crafts, nature, sports, Indian Lore, swimming or project adventure assisting program specialists. You also may assist counselors with group activities or assist the Camp Director with administrative duties.
Contact: Maria Nadler (camp) 861-8351 (office) 374-4714
Email: ldf7@juno.com
Craig St. Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady
Learning is Fun Together (LIFT) Youth Program. Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady offers programs and services that promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.
Activities: Volunteers will work with children, supervising activities including arts & crafts projects, computer technology, reading, swimming, sports and virtues (character development).
Contact: Clarence Stanford 374-4714
Email: stanfordclarence@hotmail.com
City Mission of Schenectady
The Jerry Burrell Summer Park City Mission is seeking to comprehensively meet the needs of the poor in a manner that dignifies and strengthens the individual, the family and the community. They provide multiple programs including a food pantry, learning and career centers, community outreach, and thrift stores.
Activities: Volunteers will work with children 6 to 12 years old, cleaning the park and assisting staff with other activities such as the transportation of children.
Contact: Tay Tompkins 346-2275 ext 330
Pastor Al Tompkins 346-2275 ext. 340
Email: WriteUs@citymission.com OR communityoutreach1@juno.com
Family and Child Service of Schenectady APPS
Family and Child Service is a multi-service social agency. Our mission is to strengthen family life in Schenectady. We provide counseling, in home services to the elderly, residential services to the elderly and a range of services to the developmentally disabled.
Activities: Volunteers will work with youth at a summer program at the Boys & Girls Clubs and Schenectady Municipal Housing. You will be involved in indoor and outdoor activities with youth, keeping attendance, supervising and helping to make sure the entire program runs smoothly.
Contact: Erin Kowalski 393-1369 or 377-2751
Email: Famchild@capital.net
Yates Boys & Girls Clubs- Youth Program
Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady offers programs and services that promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.
Activities: Students will help supervise activities for children ages 6-14. These activities include swimming, museum trips, reading, computer technology, arts & crafts, social recreation, nature and field trips.
Contact: Ralph Moore 372-3583
Email: yatesbgc@yahoo.com
Parsons Early Head Start
Provides early, continuous child development and health education, encourages parental involvement in program governance, and supports the family through connections to community services. Parsons Early Head Start (PEHS) serves low income families who live in the City of Schenectady and are pregnant or have a child under the age of 3. We have both a home visiting program and a day care program.
Activities: Need 2 volunteers to help with office work, which will include filing, setting up files, and organizing supplies. 4 volunteers will be needed to help with the daycare, and they will rock babies, read to toddlers, play with all children and assist teachers in lessons plans. Volunteers will not change diapers and will always be actively supervised by staff.
Contact: Wendy Hopkinson 431-1610
Email: hopkinw@parsoncenter.org