Introduction
Many organizations work continuously to help kids succeed. Kids for Change is seeking new ways to use our talents, with an emphasis on kids in our community. Following is information about two groups that are dedicated to helping kids. Please review this document for ideas; it will be the basis for a brain-storming session at the Kids for Change next monthly meeting.
Change for Kids: On their website, changeforkids.org, Change for Kids provides a number of great ideas for volunteer activities.
Dovetail Learning: This organization supports the child’s self-development as the key to learning. On their website, dovetaillearning.org, they describe their vision and mission, and the Toolbox curriculum that supports children in understanding and managing their own emotional, social and academic success.
Change for Kids
You can read more about Change for Kids at changeforkids.org.
One-on-One Literacy Tutoring
V-O-L-U-N-T-E-E-R to help our kids build their vocabulary and become confident readers; facilitate activities focused on essential vocab words, listening skills, pronunciation, and reading comprehension. You'll develop a deep and meaningful relationship with the child you mentor while helping him or her master the English language. Semester or year-long commitment is required. Time Commitment: 1.5 hours per week, during weekday mornings.
School Beautification Day
Grab a paintbrush or a hammer and enjoy the company of fellow Change for Kids volunteers, as we turn dreary walls into breathtaking hand-painted murals, plant fresh gardens, and revitalize tired libraries. Participate in one of CFK's four school beautification projects a year, and help us make school a welcoming and inspiring place for our students to be. Time Commitment: 5 hours on Saturday.
Story Love
In need of a good read? CFK's Story Love nights bring together volunteers to review fun, original stories written by our students. You'll learn of The Adventures of Captain Shortpants and discover the tale of Lulu the Alien. And you'll help our kids embrace creative writing by providing each of them positive feedback through personal, hand-written notes. Time Commitment: 2 hours in the evening.
Pearson ABC Book Days
A guaranteed-to-cheer-you-up event with CFK's most adorable children. The Pearson ABC Book Days program brings CFK volunteers out to our four partner schools to help pre-K and kindergarten students create personalized ABC books. You'll snap photos of beyond cute kids holding props and smiling big, and then help make books to take home to their families to read together. Time Commitment: 4 hours during the school day.
CFK Office
CFK has a bustling but cozy little office in midtown Manhattan, where friendly banter, random visitors, and political arguments are par for the course. We're always on the lookout for people willing to help with general administrative duties, mailings, and event planning, so if you're ready to pitch in, we want to meet you! Fair warning, though - this place is addictive. Time Commitment: As much as you're willing to give.
Dovetail Learning
You can read more about Dovetail Learning at dovetaillearning.org.
Our Mission:
Building children’s resilience, self-mastery and empathy for others.
Our Vision:
Dovetail learning’s Toolbox Project curriculum, practices, and methods provide a new way forward in our understanding and assumptions about what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century. The Toolbox Project gives children, teachers, parents, and their communities a common language and the Tools necessary to form a cohesive, collaborative, non-violent, and caring community, which leads to hope for a meaningful, positive, and lasting future.
What is Toolbox?
Toolbox is a K-6 curriculum that supports children in understanding and managing their own emotional, social and academic success.
Children learn 12 simple yet powerful Tools. With practice these tools become valuable personal skills: self-awareness, self-management and relationship skills; these in turn foster responsible decision-making. Because the techniques are simple and the language is shared, children adopt the tools and master them quickly.
Toolbox starts with each child, building self-knowledge and self-mastery; it soon improves empathy and communication and helps resolve conflicts in the classroom, playground and whole school community. Children experience their own power and naturally take more responsibility for managing themselves and solving problems.