Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 27, 1995 TAG: 9507270047
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Benefits: the chance to work with your child or others in the community, and have fun at the same time.
There's another reward:
Roanoke will pay you $50 a month to learn how to become a volunteer leader for an after-school program at three schools.
The city's community education office is offering the monthly stipend for the first time to recruit parents to become volunteer leaders for the Adventure for Kids program.
"It is something nice that we can give back to the parents for working with the program," said Wendy Shelor, a community education assistant.
She said the compensation may make it easier for some parents to participate in the after-school program. The city is using federal community development block grant funds to pay the stipend.
The program provides field trips, hikes, games and other activities for children. It has served an average of 60 pupils at Fallon Park Elementary School and 40 at Huff Lane Elementary School in the past year.
It was also offered for the first time at Hurt Park Elementary School and will be offered there again if funding and staff can be arranged, said Ginny Reed, community education specialist.
"We know that the Adventure for Kids program really makes a difference in the lives of the children who attend," Reed said.
The goal is to provide a safe, fun, educational environment for children after school.
"We promote positive self-esteem and provide opportunities for them to develop as leaders," Reed said.
"And a critical part of its success is involving parent volunteers who work with the children, help them play games, go on field trips and assist with other activities."
Reed said the city is primarily looking for parents of children at Fallon Park and Huff Lane schools, but would be willing to talk with others. The city will pay up to 14 volunteers for the program.
"Parents who have volunteered in the past have said the program allowed them to work with their own children, help with other children in the community and develop friendships with other program leaders and volunteers," she said.
Some parents have used the volunteer experience to learn child development skills that helped with their career development, Reed said.
During the school year, a parent volunteer is required to work one afternoon a week for three hours.
"It's not a huge time commitment, but it's a serious responsibility where we need to have individuals that the children can count on," Reed said.
The volunteers will receive 60 hours of training in the initial classroom phase next month, and 100 hours of training during the school year.
They will be paid during the first-year training period and required to volunteer for at least one additional year after the training year ends.
Anyone interested in applying can call Reed at 981-2989. Volunteers will be selected in early August, with classroom training set to run Aug. 21-31.
Applicants must live in Roanoke and have a high school diploma or GED. The city prefers that applicants have children.
"You need to enjoy working with children," Shelor said. "There is still plenty of time for people to apply before the training begins."
Several parents already have applied, she said, but more are needed.
by CNB