Photo: Youth are most successful when they have caring adults like teachers, coaches, mentors and professionals pushing them to succeed. In the photo above, Sam Allard, an instructor in an after-school enrichment program, works with students to create video projects that propel youth voices into the mainstream. “Take the gratification of the classroom, the bustle of the newsroom, and -- I don't know -- the glad tidings of Christmastime. Put them all together and you’ll get maybe one-third of the emotional verve these kids bring to the table every minute of every day,” says Allard.
“We need to make sure that no boy or girl in America is growing up without having in his or her life the presence of a responsible, caring adult. Where else does a child learn how to behave? Where else does a child learn the experiences of the past, the totems and traditions of the past? Where else does a child look for the proper examples except from responsible, caring, loving adults in his or her life?"
-- General Colin L. Powell
Ways to be a caring adult in the MyCom network:
- Call Greater Cleveland Volunteers at 216-391-9500, and tell them you want to be connected to programs that support youth development. (See FAQs below.)
- Sponsor a child by calling The Cleveland Foundation’s Gift Planning and Donor Relations team at 216-861-3810.
From Teen Voice: Relationships that Matter to America’s Teens:
Only about one in five 15-year-olds has the web of positive, sustained, and meaningful relationships in their lives that support, guide, encourage, and connect with them in positive ways.
The gap in positive relationships with caring adults has serious implications for teens, their schools, and their communities. When young people have a strong relationship foundation, they are more likely to do well in a wide range of areas of development, including having:
- goals to master what they study at school,
- a grade point average of 3.5 (B+) or higher,
- a sense of purpose and hope for their future,
- leadership skills,
- a positive sense of their ethnic identity,
- a belief that it is important to help others and correct social inequalities, and
- a belief that it is important for them to be involved in community issues.
When you volunteer as a caring adult, you will be appreciated -- almost all teens who have mentors value the relationship. They say they trust, care about, and enjoy their mentors. More than 95% of teens with mentors in all demographic groups say they have a strong and caring relationship with that person.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) From Volunteers and other Caring Adults:
- How do I get involved?
Potential volunteers can contact Greater Cleveland Volunteers via the phone (216-391-9500) or online (www.greaterclevelandvolunteers.org). Greater Cleveland Volunteers helps connects volunteers to a variety of volunteer opportunities, including those with MyCom.
Potential volunteers can enroll with Greater Cleveland Volunteers through an enrollment form. In addition, they are encouraged to attend a new volunteer orientation to learn more about possible serving opportunities. Orientations are held during the weekdays, during daytime and evening hours. Greater Cleveland Volunteers offers a variety of opportunities, including ongoing opportunities at over 200 non profit agencies, as well as one-time only or short-term assignments.
- Do I need special skills, talents, experience, etc.?
No special skills, talents or experiences are needed to make a difference for a young person. Come as you are!
Volunteers complete a skills checklist during the enrollment process with Greater Cleveland Volunteers. This allows them to be matched to a volunteer opportunity that will meet their skills, talents and availability. Personalized placement is offered by the Greater Cleveland Volunteers staff.
- Will I be background and/or drug checked?
Greater Cleveland Volunteers does not typically background check or drug check potential volunteers. However, many of the agencies that Greater Cleveland Volunteers refers volunteers to do screen volunteers in this manner. Each partner agency has its own requirements on the type of screening/application process that they utilize.
- Are there restrictions?
(residency, criminal record, etc.) There are no restrictions, other than that volunteers need to be age 18 and over.
- How much time do I need to donate?
Greater Cleveland Volunteers offers volunteers a variety of opportunities. Some require as little as a few hours every few months.
- How will I benefit?
Volunteering has been proven to improve the lives of the volunteers as well as the agencies in which they serve. By enrolling in Greater Cleveland Volunteers, all volunteers will receive free supplemental excess liability insurance. In addition, all active volunteers will receive an annual birthday call in addition to receiving a quarterly newsletter, which will provide them with up to date information on upcoming volunteer opportunities.
- What if I have physical limitations or other special needs?
Greater Cleveland Volunteers is able to refer volunteers, with physical limitations or special needs, to a variety of volunteer opportunities. The partner agency that the volunteer is referred to may have opportunities available to people with special needs or physical limitations.
- Are there age requirements?
All volunteers need to be age 18 or over.
- How can I learn about/screen volunteer opportunities?
Volunteer opportunities can be discussed by calling Greater Cleveland Volunteers, at 216-391-9500. These opportunities are also discussed at the new volunteer orientations held on a regular basis. A reservation for an orientation can be made by calling the Greater Cleveland Volunteers office.
- Does MyCom provide transportation or transportation vouchers, etc.?
Greater Cleveland Volunteers does not offer transportation. Some partner agencies may choose to offer these services.
Do you know a child to connect to enriching opportunities?
- The MyCom partners below offer great activities and opportunities for youth. Call them directly for information.
|
|
Watch our video: MyCom Youth in Action
Youth from neighborhoods across Cuyahoga County explain what MyCom is and how participating in MyCom opportunities can improve your future.
Visit Greater Cleveland Volunteers TODAY and tell them you want to be a caring adult in a child’s life!
Featured Caring Adult: Chief Andres Gonzalez
 Police Chief Gonzalez arrived at the Boys & Girls Club to support the MyCom March Madness basketball event, and saw a team of youth who needed an adult supporter. He stepped in, and coached the youth to tournament victory! He prizes the memory of that day, and emphasizes how youth can be left on the streets, without support, when funding for after-school activities are cut. See a story written about the chief by a MyCom youth!
Featured Caring Adult: Eris Zion Venia Dyson
 Youth know Eris Zion Venia Dyson—she’s always in her community, connecting with youth, teaching workshops on poetry, speaking about her experiences in high school, or representing the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio. Eris is shown here with her 2yo niece Nijah. “I work to inspire young people so that when she gets older, someone will inspire her.”
Featured Opportunity: Experience Corps
Students not reading at grade level going into 4th grade are more likely to drop out. Caring adults can make the difference. Through Experience Corps, volunteers tutor students (K-3) in reading two times a week. To volunteer, call Debra Kay, Project Director, at 216-391-9500, ext. 119, or visit greaterclevelandvolunteers.org and click Experience Corps. Join 200+ volunteers helping 1000 children learn to read!
Quotes from Volunteers:
“Volunteering is my whole life right now. It’s a reason to get up and do something useful, and to help others in a meaningful way.”
“I’m no stranger to cliches -- I mean it’s cliche to even mention cliches -- but when I say ‘these kids have taught me way more than I could ever teach them,’ I'm not being gooey or sentimental. I’m serious as a heart attack.”
“As a senior citizen, [volunteering] gives me value as a person. I am respected, I am listened to. My opinion counts. It gives me a reason to get up, shave and go somewhere.”
“Through volunteering I have made some great new friends. Most of all, it gets me out of the house and away from the ‘honey do’ list.”
“Volunteering has been a great help in transitioning from work to retirement.”
“A few short words cannot adequately describe how integral [volunteering] is to my happiness in life!”
Do you have a story about making your community better for youth? E-mail us!
 What does Basheer have to say about MyCom? (mp3)
|