Volunteer
Note From Cabell Brand:
As explained in my book "If Not Me, Then Who" I want to incourage people to get involved locally with a volunteer activities that interest them, which may eventually have a global impact. We can all solve the country's problems by working together. I will be posting volunteer opportunities here regullarly. If you are an organization that would like to add your volunteer needs to this site, please e-mail us your information. Every job counts, and adds to the greater good.
Cabell BrandTAP has the following community service project opportunities:
1. Project: Tutoring Project Discovery students including African American Male Studies classroom students. TAP Project Discovery will serve 180 middle and high school students in 2010 and 28 9th-11th African American Male Studies students.
Description: TAP piloted Project Discovery in 1979, which is now in 20 other locations in the state and has helped over 8000 minorities and low-income individuals enter post-secondary education. Each year at least 80% of its high school graduates enroll in post-secondary education.
In the 2008-2009 school year, TAP This Valley Works partnered with William Fleming High School to pilot an African American Studies Program using some components of the Project Discovery program for African-American male students who are at risk of dropping out. Through focused curriculum and activities, the program aims to keep these students engaged in learning so they will be motivated to stay in school and graduate. In 2008-2009, the city had a high school graduation rate of 58.8 percent. The 2009-2010 graduation rate is 68%.
Though the graduation rate is climbing, African American students, male and female, tend not to seek careers in science and technology due to a lack of skills in math and science. Perhaps Project Discovery and African American Male Studies students would have an increased interest in pursuing careers in these fields if they could better understand and excel in advanced math and science subjects. A tutoring program could result in success in school, graduation and enrollment in college in fields that could lead to living wage employment.
2. Project: Develop a wellness program for Terrace Apartment residents
Description: The Terrace Apartments is a 187 residential complex for the low to moderate income. The City of Roanoke is similar to the nation in that many adults who are classified as low income do not have primary care physicians. Instead, the emergency room is their primary source of health care resulting in undiagnosed and/or untreated health conditions. A team of medical students could assess the medical needs of the residents of the Terrace Apartments and develop a wellness program that would assist the residents in addressing their day to day medical needs.
3. Project: Mentor the This Valley Works Center for Employment Training CNA students
Description: Since July 1, 2010, TAP This Valley Works has trained over 100 certified nursing assistants. At least 90 have found employment. Turnover of CNA’s has been a problem nationally. TAP This Valley Works seeks to develop a comprehensive program that would maintain positive placement and retention of its graduates. TAP This Valley Works uses a screening process and life skills training component to aid in identifying and preparing its students for successful CNA careers. It also introduces students to career ladder opportunities. CNA students could benefit from nursing or physician assistant students who would mentor CNA students by assisting them in their studies, helping them address the day to day challenges of managing school and work or families and exposing them to nursing or physician assistant studies. In addition to job retention, this could lead to CNA students selecting one of these fields as a career ladder.
The Council of Community Services: Connects people with opportunities to serve. As the volunteer center for the Roanoke Valley, we provide easy access to a wide range of volunteer opportunities at nonprofit organizations and local government agencies serving the entire community. We link people who want to help - individuals, families, and students, businesses and their employees, civic, community, and faith-based organizations - with places of issues where their time, talent and interests can be utilized effectively. Click above on the Title or on the logo to learn more about local volunteer opportunities.
To Volunteer at TAP:
Total Action Against Poverty
Opportunities for Community Service Projects
Contact: Annette Lewis, Senior Vice President of Programs and Director
TAP This Valley Works
108 N. Jefferson St.,
Suite 503
Roanoke, VA 24016
540-767-6221
annette.lewis@education.edu
