Project Uplift
Frequently Asked Questions
The volunteer program is an arrangement whereby volunteers and youth establish strong and sincere relationships, usually on a one-to-one basis. Children in our program range from ages 5 to 12. A little more than half of our referrals are boys. Until July 1979, our program was know as a Big Brother/Big Sister program.
How do
I become a volunteer?
There are
a few steps in becoming a Project Uplift Volunteer. First, a potential
volunteer would need to attend one of Project Uplift's training
sessions. After that, the potential volunteer will have an interview
with a Project Uplift Coordinator to determine if he/she meets all the
necessary requirements to become a volunteer.
How does
Project Uplift find the children who need volunteers?
Children
are referred to us by schools and various social service agencies with
parental permission; they participate in the program voluntarily. Volunteers
are matched and introduced to children after the training and interview
sessions. The volunteers' preferences, experiences, and skills are considered
and respected in making the match.
Who can
be a volunteer with Project Uplift?
Any interested
and sincere person who is at least 18 who can meet and agree to do the
minimum obligations.
What are my obligations as a volunteer*?
- Own a car that is covered with liability insurance and have a good driving record.
- Attend the training program, which is designed to prepare you for the volunteer experience. Pay a $20.00 application fee at the time of your interview.
- Spend at least one year in the program, averaging three hours per week, excluding semester breaks and summers, and turn in monthly reports about your visits. Special six-month arrangements can be made for seniors.
* We require students under 21 to get written parental permission before volunteering.
We have found that three to four hours a week is sufficient. Less time would be unproductive and much more time would probably be difficult to sustain for the duration of your friendship. Course credit is available to qualified volunteers for their Project Uplift work after they have been active for one semester.
What am
I to do with my youth?
You can bowl,
swim, fish, go to the movies or the park, ride bicycles, or just sit around
and talk. We encourage you to be creative and have fun! The training sessions
and monthly newsletters will give you many ideas. We also offer free and
discounted activities and tickets.
Who am
I responsible to as a volunteer?
You are immediately
responsible to the program's volunteer coordinators.
What if
problems arise between my youth and myself?
The volunteer
coordinators are available to you if a problem should arise. Many potentially
"touchy" situations will be discussed during training with several guidelines
and suggestions given to assist you in your relationship. The Project Uplift
staff views its relationship with the volunteers as a team effort. Open
communication is essential to effectively helping our youth.
Is there
a possibility I will not be accepted as a volunteer?
Although
the training program comes prior to the interview, some people are unable
to meet the obligations because of personal problems, a schedule or work
overload, family situations, or emotional difficulty. The interview consists
of questions that are relevant only to the volunteer program. Our youth
need dependable, accepting, positive adult figures. If you believe you
are such an adult, we need you.