Volunteer Opportunity Details:

Volunteers are needed in the following schools:

In Portland at: Presumpscot School, Lincoln Middle School,Hall School, St. Patrick's School, and St. Joseph's School

In Windham at the Windham Primary School

In Westbrook at: Canal School,Congin School, Prides Corner School, Wescott Junior High, Westbrook High Alternative Ed Program

In South Portland at: Kaler Elementary School, Mahoney Middle School, Memorial Middle School, and Holy Cross

In Saco at:CK Burns School

In Arundel at: Mildred L. Day School

In Biddeford at: Biddeford Middle School, Biddeford High School,JF Kennedy School and St. James School

In So. Berwick- Central School

Also in Lewiston/Auburn, Brewer, Old Town, Sanford/Springvale, Leeds, Jay, Livermore, Farmington

Volunteers present JA activities to the students, working with the teacher, as a partner. JA provides all of the training and materials. Time Commitment: 35-45 minutes for 5 sessions in grades K-6; 45 minutes each for 8 sessions in grades 7-8. Scheduling is flexible and arranged between the teacher and the volunteer.

Does JA make a difference? Yes!

The last few years have been challenging economically to many families in Maine. The changing face of our economic base has seen many people downsized or unemployed. On JA volunteer wrote and told us about a young middle grade student in his class. Her father had been laid off from his work, after more than 20 years, and was nervous about looking for another job. The young girl asked if she could bring home her JA material, because she had just finished a session on resumes and job interviews. The girl and her father went over he materials and when her dad came home from the interview he had gotten the job. He thanked his daughter and the JA volunteer for helping make his transition easier. The volunteer felt on top of the world too!

Many of our volunteers write and tell us that the time they spend in the classroom is the highlight of their day. "I feel refreshed and revitalized when I finish my JA class," a JA volunteer in the 4th grade at CK Burns School.

The late Sumner Bernstein said " I received my real Junior Achievement Award when I finished my last clas. A young second grader at Riverton School came up to me as I was putting on my coat and stuck out his hand. 'Mr. Bernstein, I just want to thank you for working with us and teaching us about business,' the young fellow said as he shook my hand. I left with the best reward ever."

A long-time JA volunteer told us, "Teaching a JA class is like recess for adults! I come back to work refreshed and revitalized!"

Training is required for all new volunteers. Training sessions are held at the JA Office in Westbrook,as needed. The training sessions last just over an hour. Volunteers can also participate in an on-line training program at http://www.ja.org. Individual trainings or group trainings can be scheduled by contacting Anne at (207) 591-9005.

The best volunteers enjoy working with young people, are eager to share their life experiences and who are comfortable talking in front of groups.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Junior Achievement of Maine, Inc.

We need volunteers who are free at these times One-Time Weekly Weekdays

Contact Person: Christine Ellis, Program & Area Board Operations Director, (phone), (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

Dana Warp Mill, 90 Bridge Street, Suite 120 Westbrook, ME 04092 (See a map)

Directions:

From Brighton Avenue: Follow Main Street into Westbrook, bear left between the Police Station and Rite Aid. At the next light go straight. At the second light ( US Post Office on your right) go straight. At the third light, take a right onto Bridge Street. As you cross the bridge there is a small road and dirt parking lot on the right, you may park there if there are no spaces available along the front of the building. The Dana Warp Mill is the large brick building on the left after you cross the bridge. Enter the mill under the awning marked "Dana Warp Mill" In the foyer take the first door on your left. Suite 120 is the first door on your right.

5 Overall Experience   
My field experiece was definitely memorable

posted on November 13, 2008