Volunteer Opportunity Details:

The kids, parents and caregivers that we serve depend on your generosity. Among the many challenges faced by families impacted by incarceration is separation during the holiday season. To provide the mom’s, children and caregiver’s an opportunity to experience the joy of sharing during the holidays, Kids-A-Part sponsors Holiday Spirit. A program that turns the visiting room into a “store” in which Mom’s “shop” for gifts for their children and their caregivers. This unique program allows parents and children to experience the joys of the giving season. Please join us in making small contributions that make BIG things possible, such as:

An incarcerated parent picks out individualized gifts for their
children, wraps them and celebrates with them.

A child experiences giving and tenderness from their parent

A family experiences unexpected hope and connectedness to one another and to the community

Last year, the Holiday Spirit Program served 334 children and 99 caregivers in 134 families. Many of the families that benefit from the Holiday Spirit Program struggle to provide basic necessities in their homes.

Please join us in offering up some unexpected joy! We are looking for volunteers to:

Contact local businesses to inform them of our need and assist them in determining how best their employees can participate. Some of the following are just a few things local companies/businesses and their patrons can do to help:

Donate new clothing, toys, games, arts and crafts supplies, toiletries.

Donate gift cards to Walmart, Toys-R-Us, Old Navy, Borders, Barnes and Noble.

Donate gas cards.

Donate cash to be used to purchase gifts for children - we often need to purchase gifts that are appropriate for the teenagers we serve.

Volunteers are also needed to:

Pick up donated goods and bring to the program warehouse site in Burlington for distribution/organization.

Work in the program warehouse sorting and managing the donations.

We are looking for volunteers who are passionate about helping make the Holidays a joyful time for children of incarcerated parents, their caregivers and their families. Those volunteers offering to pick up donated gifts or items must have a valid VT Driver's License and personal auto insurance. Those volunteers willing to contact local businesses to participate in the program should have good phone skills and feel comfortable calling a variety of different businesses to ask for their assistance.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Vermont Children's Aid

We need volunteers who are free at these times Flexible Based On Volunteer's Schedule One-Time Occasional Weekly This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Adults (26-54) Individual Adults (55+) Small Group (2-5) Community Service (School) Unpaid Interns Families Young Adults (18-25) Volunteers will work with the following groups Adolescents (13-17) Infants / Preschoolers (0-4) Children (5-12) Low-income / Poverty Families / Parents Young Adults (18-25) This volunteer opportunity addresses the following social interests Criminal Justice Human Services Family Support We are looking for volunteers with the following skills Transportation/Driver Fundraising Errand Running / Shopping Marketing & Public Relations Event Planning/Management Office Work (reception/filing/copying)

Contact Person: Tara Graham, Program Director, (802) 655-0006, (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

79 Weaver St., PO Box 127 Winooski, VT 05404 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: Yes, 5 minute walk

Web Site: http://www.vtcas.org

Miscellaneous Information

The volunteer is supervised by
	Kids-A-Part Program Director
Does the volunteer supervise others?
	No
Number of volunteers needed:
	5-10
Minimum number of hours required (specify per day, week, month, project)
	3 - 5 hours per week
The minimum age for a volunteer is
	18
What is the minimum age for youth or youth group volunteers with an adult?
	16
Is parking available?
	Yes
Is there a cost for parking?
	No
Does the agency reimbuse volunteers for parking?
	N/A
Does the agency provide meals for volunteers?
	No
Is this volunteer site accessible for those with physical disabilities?
	Yes
Is this opportunity appropriate for court-ordered service?
	Yes
What screening procedures are required?
	Interview (phone or in-person)
Is this opportunity appropriate for a home-bound volunteer?
	Yes
Is a supervisor readily available to answer volunteers questions?
	Yes
The volunteer work takes place in this county:
	Chittenden County

Last updated on October 26, 2009