Volunteer Opportunity Details:

Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve meals at monthly support group meetings for grandparents and other relatives caring for children in the absence of parents. Groups meet twice per month in the evenings, in North Charleston and Downtown at local churches. Volunteers are also needed to provide childcare at the meetings while adult caregivers meet.

The Kinship Care Resource and Support Program began in 2008 with a vision of a community in which grandparents and other relatives have access to a supportive network in which their needs can be met, thereby strengthening families and communities and keeping children safe. The goal of support groups is to provide a safe, mutually supportive, and non-judgmental environment for caregivers to share concerns and experiences, and to empower caregivers to help themselves through connections to community resources and services. Over 100 families have been served through this program, and all of them have expressed how beneficial it has been for them to know that other people are experience the same situations that they are. Most of the group's participants are single grandmothers over age 55.

In order to work with children, volunteers must attend a training session and pay $10 to have a background check perform. Food service volunteers do not have to have a background check, but must also attend a training session and fill out necessary paperwork in order to volunteer.

This opportunity is sponsored by: HALOS

Volunteers will work with the following groups Adolescents (13-17) Low-income / Poverty Adults (26-54) Minorities Children (5-12) Older Adults (55+) Families / Parents Women Infants / Preschoolers (0-4) Young Adults (18-25) We need volunteers who are free at these times Monthly This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Adolescents (13-17) Individual Adults (26-54) Small Group (2-10) Adults (55+) Young Adults (18-25) This volunteer opportunity addresses the following social interests Human Services We are looking for volunteers with the following skills Child Care Food Preparation / Delivery

Contact Person: Elisa Mundis, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

3366 Rivers Avenue North Charleston, SC 29405 (See a map)

Directions:

offices are located at the corner of Rivers and Cosgrove Avenues   Nearest Bus Stop: Rivers and Cosgrove

Details where opportunity can also be performed

This opportunity can also be performed in these locations:

Cities:		Charleston North Charleston
Counties:		Charleston

Miscellaneous Information

Expected Outcome
	Grandparents and other relatives have access to a supportive network in which their needs can be met, thereby strengthening families and communities and keeping children safe.
What supplies are needed to complete this project
	N/A
What supplies will volunteers be asked to provide
	Food preparation volunteers will provide food for caregivers and children attending the meetings (approximately 20 adults and 45 children per month). Childcare volunteers may donate craft supplies if they desire.