Needs From: United Way of Northeast Florida

Literacy is the foundation of all learning—and you can help build it!

Students in grades K–3 are in the critical stage of learning to read, while students in grade 4 and beyond are reading to learn. You can make a lasting impact by joining us for Literacy Days and reading to children. This small act can make a big difference—boosting language and listening skills, sparking imagination, and encouraging creativity.

Funny faces and silly voices are highly encouraged! Since this Literacy Day falls just before Halloween, school-appropriate costumes are welcome too!

Literacy Days begin at 3:30pm on the day and at the address listed above, last about an hour and are limited to 20 volunteers per date.

Your efforts to read to students align with our program goals of increasing the literacy rate of Duval County students! 

Books will be provided. 

Literacy is the foundation of all learning—and you can help build it!

Students in grades K–3 are in the critical stage of learning to read, while students in grade 4 and beyond are reading to learn. You can make a lasting impact by joining us for Literacy Days and reading to children. This small act can make a big difference—boosting language and listening skills, sparking imagination, and encouraging creativity.

Funny faces and silly voices are highly encouraged! 

Literacy Days begin at 3:30pm on the day and at the address listed above, last about an hour, and are limited to 20 volunteers per date.

Your efforts to read to students align with our program goals of increasing the literacy rate of Duval County students! 

Books will be provided. 

 

Adopting a family allows businesses, community members and organizations to provide local families with food, necessities, and gifts during the holidays. Sponsors will specify the household size of the family they wish to adopt and will be given a choice of two families in need within our Full Service Schools network. First names, ages, clothing sizes and wish ideas are provided to sponsors so they can purchase items of their choice for each member of the household. 

If you would like to read through our Holiday Gift and Food Drive Frequently Asked Questions before you register, just click here.

Wishlist items need to be delivered to the families’ Full Service Schools site no later than December 12 to ensure they get to the families before the DCPS holiday break.  

Literacy is the foundation of all learning—and you can help build it!

Students in grades K–3 are in the critical stage of learning to read, while students in grade 4 and beyond are reading to learn. You can make a lasting impact by joining us for Literacy Days and reading to children. This small act can make a big difference—boosting language and listening skills, sparking imagination, and encouraging creativity.

Funny faces and silly voices are highly encouraged! Since this is the week of Valentine's Day, we will be using that as a theme for this event.

Literacy Days begin at 3:30pm on the day and at the address listed above, last about an hour, and are limited to 20 volunteers per date.

Your efforts to read to students align with our program goals of increasing the literacy rate of Duval County students! 

Books will be provided. 

Literacy is the foundation of all learning—and you can help build it!

Students in grades K–3 are in the critical stage of learning to read, while students in grade 4 and beyond are reading to learn. You can make a lasting impact by joining us for Literacy Days and reading to children. This small act can make a big difference—boosting language and listening skills, sparking imagination, and encouraging creativity.

Funny faces and silly voices are highly encouraged! Since this is the week of Dr. Seuss's Birthday we will be using that as a theme for this event!

Literacy Days begin at 3:30pm on the day and at the address listed above, last about an hour, and are limited to 20 volunteers per date.

Your efforts to read to students align with our program goals of increasing the literacy rate of Duval County students! 

Books will be provided. 

 

MAGIC READING CARPETS

Please be sure to acknowledge the DIY and Kit Projects Volunteer Waiver and follow the directions carefully.

WHAT TO DO:

Download instructions here. Check out our Amazon supply list here to purchase supplies online.

When purchasing the fleece, make it a family affair! If you have young children, this is a wonderful opportunity to let them help pick out a child-friendly pattern and feel connected to this project. It's also a wonderful way to help children understand some of the needs in our community.

For those seeking service hours, we will verify one hour per 30" carpet.

When finished, contact our project coordinator here to let them know how many carpets you have and to coordinate drop-offs. Please note: due to the limited staff capacity of our team and our partners, it may take 3-5 days to respond and coordinate delivery.

WHY MAGIC READING CARPETS:

Magic Reading Carpets is one of our (DIY) Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects. DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more. 

Magic Reading Carpets are fun, colorful reading mats for preschool students handmade by volunteers! Our goals is to help get young minds excited for literacy and these mats encourage an inviting reading environment. Children love curling up on their soft, comfortable carpets and opening a book to read. They are mobile so their 'book nook' can be anywhere the carpet can go. 

 SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE

Please be sure the acknowledge the DIY and Kits Project Waiver, and follow the directions carefully.

WHAT TO DO:

We invite to you participate in this DIY Project by collecting supplies on your own or through a drive. You can download a list of the most requested supply items here.

You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies and drop off the items to the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project.

Some helpful tips for hosting a drive can be found HERE.

More helpful tips for completing DIY projects can be found HERE

You will earn service hours as you do it! We will offer one hour of service for every 15 items collected and delivered for one participant. 

When finished, contact our project coordinator here to let them know how many items you have and to coordinate drop-offs. Please note: due to the limited staff capacity of our team and our partners, it may take 3-5 days to respond and coordinate delivery.

WHY THIS DRIVE:

School Supplies Drive is one of our (DIY) Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects. DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more.

Purchasing or collecting school supplies is a great way to support the work that we do through our Full Service Schools and school partners. School supplies are needed year-round, not only at the beginning of the school year.

There is a strong need for classroom supplies, including Sharpies, dry erase markers, clipboards, disinfectant wipes, sheet protectors, and small individual whiteboards.

 TEEN CLOTHING DRIVE

Please be sure to acknowledge the DIY and Kit Projects Volunteer Waiver and follow the directions carefully.

WHAT TO DO:

You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project to the appropriate location.

Download instructions and supply list here.

Some helpful tips for hosting a drive can be found HERE.

More helpful tips for completing DIY projects can be found HERE.

For those seeking service hours, we award one half-hour plus one hour for every three new or 10 gently used clothing items. You may log your hours through the self-log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project.

When finished, contact our project coordinator here to let them know how many items you have and to coordinate drop-offs. Please note: due to the limited staff capacity of our team and our partners, it may take 3-5 days to respond and coordinate delivery.

WHY THIS DRIVE:
Purchasing items or hosting a drive for clothing for teenagers is a critical way volunteers can address a real community need individually or as a group, family, school or neighborhood. Many teens in our Full Service School network are not able to afford clothing for school, jobs, and even important teen events like the prom. Sandalwood Full Service School, in particular, has opened a Teen Closet to address this, and any teen in need is welcome to visit and "shop," all free of cost, thanks to donations and drives such as this one.

We are looking for highly talented volunteers that will meet the following criteria:

Will need to make a 12-18 month commitment and should remain on the case until a permanency decision is made for the child(ren) assigned to them. Needs to be available to do a face to face visit once a month at the child’s residence, complete a small amount of paperwork and write mandatory reports for the court.  Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license and car insurance. Must have a minimum of 2-3 hours per week to volunteer with us. Must submit to a level 2 National FDLE background screen (finger prints) prior to being certified as a GAL (we will cover the cost of the finger prints).

 

Many universities and colleges are now requiring freshman to live on campus their first year. For those students that are the first in their family to ever go to college, this can be a daunting and completely unexpected expenditure. You can help offset a few of these expenses by putting together a dorm kit for these excited students!

You can download a list of supplies needed by clicking here or check out our Amazon wish list by clicking here.

First Generation College Starter Kits are one of our (DIY) Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects. DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages and sizes to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more. You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project to the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project. United Way of Northeast Florida can help you coordinate where to bring the completed kits--just let us know when you're ready to drop it off!

For those needing project hours, we will give one half-hour plus five hours for each completed kit per one participant.

For any questions, please contact us here.

 

MINDFULNESS KITS

Please be sure to acknowledge the DIY and Kit Projects Volunteer Waiver and follow the directions carefully.

WHAT TO DO:

Click Here to download instructions for Kid Mindfulness Kits.

Click Here to download the instructions for Adult Mindfulness Kits.

You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project to the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self-log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project.

If you would like to hold a drive, you can find some helpful tips HERE.

More helpful tips for completing DIY projects can be found HERE

Please put these items in a sturdy container like a decorated cardboard box. Do not use shirt boxes as they are flimsy and do not store well.

For those needing service hours verified, we will provide one half-hour plus one service hour for every two kits made, capped at 10.5 hours for one participant.

Kits must contain EVERY item listed and be in a decorated bag with a decorated card to receive full service hours.

When finished, contact our project coordinator here to let them know how many kits you have and to coordinate drop-offs. Please note: due to the limited staff capacity of our team and our partners, it may take 3-5 days to respond and coordinate delivery.

WHY THIS KIT:

Create kits to catalyze mindfulness in children and adults. Mindfulness can be defined as a present awareness of one’s experience without judgment. It is a self-regulation process that focuses on training attention in order to foster general mental well-being and develop the capacity for calmness. It is an incredible tool to help people understand and cope with various emotions. Many studies show that practicing mindfulness reduces stress and increases positivity.

Jewish Family & Community Services collects school supplies for school age foster and adoptive children in grades Kindergarten-9th grade on a yearly basis. This drive is one of the most important drives we do. With a goal of 100 backpacks, every donation makes a difference and helps a child whose life is anything but normal to feel a sense of normalcy. It takes away their anxiety of going to school and not having the supplies they need to complete the assignments they are given.

This is a collection drive. Keep in mind, not all grades are the same - the middle and high school students have the biggest need in our area for supplies.

Items needed include:

Clear or mesh backpacks (***required for middle/high school) 3-ring binders(***required for middle/high school) Composition books(***required for middle/high school) #2 Pencils(***required for middle/high school) Pens (blue or black) (***required for middle/high school) Paper (loose leaf) (***Needed for all students) Multi-colored pocket folders Pencil cases Erasers (*Required for all grades) Spiral notebooks Tab subject dividers White out Highlighters Sharpies Personal organizer Colored pencils (Elementary/middle school only) Glue Sticks (Elementary school only) Post-it notes (Middle and High school only) Graph paper (Middle and High school only) Rulers Index cards (Middle and High school only) Zipper storage pouch (Elementary School only) Mini-pencil sharpener Hand Sanitizer Page dividers Clorox wipes

If you have any interest in helping with this drive, it begins in May. Items can be delivered to the JFCS 8540 Baycenter location, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Contact Donna O'Steen for more details at 904-394-5714/dosteen@jfcsjax.org.

Alleviate Child Hunger in The Eastside

Many children within Duval County do not have regular access to food. As you can imagine, this instability has an impact on their health and academic success. Snack packs will alleviate some of their discomfort and worry that negatively affects their learning, social interactions, and ability to enjoy life as a child should. This is an opportunity to help the Historic Eastside Community Development Corporation address this barrier to success. This need was also created to aid families heavily affected by the pandemic.

Packs can be completed in three easy steps:

1) Decorate a blank paper bag. A bright, colorful bag can really cheer up a child of any age! 

2) Stuff the bag with the following items (all items should be easy to open, non-perishable, and should need a microwave at most to cook):

Shelf-stable milk, chocolate milk, or 100% juice Easy Mac, Tuna Salad or chicken salad kit Kashi bar, Kind or another granola bar Popcorn/Chip Bag Applesauce or fruit cup Napkin Fork/spoon

3) Create a positive, motivational card for the child and place it in each bag.

4) When you have completed the project and are ready to donate your bags, please contact our project coordinator here.

 

Safety First

Safety is paramount! Please read and follow these precautions before beginning this volunteer project:

Do not purchase items or prepare care packages if anyone in your household is sick When packaging goods, wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face Donated items must be unopened, new, and not expired

Volunteer Hours

For those that require service hours, one half-hour plus one hour for every two complete snack packs with card will be given for one participant. 

 

Many universities and colleges are now requiring freshmen to live on campus their first year. For those students that are the first in their family to ever go to college, this can be a daunting and completely unexpected expenditure. You can help offset a few of these expenses by putting together a dorm kit for these excited students!

You can download a list of supplies needed by clicking here or check out our Amazon wish list by clicking here.

First Generation College Starter Kits are one of our (DIY) Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects. DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages and sizes to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more. You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project at the site. You may log your hours through the self log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project.

United Way of Northeast Florida will help you coordinate the drop off of the completed kits. Just let us know when you have completed the kit(s).

For those needing project hours, we will give one half-hour plus five hours for each completed kit per one participant.

For any questions, please contact us here.

Help make financial literacy fun for kids! Kash Kids is seeking volunteers to provide decorated bags and boxes for their financial literacy events and for financial literacy month. Kash Kids will use these to make student give-away bags which include supplies that support financial literacy. If you would like to volunteer, please decorate paper bags with handles or 8x11 shipping boxes. Use stamps, stickers, colored pencils, crayons, etc. to decorate the boxes with words of encouragement, dollar signs, piggy banks, or other money symbol.  When you are done, please contact our project coordinator to arrange a drop off date and time. We will verify 1 volunteer hour for every 10 bags.   You can learn more about Kash Kids on their website: https://www.kashkids.com/

 

Exam season is just around the corner. It's a nerve wracking time for all college students- especially new college students approaching their first one. No matter what students are worried about, this DIY finals survival kit will be a total lifesaver and it will help keep students motivated!

Start creating the kit by decorating a box with positive or encouraging messages/ images. You can use colored pencils, markers, stickers, etc. to make your box stand out. Then, please select one of the themes below and fill your box with the suggested items (please ensure items are new and not expired).

Next, create an encouragement card and place it on top of the other items before closing the box. Contact the project coordinator to arrange a drop-off date and time at our donation site. Our Full Service Schools sites will send these kits to first generation college and former DCPS Full Service Schools students.

Here are a few suggestions:

Snacks Galore:

Cheeze-its or Goldfish

Oreo Cookies

Nature Valley Granola Bars

Air-heads

Smarties

Smart Food Popcorn

M&Ms

Skittles

Small Box of Cereal

Pretzels

Beef Jerky

Squeezable Applesauce

Encouraging note

 

Cup of Inspiration

Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate

Spiced Apple Cider

Box of True Lemon Crystal Lite

Maxwell House Instant Coffee

Box of Earl Gray Tea

Box of Herbal Tea (Pomegranate Raspberry, Mint Tea, Ginger Tea, Throat Coat Tea)

Box of Green Tea

Packets of Sugar

A Microwave-Safe Mug

Encouraging Note

 

Support Kit

Emergen-C

Microwave Popcorn

Ramen Noodles

Chips

Goldfish

Pop Tarts

Granola Bar

Sweet and Salty Trail Mix

Protein Bar

Gummy Snacks or Gummy Bears

Encouraging Note

 

Study Buddy

Index Cards

Sticky Notes

Mechanical pencils

Pens

Highlighters

Stress Ball

Snacks

Mint Gum

Emergen-C

Hand Sanitizer

Cleaning Wipes

Encouraging Note

 

Relaxation Kit

Lip Balm

Nail Polish

Hand Lotion

Sugar Scrub

Cozy socks

Eye Mask

Box of Herbal Tea

Encouraging Note

 

 We will verify one half-hour for the project and one volunteer hour for every kit complete with card and decorations.

 *photo courtesy of Ally Smith's Pinterest

Working to break the cycle of poverty.

At heart, all students want stability and love — but poverty makes it difficult for them to get something as simple as their basic needs met. This leaves them feeling ashamed and hopeless among their peers.

Children in the richest country in the world shouldn’t have to go without basic necessities like food, clean clothes, and hygiene products.

 

Students who need assistance are referred by the school district or school staff or by social service agencies. The Giving Closet Project creates a custom care kit based on the individual student's needs. Within a week, the care package is discretely delivered to the student, helping them feel seen and supported.

Of critical need, The Giving Closet Project is always in need of these hygiene items:

Black hair care items Wide-toothed comb Shampoo (sulfate-free, alcohol-free, and PH balanced) Shampoo Leave-in conditioner Conditioner Hair oil Styling Gel/Curl-defining Product Shower caps or satin bonnet Spray bottle Soap Lotion Deodorant Toothbrushes Toothpaste (travel and full size items)

Also, to support students' needs, the following items are in demand:

New socks and underwear (ALL sizes as we serve PreK-12th) Backpacks (clear and mesh for middle- and high school)

TGCP encourages individuals to deliver donations when the center is open for staff to assist. Contact TGCP here to arrange drop-off.

United Way can document community service hours for those who need them and will give one hour for every 15 items donated. Just contact us here.

Working to Improve Neighborhoods (WIN) is a male mentoring program for youth ages 6-18 who live in 32208 and 32209. WIN is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. This program teaches conflict resolution strategies, while using basketball as a way to practice those skills. 

As a Skills Facilitator, volunteers will organize and present a lesson that will speak to the purpose of the program, current issues participants are facing, and to include engaging activities. Volunteers are subject to a Level II Background Check and Orientation before starting. 

Only 3% of high-performing, under-resourced students end up in a great first career experience. On our social platform, professionals like you can help change that.

Here's how:

1. Sign up via your computer at my.backrs.com or by downloading the Backrs mobile app from the Apple App or Google Play Stores.

2. Tell us a little about your background and experiences by completing your profile. This takes 5 mins. (Up to 15 if you'd like to give students more details about your hobbies and interests.)

3. We add you to identity-based, regional, university, and career-path Affinity Networks where you can connect with students you're well-positioned to support.

4. In Networks, you can answer students' questions, post resources or job/internship opportunities, and share insights into your college and career journey by responding to Backstage Pass posts. Though each of these actions takes a few minutes, they all have meaningful impacts on young people.

5. If you'd like to play a more involved role in a student's journey, you can join their panel of backrs. This enables you to view their goals, post on their personal feed, schedule Zoom check-ins, and even contribute to their Flourish Fund. It's a great choice for those looking to offer low-lift, relationship-driven support.

Best way to see how convenient and rewarding being a backr really is? Give it a try, commitment-free:

Sign up on your computer: my.backrs.com

Or get the Backrs mobile app: Apple App Store or Google Play Store

 

Our Impact Model

Research shows that cross-class relationships are the biggest predictors of social mobility. And financial margin increases the odds of college persistence four-fold.

We partner with schools and youth organizations to recruit committed high school and college students into our community. Then, by removing the barriers the keep well-resourced adults from connecting with under-resourced young people, our technology builds bridges across socioeconomic strata, enabling people like you to empower students like Diego R.

Diego R. joined Backrs so he could pursue his dream of becoming a biomedical engineer. Thanks to his talent, hard work, and the support he's received from his backrs, he's well on his way to making that dream a reality. As he explained:

"My brother was born with Chronic Kidney Disease. He’s the man who gives me the strength to pursue Biomedical Engineering and become an accomplished technician. I strive to make the lives of those who suffer like him better. I want to be the change he needs to be healthy."

All of the students in our community are driven to build a better world; when they're given the resources to do so, everyone around them benefits.

Watch this video to learn more about the difference Backrs makes for students: Kaothara's Experience

The Backrs Experience 

Being a great backr isn’t about grand gestures or having all the answers. It’s about the small things: sharing a word of encouragement. Passing along a helpful resource. Making an introduction. These actions make a big difference--take it from some of our current backrs: 

"As a backr, I love the opportunity to support and mentor my three proteges as they grow and develop. I feel grateful to be able to guide and shape their future in a positive way. Through Backrs, I have been able to watch them grow into confident and capable individuals, and it has given me a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I can't put into words. It's made a tremendous difference in my life to see them achieve their goals and know that I played a role in helping them get there."

- Ahmed Dawood, Marketer at Apple

"Backrs gives me an opportunity to utilize my expertise to provide mentoring and support to students. Even though my students are a couple time zones away, I have the flexibility to connect with them on my time and have been dedicated to checking my app weekly at minimum to engage in conversations and answer questions. Its exciting to celebrate their wins and talk about future plans. Mentoring was very impactful in my life so it gives me joy to give back in this way."

- Lori Hunt, College Provost

 

Join the Movement for Social Mobility

Sign up for backrs today!

 

Working to Improve Neighborhoods (WIN) is a male mentoring program for youth ages 6-18 who live in 32208 and 32209. WIN is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. This program teaches conflict resolution strategies, while using basketball as a way to practice those skills.

The vision is for participants to have one-on-one time with a mentor. Mentorship will occur during the WIN Program hours and should be meaningful. Having another voice and point of reference could determine an awesome present and a successful future. Volunteers are subject to a Level II Background Check and Orientation before starting. 

Working to Improve Neighborhoods (WIN) is a male mentoring program for youth ages 6-18 who live in 32208 and 32209. WIN is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. This program teaches conflict resolution strategies, while using basketball as a way to practice those skills.

WIN is looking for coaches, referees, and First Aid assistance. Volunteers are subject to a Level II Background Check and Orientation before starting. 

Working to Improve Neighborhoods (WIN) is a male mentoring program for youth ages 6-18 who live in 32208 and 32209. WIN is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. This program teaches conflict resolution strategies, while using basketball as a way to practice those skills.

 

The vision is for participants to have access to supports as needed. This includes tutoring and counseling. Volunteers are subject to a Level II Background Check and Orientation before starting. 

We are a local mental health and community behavioral non-profit organization seeking mental health resources for all ages, backgrounds, and demographics! We host a variety of community events and exposure is key! Families don't know what services are available to them, and we do our best at bridging the gap between families and information! If you have a mental health service or product then we want to know! 

 

 

School Supply Kits is one of our (DIY) Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects. DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more. You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project to the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project. Once you have responded to this need, you will be contacted by our project coordinator. 

Purchasing or collecting school supplies is a great way to support the work that we do through our school partners such as Lutheran Social Services. School supplies are needed year-round, not only at the beginning of the school year. We invite to you participate n this DIY Project by collecting supplies on your own or through a drive. You can download a list of the most requested supply items here.

You will earn service hours as you do it! We will offer one half-hour plus one hour of service for every 15 items collected and delivered for one participant.  Please email volunteer@uwnefl.org with pictures of your items prior to drop off to receive service hours.

To coordinate drop off directly with Lutheran Social Services, please call (904) 448-5995. If you have further questions please contact our program coordinator HERE

The Role of a Guiding Mentor (GM) in Home Team Student Services, Inc.

A Guiding Mentor (GM) is a dedicated mentor within Home Team Student Services, Inc., responsible for Locating, Motivating, and Navigating student-athletes toward realizing their passions and purpose. Their role is to provide mentorship, guidance, and resources that help high school student-athletes succeed in academics, athletics, and personal development.

1. The GM Process: Locate, Motivate, Navigate

Locate- Identifying Purpose and Passion 

- Build strong relationships with student-athletes to understand their backgrounds, strengths, and goals.

- Assess academic and athletic performance to determine areas of growth and opportunity.

- Identify personal interests, leadership skills, and career aspirations.

- Connect students with resources, mentors, and programs aligned with their talents and goals.

Motivate- Inspiring Encouragement and Growth

- Help students set achievable goals for academics, sports, and personal growth.

- Provide positive reinforcement and accountability to keep students on track.

- Foster a growth mindset, teaching resilience, discipline, and confidence.

- Offer emotional support and mentorship, ensuring students stay focused and motivated despite challenges.

Navigate- Guiding the Path to Success 

- Assist in college readiness, recruitment, and scholarship applications.

- Teach students time management, leadership, and life skills to balance responsibilities.

- Provide career exploration guidance, helping students explore paths beyond athletics.

- Connect student-athletes with coaches, educators, and professionals who can support their journey.

2. The Role of a GM in Student-Athlete Development

Academic Support

- Help students maintain a healthy balance between schoolwork and athletics.

- Provide study strategies, time management tips, and tutoring resources.

- Ensure academic eligibility for collegiate athletics and scholarship opportunities.

Athletic Development

- Offer training guidance, mental preparation, and sportsmanship advice.

- Provide insight into recruitment, college athletics, and professional opportunities.

- Help students understand NCAA requirements and eligibility processes.

Personal Growth & Character Development

- Encourage leadership, responsibility, and accountability.

- Teach students how to set and achieve personal and professional goals.

- Instill a strong sense of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.

Mental Health & Well-Being

- Create a safe space for students to discuss challenges and seek guidance.

- Help manage stress, anxiety, and personal struggles.

- Connect students with mental health professionals and wellness resources when needed.

College & Career Preparation

- Guide students through the college application and scholarship process.

- Offer insights on career paths, internships, and networking opportunities.

- Teach students how to build resumes, interview skills, and professional connections.

Community & Networking

- Foster connections with coaches, educators, and industry professionals.

- Encourage student-athletes to give back through community service and leadership.

- Promote a team-oriented, growth-focused environment that extends beyond sports.

3. The Importance of a GM in Home Team Student Services, Inc.

A Guiding Mentor is more than just a mentor. They are a life coach, advocate, and role model for student-athletes. Their impact ensures that students:

By Locating, Motivating, and Navigating students through their journey, GMs empower student-athletes to reach their full potential both on and off the field.

BIRTHDAY IN A BOX

Please be sure to acknowledge the DIY and Kits Project Volunteer Waiver, and follow the directions carefully.

WHAT TO DO:

You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project to the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self-log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project.

Please note: All items must be in new and original packaging.

Birthday Box items:

Box of Cake Mix Jar of Frosting (chocolate, vanilla, or Funfetti) Sprinkles and/or other cake decorations Candles Disposable Cake Pan (8' x 8' or 13 'x 9') Juice boxes Package of Party Hats  Noisemakers/Blowers  Birthday Banner and or other decorations (streamers, etc) Package of balloons  Kid’s Temporary Tattoos and/or other birthday favors or games A book (list of recommendations here) Arts/Crafts items: (markers/drawing pad/paint and brushes, etc) Gift Card (optional)

Collect all items, assemble boxes with one of each item, and wish the recipient child well in a Happy Birthday card that you can make or purchase.

For those that require service hours, one half-hour (for travel) plus 1 hour will be given per box assembled and dropped off. These are capped at 15.5 hours. For example, 4 boxes with drop-off would be 4.5 hours total.

Boxes must contain EVERY item listed and be decorated with a decorated card to receive full service hours.

When finished, contact our project coordinator here to let them know how many boxes you have and to coordinate drop-offs. Please note: due to the limited staff capacity of our team and our partners, it may take 3-5 days to respond and coordinate delivery.

 WHY THESE BOXES:

Every child deserves a birthday celebration, but not every family has the means to make that possible for their children. You can help by providing families with a box of birthday “essentials” that they can use to ensure that each child’s life is worth celebrating and their special day is the best it can be!

The is one of our DIY (Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects). DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages and sizes to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more.

Boxes will be dispersed to our Full Service Schools network to be distributed to students or through other non-profit partner agencies that serve the homeless or veteran populations.

Do you have experience and knowledge to share?

Become a guest speaker and inspire young minds to reach for their dreams! Share your professional journey and insights on where you work, what you do, what it’s like, and how students can achieve the same success. You may answer questions like:

What do you do for a living?What advice do you have for students who want a career like yours?What kind of educational path is needed for your career?

Through sharing your story you can open doors to new possibilities for students. These guest speaking opportunities expose students to career options they may not be familiar with. Exposure to career and education experiences is critical as students learn more about themselves and what they want for their futures.

Would you like speaking as a part of a group?

We can arrange career panel opportunities as well. During a career panel, three to four professionals from your company or different industries can bring a variety of experiences that speak to the diverse backgrounds and goals that our students have. Workforce development is a critical focus area for high school students across all program areas. CIS strives to do everything possible, not only to prepare them for graduation but also to equip them for a successful future. Your contribution can play a vital role in shaping their career aspirations!