Volunteers are a century old tradition at Hephzibah and an important part of the team that provides services to our clients. Hephzibah's volunteers receive orientation and training workshops, supervision and evaluation by our professional staff. We aim to offer volunteers the best possible environment for the use of their skills, knowledge and interests. We offer our volunteers an opportunity to touch the life of a child.

A Heartmates mentor makes a long-term commitment to spend time with a child. As a mentor, you share in a child's life by spending time with him/her during outings in the community such as trips to the zoo, ball games, parks, shopping, etc. A child is matched with a volunteer to spend quality time with them two or three times a month. Hephzibah's Mentors are:
1) Individual mentors-matched with one specific child.
2) Team mentor-floats working with all the children.
At first, all mentors volunteer on-site with the children and staff of Hephzibah. You learn the children's routine and staff expectations. You spend time with a child and engage her/him in activities such as; reading, helping with homework, playing games, art projects and computer activities. Staff will advise when it is appropriate for volunteers to take children on off-site activities. This will include such activities as: going to the library, having lunch, walking to get an ice cream cone or a cup of hot cocoa, biking, museums, ball games and other ideas that you want to bring to us!

This program offers corporations a valuable opportunity to raise their visibility in the community as good corporate Citizens, while building employee morale and fostering a team spirit among their employees. Corporations can choose from a wide variety of activities or bring their own ideas or projects to the table. This program provides opportunities for groups of corporate employees to contribute their skills and knowledge to support our mission - and for corporations to develop lasting partnerships with Hephzibah.

Helpers assist in the After-School Academy for Hephzibah students. Volunteers commit to one or two days a week from September to June. These volunteer tutors read to children, help with homework and engage the children in creative play. The main goal is to help the children complete their homework, but an underlying aim is to provide a place where learning and reading are shared and enjoyed.

Our Big Brothers / Big Sisters are high school students ages 14-18. The students commit to once a week for one hundred days. Big Brothers / Big Sisters are on-site volunteers whether at Hephzibah or at one of the elementary schools in Oak Park through our After School Program. As a Big Sib your role is to be a friend to a child and provide a positive role model. You will help with homework, play games, read or teach the child a new game. Most of the Big Sibs are matched with a specific child.

These community-minded children, who range in age from 12 to 14 years of age, are the core volunteer team at Hephzibah's day care after-school sites. They spend time helping the younger children with homework, reading books, playing games, or just having fun. Also, Kid's Club members assist our staff with special projects or events throughout the year. Many Club members go on to become Big Siblings during their teen years.

These general volunteers do not have regular assigned duties. Help Mates are ready and willing to help out where we need it most; volunteering with one-time projects, annual events or special events. These volunteers can work as individuals or within a group. This includes: planting spring flowers, art activities for children, church and school groups plan an activity or help during the holidays. In addition, these volunteers can assist with FUNraising and FRIENDraising projects.
Do you have a specific skill or project you would like to do? Let us know in Volunteer Services!

The Economy Shop is a resale shop that has been a part of the Oak Park landscape almost as long as Hephzibah. We are one of six charities that receive proceeds from the sale of items at the Economy Shop. Volunteers donate their time to sort merchandise and work as sales clerks on sale days.

Economy Shop
103 S. Grove in Oak Park
www.EconomyShop.org

Volunteer Orientations Learn more about Hephzibah's mission and work in the community as well as information about our Volunteer Services Program. Attendance does not obligate you in any way. Orientations will be held at 946 North Boulevard on the following days: Thursday, September 4, 2008 Two sessions being held 4PM Orientation 6PM Orientation We are in great need of Adult Male Mentors! Please send us your name, phone number, e-mail, and date & time you will be attending. Click here to register!

If you are interested in any of these activities, or for more information, please call Maureen McGoorty, our Director of Volunteer Services, at 708-649-7100 or at MMcGoorty@Hephzibahhome.org For more information on current job openings, visit our employment page. For internship opportunities, please contact: Rudi Vanderburg, Director of Operations, at 708-649-7080 or at RVanderburg@HephzibahHome.org Touch the life of a child.