| Volunteers
GENERAL VOLUNTEER INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES
Since the Foundation's inception, volunteers have been an important and integral part of our success in motivating young people with positive learning experiences. Volunteers of all ages and from many different backgrounds have assisted in all facets of our organization. Living Classrooms Foundation thrives because of resourceful and creative people. The following describes some of the opportunities for volunteers.
Click on one of the sub-headings below to view specific program information and volunteer opportunities.
Hands-on Education and Job-Training Programs for Urban Youth
Shipboard and Environmental Education Programs
Maritime Heritage Programs
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
General Requirements and Application Information
Hands-on Education and Job-Training Programs for Urban Youth
Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students (BUGS) After School Program
The BUGS After School Program serves forty, third, fourth and fifth grade students from Johnston Square Elementary School in Baltimore City. BUGS provides critically needed academic and social enrichment utilizing a positive youth development approach. BUGS strives to improve students’ Math and Reading Grades, attitudes, and behaviors through meaningful hands-on academic enrichment activities that complement the school day. Students are inspired to enjoy learning, take responsibility, and become active citizens through: Cooking and /Nutrition, Gardening and the Environment, Creative Movement and Dance, and Creative Arts. BUGS has been recognized for its unique approach and its students’ significant academic and social gains. For more information about BUGS, please visit our website at www.bugsprogram.org.
Volunteers are needed to assist with daily activities such as homework assistance, gardening, tutoring cooking, creative arts, creative movement and dance and social skills training. The program operates Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the school year, and Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm for eight weeks during the summer beginning the week of July 4th.
The Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center
The Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center responds to the community’s need for intervention that supports the academic and social development of disadvantaged youth. The Center provides services in five core areas: Education and Career Development, Character and Civic Development, Health and Life Skills, The Arts and Cultural Enrichment, and Sports and Recreation. By providing these services, The Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center supports positive youth activities and provides intervention for some of the risk factors associated with poverty and the challenges of normal adolescent development.
Volunteers are needed to assist in all of these areas. The Center needs volunteers to help with homework and to organize special activities, as well as to mentor students. The Center is also open to volunteers who would like to share a special interest or talent with the students. The Center runs an after school program Mon- Fri from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. and needs volunteers during those times.
Bay Buddies
Bay Buddies is a summer program in August that serves students with special needs, ranging in age from 5 - 21 years old. This unique program requires specialized transportation, a full-time onsite nurse, accommodations for students with moderate to severe handicapping conditions (approx. 20 students per participating school), and a 1:2 staff to student ratio. The program focuses on environmental explorations around Baltimore's Inner Harbor, and hands-on experiences at the Weinberg Education Center. The primary goal of the program is to provide students with opportunities to address outcomes and indictors in the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum and Alternate MSA in positive and fun learning environments. Students sail aboard Lady Maryland; visit the Maryland Science Center and the National Aquarium in Baltimore; participate in a therapeutic riding program at the Maryland Council for Special Equestrians farm in Catonsville, as well as work with Marley, a trained occupational therapy dog. Living Classrooms Foundation works in partnership with The Arc of Baltimore, Baltimore County Recreation and Parks - Therapeutic Division, and the participating schools.
Volunteers assist Bay Buddies staff during on-site activities at the Weinberg Education Center. Duties include set-up, implementation and clean-up of student activities such as indoor crafts and outdoor play. Volunteers work with individual students to assist them with these activities, for example, gluing or painting crafts, singing a group song, or playing outside with sports equipment, balls, etc. These are just some examples of the things we do and as mentioned earlier there is a very good staff to student ratio. A volunteer can make us aware of their skills and comfort level, and we will move forward with great appreciation.
The Crossroads School and T-CAP After School Program
The Crossroads School, is a public, charter middle (6 th -8 th grades) school, run in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools. The school's instructional program emphasizes the mastery of fundamental skills in reading, writing, and mathematics and provides students with ongoing opportunities to apply these skills to a range of real world, hands-on learning experiences that extend into the community and the natural world. Volunteers may also act as Mentors during the school day bimonthly.
An integral part of the Crossroads School is the Turning the Corner Achievement Program (TCAP), generously supported by Eddie and Sylvia Brown and the Brown family. The goal of TCAP is to provide supplemental academic and enrichment programs to Crossroads students both during the school day as well as through the TCAP Extended Day program. Volunteers are needed after school Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3:00-4:30 as tutors and to help run music and/or sports clubs. We are also looking for individuals to come talk with students about their careers.
Project KIDS (Kids Improving DC's Southside) After School Program
During the school year, there are many opportunities for parents and community members to serve as chaperones, tutor assistants, and event planners within our exciting new After School Program at Assumption and St. Thomas More Catholic Schools in Southeast Washington, DC. All volunteers will work with groups of 5-10 students during homework and instructional time alongside one our staff educators or as part of a larger group to prepare for one of our exciting community events. The After School Program runs daily at both sites from 3:30-6pm. Volunteers and educators report at 2:30pm. There are also occasional evening events and field trips. Experience with at risk youth is essential. Teaching experience is helpful, but not necessary. All volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
GEM (Girls' Empowerment Mission) Program
The Girls’ Empowerment Mission (GEM) is a gender-responsive program that serves disadvantaged Baltimore County high school girls by providing opportunities and growth experiences that will enable them to become independent, self-sufficient, and confident young women. GEM addresses the needs of at-risk girls within a positive environment that includes cultural, recreational, social, educational, and professional opportunities, mentoring, counseling, service to others, leadership training, and financial literacy. The main goal of this program is to break the cycle of poverty by keeping the girls on track with their education and empowering them to feel good about themselves and their potential. Volunteers are needed to share experiences and assist with program activities. GEM programs are held two evenings and one weekend each month.
Project SERVE
Project SERVE involves community service projects such as the rehabilitation of homes within the Empowerment Zone Village Centers of East Baltimore and neighborhood stabilization activities, such as cleaning of vacant lots and properties. Other projects involve removing graffiti, trash removal from local parks, tutoring and mentorship, and a vast array of specialized public service projects. Project SERVE, by its very nature, is designed to include and encourage the use volunteers to improve communities and encourage participation in community projects.
Fresh Start
Living Classrooms Foundation’s Fresh Start Program has been consistently recognized by the United States Department of Labor as one of the top programs in the country providing Promising and Effective Practices for youth. The 40-week program provides youth with training in vocational, academic, and social skills development. Fresh Start serves out-of-school, high-risk youth ages 16-19, who are referred by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). The program is designed to mirror the workplace by giving participants an opportunity to practice job skills and attitudes as well as interpersonal skills that will help them in their careers and future endeavors. In addition to GED preparation classes, the program uses carpentry and woodworking as a medium to teach skills that are needed to be successful in any job: self-motivation, work quality, and staying on task. Volunteers are needed to serve as academic mentors assisting with tutoring and GED preparation.
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Shipboard and Environmental Outreach Programs
Shipboard Education (Baltimore and Washington, DC)
During the sailing season, there are opportunities for volunteers to serve as Education Assistants aboard our historic ships. Working with groups of five-to-seven students, volunteers are trained to assist with hands-on activities such as basic seamanship, navigation, weather, water quality testing, and Chesapeake watershed studies. Most trips are scheduled weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Volunteers and educators report at 8:00 a.m. There are also occasional evening and weekend programs. Teaching experience is helpful. All volunteers will be afforded mandatory training and must be at least 18 years of age.
Historic Tall Ship Winter Maintenance Projects
In the off-season (December - March) the Foundation's four historic vessels are down-rigged and refurbished for the season to come. Volunteers are needed in the late fall and early winter to down-rig and cover the vessels, and in the early spring to uncover and rig the vessels. Routine and other necessary maintenance is also performed throughout the winter. The vessels are under cover so working conditions can be quite comfortable. Work may include carpentry, engine maintenance, painting, and special projects. The hard working crews of Lady Maryland , Mildred Belle , Minnie V. , and Sigsbee appreciate volunteer support of any experience level.
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Maritime Heritage Programs
The National Historic Seaport of Baltimore is an alliance of maritime heritage attractions on and around Baltimore's waterfront. Included among these sites are the USS Constellation Museum, Baltimore Maritime Museum, and the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum. Opportunities exist for volunteers to become involved in marketing, promotion, strategic planning, and to serve as guides.
Historic Ships at the Inner Harbor
The Historic Ships at the Inner Harbor include: Coast Guard Cutter Taney, Lightship Chesapeake, WWII Submarine Torsk, the USS Constellation Museum, and the 150 year-old Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse. All of these historic treasures are located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Opportunities to get involved include helping to refurbish the vessels and lighthouse, serving as guides/docents, helping to run special events, and various other opportunities. For more information, contact the Torsk Volunteer’s Association at www.usstorsk.org.
USS Constellation was built in 1854 and is the last all-sail warship built by the U.S. Navy and the only Civil War-era naval vessel still afloat. She is the second of three ships to carry this venerable name and is the largest example of traditional Chesapeake Bay wooden shipbuilding in existence. Volunteer opportunities include assisting with rigging and maintenance of the vessel, helping with the Museum’s education and interpretation programming, and assisting with special events. A separate organization, Ship’s Company, the official volunteer living history unit for the USS Constellation Museum, also has opportunities to get involved. For more information, visit their website at www.shipscompany.org.
Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park
The Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum is a public, educational, and cultural campus honoring the lives and contributions of African Americans to Baltimore's maritime history and economy. Volunteer opportunities include acting as museum docents/educators, upkeep of the site and facilities, and providing support for special events. For more information, please visit www.douglassmyers.org.
Friends of Ft. McHenry
Living Classrooms Foundation is currently overseeing the Friends of Ft. McHenry, a group that helps to manage upkeep of the site and special events at Ft. McHenry. This national park and historic shrine, located on Baltimore Harbor, offers volunteer opportunities in the areas of fundraising, development of educational programs, as well as special events and site upkeep.
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Additional Opportunities
Special Events
Living Classrooms Foundation participates in a number of community events highlighting education. Volunteers are needed to help with our annual fundraiser, Maritime Magic. Volunteers are important in helping to prepare for all facets of the event, beginning with our first mailing. Help is also needed in setting up, manning stations during the evening, and cleaning up the day after the event.
Publications
Volunteers with talents in writing, page and graphic design, photography, layout, and related skills can help the mission of the Foundation by assisting in the production organization publications.
Facilities Maintenance
Facilities upkeep encompasses a variety of domains. Volunteers with an interest in gardening can participate in the planning and planting of gardens as well as the restoration and upkeep of existing garden and wetland areas. Those who are handier with tools are needed to help in projects such as fence installation and building repairs. Yard maintenance and site improvement are other areas in which volunteers are needed.
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General Requirements:
- Punctuality and reliability
- Ability to work cooperatively as part of staff team
- Willingness to work with students of all ages, from diverse backgrounds
- An interest in learning and sharing knowledge
- Shipboard programs - willingness to be on boats in all kinds of weather
For more information on volunteering, please contact Noah Smock at nsmock@livingclassrooms.org or (410) 685-0295 x.314 and/or submit application as directed.
(Click here to download Volunteer Application)
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