McKinley Outreach - Teen Volunteers
Wakeman – Outreach at McKinley
McKinley Elementary School – 60 Thompson Street, Fairfield
The Wakeman Outreach at McKinley is in its seventh year of providing after-school programs for McKinley’s diverse student population and volunteer opportunities for area high school students. The Outreach focuses on improvement of students’ social skills, general wellness/fitness, and academic performance. The Outreach also helps open the door to participation in Open Gym, after-school programs and leagues offered by Wakeman.
The Wakeman Mentoring and Reading/Math Club Programs serve nearly 100 McKinley students and 100 high school student volunteers. Through after-school mentoring and tutoring, McKinley students gain a consistent role model and strengthened academic skills while teens develop patience, compassion and knowledge while exploring careers working with youth.
TEEN VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer one hour a week or more – and you’ll make a difference in a child’s life. Very likely, they will also make a difference in your own life! Nearly 100 teens and seven adult chaperones chose to make a difference last year. Volunteer hours are tracked throughout the school year. In the past, teens have used their hours toward college applications, Fairfield Prep Christian Service, National Honor Society, High School Key Club and other programs.
READING/MATH CLUB TUTORS
9th-12th graders can volunteer to assist students needing homework/reading/math help after school. Volunteers can help on Mondays and/or Thursdays from 3:15-4:30 at McKinley. Tutors must commit to a minimum of one season of the school year. Tutoring begins in mid September; new tutors may be accepted throughout the school year. Reading/Math Clubs do not meet in December or March. Small groups of 8-15 students are led by a McKinley teacher and 2-4 teen tutors. A typical afternoon includes 20 minutes of homework help, 20 minutes of lesson taught by the program teacher, and 20 minutes of additional tutoring focused on the day's lesson.
MENTORS
10th-12th grade high school students can volunteer as Mentors to students at McKinley. Mentors spend 45 minutes in the classroom learning about what their student is studying, how they interact with classmates and assignments. The remaining time is spent together with other mentors and students for homework and projects, playing games and sports, and hanging out. Both male and female Mentors are needed. Mentors can volunteer on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 2:45-4:45, but must attend the same day every week. Mentors are expected to commit to volunteering for a minimum of two seasons (fall, winter, spring) of the school year. Mentoring begins in mid September, but new Mentors may be accepted throughout the year. Preference is given to juniors and seniors, although sophomores may be accepted too. Mentors are also expected to attend several trainings and mentoring events during the year.
Volunteer Applicants:
1. Contact Unit Director Tim Cepetelli by email with your interest.
2. Pick up a Teen Volunteer Profile from either Clubhouse or McKinley School.
3. Sign up to attend an Orientation/Interview. Orientation/Interviews are held together, usually twice per month. Dates will be posted August 16th and available by emailing Tim@wakemanclub.com or www.wakemanclub.com – McKinley Outreach.
All volunteers are interviewed to match with McKinley students and programs based on compatibility of interests, personalities and experiences. All volunteer applicants may not be accepted for a program. Training is given before volunteers begin. Qualified adult supervision is present to assist teen volunteers at all times.
For more information about the McKinley Outreach:
Tim Cepetelli – Outreach Director • Tim@wakemanclub.com
203-374-1108 (school year) • 203-259-4805 (summer)
Wakeman Boys & Girls Club - Stratfield Clubhouse
Locatad at First Presby Church
2475 Easton Turnpike
Fairfield, CT 06825