Harvard Club of Sarasota

Community Outreach Partners & Volunteer Opportunities

 

Make a difference in young students' lives and our local community! Partner with local nonprofits as a student mentor, or volunteer in other ways! Help teach the value of education! Share your expertise! Learn from others! Build relationships that last a lifetime!

Community Outreach & Volunteer Opportunities

  
Participating Community Partner 501(c)(3) Organizations & Foundations
(Please click on the organization's name to view its profile below):
 
 
 
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Children First, Sarasota

Mentor & Volunteer Opportunities
 
 

About Children First

 
Mission: The mission of Children First is to strengthen children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health and well-being.
 
This statement reflects the organization’s underlying aspiration for the successful achievement of Head Start and Early Head Start goals and objectives, and the main priority of kindergarten readiness for all the children served.
 
  
  
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Children's Guardian Fund 
Mentor & Volunteer Opportunities
 
 
About Children's Guardian Fund
 
Mission: The Children’s Guardian Fund provides funding for the immediate and ongoing needs of Normalcy and Enrichment of children removed from abusive and neglectful homes in Manatee, Sarasota, and De Soto Counties.  Many of these children have never had a birthday cake, a book, or a stuffed animal, much less the calm, undivided attention of an adult in their lives.
 
Child Advocacy: Close to 200 children are currently on the waiting list for a personal advocate.  A child without a personal advocate (Guardian ad Litem) is at risk of not receiving the services they need.  Both Child Advocate training and visits with the children currently are being conducted virtually.  Use your talents to make a significant difference in a child's life by becoming a Guardian ad Litem. 
 
 
Academic Tutoring: Through no fault of their own, most children in foster and state care are behind in school due to parental neglect, trauma, and frequent moves.  COVID-19 has created additional challenges for our already academically deficient students. The Children’s Guardian Fund is addressing academic challenges, one child at a time, through their Academic Tutoring Program, which provides individualized trauma-informed tutoring through specially trained tutors who collaborate with the child’s caregiver, court-appointed Guardian ad Litem volunteer, and teachers (wherever possible) to tackle academic challenges.  $1,000 ($40/week) provides a child with six months of vital academic tutoring, enough to provide critical study skills and give that child the tools he or she needs to become successful at learning independently. 
 
 
 
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Community Foundation of Sarasota County (CFSC) 
Mentor & Volunteer Opportunities
 
                                     

About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County (CFSC)

Mission: Since its founding by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council in 1979, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has been making the important connection between individuals’ personal memories, passions and dreams, and the fulfillment of their charitable goals. By actively listening to the desires of donors, we help create permanent charitable funds that ensure people of vision have an enduring impact on our community and the causes they hold dear. Our motto — “Be the One” — reflects our deeply-held belief that anyone can be a philanthropist and give back to our community, regardless of means. 

Areas of Impact: Community Care, Empowerment and Success, and Belonging and Culture — These three impact areas guide CFSC's work to unite people and organizations to create opportunities for families (across generations) to improve their lives through cultural, educational, economic, and social support. 

 

BECOME A SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE VOLUNTEER:  

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is excited to partner with volunteers from our community to review scholarship applications, which allows the Scholarship Committee to determine scholarship awards each year for deserving students from our area.  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

TIME COMMITTMENT: Approximately 8-10 hours reviewing and providing feedback on scholarship applications through our online committee review system. This virtual opportunity gives you the chance to give back and review applications in your own time within a two-week period.


THE GIVING PARTNER:The Giving Partner is a trusted source for informed charitable decisions for donors, funders and other entities for philanthropic research. This searchable database contains over 700 profiles of 501(c)(3), or specific 501(c)(4), charitable organizations serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. These profiles reflect how nonprofit organizations are making a difference with their commitment to transparency, including core mission, programmatic impact, leadership, financial health, and more. Search here for Giving Partner program fundraising, matching, board member, and volunteer opportunities.SEASON OF SHARING:
As a reflection of our belief that anyone can be a philanthropist regardless of means, Season of Sharing is an open invitation to all members of our community to give what they can to empower and help their fellow neighbors. To this day, Season of Sharing remains a grassroots campaign that depends on generosity at all levels. Click here to support Season of Sharing and to help make a difference in others' lives.      

The Community Foundations National Standards (CFNS) accreditation seal represents a foundation's commitment to rigorous, sector-driven best practices that exceed federal and state law requirements, demonstrating accountability and excellence to communities, policymakers, and the public.

 

           

 

  
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Just for Girls
(Manatee County Girls Club, Inc.)
Mentor & Volunteer Opportunities
 
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About Just for Girls

Three Building Blocks, One Mission: Just for Girls makes a positive impact on young women every single day with a dedicated team that works to make girls' lives better through academic, developmental, and prevention programs.
 
  • Alternative Education: The alternative middle school is a haven for girls who have committed to turning their lives around after having had trouble succeeding in a traditional school; each year this program helps these girls map a new path to success, find their personal inspiration, and turn F's into A's. 
  • Before and After School Programs: Three centers keep girls safe during non-school hours, and caring staff help girls build internal strengths such as confidence, resiliency, empathy, and trust.  
  • Charter School: Just for Girls Academy for Kindergarten through 5th grades, opened in August of 2012 and is already making a measurable difference increasing the academic success of young students. The Academy's innovative programming includes character development, leadership training, and service learning, all of which boost academics as they work to strengthen girls' relationships with their peers, families, and community. 
 
  • Please go to https://myjfg.org/ to learn more about Just for Girls' valuable programs.
  • For Just for Girls mentor & volunteer opportunities - CLICK HERE   
     

Note: Volunteers in direct contact with students will be required to submit to fingerprinting and background security clearance. Administrative volunteer opportunities for events and awareness initiatives are also available throughout the year. Volunteers interested in working with the Leadership Team to plan and execute fundraising events may contact Andi Watson directly at Andi@myjfg.org or (941)202-2287.

 

  
  
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Laurel Civic
Mentor & Volunteer Opportunities
 
  
 

About Laurel Civic

“With our partners, we build strong foundations through programs that empower children and families to lead successful lives.”Laurel Civic (LC) is a community-based organization that shapes foundations for successful lives, serving youth and adults of all ages in Sarasota County, through education, life development skills, personal empowerment, community awareness, and opportunities for growth leading to self-sufficiency. 
The organization's foundation is to make life better through education and support for the disenfranchised and those lacking opportunities.Laurel Civic provides both Youth After-School Programs and Adult Empowerment Programs.

Youth After-School Programs 

•    Homework Assistance (Monday-Friday, 3:30-5:30pm) provides tutoring, exceptional teachers and volunteers, intensive learning, targeted identification of student deficiencies, and a track record of measurably increasing students’ grades and test scores. 2022 included the addition of three 86” Interactive Smartboards to better engage and teach students; as academic skills improve, so do students' confidence and sense of achievement. 
•    STEM, in collaboration with Pine View High School volunteers, helps 3rd-8th grade children develop a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. 
•    At Kids Café provides nutritious hot meals for all participants each day after school as well as weekend snack packs for participants to take home.  
•    Teen Empowerment, a seven-week proactive empowerment and prevention program, provides each participant with a post-high school graduate plan, supports personal growth through character development, and teaches teens to succeed by becoming lifelong learners, leaders, community role models, productive workers, and self-sufficient citizens. 
•    Earning By Learning, an incentive and performance-based summer reading program, helps prevent “summer slip” which often happens when children are out of school. In collaboration with the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, the program is designed for rising pre-K and elementary school students. 

Adult Programs 
•    Workforce Development training encompasses: Life Skills for Work, Applications & Resumes, Getting the Job, Dealing with Stress, and Managing Finances
•    Financial Literacy Training includes: Financial Wellness, Income & Lifestyle Choices, Spending & Saving, Managing Debt, Financial Peace of Mind
 
For Laurel Civic mentor and volunteer opportunities, PLEASE CLICK HERE!
 
 
  
 
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
at Ringling College of Art and Design
Mentor & Volunteer Opportunities
 

  

 

About OLLI at Ringling College of Art and DesignOur Mission - The mission of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College is to enrich the lives of people who are 50 and better in Sarasota and Manatee counties by providing affordable and outstanding educational programs and social interactions that cover a broad spectrum of topics that are rich in intellectual stimulation, often interactive in scope, and worthy of academic consideration.What We Do - OLLI offers classes in-person and on Zoom. Course topics include: Art Appreciation, Arts and Entertainment, Music, History, Science, Current Events, Health and Lifestyles, Psychology, Technology, and more. There are no tests, grades, or credits. Classes are offered purely for the joy of learning.Our Location - OLLI at Ringling College is located at Sarasota Art Museum on the Ringling College Museum Campus, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236. To become a member or to learn more about OLLI at Ringling College, go to https://olliringlingcollege.org/.

Stay Curious. Stay Connected.

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Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL)
Mentor & Volunteer Opportunities
 

About SILL

SILL features a stimulating and informative adult continuing education Global Issues Lecture Series, with impressive speakers on a wide variety of global topics, as well as a Music Mondays Conversation Series, with musicians from around the country who share their artistry as well as their unique stories as performing artists. 

 

Volunteer support is paramount to SILL being in a position to continue offering the Global Issues and Music Series that audiences have enjoyed over the past 50 years. For every lecture, a full complement of volunteers is required to ensure everything runs smoothly. Volunteers include parking facilitators, ushers, greeters, ticket sales and/or logistics administrators, as well as others. While the Global Issues and Music Series run January through March, the SILL Board works throughout the year in preparation for future seasons. In many instances, volunteers work directly with SILL Board members in the areas of marketing, public relations, technical support, programming, recruitment, community outreach, and special events. 

 

If you have an interest and desire to join the many volunteers who are already involved, or if you wish to learn more, please contact SILL at sillvolunteer@gmail.com. For SILL volunteer opportunities, PLEASE CLICK HERE!

 
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Take Stock in Children, Sarasota 
Mentor & Volunteer Opportunities
 
 
 
About Take Stock in Children
Take Stock in Children pairs students who have the odds stacked against them with mentors who provide the support, encouragement, and guidance they need to succeed in school.  As a mentor, you’ll spend just one hour a week with your student – and the difference that you will make will last a lifetime.  
 
Students commit to keeping their grades up, staying away from drugs and crime, meeting with their mentor, attending school regularly, and focusing on high school graduation and college readiness.  When students meet these requirements, they earn a college scholarship, which is what makes Take Stock in Children the only school-based,  college attainment focused mentoring program of its kind.  
 
  • Learn more about how you can become a mentor and change the future for a local student at www.TakeStockSarasota.org.
  • For Take Stock in Children mentor opportunities - CLICK HERE  
    
 
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UnidosNow, Sarasota 
Mentor & Volunteer Opportunities 
 
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About UnidosNow, Sarasota

Empowering Latinos to achieve their American Dream
 
UnidosNow’s College Prep Series empowers our leaders of tomorrow to be agents of social change through college preparation, leadership training, and community service. Special programs exist for local middle school and high school youth, including the Future Leaders Academy, which guides both students and parents in the process of applying to post-secondary education in the United States.  
 
  • Please go to www.UnidosNow.org/ to help make a difference in a young person's life.
  • For UnidosNow mentor and volunteer opportunities - CLICK HERE  
 
 
 
 
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Visible Men Academy (VMA)
Mentor & Volunteer Opportunities
 
 

About VMA 

Visible Men Academy is a tuition free public charter school located in Bradenton, FL, educating students in Sarasota and Manatee counties in grades K-5. 
 
The VMA Philosophy
 
VMA's MISSION is to provide boys with outstanding academic, character, and social education in a nurturing school environment.
 
VMA's PURPOSE and COMMITMENT are to deliver a high-quality educational experience that meets the specific needs of at-risk elementary and middle school aged boys through the collaborative efforts of administrators, teachers, parents, the broader community and the students themselves.
 
VMA's VISION is to lead boys toward a realization of their innate strong character – boys who are family orientated, community conscious, and globally aware.

Through a firm foundation of intellectual and academic diligence, VMA students are equipped to meet and exceed the expectations of challenging high school environments and are eager and determined to pursue college education.

Through the rigorous modeling experience of the Visible Men Success Curriculum, VMA students gain vast exposure to future personal and career possibilities. These combine to cultivate within VMA students an unyielding sense of control over their futures – a critical orientation for lifelong success, personal fulfillment, and societal contribution.
 
  
 
 
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Check Back Often for New Community Outreach Partners and Volunteer Opportunities!