Volunteer FAQ
2. IS THERE AN AGE REQUIREMENT TO VOLUNTEER?
3. HOW LONG DOES THE VOLUNTEER SCREENING PROCESS TAKE?
4. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF VOLUNTEERS/ MENTORS?
5. WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT CAN VOLUNTEERS/ MENTORS EXPECT?
6. HOW DO I BECOME A VOLUNTEER/ MENTOR?
7. HOW ARE VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS MADE?
8. HOW DO VOLUNTEER GROUPS WORK?
9. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MENTORING AND TUTORING?
10. WHO CAN BE A COMMUNITY-BASED MENTOR?
11. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING PROGRAM?
13. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE MATCH?
14. WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY MENTEE?
Predominantly minority boys between 7 and 18 years of age who come from New York City or Westchester County.
Youth who are struggling academically and need help with reading and math.
Youth who crave one-on-one attention, and who need help with personal, academic, and behavioral issues.
IS THERE AN AGE REQUIREMENT TO VOLUNTEER?
Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age or older to volunteer individually. However, most volunteer activities require participants to be at least 21 years of age.
Volunteers who are younger than 16 should be accompanied by family members or be part of a larger supervised group.
HOW LONG DOES THE VOLUNTEER SCREENING PROCESS TAKE?
We will try to make it as short and easy as possible. Usually, we assign you immediately after the interview and screening process is complete.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF VOLUNTEERS/ MENTORS?
Volunteers: We understand that your time is precious and you want to give it wisely. Sometimes life gets in the way of the best laid plans. However, we need you to be consistent and reliable. We want your volunteer experience at CV to be rewarding while at the same time filling a need for our youngsters. For your experience to be at optimum level, communication is crucial. We expect you to keep in contact with Volunteer Department staff, informing them of changes in your schedule, inability to attend, etc. You will also be expected to share any concerns about your assignment with program staff.
Community-Based Mentors:
We expect you to be consistent and reliable.
We expect you to keep in contact with program staff, keeping them informed about all aspects of your mentoring experience. Your feedback is an important dynamic in the treatment of our youth and sharing of information with the Social Worker and Mentor program staff is crucial.
We expect you to share any concerns about your match with program staff.
School-Based Mentors:
Be consistent and reliable.
Sign up for the entire school year from October to May.
Communication is crucial. Keep in contact with your student leader and/or program staff, informing them of changes in your schedule, inability to attend, etc.
Share any concerns about your assignment with program staff.
WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT CAN VOLUNTEERS/ MENTORS EXPECT?
Volunteers:
Training “ You will be given an orientation/training by program staff. However, you are eligible to participate in any courses offered to CV staff, which includes a wide array of subjects on how to work with troubled children.
Regular communication “ we will help you become comfortable with your assignment and with the staff you may interact with on a regular basis. In most cases, a child care staff or counselor will be your primary contact. Our Volunteer Program staff will be in fairly regular contact and you may contact us at any time or as the need arises.
Past, Present and Future Activities
We will keep you in the loop on upcoming agency events through our newsletter. You may receive periodic email bulletins and we really hope you will attend our annual Volunteer Recognition event, and participate in special events like our Gala, Golf & Tennis Outing, and Masquerade
Community-Based Mentors:
Training:
A 7 hour pre-match training is required.
Additional specific training, as required or requested
Regular communication with staff:
Regular contact and match reviews by Volunteer Program staff
Personnel are on duty 24-7
Activities:
Periodic group outings
Community service activities
Annual mentor recognition event
Occasional mentor mixers either in NYC or Westchester
School-Based Mentors:
We will provide you with required pre-assignment training in late September.
Volunteer Program staff will be in attendance at all mentoring sessions and are there to support you.
You may contact Volunteer Program staff at any time.
You will be invited to attend our annual volunteer recognition event in May.
HOW DO I BECOME A VOLUNTEER/ MENTOR?
Volunteer:
Complete an application.
Schedule an interview
Participate in background checks and medical screening click here for screening process
Discuss an appropriate volunteer assignment
Make a commitment for a pre-determined period of time
Community-Based Mentor:
Complete an application.
Schedule an interview
Participate in background checks and medical screening click here for screening process
Agree to participate in the program for at least a year.
School-Based Mentor:
Complete an application.
Discuss an appropriate volunteer assignment
Make a commitment for the entire school year
If you are a student at a partnering school, contact Amy DelliPaoli, Director of Community Engagement at adellipaoli@childrensvillage.org or 914 693-0600 ext. 1586 for an application form or more information.
Click here for the school-based mentoring screening process.
HOW ARE VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS MADE?
Assignments are made based upon skills, interests, compatibility of personalities, availability and youth needs.
HOW DO VOLUNTEER GROUPS WORK?
Your corporation, or religious, school or community organization may adopt one of the 12 cottages on our Dobbs Ferry campus that is home to 12-16 boys. Members of your group become the aunts and uncles for needy boys, many of whom have no stable family resources. Some groups have monthly activities, such as story-telling, board games, basketball, or arts and crafts; some provide holiday or birthday gifts for the youngsters; and others organize picnics and off-campus events. The amount of activity is not as important as being consistent and reliable. We will help you decide on what activities will work for your group.
Our Volunteer Program staff would be happy to come visit your group at your location, make a presentation about CV and discuss our volunteer opportunities. Alternatively, the group is welcome to come to the Village, take a tour, and find out how you can help given your availability and interests.
We ask that you have a team leader or contact person who makes all the logistical arrangements on behalf of your group. After the initial period of adjustment, arrangements are made directly with cottage staff.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MENTORING AND TUTORING?
As a mentor you would be matched with a specific boy for the entire length of the committment. Tutors need to be more flexible and may work in a group or with different children.
WHO CAN BE A COMMUNITY-BASED MENTOR?
Men and women who are 21 years and older.
We try to preserve the exclusivity of the match by having volunteers refrain from volunteering in any other capacity for CV, except possibly Holiday or Special events.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING PROGRAM?
Mentors should be over 21.
Our program focuses on socialization, education and career mentoring for youth between 7 and 18.
You will be expected to meet for approximately ten hours per month for a minimum of one year.
Visits occur initially on our Dobbs Ferry campus, and then in the community or in NYC.
Criteria:
Youth are matched one-on-one with mentors who live in NYC and Westchester County.
Cross gender matching occurs only between females and boys of appropriate age differential.
Matches are made based upon common interests, compatibility of personalities, mentor and mentee’s availability and youth needs.
The Process:
You will be asked to participate in one additional interview with the program staff and the social worker of an identified youth. This meeting is designed to give you some background information about the specific youth with whom you will be matched.
After the meeting, a determination is made by both the applicant and the agency whether to move forward with the match. In some cases, a determination is made immediately and the match takes place at that time.
After the first meeting between mentor and mentee, if either party is uncomfortable, then the match would be reevaluated.
Visits:
All visits are coordinated through program staff.
Social workers approve all visits.
Home assessments must be conducted before a mentee may visit your home.
After each visit, we ask you to submit a brief questionnaire about your visit.
Communication:
Communication is crucial. Your relationship with your mentee is different from other relationships he may have with agency personnel.
You will be treated like a member of your youngster’s treatment team. You will be expected to communicate consistently with program staff and sometimes, as needed, his social worker.
You will be expected to share any concerns about your mentee with program staff.
As a mentor, you can introduce a young person to a variety of fun social, recreational, educational, and cultural experiences.
Periodically, we will arrange group activities in New York City or Westchester with other mentor pairs.
From time to time, we will provide you with suggested activities and/or tickets to events.
Volunteer: Contact Us/Contact the Volunteer or Mentoring Programs
adellipaoli@childrensvillage.org
Tel: 914-693-0600 ext. 1586