Volunteering at the FBC
The importance of volunteers at The Foundation for Blind Children will become very clear after you read some amazing statistics. The number of paid employees to volunteer staff is about 100 to 300. The ratio of kids to teacher/aid/volunteer in the classrooms is 2 to 1, many times 1 to 1. Last year alone volunteers donated more than 26,000 hours of their time to help us achieve our community goals. Every program at the Foundation is dependent upon the love, dedication and time given of these wonderful people.
Our volunteer needs are many and varied. Positions we are currently accepting volunteer applications for are:ADULT VOLUNTEERS
Special Note: We are unable to use court-ordered community service volunteers for any of our positions.
Adult Volunteer Application
Preschool Classroom Volunteers*- We are in need of volunteers, who can make a regular commitment of at least 2-3 hours a week (20 or more hours per year) at either our Central Phoenix, east or west valley preschools. Our preschool hours are Monday through Fridays 9am till 2:30pm. This volunteer would have the wonderful opportunity to work with children who are blind or have low vision and may have multiple challenges). Volunteers participate in and assist with the regular classroom activities. No previous experience needed and training is provided. All we ask is that volunteers have the ability to be patient, gentle, friendly, self motivating and open to new experiences.
Infant Program Volunteer*- Volunteers are needed at our Phoenix location in our infant program which runs Fridays from 9am to 11am and in our east valley location on Mondays from 9am to 11am. In this program volunteers work with staff to supervise and assist in the care of visually impaired and sometimes multiply challenged infants/toddlers while their parents are involved in support meetings and activities. No previous experience is needed and training is provided. All we ask is that volunteers have the ability to be patient, gentle, friendly, self motivating and open to new experiences. The preferred time commitment for this position is 2-3 times a month but it is flexible.
*Volunteers for these positions must be an adult with no criminal record. Background checks, fingerprinting, TB testing and other requirements may be performed by us before the volunteer may start.
Media Center Volunteers
The media center is looking for volunteers who will help with the Braille book production in the following areas:
- Braille book production
Tasks will include tearing, binding, thermoform copying, filing, shelving and straightening books.
Time commitment: 3 or 4 hours once or twice weekly, on a regular basis
Work hours: between 8 am and 4 pm
Skills needed: attention to detail and neatness, flexibility regarding task assignments. - Braille Transcribers and Proofreaders
Certified volunteers preferred, but Braille classes can be taken free of charge from the FBC, software and books can be provided on loan.
Time commitment: Minimum of 5-10 hours per week on a regular basis, for learning Braille as well as for volunteering as a Braille transcriber.
Work hours: flexible as you will be working out of your home.
Skills needed: excellent command of the English language in spelling and expression, basic word processing skills. - Large Print Production Tasks: Collating, binding, record keeping, copying, shelving, assisting with inventory. Time commitment: 3-4 hours weekly on a regular basis. Hours between 8 am and 4 pm. Skills needed: Accuracy and neatness of task execution, openness to learning new tasks, data entry experience welcome.
- Tactile Graphics Specialist
Tasks will include learning to create tactile graphics used for the production of Braille books.
Time commitment: 5-10 hours per week, on a regular basis. Work hours between 8 am and 4 pm, until work can be executed independently; then, working at home possible.
Skills needed: computer skills, willingness to learn some Braille and new software; attention to detail indispensible; understanding of geometry helpful.
GROUP VOLUNTEERS
3rd Saturday of each month at Central Phoenix Facility starting in September each year.
Group Volunteer Application
Group Projects- If your group would be interested in helping out for one of the Saturdays, please fill out a group application and mail it in early, since spots fill up very quickly. The Saturday projects are typically activities like painting, cleaning play areas for the children, yard work, putting together mailings (when available) and general campus clean-up. If your group is interested please fill out a group application and submit it directly to:
Ann Greig
Foundation for Blind Children
1235 E. Harmont Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85020
602-331-1470
TEEN VOLUNTEERS
The teen summer volunteer program accepts applications from March through May of each year.
Positions do fill up quickly and are based on first come first served, so get your applications in early.
Program descriptions of our summer teen volunteer sessions for 2010:
In 2010, the summer preschool program will run from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday - Friday, for 3 weeks and it starts in June. It's an opportunity for our 3 - 6 year olds to continue learning in a fun, relaxed environment. As with the older children, volunteers work with small groups or an individual, under the direction of the teacher. The students also participate in many of the same types of activities that the students in S.H.A.R.P. do. (The exact dates will be determined later this year.)
The S.H.A.R.P. program is our Sports, Habilitation, and Arts & Recreation Program. During the summer of 2010 it will be held Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, for three weeks starting in June. The children in this program are usually 5-20 years old and many have various disabilities in addition to their visual impairment. They participate in a variety of activities (swimming, arts & crafts, cooking, reading, field trips in the community etc.) Volunteers work with a group of children or with one child under the direction of the teacher. Our goal is for the children and those who work with them to have a great time and learn new skills that will stay with them in the years to come. Please note that volunteers must be 16 years or older. (The exact dates will be determined later this year.)
If you have any questions about teen volunteering you may contact:
Ann Greig
Foundation for Blind Children
1235 E. Harmont Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85020
602-331-1470 x101
