Homework Helper

Goal of the Position: Homework support for children and youth facing learning challenges or dealing with educational gaps.

Responsibilities:

• Meet with the caseworker and child/youth to set learning goals by completing an agreement/contract form
• Obtain information and materials from the child/youth’s caregiver to determine their learning needs
• Meet with the child once per week in a community location/or client’s home to tutor them on the identified learning goals.
• Work collaboratively and respectfully with staff and family members who are supporting child/youth.
• Volunteers may help with homework, one-to-one reading, school projects, school quizzes and general learning to support achieving the learning goals.
• Responsible for preparing learning exercises that are engaging and appropriate for the child/youth’s learning level.
• Provide regular updates to the parent/caregiver on the child/youth’s learning progress
• Maintain consistent communication with caseworker and Volunteer Services by submitting monthly reports, mileage and expense forms and other communications as required.
• Share with parent/caregiver any situations that may have occurred during your homework support session.
• Maintain and role model boundaries in the volunteer and client relationship – if in doubt please connect with caseworker or volunteer services.
• Respect the privacy of the caregiver, child/youth and family
• Model problem solving, time management and organizational skills
• Use an equity lens with a respectful and inclusive approach band be sensitive to all caregivers, child/youth and a family’s unique needs.
• Reflect the agencies core values in volunteer role

Preferred Qualifications:

• Able to find creative ways to help the child/youth stay engaged and interested in the learning process.
• Patient and professional with some tutoring/homework support experience
• Previous experience in mentoring or working one-on-one with children/youth is very helpful in this role.
• Lesson planning knowledge
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to build relationships with a diverse group of people.
• Good problem solving skills
• Good active listening skills and the ability to show empathy.
• Access to reliable transportation (while having access to an automobile is not a must it will make it easier to find an assignment and will make it easier to access recreational venues with the mentee)
• If a volunteer is able to provide transportation for the child/youth being tutored, the following are required: a G license, access to a safe and reliable vehicle, 1 million dollars liability automobile insurance, and provide a driver’s abstract.
• General awareness to Child Welfare
• Maturity, sensitivity and ability to relate to children/families/caseworkers.
• Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion and its impact on working with children, youth and families.

Time Frame: once or twice per week with sessions ranging in times based on the child/youth’s capacity

Length of Commitment: 6 months to a year

Benefits:

• Satisfaction in supporting a child/youth to work on their education learning goals with a focus on their educational development

• Gain further experience providing support with learning in a one-to-one setting with a child/youth

• Learning new tools and strategies to help children learn

• Gain experience in behavior management skills and strategies

• Positively impact a child’s/youth’s self-esteem, social skills/ life skills

• Understanding of Child Welfare and its practices

• Expenses reimbursed

• Making a positive and lasting impact in the life of a child/youth