We are currently blessed to have the help of over 100 volunteers at Children's Home.  Volunteer possibilities include being classroom assistants at Kiefer School, tutors for Foster Care and the after-school prevention programs, maintenance assistants, activity assistants for the residential programs, one-on-one mentors, fundraising assistants, clerical volunteers and numerous other opportunities.  As a volunteer, you can help us make a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve. 

CHILDREN’S HOME
Jennifer Streitmatter – Director, Human Resources
2130 N. Knoxville
Peoria, IL 61603
(309) 687-7211
FAX (309) 687-7299
E-Mail: jstreitm@chail.org
Web Site: www.chail.org

The following volunteer opportunities are currently available.   

Mentor – Partnership For Our Future
Position Function:  Mentor
Basic Activities:  Provide one-on-one and small group mentoring to youth, ages 9-15 years old, to improve academic performance, expose youth to new experiences and encourage personal growth.  
Scheduling:  Flexible – monthly group outings every 6 weeks, one-on-one sessions scheduled by mentor and youth – meet a minimum of 3 times per month.  Ongoing, beginning August 2008.
Equipment:  Own transportation / ability to arrange transportation to volunteer location, ability to pass DFCS background check.
Skill/Education:  Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, effective communication, patience and maturity/sensitivity to cultural and individual differences.

Peer Mentor – Fostering Healthy Connections
Position Function:  Mentor 
Basic activities:  Provide one-on-one and small group mentoring to youth in foster care, ages 10-16 years old, who are in need to social-emotional and academic support as they transition to adulthood.
Scheduling:  Flexible – monthly group outings, one-on-one sessions scheduled by mentor and youth minimum 6 hours per month, 1 year commitment.
Equipment:  Own transportation / city bus, ability to pass DFCS background check.
Skills/Education:  Individuals must have direct experience with foster care system (current or former foster child).  Prefer young adults ages 17-26 years old.  Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, effective communication, patience and maturity/sensitivity to cultural and individual differences.

Activities Support person – Good Beginnings
Position Function: Organize program materials
Basic activities: Put together packets of activities to be taken out by workers to families during home visits, filing resource material, organizing supplies.
Scheduling: Flexible hours between five and twenty hours per month to be arranged through program contact.
Equipment: Own transportation
Skills/education: Good organizational skills, creativity, good communication

Child Care Assistant – Good Beginnings
Position function: To assist the primary child care worker during parent group sessions in the supervision of children birth to five.
Basic activities: Engage children in fun activities and ensure their safety when they are in the child care room during group sessions.
Scheduling:  Wednesday and/or Thursday evenings between 4:30 and 6:30pm.
Equipment: Own transportation, ability to pass DCFS background check.
Skills/education: Ability to work as a member of a team, knowledge of child development, physical and mental stamina to work with young children.

Archived Records Clerk - Multiple Locations
Position Function:  Assist in scanning discharged client files for archiving. 
Basic Activities:  Scanning documents into computer software program as instructed.
Scheduling:  Flexible, Monday - Friday anytime between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Equipment:  Scanner, computer, mouse/keyboard and own transportation.
Skill/Educational Needs:  Ability to understand and carry out verbal directions. Ability to use scanner, mouse, and keyboard.

Mentor-Behavioral Health Services
Position Function:  Mentor
Basic Activities:  Providing one-on-one mentoring to a child, aged 3-17 who is in need of building relationship skills and experiencing positive social and recreational activities. 
Scheduling:  Flexible.  Up to five hours per week, in after-school time slots.
Equipment:  Own car, ability to pass DCFS background check.
Skill/Educational Needs:  Can be varied, but must possess the ability to relate to children who are suffering from a mental illness, and provide positive direction and supervision.

For additional volunteer information, please call:   

Jennifer Streitmatter  - Volunteer Coordinator (309) 687-7211 or 
Please fill out the contact information below to volunteer at Children's Home