Volunteer

The Jonnycake Youth Center (JYC) is an energetic “home away from home” for our teen members. JYC members are eager to learn and grow, and we seek volunteers who bring skills to teach. We also welcome volunteers who can assist with homework or simply want to serve as a helping hand and listener to middle and high school students in need of mentorship.

The Jonnycake Center runs a very busy VITA site (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). The need for service is high, and we seek volunteers to assist our community members with tax preparation. All training is provided and leads to volunteers becoming certified tax preparers.

Volunteers help us prepare mass mailings to our donors and supporters. You can also help our fundraising committee plan, organize, and execute events.

Our after-school programs include Apple Seeds, which serves first and second-graders from Peace Dale Elementary School.  We also provide tutoring to students in all grades and at times host after-school programs focused on strengthening reading skills.

The Center has space constraints and cannot accommodate large volunteer groups. However, many community members have creatively assisted us with their own group projects. For example, you can collect items by hosting a food drive in your school or neighborhood.  Here are some examples:

• Neighborhood Food Drive: Collect non-perishable food items such as peanut butter and jelly, healthy snacks, whole grain cereal, extra virgin olive oil, pasta and rice, canned fruit and vegetables from your neighbors.
• Workplace Camaraderie - “Wear Jeans Friday” or offering other workplace perks in exchange for financially contributing to the Center’s work have become popular ways to increase philanthropy and workplace camaraderie.
• Alternative gifting – Ask for financial donations to the Center instead of traditional birthday, holiday, or wedding gifts. We can help prepare materials and will thank your donors individually.