Children First 382-8184
This program is for parents who are or have experienced divorce or custody disagreement. It is designed to assist parents in putting aside their differences and understanding what is in the best interest of their child.
The program is one evening, four hours, for parents who have been court ordered to attend a parenting program. The goal is to help parents understand what effects a divorce or their failure to cooperate with one another has on their child.
Volunteers are needed for group facilitators. Groups are held monthly. Facilitators must have a Masters in counseling to qualify.
Volunteer Application
Community Service 382-8197
This program offers at risk youth, ages 14-18, the opportunity to gain environmental education and conduct community service projects in an informal atmosphere. While learning about the environment, youths are working to benefit the community by completing the community service hours required of them.
Activities are conducted Monday thru Friday as well as some Saturdays. Projects range from trail maintenance, wetlands restoration to recycling projects. Several sites for court service projects are also utilized including Schools, Community Centers, Military Installations, Chesapeake Parks, the Chesapeake Arboretum and Federal and State Parks.
The following volunteer positions are available year round:
- Trail monitors/supervisors - oversee youth involved in community projects at the actual work sites. Hours and days may vary but are generally Monday thru Friday 8:30 to 4:00 and Saturdays as scheduled.
- Gardeners - experienced gardeners are needed to design and manage plant life are various sites. Volunteers may set their own schedules depending on site location.
- Recreational watercraft operators and first mates - Utilized on an as need basis.
- Carpenters/Wood Crafts - Utilized on an as needed basis in our well equipped woodshop.
- Experienced Campers/recreational leaders - Utilized for special projects as needed.
- Drivers -utilized as needed to transport youth for special projects.
Volunteer Application
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) 382-8183
The CASA program recruits, trains and supervises adult volunteers from the community to serve as court appointed advocates for children who have been abused and/or neglected. CASA volunteers are appointed by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judges. The goal of the CASA program is to ensure that the best interest of the child remains before the court. Functions include investigation of the child's situation at the time of appointment, monitoring of the court's order to ensure compliance by all parties, advocacy for needed services and reporting to the court of all contacts and recommendations. The ultimate goal is to place a child in a safe, permanent home through our work with the child, family and service agencies involved.
Initial volunteer requirements are as follows:
- Volunteer must be 21 years of age
- Volunteer must be able to complete the application process for CVIYS and CASA.
- Volunteers must successfully complete 35 hours of pre-service training provided by the CASA program.
- Sworn volunteers must be willing to commit one year to the program.
- Volunteers must be willing to attend all court hearings pertaining to the child.
- Volunteers must complete 12 hours of on-going training a year
Volunteer Application
Incentives for Change 382-8184
Incentives for Change is designed to provide positive rewards for youth on probation who have maintained a certain level of behavior or who have been able to successfully complete specified tasks. Youth who are recommended may participate in recreational and/or cultural activities, receive coupons to their favorite restaurants, or earn other incentives.
Volunteer opportunities are available for the following areas:
Sponsor Organizers: Volunteers will assist in obtaining reward items and in helping to build long term relationships with businesses in the community who can continue to sponsor through donation or monetary support. Variable work hours are to be set by the volunteer and coordinator.
Trip Supervisors: Volunteers will join the staff in coordinating and overseeing youth during specific group trips or activities. Dates and times will vary according to activity.
Volunteer Application
Juvenile Conference Committee (JCC) 382-8182
The JCC brings together first time juvenile offenders, their families and volunteers in a non-adversarial community based process. The goal of the program is to generate meaningful community driven consequences for delinquent actions by bringing the process into the neighborhoods, and involving community volunteers in the planning and implementation. There are five conference committees representing school districts in Chesapeake. Committees are composed of a group of volunteers that have been trained to conduct face to face meetings with juvenile offenders and their families. During the conference committee, members discuss with the offender the nature of the offense as well as other information pertinent to the case. Committee members develop sanction agreements with the offender and their family.
Volunteers are needed in the following positions:
JCC Chairperson: The chairperson is responsible for facilitating the operation of their district committee. This includes presiding at general meetings, calling members of the committee before meetings, recruiting additional committee members, and acting as the liaison between the committee and program coordinator. The chairperson should be able to work effectively with others, delegate tasks, and keep committee members informed of trainings.
JCC Secretary: The secretary must have a flexible schedule with strong organizational skills. The secretary is responsible for scheduling committee hearing dates, providing all necessary forms to the committee, all record keeping and forwarding all necessary reports and information to the Program Coordinator. The secretary should be able to present information in a positive knowledgeable way. Other duties will be explained during interview process.
JCC Member: Volunteers must have good listening and communication skills. Volunteers must be able to remain objective, non-judgmental and abide by strict confidentiality rules. Volunteers must be able to attend all assigned hearings, provide thorough monitoring of assigned cases, follow through on all tasks assigned by the committee chairperson, and attend on-going training on a quarterly basis.
Volunteer Application
Life Skills 382-8179
Life Skills is a two session program facilitated by volunteers. The program is designed to provide youth with information to assist them in making better choices in their daily lives. The program includes education and discussion on issues such as goal-setting, peer pressure, substance abuse, and anger management.
Volunteer facilitators are needed on a monthly basis. The requirements are as follows:
- Volunteers should be able to facilitate and manage small groups with some experience working with youth ages 12-18.
- Volunteer is responsible for reviewing the program manual and deciding the set up for each class.
- Volunteer should demonstrate effective listening skills and be able to keep the group on task.
- Volunteer must be able to commit to the group cycle of two evenings.
Volunteer Application
One-to-One 382-8183
One-to-One volunteers work directly with youth needing a good role model and someone to relate to. The volunteer is utilized to set a positive example for the youth.
Volunteers are needed to:
- Participate in at least one activity for at least three hours every week with the youth.
- File a detailed report of the activities at the end of each month.
Volunteer Application
Truancy Court 382-8196
The purpose of this program is to develop and maintain a coordinated interagency response to truancy. Specifically, this program provides case management to truant youth and their families in an attempt to divert offenders from detention or other out-of home placements and ensure school attendance.
Volunteers are needed to:
- Monitor attendance of Truant Youth
- Provide case management for Truant Youth
- Assist in Truancy Court
Volunteer Application
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