Agencies Working with Children and Youth

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
624 North Notre Dame Avenue
South Bend, IN 46617
Phone: (574) 232-9958
Fax: (574) 232-9391
Home visits for client families
HOURS: 8 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday

Volunteer Coordinator: Deborah Walkers

MISSION:
The concept of Big Brothers/Big Sisters service is that the friendship, companionship and guidance of a caring adult can make a positive difference in the life of a child growing up in a one parent home. As a preventative measure, the benefits of Big Brothers/Big Sisters program are extremely valuable in improving self-esteem, nurturing new interests, exposing a child to new and different activities, developing trust, and learning to build relationships.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:
*General: adult companionship and role models for children six through 17 from single parent homes in St. Joseph County - referral by parent or guardian of children ages 6-12 orientation before applicant interview
*Client Family Services: information and referral services to families of clients, matched or unmatched, are provided by caseworkers, single parent family, minimal contact with parent.
*School Mentor Services
*Volunteer Services: for those individuals, 18 or older, who want to become Big Brothers or Big Sisters - call for an appointment

VOLUNTEERS:
Volunteers for the core program must reside, work, or attend school in St. Joseph County and must possess the ability and willingness to give a commitment of the four years of attending college and spend 3-5 hours with the child per week. Helping Hands Program provides one-on one activities with individual children. School Mentor program at Prairie or Marquette Schools at 11am-1pm, work one-on-one on self esteem or academic. Transportation is needed for all of the programs. Volunteers must go through the screening program before being accepted for any program offered.

BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUB

416 East Wenger
South Bend, IN 46601
Phone: (574) 232-2048
Hours: 2:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., Monday through Friday

MISSION: The Boys' and Girls' Club is an organization dedicated to promoting the health, social, educational, vocational, and character development of boys and girls ages 5 through 18.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:
*Personal Adjustment Services - Helps members plan and set goals in preparation for adult-hood; also provides crisis intervention
*Citizenship And Leadership Development - involves youth in the leadership process; provides youth opportunities for planning and decision making
*Cultural Enrichment Services - encourages exposure to visual and performing arts
*Health and Physical Recreation - develops and maintains health through physical fitness, individual and team sports
*Social Recreation- teaches youth good use of leisure time
*Outdoor and Environmental Education - helps develop awareness, knowledge and appreciation of the natural environment
*Smart Moves - drug and alcohol abuse prevention activities and classes
*Tutoring - helps with school work and academic deficiencies; computer classes
*Parent Education and Counseling Services - services offered in partnership with NorthStar (CANCO)

VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed to assist with Tutoring, Health and Physical Recreation, and Social Recreation programs. Volunteers are expected to commit to 2 hours a week.

EL CAMPITO, INC.
1024 West Thomas Street
South Bend, IN 46601
Phone: (574) 232-0220

BACKGROUND: El Campito is a state licensed bilingual day care center with maximum enrollment of 60 children ages six months to six years. It is designed for low-income families whose parents are working or in school.

MISSION: El Campito is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment for children who come from lower income bilingual families.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:
El Campito Parent Center - 283-0683
*Campito Learning Center
*Mi Escuelita - developmental preschool program

VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed to spend time with children to provide role models for these young children from single parent families. Volunteers can also assist regular day care instructors in planning and implementing their organized program. Volunteers commit to 2-4 hours a week.

Family and Children's Center, Counseling and Development Services

502 East Sample
South Bend, IN 46601
Phone: (574) 288-0827
Fax: (574) 288-0827

612 John Glenn Court
Mishawaka, IN 46544
Phone: (574) 232-2255
Fax: (574) 256-0043

BACKGROUND: Family and Children's Center... (formerly Northstar) provides advocacy, education, intervention and treatment to prevent and eliminate child abuse.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:
*General (8AM - 5PM Monday through Friday)
*Counseling Services
*Child Development Centers

HEALTHWORKS! KIDS' MUSEUM

105 E. Jefferson Blvd Suite 700
South Bend, IN 46601
Phone:(574) 245-3655

HealthWorks! is an interactive health education center located in downtown South Bend, focusing on changing a kids perspective of health. We cater to grades Kindergarten through 6th grade and are open to both school field trips and the general public.

Some positive changes have recently occurred at HealthWorks! regarding volunteer recruitment and the writing of volunteer job descriptions. One major change is using volunteers during the time a school or group field trip is present at HealthWorks!. This reassures volunteers that they will have interaction with kids on the exhibit floor. As a volunteer, you will "play" with local grade school kids in exploring the topic of health as they travel through our exhibit floor or participate in a theatrical classroom.

HealthWorks! is open to school groups from 8:30AM to 2:30PM, Monday through Friday. A typical volunteer time frame is a two hour time commitment while a school or group field trip is present We are in need of volunteers starting immediately. If you have further interest in volunteering at HealthWorks! Kids' Museum, please call me or e-mail with a time you can have a brief 30 minute orientation and walk-through "playtime" on our exhibit floor.

LA CASA DE AMISTAD
746 South Meade Street
South Bend, IN 46619
Phone: (574) 233-2120
Fax: (574) 233-2234
Contact: Jane Aquilar

BACKGROUND: La Casa De Amistad operates a youth and adult center on the west side of South Bend. La Casa addresses the needs of South Bend area Hispanic youth through organized activities and support. Youth participate in a range of activities to help develop leadership skills and achieve an understanding of their own culture and heritage as it relates to the general population.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:
*Counseling *Emergency Food Pantry *English as a Second Language
*Kid's Club *Legal Services *Medical Services *Referrals
*Translation Services *Tutoring *Mi Casa Housing Program
*Youth Program *Girl Scouts

VOLUNTEERS:
Volunteers are needed for several programs:
*Fall and Spring Tutoring (2 one hour sessions per week)
*After school/recreation program (2 hours per week)
*Nursing assistants (2 hours per month)
*Saturday Morning Program (2 hours per week)

Internship opportunities are also available. Hispanic or Spanish-speaking volunteers are needed in particular.

LOGAN CENTER
1235 N. Eddy St.
P.O. Box 1049
South Bend, IN 46624.
Phone: (574)289-4831 (ASK FOR Marissa Runkle) Fax: (574) 234-2075

Logan Industries
3621 West Boland Avenue
South Bend, IN 46628
Phone: (574) 289-0385
Fax: (574) 233-6149

Logan Center provides services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Volunteers work directly with Logan Center clients, mostly on one-on-one or in small groups. Activities include recreation, swimming, and classroom work. All volunteers are interviewed and receive on-the-job program orientation. Volunteers are expected to give at least one hour a week regularly, up to a maximum of 5-6 hours a week.

BACKGROUND: Logan provides services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:
*Building Blocks (282-2012, ext. 201) - preschool and play groups for children up to age three with disabilities or at-risk
- occupational/physical and speech therapy
*Adult Day Services (289-4831)
- adult rehabilitation program
- community connection
- seniors program
*Logan Employment Services (289-0385)
- Logan industries
- employment services
*Community Living (289-0385)
*Protective Services (289-4831)
*Recreation and Leisure Services (289-4831)

VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers work directly with Logan Center clients, mostly one-on-one or in small groups. Activities include recreation, swimming, and classroom work. All volunteers are interviewed and receive on-the-job program orientation. Volunteers are expected to give at least one hour a week regularly, up to a maximum or 5-6 hours a week.

SUPER SIBS PROGRAM: Open to students of SMC who have a sibling with a disability. Volunteers are matched with an area youngster who also has a sibling with a disability. Students and their Sibs will meet with the group 2-3 times a month to participate in fun activities, such as bowling, pizza parties, or discussions and reflections about life with their disabled sibling. For more information, call Marissa Runkle at 289-4831. --Sign up TODAY for upcoming Fall semester activities.

PARKVIEW JUVENILE CENTER
Phone: (574) 235-5437

BACKGROUND: The St. Joseph County Juvenile Probation Department has been providing support services to youth since October 1981. Volunteers Improving Parkview (V.I.P.) programs offer opportunities to over 50 volunteers annually who dedicate their time and talent to the youth of our community.

MISSION: The purpose of Parkview Juvenile Center is to ensure public safety and provide appropriate intervention for youth under the age of 18. The Parkview Juvenile Center consists of three components: Probation, Detention, and Support Services. The St. Joseph County Probate Court oversees all three. The V.I.P. Programs link community volunteers with youth in need of support services. To enable clients to become contributing members of society, they offer counseling, education, assistance in preparing for and finding employment, and other opportunities for community building.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:
*S.T.A.T. (Start Turning Around Teens)- A 2 week curriculum to improve communication between youth and their parents. Volunteers and families develop a contract to change problematic behavior; parents work to develop positive parenting techniques. Volunteer caseworkers work a minimum of one year, four hours a week, dealing with three families on a weekly basis.
*Shoplifting Deterrent Clinic- This is a four week education program that runs ten months a year. Community volunteers lead small group discussions. We work on building resilient youth through decision making activities and goal setting. The program is open to 20 youth each month. Volunteers must commit to one hour per week.
*Partners- Volunteers provide positive role models for the youth and assist the youth and family to develop appropriate social interactions. Volunteer Partners spend 2-4 hours a week in leisure activities with the youth. Monthly training seminars assist the volunteer in their work.

*T.A.P. (Teens As Parents)- This program is a 16 week open-ended group for teenage women who are currently pregnant or have recently delivered. The youth in this program must be "at risk" for drug, alcohol, or tobacco use. Volunteers assist in the weekly program topic, collecting urine drug screens, and administrative follow-up duties. Volunteers must commit to 1.5 hours per week.

*Juvenile Substance Abuse Prevention Program (JSAPP)- Designed to combat drug abuse among teens. Services provided through education, support, and monitoring. Volunteers assist youth to develop strategies to reduce high risk behaviors.

*Detention Assistants- Volunteers provide recreational activities for detained youths. Development of appropriate interactive skills are a focus of volunteer involvement. Volunteers provided support to the professional detention staff.

*Truancy- A pilot program for elementary students at Lincoln School who are exhibiting difficulty with school attendance. The volunteer assists the Probation officer assigned to the program. The volunteer works six hours a week.

*Internships- Intern job responsibilities vary from school to school and field of study. Th Saint Mary's College Social Work internship is a full academic year placement for 16 hours a week. This intern handles a full community service caseload. She is responsible for interviewing youths, placing them at not-for-profit agencies in the county, and monitoring their behavior. Other interns have assisted in follow-up phone calls for youth who have been referred on runaway or ungovernable charges. They have also helped in administrative duties and learned more about the field of probation.

ST. HEDWIG'S OUTREACH CENTER
331 S. Scott St.
South Bend, IN 46601
Phone: (574) 287-0845

BACKGROUND: St. Hedwig's Outreach Center started over five years ago. It serves families of the west side of South Bend by providing after school tutoring and a hot meal to children on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

MISSION:
St. Hedwig's was organized to give children from single parent or unstable families a hospitable and stable place in order to help them succeed in school and learn necessary life skills.

VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed to help with tutoring and to provide stable role models for children who come from families that are in crisis. This involves one or two afternoons per week from 4:30 - 6 p.m.

ST. MARGARET'S HOUSE
117 North Lafayette Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46601
Email: smh@datacruz.com, Phone: (574) 234-7795

BACKGROUND: St. Margaret's House is a daytime drop-in center for women and children, including boys 12 years of age and younger. A lunch is served every day for the guests.

MISSION:
St. Margaret's House is a center for women. It provides a place offering friendship and understanding, a clearing house for other resources in the area, a kitchen, snacks, beverages and lunch, a place to take a bath or shower, a place to do laundry, a safe place for children to play, a place to make phone calls and cool off in the summer.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:
*General (noon meal, laundry and bathing facilities, free local phone calls, lounge area, devotional corner, library)
*Children's play area
*Budget counseling
*Self-esteem discussion groups

VOLUNTEERS:
Women volunteers are needed to help with children, answer the phone, and serve as hostess for guests. Volunteers could also help with literacy work, tutoring for the GED, cooking, aerobics, spiritual groups, and other activities that would be useful to the guests. Volunteers are needed during daytime hours on weekdays and are expected to commit to 2-3 hours a week.