LSH would not be able to offer free, high-quality programs and services without the help of our many volunteers!  To learn more about how to get involved, please click on the program name below for information on volunteer opportunities in that department.

Community Education and Employment

Lutheran Settlement House's Adult Literacy Tutoring Program offers adult learners the chance to develop lifelong learning skills, which substantially increase their overall opportunities in life.  Our program is built around the generous support of LSH's team of volunteer tutors, and we are always seeking new volunteers to join our team!

We ask that volunteer tutors can commit to two hours of tutoring each week for a minimum of 10 weeks.  This can be done in one two hour tutoring session or two hour-long tutoring sessions, depending on your schedule and your learner’s needs.  Lutheran Settlement House will provide all learning materials, a safe location for tutoring sessions to take place, extensive volunteer tutor training, and access to a network of like-minded volunteers to share tutoring tips and advice.  

The need for adult education services, especially literacy-based programs, is vast in Philadelphia.  According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 22 percent of Philadelphia’s adults (16 and older) lack basic literacy skills, meaning that they are unable to read, write, or do math at an elementary school level. In addition, Philly Works states that more than half (52 percent) of working-age adults in Philadelphia lack the basic literacy skills needed to effectively compete in the labor market and get jobs. This crisis has been deepened in the last year due to statewide cuts in the budget for Adult Education Services.   As of July 2011, over 75% of Philadelphia's Adult Education Programs have closed their doors or severely reduced services, dropping from eighteen operational programs city-wide to four.

One of the most important components of adult education is the bond that forms between the learner and tutor.  That bond can keep a learner interested and committed to keep trying.  Through volunteering your time, you will help create  that bond with an adult learner and help impart to them the tools they need to get and keep a job, pursue further education, and begin moving toward self-sufficiency.

If you're interested in volunteering with our Adult Literacy Tutoring Program at LSH, please contact Arianna, Tutoring Program Coordinator, at 215-426-8610 ext 223 or by email below. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to working with you!

 

For more information, please contact Arianna at (215) 426.8610 ext. 274, or Click here to send mail.

Bilingual Domestic Violence Program

There are many ways to get involved in the Bilingual Domestic Violence Program…

• Hotline: Bilingual and English speaking volunteers needed to provide crisis intervention, support, referral information and LSH counseling appointments via telephone. Hotline volunteers must complete the mandatory 40 hour training series in order to provide direct service to those experiencing partner violence.
• Professional services: Are you a hair stylist, yoga instructor, manicurist, massage therapist or other professional that would like to donate your skills to empower and support women experiencing partner violence? The LSH Bilingual Domestic Violence program supports a monthly “Empowerment and Relaxation” series that invites helping professionals to donate their expertise to women experiencing partner violence.
• Education and Training: Love being in front of a crowd? Do your creative juices start flowing when it comes to education? Become an education volunteer and attend tabling events, assist the education staff with trainings and participate in BDVP community trainings. Some education/ training experience preferred and on-site training will be required.
• Public Policy/Advocacy: Want to take a stand against partner violence? Join the BDVP Public Advocacy network and get updates on local, state and national domestic violence advocacy efforts via email, join the BDVP in lobbying local and state legislators or attend “Letter to the Editor” workshops.
• Advisory Committee: Do you work best in groups? Join the BDVP Advisory Committee and support the growth and development of the BDVP program!
• Media Watch: Are you glued to your favorite news outlet? See an article or spot on TV about domestic violence? Let us know! Join the BDVP Media Watch team and collect media info on DV and email it back to us. We collect the info and use it for data collection, community organizing and media releases.
• Survivor Speak Outs: Are you a survivor of partner violence? Occasionally community organizations and/or the BDVP will request survivors to speak at events in order to personalize the message of anti-violence. All survivors are given an opportunity to be given information about the event in advance and are treated with the respect they deserve.
• BDVP “Street Team”: Spread the word—“THERE’S NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE!” Get the word out in your community by placing Lutheran Settlement House BDVP flyers in your local coffee shop, laundry mat, bar, etc!
• Fundraising/Friendraising: Having friends over for dinner this weekend? Make it a BDVP fund/friendraiser and raise awareness around partner violence! BDVP “house parties” are a great space to open up a conversation around the prevalence of partner violence in our community. The BDVP will provide you with educational materials, and donations are always welcome!
• Event Planning: The Lutheran Settlement House Bilingual Domestic Violence Program holds several events throughout the year that benefits the agency and our domestic violence program. We typically seek volunteers to assist in various positions for the event, and would love your help!

For more information on volunteer opportunities please contact Vashti Bledsoe 215-426-8610, ext. 231, or Click here to send mail.

Jane Addams Place

Jane Addams Place is home and community to approximately 30 moms and 70 kids.  We are located at 43rd & Ludlow (between Market and Chestnut) in West Philly.  We are looking for volunteers in the following areas:

• Childcare: Provide supervised childcare and children’s activities in Bright Spaces, while parents attend mandatory community meetings.  You will work alongside a member of staff, but should be able to supervise children in a group setting, problem solve and resolve conflict where it arises!!  Requires patience and a sense of humor!
  Mon – Fri 10 – 11am
  Monday, Wednesday 6pm-7pm

• After school programming: Provide one-on-one tutoring for kids K through 12th grade.  Develop mentoring relationship with individual kids.  Assess children’s educational needs and provide additional support where needed.  Should be able to supervise children in a group setting, problem solve and resolve conflict where it arises!!  Requires patience and a sense of humor!
  Mon – Thurs 430 – 6pm

• Jane Addams Pals:This is a program designed to encourage a relationship between adults and Jane Addams youth residents.  This is a relationship that evolves over time and helping with homework is a good way to start out. 

For more information on volunteer opportunities, please contact Karen Spuriel-Coleman, 215-387-2587 or Click here to send mail.

Senior Center

The LSH Senior Center operates Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 daily, and serves independent, active adults 55+.  The Center is actively seeking volunteers who have patience and a desire to work with older adults to assist in the following areas:

• Community garden: we need volunteers who can help with planting, weeding, and garden maintenance.  Interested community members can also reserve their own plot for the summer.
• Teach basic computer skills: we are looking for an individual to help our seniors learn the basics of email, web browsing, word processing, and other simple computer skills.
• Teach basic photography: we would like to offer basic photography lessons on topics such as composition, how to frame a shot, lighting, etc. to our seniors.
• Scrapbooking: we are looking for someone with scrapbooking experience to lead a group and teach basic skills.

For more information on volunteer opportunities, please contact Mary Thoma at (215)426.8610 ext. Click here to send mail.

Got a talent not listed above that you would like to share with our members?  Let us know! 

If you have questions about volunteering at LSH, or would like to be contacted by one or more of the program volunteer coordinators, please provide the following information:

Your Name:  Your E-mail: *Has to be valid in order for this e-mail to be delivered. Phone (with area code) Briefly tell us in which program you would like to volunteer: Please enter exactly the text in the right column into the box above.

 

 

 

For further information, please contact us at (215)426.8610, Click here to send an email.

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