When you volunteer at Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club, you can make a difference in the lives of island youth and give back to your community. Within the first few minutes of walking into the club, you know you’re in a special place. Whether you help with homework, coach a game, or teach an art project, you’ll have the opportunity to build healthy relationships with youth eager for adult guidance, and have a positive impact on their lives. In turn, you will find investing your time in supporting island youth will have a positive impact on you as well.
Homework Tutor
Each day Club members participate in Power Hour, which is the Club’s program for homework completion and academically enriching activities. As a Homework Tutor, you’ll be matched with 2-3 youth who need additional support with completing homework and improving their skills in core subject areas.
Time Commitment: 1 hour/week for a minimum of 10 weeks
Arts Volunteer
Are you an artist? Do you have a passion for helping youth explore and express their creativity? As an Arts Volunteer, you will work with Club staff to provide programs and activities encompassing the following categories:
Visual Arts – Visual art created and judged for its beauty and meaning. It may include painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, collage, mixed media, graphics and architecture.
Digital Arts – Two- or three-dimensional visual media that uses computers and other technology as an essential part of the creative process. This may include graphic design, animation, photography, movie making, Claymation, game design, music composition and digital illustration.
Performing Arts – Arts that involve public performance, including playing instruments, acting, singing and dancing. This includes performance support roles, such as creating scenery, costumes, lighting and sound manipulation.
Applied Arts – Any art form that applies artistic design to functional objects. This includes industrial design, bookmaking, illustration, printmaking, jewelry making, woodworking, ceramics, fashion design, culinary arts, creative writing, and commercial art.
Time Commitment: You can join us in the Art Room on a drop-in basis, or lead a regularly scheduled program once a week based on a set curriculum.
STEAM Volunteer
Are you passionate about closing the opportunity gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)? Join us in offering Club members unique opportunities to advance their knowledge and increase interest in STEM-related careers. As a STEM Volunteer, you will work with Club staff to provide programs and activities based on BGCA’s national STEM programs, including:
Digital Literacy Essentials – A project-based digital literacy program delivered through BGCA’s My.Future platform. Club members of all ability levels explore digital safety and privacy, digital presence, online communication and the educational fun of retro gaming.
DIY STEM – Fun, hands-on activities using easy-to-procure materials allow Club members aged 9-12 to explore the “science of every day.”
Time Commitment: We’re looking for volunteers to lead regularly scheduled activities once a week based on a set curriculum for a minimum of 6 weeks. \
Sports & Recreation Volunteer
Do you love to play sports and cooperative recreational games? Are you passionate about helping youth develop positive attitudes toward physical activity? As a Sports & Recreation Volunteer, you will work with Club staff to provide programs and activities designed to help all youth become physically literate – having the competence, confidence, and intrinsic motivation to be physically active every day.
Volunteer coaches are required to complete Safe Sports and Concussion training.
Time Commitment: You can join us in the Gym on a drop-in basis or lead a regularly scheduled program once a week based on a set curriculum.
Mentor
Are you interested in going the extra mile to make a lasting impact on a child’s life? As a mentor, you will be matched with 1-2 Club members in need of positive guidance and support. You will meet weekly to talk with your mentee(s) about self-esteem, family struggles, career exploration, drug and alcohol abuse, and more.
Time Commitment: 1 hour/week for a minimum of 10 weeks
Passport to Manhood Mentor
Without clear guidance, young men are left to adopt ideas of masculinity they find in the broader popular culture. Are you passionate about promoting the essential attitudes, values and skills boys need to become responsible adult men?
Passport to Manhood is a program designed to instill a strong moral compass in Club boys ages 8-17, guiding them on their journey from adolescence to adulthood. The program consists of 14 sessions, each of which concentrates on a specific aspect of manhood such as personal responsibility, leadership, academic success, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, and more
As a Passport to Manhood Mentor, you’ll help facilitate this program and engage young men in discussions and activities that reinforce their physical, cognitive, emotional and social development.
Time Commitment: Minimum of 14 one-hour session
SMART Girls Mentor
Are you passionate about mentoring young women?
SMART Girls is a health, fitness, and self-esteem enhancement program designed to meet the developmental needs of girls ages 8-17. Through dynamic sessions, highly participatory activities, field trips and mentoring opportunities with adult women, Club girls explore their own and societal attitudes and values as they build critical knowledge and skills in the areas of physical health, wellness, mental health, self-esteem, and relationships.
As a SMART Girls Mentor, you’ll lead Club members in interactive, engaging, small-group sessions that engender camaraderie, while also encouraging each girl to explore and express her individuality through discussions, hands-on games and activities, role-play, take-home challenges and activities, and collaborative decision-making and problem-solving.
Time Commitment: Minimum of 10 one-hour sessions
Healthy Habits Facilitator
Healthy Habits teaches Club members to make healthy nutritional choices through interactive, practical activities promoting healthy eating patterns and physical wellness. As a Healthy Habits Facilitator, you’ll work closely with Club staff to adapt and implement our Healthy Habits curriculum based on your experience, ideas and interests.
Time Commitment: 1 hour/week for a minimum of 10 weeks