Ways to Help

Organizations/Programs that need volunteers:

Big Brothers Big Sisters – Mentors to spend time with a child as a big brother or big sister.  Helping children in need reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships with volunteers. Big Brothers: Adult male companionship on a one-to-one basis for boys (6-17) who need and want the service, contributing to better schools, brighter futures, and stronger communities for all. Big Sister: Adult female companionship on a one-to-one basis for girls (6-17) who need and want the service, contributing to better schools, brighter futures, and stronger communities for all.

If interested, please contact the agency at (814) 944-6129
or blairbbbsdirect@aol.com

The ROCK Program (Reaching Out to Community Kids) – Volunteers needed for their after-school program for children in kindergarten through 12th grade at 2nd Avenue United Methodist Church in Altoona.  The program is held on Wednesday evenings from 4:30-7:00 during the school year.  The program provides a hot meal, structured game time, physical recreation period, art time, and instruction focused on positive life choices.

If interested, please contact Danny Billetter at (814) 502-3676
 or sandwichgenius@yahoo.com

Evergreen Manors/Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation – Volunteers needed to help with the after-school programs located at Evergreen Manors, Fairview Hills, Logan Hills, and 2nd Avenue United Methodist Church to work with youth ages 5 to 12 during the after school programs held from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Volunteers are needed to attend one or more days per week to help with small group educational activities. They would also like volunteers to attend on a weekly or monthly basis to teach special interests topics such as science, crafts, or storytelling.

If interested, please contact Toni Bilik at (814) 949-8838
or director@ggmf.org

Wednesday Evening Family Night – This program seeks to aid youth in making better choices and becoming their best-self through a faith-based program of discipleship.  Organized by Bellwood Calvary United Methodist Church, weekly attendance averages 40+ children (ages 18 months to 15 years old), 13 teachers and aides, plus 12-16 adults for Bible studies.  A meal is served at 6 pm to all participants.  Volunteer serving and/or cleanup crews are needed from 6 pm to 7 pm to help with the meal and resource volunteers are needed to help mentor children through the difficulties of coping with their world.  All volunteers require appropriate clearances. 

If interested, please contact Pastor Donna Vaux at
(814) 632-8439 after 11 am, or dvaux@susumc.org

The Beacon: A Youth Outreach Project – Adult Christian role models are needed to build relationships with and encourage “at-risk” youth to make beneficial decisions in their lives.  Services are provided in a safe, Christian environment through professionally supported and structured activities. The program provides structured athletic activity or game time, snack and relaxed peer-based discussion period.  Meets Friday nights from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Altoona.  All volunteers are required to complete an application, interview and provide appropriate clearances.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Jerry Rice, Program Director, at jbricepad@verizon.net or (814) 742-2159.