Volunteer Opportunity Details:

Free Arts NYC is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing under-served children and families with a unique combination of educational arts and mentoring programs that help them to foster the self-confidence and resiliency needed to realize their fullest potential. With the help of dedicated and caring volunteer mentors, Free Arts NYC delivers creative arts programs directly to low income, homeless, abused and neglected children.

We partner with group homes, shelters, schools and community centers to give children the opportunity to express themselves in a supportive environment in order to develop communication and trust. Our programs and the relationships they foster help children and families experience new levels of hope and creativity.
Volunteer Opportunities:

We are currently seeking committed volunteers to serve as mentors in our 2010 Parents and Children Together with Art Program (PACT) Spring Semester.

PACT is an eight week, theme-based art experience for families. PACT activities are designed to increase parental involvement and graduate in complexity to encourage positive forms of family communication and sustained teamwork. With a 1:2 volunteer to family ratio, program facilitators and trained volunteers implement a creative arts curriculum that requires them to develop ideas and work collaboratively. Working as a design team, families use art as a vehicle to enhance their communication and problem-solving skills. Each session begins with exposure to a professional artist that serves as an inspiration image, followed by an art experience, and concludes with a sharing circle.

Time Commitment:

Volunteers make a weekly commitment of 2 hours during a weekday evening (generally 6:00-8:00) for 8 weeks.

The Spring Semester will begin in April and run through June.

Placements Available in Brooklyn, Bronx and Manhattan

Bilingual volunteers with fluency in Spanish are a high priority!

No prior mentoring, youth or arts experience required. PACT Program volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and also complete a Volunteer Application Form (available on the web site), mandatory background check, brief interview and basic 3-hour training before being placed.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Free Arts NYC We are looking for volunteers with the following skills Arts & Crafts Language & Translation Companionship/Caregiver Teaching & Coaching This volunteer opportunity addresses the following social interests Arts & Culture Community Development Homeless & Housing Education & Schools Children & Youth This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Senior Citizens Welcome We need volunteers who are free at these times Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Morning Afternoon X Evening X X X X X Monthly Occasional Contact Person: Vicki Raines, Volunteer Coordinator, (212) 974-9092, (email) View all organization contacts Address: 1431 Broadway - 7th Floor New York, NY 10018 (See a map) Details where opportunity can also be performed This opportunity can also be performed in these locations: Zip codes: 10002,   10025,   10029,   10034,   10039,   10458,   10459,   10472,   11210,   11215,   11233 Web Site: http://www.freeartsnyc.org Miscellaneous Information Borough Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan Volunteer Shifts Weekday evenings 6:00-8:00pm. Our next semester will begin in April and run for 8 weeks. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and trainings will be held during the Winter months to prepare new volunteers.