Student
Volunteer Program
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Mission
Statement:
Responsible
Individuals see a need for each of us to give back
to the community something of ourselves. Our
mission is to connect students with the community
in volunteer service.
History
of Student Volunteer Program
In 1994
the Barrington High School, School Improvement Planning
Committee formed an "Action Team" to study
volunteer service among Barrington High School Students. The
team surveyed over 300 BHS students, representing all
grade levels, gathered information from 20 local high
schools, and evaluated active programs at 9 schools.
As a result of the study, the team came to believe even more strongly
in the value of voluntary community service and the need to develop a
structure within the school that would encourage and facilitate student
volunteer service.
A proposal was made to establish a community service program and employ
a coordinator to promote student volunteerism. The proposal has
been enthusiastically supported by the community and Community Unit School
District 220 and a community service coordinator is at Barrington High
School, Monday through Friday, when school is in session.
The students of Barrington High School have responded enthusiastically
to this volunteer program and BHS enjoys the rewards of a very successful
service program.
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Program
Benefits for Students
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| Life
Experience |
- Learn
to give of themselves to their community
- Interact
with a diversity of people
- Make
new friends
- Develop
personal values
- Gain
satisfaction from helping others
- Acquire
life skills
- Explore
career options
- Establish
job contacts
- Earn
school credit
- Enhance
college and job profile
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| High
School Credit |
120
hours = 1 credit hour (maximum)
60
hours = 1/2 credit hour
30 hours = 1/4 credit hour
Hours are accumulated
over 4 years.
Pass/Fail grade is not a part of grade point average.
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| Personal
Profile |
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Colleges and future employers, when
making their selections, recognize and look favorably
upon community service as an important extra curricular
activity.
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Program
Benefits for Community and Business
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| Community |
- Enhance
the community's future by engaging our youth
in service
- Opportunity
to produce a growing social conscience in young
people
- Intergenerational
communications
- Young
citizens develop an increased sense of "community" and
their responsibilities.
- Volunteer
youth facilitate projects for service organizations.
- Students
employed in useful activities evolve into productive
adults.
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| Business |
- Positive
community exposure
- Networking
with other business people
- Support
for company charities
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Feedback
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| Student
Comments |
- "I
think everyone should do their part to help their
school and community."
- "I
didn't realize that volunteering could be so
much fun."
- "Volunteering
made me feel valuable. It felt great to
help someone else."
- "This
opportunity helped me make a decision about my
future. I think that I might pursue a career
in the health care field."
- "My
experience was very positive. I was treated
as an adult instead of just a kid."
- "I
realize how fortunate I am to have such a great
family and a nice place to live."
- "There
sure are a lot of people who volunteer in this
community."
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| Agency
Comments |
- "Thank
you for providing the enthusiastic, cooperative
and competent Community Connections volunteers. Credit
should be given for attitude and efficiency."
- "Talk
about a win-win situation."
- "Thanks
for providing such a worthwhile opportunity for
our Barrington youth."
- "Working
with young adults to promote volunteer community
service is both admirable and mutually beneficial."
- "The
students were very energetic and helpful. Our
work was made much easier by their presence and
willingness to help."
- "You
give them the opportunity and they're willing
to help."
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| For
additional information contact: Jill
Bauer Program Coordinator |
Please E-mail