With as little as two hours every week, students can impact a child’s life and fulfill volunteer requirements for class.
After School Gators, part of UF’s Center for Leadership and Service, is in need of student mentors for elementary students, kindergarten through fifth grade, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Meghan Taffaro, director of After School Gators, said they would love to take as many volunteers as possible because the school’s paid staff members are overwhelmed.
Taffaro, a UF senior, has been a volunteer for about four years and said the experience has been rewarding for everyone involved.
“I have developed a relationship with a bunch of students, and the staff really appreciates us,” Taffaro said.
The volunteers mentor at one of four county schools, including M.K. Rawlings Elementary School, Metcalfe Elementary School, Joseph Williams Elementary School and Lake Forest Elementary School.
Kelley Kostamo, the project specialist for After School Gators, explained the first hour is an educational hour to help with homework, tutor or learn other educational skills. The second is an opportunity for the volunteers to get to know the children and have fun with them by playing games, like kickball or baseball, and doing arts and crafts.
“We just help out with whatever they need,” Taffaro said. “We don’t do a lot of fundraising. We give our time and are there to help.”
To qualify for the program, volunteers need to fill out a volunteer form online or pick one up in the Center for Leadership and Service in Peabody Hall, Room 202.
For a list of other service organizations, visit the Center for Leadership and Service Web site at http://www.leadershipandservice.ufl.edu.
