AARO Programs / Events
Mostly focusing our efforts in
In addition to long-term volunteer
opportunities, AARO conducts several single events throughout the year, usually
directed toward raising community awareness or providing goods for the
homeless.
Below is a list and short description of our current projects (* denotes a new program). Click on the link to learn more about each program. If you would like to become involved in any of the following programs/events please check out our calendar on MaizeWeb.
If you have any inquiries, please email Ann Arbor Reaching Out at [email protected] or contact our staff.
One Time Events/Short Term Programs:
*Gimme Shelter--Fundraiser Dinner - help setup, bus tables, cleanup
Reach Out and Rock--Benefit Concert - help publicize, setup
(Sat, Nov. 4, 10PM, at The Heidelberg, featuring What Four, XO and Novada)
Warm a Heart--Scarf Making - no skill required, make scarves to donate to the homeless
(December)
Food and Clothing Drive--help collect clothes and food from collection boxes
(Spring)
Ronald McDonald House--meal serving - help prepare, serve, and cleanup a meal
(1/23, 1/24, 2/12, 2/13, 3/27, 3/28, 4:30 ~ 7:30)
Soup Kitchen--serve food to the homeless in Ann Arbor at the Delonis Center
(Dates--TBA, 4:45 ~ 7:15)
Baked Goods Giveaway / Bucket Drive--bring baked goods to the Diag to help obtain donations
Weekly Programs:
*Peace Neighborhood--Tutoring, Mentoring, Creative Activities (grades K-8)
*SOS--Tutoring, Creative Arts, Family Relations (grades 1-10) Training sessions for all SOS programs are on Sept. 16 from 10:00 AM-4:00PM, so if you are interested in these programs, please contact a board member or Donna at 734-961-1210, [email protected] or [email protected] ASAP!
*Son-Rise Program--helping with the unique treatment of an autistic child
***New Programs!***
Peace Neighborhood
The mission of Peace Neighborhood Center is to provide programs for children, families, and individuals who are affected by social and economic problems. Peace helps people discover options, enhance skills, and make choices that lead to self-sufficiency and positive community involvement. You can find more information about Peace Neighborhood at www.peaceneighborhoodcenter.org.
Volunteer opportunities include:
Tutoring Program Day Time With Grades
One-on-one Tutor Mon 5:00-6:00pm 6-8
One-on-one Tutor Tues or Thurs 6:00-7:00pm K-8
Substitute Tutor Tues or Thurs 6:00-7:00pm K-8
After School Program
R.E.A.C.H. Program Assistant Tues or Thurs 4:00-6:00pm K-5
Alternatives for Youth Program Asst. Monday 3:15-5:00pm 6-8
Alternatives for Youth Program Asst. Tue or Thurs 3:15-6:00pm 6-8
Performance Arts Academy
Weekly volunteer Mon or Wed 4:00-6:30pm K-8
Workshop volunteer Mon or Wed 4:00-6:30pm K-8
Costume design volunteer Mon or Wed 4:00-6:30pm K-8
Production week assistant based on performance 3:30-7:00pm K-8
Mentorship Program
Big Brother/Sister flexible days/times 4 hours/month 3-8
Workshop Presentation
R.E.A.C.H. Program Presentation Tues/Thurs 5:00-6:00pm K-5
Alt. for Youth Program Presentation Monday 4:00-5:00pm 6-8
Alt. for Youth Program Presentation Tue/Thurs 5:00-6:00pm 6-8
SOS
***Note: Training sessions for all SOS programs are on Sept. 16 from 10:00 AM-4:00PM, so if you are interested in these programs please contact a board member or Donna at 734-961-1210, [email protected] or [email protected] as soon as possible!!
TUTORING for grade school children
WHAT: Work one-on-one with child on his/her homework, creative writing, play academic games and be a positive role model.
WHO: Children are 1 - 5 grade students from area homeless programs.
WHEN: Thursdays 3:45 - 5:45 PM beginning September 21
PROGRAM LOCATION: 826 Michigan (2245 S. State, Ann Arbor Suite 100, Between Eisenhower & Stadium on the east side of State)
Please note this is NOT the training location.
TRAINING: September 16 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at 2309 Packard in Ann Arbor.
"The Genesis Center" 3rd building of religious complex. Turn on Eastover.
Programs Dates: September 21 - December 7
TEEN TELLING IT
WHAT: Engage youth in creative arts to foster writing skills. Teens will write and share stories, create song lyrics and participate in other creative arts activities. The end will result in an opportunity to record a CD and a CD release.
WHO: Youth aged 12-16 from area homeless programs.
WHEN: Tuesdays from Sept. 26 - December 19 from 5:45 - 7:45 pm.
WHERE: To Be Determined (most likely a downtown Ypsilanti site)
VOLUNTEER ROLE: Volunteers will work with kids on writing activities, co-lead play shops and assist facilitator in most aspects of program. Volunteers should be comfortable reading & writing with teen as well as sharing own written pieces. Help with snack service also is expected.
TRAINING: September 16 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at 2309 Packard, Ann Arbor.
"Genesis Center" 3rd building of religious complex (more details upon sign up).
TELLING IT--A program designed to engage children in the creative arts to foster writing skills.
WHAT: Program focusing on literacy arts for first through fifth graders. Volunteers work one on one with children on writing activities, help co-lead playshops, and assist facilitator with clean up and snack. Volunteers need to be comfortable reading and writing with children and sharing their written pieces in front of children. Volunteers are expected to be a positive role model and work with students on behavioral issues, as needed. Children will share stories, play games and write stories, poems, and song lyrics among other activities.
WHO: Children in grades 1 - 5 from area homeless programs.
WHEN: Tuesdays 3:45 - 5:45 PM (Sept. 26 - December 19)
PR0GRAM LOCATION: Residential College, Rm A03 (701 E. University, Ann Arbor, 48109)
TRAINING: September 16 (10 AM - 4:00 PM) at 2309 Packard, Ann Arbor.
"Genesis Center" 3rd building of religious complex.
FAMILY RELATIONS
WHAT: "Family Relations"--A program designed to give families an evening to enjoy their own family relationships. Dinner is served then parents and children break off to in separate groups. School age kids participate in group focusing on appropriate social skill, parents focus on parenting skills. Theme is "scrapbooking" and will be supplemented by art therapy, field trips to art museums and making a scrapbook to take home.
WHO: Children aged 7-11 years and their parents from area homeless programs.
WHEN: Mondays 5:45 - 7:45 PM
October 2 to December 4.
WHERE: 1128 White St, Ann Arbor (Time for Tots)
Volunteer Role-- Help create and facilitate 90 minute social skills group. Assist coordinator with preparation of materials, assist with dinner prep and clean up and perform other duties as assigned. Willingness to help with childcare of younger siblings on occasion and help with solicitation of donations.
TRAINING: September 16 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at 2309 Packard, Ann Arbor.
" Genesis Center" 3rd building of religious complex. (Please note this is not the same location as the program).
TIME FOR TOTS
Time for Tots is a respite day-care for homeless
children. Volunteers will mentor and supply emotional support to the
children--the house acting as a de facto
day care while the parents work to find employment.
Son-Rise Program
The Son-Rise Program is a powerful, effective and totally unique treatment for children and adults challenged by autism and related developmental difficulties. We use the approach as taught by the Autism Treatment Center of America (www.son-rise.org). As parents and directors of this program, we have been trained to create a nurturing and stimulating environment for our special child, so as to encourage a bonding that can invite him to interact with us to an even greater extent.
As a Child Facilitator (CF), you will be trained in the child-centered methods of the Son-Rise Program. As you become an integral team member in creating this nonjudgmental and fun environment, you will become an extended family member in our child's life, while at the same time recharging your own sense of aliveness and well-being.
Your training includes:
* Instruction in Son-Rise Program techniques, to develop language, social interaction, attention span, and cognitive/self-help skills in special-needs children
* Hands-on learning while working individually with our child.
* Regular feedback sessions: these are designed to help you analyze and understand your interactions with our child, in order to help you become more effective in working with him.
* Group meetings: A key aspect of this program, where we and all of our CFs come together to share our excitement and experiences with each other, and to redesign the ongoing focus and content of the program.
CFs are asked to volunteer between 4 and 6 hours a week (which includes attending our bi-weekly group meetings). A long-term commitment of at least 4-6 months would be perferred, because of all the time put into training. In return, you will receive training in a very effective method of teaching special-needs children, plus attitudinal tools that you can employ in all areas of life.
Make a Difference, Have a Blast!
Come Join Us!
We invite you to volunteer in our exciting, in-home treatment program for our son, who is emerging from autism.
We are looking for volunteers who would like to
v
Teach an adorable little
boy language
and relationship skills through interactive play
v
get free
training in working with children with special needs
v
acquire
attitudinal tools that will help you in all areas of your life
v do all this in a fun, flexible and exciting environment, very close to campus!
This is a stimulating, play-based
program, overseen by the
Interested?
Call 248-214-4315 or
Email
Gimme Shelter 2006
An
Opportunity to Truly Help the Homeless in Washtenaw County...
Oh, a storm is threatening my very life today. If I don't get some shelter, I'm
gonna
fade away.
- Gimme Shelter by the Rolling Stones
Can you
imagine being truly homeless? It isn't easy to imagine. The staff at
Interfaith Hospitality Network at Alpha House are dedicated to helping such
families every day. They work very hard to be sure that each family leaves the
shelter - with a home to call
their own. Did you know they have over a 90% success rate for placing homeless
families into permanent housing!? They also stay in touch with the families for
the first year they are on their own. Many of us are busy working toward
success in our own lives, but there is a way that you can help these families
too---- Come help out at Gimme Shelter, a fundraiser dinner for IHN at Alpha
House. It will be a fun, and inspirational event, and well worth your time!
When: Saturday, October 14th
Where: Morris Lawrence Building, WCC
Time: 4 pm to 10 pm
Duties: Set up, clean up, bus tables, fill waters, oversee silent auction items
Dinner: FREE to volunteers- and it will be really good!
Reach Out and Rock!
Fall/Spring
Reach Out and Rock! is a benefit concert
launched in the spring of 2005 to increase awareness of and raise money for a
given charity. Last year, the
2005 Lineup - XO, Illite (from Subterraneous), Beace, Simply Put, Killdrama
2006 (Feb) Lineup - XO, Mason Proper, Brandon Wiard and His Army, The Jaded Reason
2006 (April) Lineup - the Silent Years, the Satin Peaches, Mick Bassett (of the Dollfaces)
2006
(October) Lineup - XO
2007 (Feb) Lineup - Antony Abraham, Jesse Shepherd-Bates, Mick Bassett
AARO Photo Gallery - Login = [email protected], Password = volunteer
Warm a Heart
Late
December/Early Janurary
Initiated in the winter of 2004, AARO
sponsors a yearly event consisting of volunteers who will work to cut and
decorate fabric for the making of scarves. These will be sent to various
charities in the community in the hope that no one goes cold during the
holidays. The event will involve a comfortable setting, refreshments, music and
(hopefully) a toasty fireplace.
The inaugural event was a resounding
success, bringing in over 40 volunteers who made about 200 scarves!
Food &
Dates to be
announced
Every fall and winter, AARO hosts a food and clothing drive that
generally takes place roughly a month before the end of each semester. Jointly
sponsored by the Salvation Army and Food Gatherers of Ann Arbor, AARO
volunteers will pick up donations at each of the
Over the past years, AARO food and clothing drives have become increasingly successful, with last March drive bringing in nearly three (3) car loads of clothes.
Ronald McDonald House
Dates and
volunteer opportunities to be announced
Each year, the Ronald McDonald House of
This will be a new project for AARO, although volunteers can be expected to plan and execute a fun party/event for the resident children.
Year round
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), Saint Joseph Mercy Health System
(SJMHS), and the Washtenaw Housing Alliance (WHA) jointly sponsor Alpha House,
a residential emergency shelter for homeless families in
AARO volunteers will spend
time interacting with residents' children while their parents are away at
family counseling sessions. Activities/ workshops will be carried out on
special occasions.
Year round
Home of New Vision is a Non-Profit
Organization that provides a structured, safe environment for women committed
to ongoing recovery from chemical dependency. The goal is to assist the client
in building self-esteem and realizing her full potential becoming a productive,
responsible, self-sufficient member of society. They are accomplishing
this mission by providing transitional housing and outpatient treatment for
women committed to recovery from chemical dependency.
AARO volunteers will entertain and
mentor the young children of the group while the mothers can go out and focus
on their treatment.