Volunteer
How you can help Young Parents Network
Young Parents Network utilizes many volunteers in providing services to families and children within our community and surrounding communities.
The interests, skills and talents of volunteers are matched with the needs of the agency and families served. Through the volunteer program, families and children are given the opportunity to interact with others who serve as role models. By being exposed to positive values and situations, they learn they can make positive choices in their own lives. With the declining economic situation and extremely tight budgets, these partners are even more important to YPN programming success.
Current Volunteer Needs
Group Facilitator- Assist parents, pregnant or parenting a child birth until entry into kindergarten, in becoming the best parents they can be. Facilitators are needed for Expecting, Dads, Moms and Grandparents Groups. Share best practices, research-based information and general support in a small discussion group setting. Curriculum is provided. Tuesdays 6-8pm.
Childcare Coordinator- Work with YPN staff to plan and facilitate age- appropriate childcare activities. Also, help supervise childcare providers.
Childcare Provider-Do you love children? Come join our team to provide age appropriate activities and loving care to children (infants through elementary age) while their parent participates in discussion groups to enhance their parenting knowledge and skills. Tuesdays 6-8pm.
Becoming a Volunteer
Requirements for becoming a volunteer are:
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Please fill out a Volunteer Application here
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You will need to pass a background check in accordance to the Code of Iowa
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Agree to uphold the confidentiality of our participants
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Commit to an established amount of time
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Have a genuine interest in Young Parents Network and our mission
Volunteer Opportunities
Click to go to an opportunity...
Group Meetings
There are several ways to volunteer with YPN. You may volunteer individually, as a group, or as a family unit. Some of the ongoing volunteer opportunities are:
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Provide child care for weekly meetings or individual parenting workshops
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Provide food for weekly group meetings
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Facilitate prenatal, moms, dads, grandparents or Hispanic group discussions
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Prepare and/or facilitate parent/child activities at the group meetings
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Donate items for the YPN incentive program for participant families
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Assist with YPN quarterly activity nights or other special events
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Speak on a parenting topic of expertise
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Complete office work such as copying and filing
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Recruit and refer young parents to YPN programming
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Provide transportation for participants to/from group meetings
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Provide funding for a specific YPN activity
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Make swaddling blankets for newborn babies
For more information about how to volunteer with Group meetings, click here to email Beula.
Youth Development
Young Parents Network Youth Development program serves youth from age 6 to 18 in school, after school and summer programming in residential facilities and off site programs, including faith based organizations. Volunteers are needed to help at every age and every level of service.
Some of our ongoing volunteer opportunities are:
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Needed for support and mentoring at the Bridge Achievement Academy for after school and summer programs
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Youth volunteers are needed to sit on county Youth Advisory Boards to provide feedback to our staff regarding programming and other needs
We Care Shop
The donated items that YPN receives go to the We Care Incentive Shop. Some of the donated items may include baby clothing, baby furniture and personal care products. These donated items are then purchased with points that the participants earn, as part of making healthy choices.
Some of the volunteer opportunities for the We Care Shop include:
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Accept and sort donations
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Help participants shop for items
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Assist participants with checkout
You may volunteer with a friend for a 2 hour shift. This is a great way to see your donation in action.
For more information about how to volunteer at the We Care Shop, click here to email Jan.
For More Information
Other volunteer opportunities that are specific to a program or a certain time may occur throughout the year.
Click here to email Crystal for more information.