Schools
Many educators believe that providing students opportunities for community service and social action can instill a deep sense of civic responsibility, enhance critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, and reduce “at risk” behavior. When schools draw families into their community outreach programs, it can multiply the academic and social benefits for students. What’s more, the school can profit from positive exposure, increased loyalty among families and improved relations with the community.
Doing Good Together can help your school promote family volunteering, tailoring our services to your objectives and budget—from a one-time workshop or brief consultation to assisting with a completely integrated program. We can help develop your school’s vision for family community service and propose strategies for bringing that alive. Here are some of the specific services we offer:
HOST A FAMILY SERVICE NIGHT Family Service Night is a fun volunteer evening that focuses around 5 to 10 “booths” or “stations,” each one offering a simple, hands-on service project for families. If you’d like to learn more about offering a Family Service Night for the families in your school, click here. If you’d like to purchase a copy of our Family Service Night Manual, which includes ideas for projects, as well as promotion, reflection and education materials, find it here.
PRESENT A WORKSHOP on family volunteering for parents, teachers and other interested adults. Participants can discover the benefits of volunteering with their children (or grandchildren), find out about resources to teach kids about critical social issues, and learn dozens of easy, practical ideas for involving families in all types of community service and social action work. Doing Good Together can tailor each presentation to meet the needs of specific groups within your school. We also offer workshops for service learning practitioners.
OFFER A MONTHLY CALENDAR OF TWIN CITIES FAMILY VOLUNTEER PROJECTS. DGT canvases the Twin Cities to compile a listing of clever and creative family volunteer projects. This list is ideal for families seeking ongoing volunteer projects. Schools typically print it in their newsletter, post it on their website or simply hand it out to parents and grandparents. Includes five different family volunteer opportunities each month. Subscribe here.
PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY SERVICE PROGRAM. The “Doing Good Together in the Schools” initiative was piloted in the Minneapolis area during the 2006-2007 academic year. The success of that initiative has enabled DGT to offer a comprehensive program for integrating family service into your school, too. This yearlong package provides the motivation, inspiration, training and support materials, suggested opportunities and guidance to help school families serve others. Email us to learn more about how you can bring this program to your school.
SUGGEST IDEAS FOR FAMILY SERVICE PROJECTS. DGT can help plan volunteer projects or events geared specifically to the families in your school, resulting in a strengthened sense of community and a shared bond of contribution. Projects can range from a simple activity to get your feet wet or a full Family Service Day. We help identify appropriate projects; coordinate and execute the event (including an education and reflection component); and provide follow-up support and suggestions for ongoing volunteerism. E-mail or call 612.822.6502 to find out more.
OFFER FAMILIES IN YOUR SCHOOL OUR FREE E-MAIL NEWSLETTER. Our monthly newsletter offers simple service ideas, family stories and pointers for starting discussions with children about specific social issues. Each month we address a new topic, such as homelessness, reflecting on gratitude, charity-centered gift-giving, and doing kid-sized fundraisers. You can offer the families in your school this resource for free; simply put a link on your website to ours, or provide us a list of e-mail addresses and we’ll add them to our subscription list. You can also browse past issues online or subscribe here.
HELP SERVICE LEARNING PRACTIONERS ENCOURAGE FAMILY INVOLVEMENT. We offer workshops, consultation and programs to create a schoolwide focus on community outreach and a culture of service. Email us to learn more about how we can help you increase family involvement in your service-learning projects.
CREATE MATERIALS for adults and children (from toddlers to teens) that will bring fresh meaning to existing or newly established family service experiences. Find out more.
ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. If you have questions about integrating family volunteering into your school, we’re happy to talk with you over the phone, or arrange a time to meet. E-mail us or call 612.822.6502.
If you need more information, please contact Doing Good Together at mail@doinggoodtogether.org or call 612.822.6502.