Dear Prospective Volunteer:

Thank you for your interest in Volunteer Advocates for Chesapeake Youth and your desire to volunteer with our organization. In our efforts to promote positive change in at-risk youth and their families we need volunteers to serve as mentors, advocates, teachers, and role models to boys and girls of all ages. The children and youth we serve are referred by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, churches, schools and other community agencies.

As a volunteer with VACY you can choose from a variety of programs that interest you from court oriented programs to environmental programs to employment and family building programs. Volunteering just a few hours each week or month offers you the opportunity to help troubled youth learn to help themselves and find positive ways to live their lives.

Please review the programs, the volunteer opportunities & information, and the volunteer application. If you should have any questions, please feel free to call me at 382-8184. Thank you for your desire to help our youth and for your volunteer commitment.

Sincerely,
Mary R. Riley
Executive Director

Volunteer Requirements

Paperwork

1. Volunteer application
2. Complete the Child Protective Services Request for Search of the Central Registry and Release of Information Form. There is a $5 processing fee charged to us by the state for this form that must be paid by the volunteer. This form also needs to be signed in front of a notary. We have notaries in our office and will notarize the form for you free of charge.
3. Release of information and fingerprint cards. Two cards must be fingerprinted with your prints. This can with be done at the police department or our office. The Police Department fingerprints Monday through Friday from 9 –3 at the Public Safety building located on Albemarle Dr. There is no fee charged to our volunteers. Fingerprinting can also be done at our office by appointment.
4. Three personal or work related references are needed.
5. Program Interest form.
6. Volunteer pledge and confidentiality form.

*** All information is held confidential with Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services.

Other

1. Interview with the Executive Director and Program Coordinator.
2. VACY orientation
3. Program Orientation

Please NOTE:
Once the required paperwork is completed and turned in to VACY, we will contact you for an interview. Please note that before you can begin your volunteer services, we must have your references, fingerprint and CPS checks returned from their respective individuals or institutions. This process can take as long as 45 days. Applications may be rejected for applicants that have been convicted of a criminal offense or have a record of child abuse or neglect complaints that were “founded.” We appreciate your patience and understanding of our requirements.

Program-Specific Volunteer Opportunities & Information

| Children First | Community Service | Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) | Incentives for Change |
| Juvenile Conference Committee | Life Skills | One-to-One | Truancy Court |

Children First
382-8184
Volunteers are needed for group facilitators. Groups are held monthly. Facilitators must have a Masters in counseling to qualify.

Program information for Children First
Volunteer Application (PDF)

Community Service
382-8197
The following volunteer positions are available year round:

1. Trail monitors/supervisors- oversee youth involved in community projects at the actual work sites. Hours and days may vary but are generally Monday thru Friday 8:30 – 4:00 and Saturdays as scheduled.
2. Gardeners- experienced gardeners are needed to design and manage plant life are various sites. Volunteers may set their own schedules depending on site location.
3. Recreational watercraft operators and first mates: Utilized on an as need basis.
4. Carpenters/Wood Crafts: Utilized on an as needed basis in our well equipped woodshop.
5. Experienced Campers/recreational leaders: Utilized for special projects as needed.
6. Drivers-utilized as needed to transport youth for special projects.

Program information for Community Service
Volunteer Application (PDF)

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
382-8183
Initial volunteer requirements are as follows:

1. Volunteer must be 21 years of age
2. Volunteer must be able to complete the application process for CVIYS and CASA.
3. Volunteers must successfully complete 35 hours of pre-service training provided by the CASA program.
4. Sworn volunteers must be willing to commit one year to the program.
5. Volunteers must be willing to attend all court hearings pertaining to the child.
6. Volunteers must complete 12 hours of on-going training a year.

Program information for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Volunteer Application (PDF)

Incentives for Change
382-8184
Volunteer opportunities are available for the following areas:

Sponsor Organizers: Volunteers will assist in obtaining reward items and in helping to build long term relationships with businesses in the community who can continue to sponsor through donation or monetary support. Variable work hours are to be set by the volunteer and coordinator.

Trip Supervisors: Volunteers will join the staff in coordinating and overseeing youth during specific group trips or activities. Dates and times will vary according to activity.

Program information for Incentives for Change
Volunteer Application (PDF)

Juvenile Conference Committee (JCC)
382-8182
Volunteers are needed in the following positions:

JCC Chairperson: The chairperson is responsible for facilitating the operation of their district committee. This includes presiding at general meetings, calling members of the committee before meetings, recruiting additional committee members, and acting as the liaison between the committee and program coordinator. The chairperson should be able to work effectively with others, delegate tasks, and keep committee members informed of trainings.

JCC Secretary: The secretary must have a flexible schedule with strong organizational skills. The secretary is responsible for scheduling committee hearing dates, providing all necessary forms to the committee, all record keeping and forwarding all necessary reports and information to the Program Coordinator. The secretary should be able to present information in a positive knowledgeable way. Other duties will be explained during interview process.

JCC Member: Volunteers must have good listening and communication skills. Volunteers must be able to remain objective, non-judgmental and abide by strict confidentiality rules. Volunteers must be able to attend all assigned hearings, provide thorough monitoring of assigned cases, follow through on all tasks assigned by the committee chairperson, and attend on-going training on a quarterly basis.

Program information for Juvenile Conference Committee (JCC)
Volunteer Application (PDF)

Life Skills
382-8179
Volunteer facilitators are needed on a monthly basis. The requirements are as follows:

1. Volunteers should be able to facilitate and manage small groups with some experience working with youth ages 12-18.
2. Volunteer is responsible for reviewing the program manual and deciding the set up for each class.
3. Volunteer should demonstrate effective listening skills and be able to keep the group on task.
4. Volunteer must be able to commit to the group cycle of two evenings.

Program information for Life Skills
Volunteer Application (PDF)

One-to-One
382-8183
Volunteers are needed to:

1. Participate in at least one activity for at least three hours every week with the youth.
2. File a detailed report of the activities at the end of each month.

Program information for One-to-One
Volunteer Application (PDF)

Truancy Court
382-8196
Volunteers are needed to:

1. Monitor attendance of Truant Youth
2. Provide case management for Truant Youth
3. Assist in Truancy Court

Program information for Truancy Court
Volunteer Application (PDF)