BILINGUAL Volunteers: PACT (Parents and Children Together with Art)

About Free Arts NYC

Free Arts NYC is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing under-served children and families with a unique combination of educational arts and mentoring programs that help them to foster the self-confidence and resiliency needed to realize their fullest potential. With the help of dedicated and caring volunteer mentors, Free Arts NYC delivers creative arts programs directly to low income, homeless, abused and neglected children.

We partner with group homes, shelters, schools and community centers to give children the opportunity to express themselves in a supportive environment in order to develop communication and trust. Our programs and the relationships they foster help children and families experience new levels of hope and creativity.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are currently seeking committed volunteers to serve as mentors for the Spring Session of our 2011-2012 Parents and Children Together with Art Program (PACT).

PACT is an eight week, theme-based art experience for families. Working as a design team, families use art as a vehicle to enhance their communication and problem-solving skills. PACT activities are designed to increase parental involvement and graduate in complexity to encourage positive forms of family communication and sustained teamwork.

With a 1:2 volunteer to family ratio, program facilitators and trained volunteers implement a creative arts curriculum that requires them to develop ideas and work collaboratively. Each session begins with exposure to a professional artist that serves as an inspiration image, followed by an art experience, and concludes with a sharing circle.

Time Commitment

Volunteers make a weekly commitment of 2.5 hours during a weekday afternoon or evening for the Spring Semester (8 weeks). Groups run during the academic school year from September to May, however, limited openings are available for our Spring Session. PACT trainings are going on now through February 2012; the Spring Session is set to launch mid-March and will end mid-May 2012. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but spots will fill quickly - inquire with us today!

Placements are available in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Manhattan.

Brooklyn:Park Slope, Flatbush, Bed-Stuy, Red Hook

The Bronx: Soundview

Manhattan: Inwood, East Harlem, Harlem, Upper West Side, Lower East Side

Eligibility:

All volunteers are required to submit a Volunteer Application (available on our website: http://www.freeartsnyc.org/volunteer/volunteer_form.asp), attend a New Volunteer Orientation, interview with a staff member, and undergo a 3 hour training.

No prior mentoring, youth or arts experience required. PACT Program volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Spanish speaking skills are a plus.