Volunteer




HEALTH IS VITAL: If you are feeling ill, please take care of yourself and stay home until you’re back to normal. We encourage all volunteers to get the flu shot and follow all COVID-19 Protocols: Federal, State, and Local. If you think you are sick, let us know ASAP, and stay home. You must be free of fever for 72 hours after stopping any fever reducing medications before volunteering.

Adults

Adults from the community are invited to help in our Homework Club after-school program. As an after-school volunteer, you could be a homework helper, reading buddy, activity assistant, or even the leader of your own special project. All adults working with children must complete a background check, provided free of charge courtesy of the Dakota Center.

Online Adult Volunteer Application (preferred)

Youth (Ages 14-17)

Dakota Center welcomes the involvement of individual students who like working with children and/or those seeking community service hours. As an after-school volunteer, you could be a homework helper, reading buddy, activity assistant, or even the leader of your own special project. Fill out the youth volunteer application below!

Online Youth Volunteer Application (preferred)

College Students, Groups, & Local Organizations

We are always interested in partnering with student groups and community organizations. The Dakota Center enjoys the support of the University of Dayton Dakota Club, a student service club that sends volunteers to the after-school program for homework assistance, games, and parties. Contact us, if your group is interested in helping out regularly in our homework rooms, leading an activity for our youth, or completing a short-term project.

Available Volunteer Opportunities

Homework Helper

Monday-Friday 2:30-5:00

The Dakota Center’s Homework Club is in need of adult, college, and senior high school volunteers to assist our students with their homework. This role requires being comfortable teaching or helping develop math and reading skills to students between the ages of five and twelve. Volunteers are normally asked to give at least an hour and a half of their time, and while one-time volunteers are accepted, it is preferred for Homework Helper volunteers to be available on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.  This regularity creates the environment for a relationship to form between the student and volunteer. 

Gym/Playground* Monitor

Monday-Friday 4:00-6:00

Providing a safe and fun environment is a top priority for the Homework Club. As part of that goal, the Dakota Center needs volunteers to monitor the gym and the playground to ensure the safety of all its students. This can be fun for the volunteer as well! Monitoring play areas includes not only ensuring the safety of students, but also can include participating in games, as well.  

*There must be at least 2 adults over the age of 18 monitoring the gym/playground at all times students are using it.

Lunch Server

Monday-Friday 3:30-4:45

Everybody has to eat, and the Homework Club ensures that every student has a hot meal served every day. Provided directly from the Wesley Center’s Dayton Cooks program, these hot and nutritious meals are a major part of everyday life at the Dakota Center. Dinner is served every day at 4 o’clock, and volunteers are needed to assist with plating, serving, and cleaning up the meal.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact our volunteer coordinator at Volunteerac@dakotacenter.org