Volunteer Opportunities

Mentoring

Position Title: UPBeat Huddle Host

Description: Be an UPBeat, positive presence for youth at our Wednesday Night Huddle! From 4-6 PM, walk around the building, chat with kids, and offer a friendly ear. Your presence provides a calming influence during and after the Huddle, especially with up to 150 kids in attendance. On the first Wednesday of each month, you'll lead a small group of about 10 kids in a discussion based on a pre-determined question. If you enjoy connecting with youth and have a heart for mentorship, this is a great opportunity to make a difference!

Position Title: LevelUP Learning Coach

Description: Help students LevelUP their academic skills! As a LevelUP Learning Coach, you'll provide tutoring support in homework, reading, and academic enrichment. You'll empower kids to build strong foundations in math, literacy, and other core subjects, working with them on an as-needed basis between 4-6 PM. If you're passionate about education and enjoy helping kids reach their full potential, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Position Title: PowerUP Strength Trainer

Description: Help our youth PowerUP their strength and fitness! As a Power UP! Strength Trainer, you'll supervise the weight room on Wednesdays after Huddle, from 4:45-6 PM. You'll ensure the safe and proper use of equipment, guiding kids in their strength training routines. If you're passionate about fitness and enjoy working with young people, this is a great way to share your knowledge and make a positive impact.

Maintenance

Position Title: FixUP Repair Assistant

Description: Help us FixUP our facilities! We're seeking a skilled and reliable individual to assist with general repairs on an as-needed basis. As a Fix UP! Handyman/Handywoman, you'll tackle a variety of tasks, from fixing doors, windows, and furniture to addressing minor plumbing and electrical issues (like replacing faucets and light fixtures). If you're a jack-of-all-trades with a passion for keeping things in good working order, we'd love to hear from you! Flexible times.

Position Title: BrightenUP Wall Refresher (Painter)

Description: Help us BrightenUP our spaces! We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to refresh walls, doors, and trim with new paint. As a Brighten UP! Painter, you'll also have the opportunity to assist with touch-ups and even if creating murals is your painting skill we could use that as well. If you have a passion for color and enjoy transforming spaces, this is a great way to make a visible difference! Flexible times.

Transportation

Position Title: ConnectUP Transportation Driver

Description: Help us ConnectUP our youth with our programs! We're looking for friendly and dependable volunteer van drivers to pick up children from school and transport them to our program sites. You'll also be responsible for safely returning them home after program sessions. Adherence to traffic and safety regulations is a must. Flexible days and times are available. If you enjoy driving and connecting with young people, this is a great volunteer opportunity!

Position Title: CheerUP Transit Companion

Description: Help CheerUP the ride on our buses! We're seeking enthusiastic volunteers to serve as Transportation Assistants. You'll ride along with the bus driver, helping to supervise children, assisting with seating, ensuring seatbelts are fastened (if applicable), and contributing to a positive and safe atmosphere on the bus. Flexible days and times are available. If you're energetic and enjoy interacting with kids, this is a rewarding volunteer opportunity.

Position Title: BackUP Driver

Description: Be our BackUP driver when we need you most! We're seeking reliable and responsible individuals to serve as Substitute Van Drivers. You'll be on call as needed and available to cover routes and schedules when our regular drivers are unavailable, ensuring seamless transportation for our youth. Familiarity with routes and schedules is a plus. If you're a dependable driver with a flexible schedule, we encourage you to apply!

Position Title: TuneUP Vehicle Maintenance Coordinator

Description: Help us TuneUP our vehicles and keep them in peak condition! We're looking for organized volunteers to assist with preventative vehicle maintenance coordination. You'll be responsible for scheduling routine maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations, and other necessary services. You will coordinate with mechanics for these services and maintain detailed maintenance logs, including creating and managing a maintenance schedule. If you're organized and enjoy preventing problems before they arise, this is the perfect volunteer opportunity!

Data

Position Title: UPDate: Data Analyst

Description: Help us UPDate our impact! We're seeking a detail-oriented volunteer to manage and analyze program data. This role involves helping us create the best way to organize and access data. Then inputting key data into the system created, ensuring accuracy and proper formatting. Tis position could include the following position as well or bring a friend to help. Flexible times.

Position Title: UPDate: Data Collector

Description: You'll also distribute and collect surveys, assist with interviews or focus groups, and record program activity metrics, including attendance, participation rates, and outcomes. Gathering feedback from participants and stakeholders during events is also a key part of this role. If you're a data whiz with a passion for accuracy and enjoy seeing the impact of your work, this is a fantastic opportunity! Flexible times.

Special Needs

Position Title: HandUP Special Needs Advocate

Description: Help us support UP students with learning or developmental challenges by giving them a HandUP. We're seeking compassionate and patient volunteers to serve as Special Needs Advocates. You'll provide support to students, helping them thrive in our programs. This includes transporting special needs students to Goodwill on Thursday nights (3:45-5:45 PM). You may also have the opportunity to lead a small group discussion on the first Wednesday of the month. If you're dedicated to inclusion and enjoy making a positive impact in a child's life, we encourage you to apply!

Grants

Position Title: UP Grant Research Specialist

Description: Kokomo Urban Outreach is seeking a volunteer to serve as a Grant Research Specialist, helping us secure crucial funding to further our mission. In this role, you will research and identify potential grant opportunities, maintain an organized database of funding sources, and track important deadlines to ensure timely submissions. This is a remote position, offering flexibility while requiring strong research and organizational skills. Your efforts will directly support the UP™ Program and our initiatives to empower children and youth in our community.

This role requires proven research and organizational skills and the ability to work independently while meeting deadlines. While familiarity with grant writing or nonprofit funding is a plus, it is not a requirement. This could be a great opportunity for a college internship. Volunteering in this capacity provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, contributing to a program that transforms lives.

Position Title: PolishUP Grant Writer/Editor

Description: Help us Polish UP! our grant proposals and make them shine! We're looking for a skilled writer and editor to refine and perfect our grant applications. This involves researching potential funding sources, maintaining a grant tracking system, and meticulously reviewing and editing grant proposals for clarity, grammar, and adherence to all requirements. You'll ensure proposals are compelling and strongly reflect our mission and goals. This can be done from home, but you must be deadline-conscious. If you're a wordsmith with a passion for crafting winning proposals, this is a great volunteer opportunity!

UP Huddle Speaker (There are 10 opportunities for 2025)

General Description (Applicable to all topics):

Position Title: UP! Huddle Speaker

Description: Share your expertise and inspire 130 youth(10-18 years old) at our Wednesday Huddle! We're seeking engaging speakers to deliver a 20-minute presentation on a variety of topics from 4-5 PM on a one-time basis. This is a great opportunity to make a positive impact on young people.

Topic-Specific Descriptions

Substance Abuse Educators:

Description: Share your knowledge and help prevent substance abuse! As an UP! Huddle Speaker specializing in Substance Abuse Education, you'll deliver a 20-minute presentation to youth, providing age-appropriate education on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. You'll also offer support and resources for families dealing with these issues.

Resilience Coaches:

Description: Empower youth to bounce back from challenges! As an UP! Huddle Speaker focusing on Resilience Coaching, you'll deliver a 20-minute presentation teaching children how to develop resilience and a growth mindset. Use activities and discussions to help participants learn to overcome challenges.

Self-Care Advocates:

Description: Promote healthy habits and well-being! As an UP! Huddle Speaker specializing in Self-Care Advocacy, you'll deliver a 20-minute presentation promoting healthy habits like mindfulness, exercise, and relaxation techniques. You might also lead a short session on stress management or relaxation exercises.

Mental Health Advocates:

Description: Raise awareness and support mental well-being! As an UP! Huddle Speaker specializing in Mental Health Advocacy, you'll deliver a 20-minute presentation raising awareness about mental health resources and providing referrals when needed. You will support participants in understanding and addressing mental health challenges. This one-time speaking opportunity is from 4-5 PM on a Wednesday.

Digital Citizenship/Social Media Safety:

Description: Help teens navigate the digital world safely and responsibly! As an UP! Huddle Speaker focusing on Digital Citizenship, you'll deliver a 20-minute presentation covering topics like online safety, responsible social media use, cyberbullying prevention, and protecting their digital reputation.

Goal Setting/Time Management:

Description: Help teens achieve their dreams! As an UP! Huddle Speaker specializing in Goal Setting & Time Management, you'll deliver a 20-minute presentation teaching effective goal-setting strategies and time management skills. Equip them with tools to prioritize, stay organized, and achieve their objectives.

Healthy Relationships:

Description: Help teens build positive and healthy relationships! As an UP! Huddle Speaker specializing in Healthy Relationships, you'll deliver a 20-minute presentation covering topics like communication skills, respect, boundaries, recognizing unhealthy relationships, and building strong connections.

Community Involvement/Volunteerism:

Description: Inspire teens to make a difference! As an UP! Huddle Speaker specializing in Community Involvement, you'll deliver a 20-minute presentation highlighting the importance of community engagement and volunteerism. Share opportunities for teens to get involved and make a positive impact in their community.

Job/Career Exploration Speakers:

Description: Inspire future success! As an UP! Huddle Speaker specializing in Job/Career Exploration, you'll deliver a 20-minute presentation to teens, sharing your own career journey – what you do in your current role, the path you took to get there, and the education and training required. You'll then open the floor for a Q&A session, answering teens' questions about your career and offering personalized advice. Help them explore their options and prepare for the workforce by sharing your real-world experiences.

Secondary Education/Post-High School Options Speakers:

Description: Help teens plan for their future! As an UP! Huddle Speaker focusing on Secondary Education/Post-High School Options, you'll deliver a 20-minute presentation covering topics like college applications, trade schools, apprenticeships, financial aid, and other post-high school pathways. Empower them to make informed decisions about their next steps.