Guide to Volunteering at Schools and After-School Groups for Seniors

Volunteering can be a meaningful way for seniorsto stay active while giving back to their communities. In fact, the beginning of the school year can be the best time to start an ongoing project at a local school or after-school program.

Read on for some of the most common opportunities for seniors interested in volunteering in schools and after-school programs. We will also list a few helpful tips on how to start!

Common Opportunities for Seniors to Volunteer With Students 

Senior school volunteers consist of everyone from retired teachers that want to get back in the classroom for a few hours each week to new grandparents that have recently rediscovered their love for spending time with children. There is a place for everyone in many districts. From tutoring elementary school students that need a bit of extra help with reading or math and serving as a mentor to children that have few positive adult role models in their lives to helping teachers organize their classrooms and chaperoning field trips, many seniors who enjoy working with children and teens can find plenty of ways for their skills and interests to fill needs in nearby schools. 

Many before and after-school programs also provide similar opportunities for using your skills to benefit local children. These programs often see an even greater need for volunteers to supplement the services they can provide than schools do. These programs, which may be run by schools themselves or by third-party organizations, such as your local YMCA, provide a safe solution for children whose parents work beyond the school day. This option provides a supervised environment for students to play, do homework, and spend time with their friends. Senior volunteers can play major roles in increasing the amount of small group or one-on-one attention these programs can provide. 

How to Start 

Interested in volunteering with students in your community? Getting in touch with local schools can be an excellent starting point. Many school districts, individual schools, and other programs provide information about their current volunteer needs on their websites. This can give you an overview of what a volunteer position at a specific school might look like. Try browsing general volunteer websites for positions that involve working with children or talking with local parents about specific needs they know of in their children's schools. This can help you find ideas that interest you. You can also call the specific school or after-school program if you can't find what you are looking for online. 

The process can vary slightly from program to program. However, many volunteer programs begin with filling out basic forms to let the program know a bit more about you. They want to know how you are interested in helping and participating in a short orientation to help you learn about the school's policies and expectations for volunteers. You will also likely need to sign in at the school office each time you arrive, identify which classroom you are going to, and receive a visitor's pass so that the school knows who is in the building at all times. 

At Senior Helpers of Charlotte, we are passionate about connecting seniors in the Charlotte, Pineville, and Concord areas with volunteer opportunities that match their skill sets and interests.Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of volunteering at any age or to explore more local opportunities!