| Last updated on February 5, 2008 |
 90% of brain development occurs before we're 3-years-old. By giving a young child your undivided attention as a Sheltering Arms Play Buddy, you help them to see the connection between block building and math, between feeding fish and science, between hearing a story and learning to read. Play Buddies mentor and play alongside children ages 0-5 as they participate in classroom activities designed to teach them the skills they need to be ready for school. Under the supervision of a trained early childhood teacher, Play Buddies give children the additional one-on-one attention and adult friendship that reinforces their self-esteem and that helps them to broaden their learning. Volunteers are needed at all 16 of our metro Atlanta locations. Ongoing volunteers must be at least 16 years old, or if younger, must volunteer with an adult. All volunteers must complete a volunteer application, and must present a criminal records check and TB test results. No experience is necessary. Training provided by Sheltering Arms. This opportunity is sponsored by: Sheltering Arms Early Education & Family Centers
This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers
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| Adults (26-54) |
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Small Group (2-10) |
| Adults (55+) |
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Unpaid Interns |
| Individual |
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Young Adults (18-25) |
| Large Group (11+) |
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Contact Person:
Angel Paschall, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Address:
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385 Centennial Olympic Park Drive
Atlanta, GA 30313
(See a map) |
Directions:
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From the north, take I75/85 to downtown to the Williams Street exit. Turn right onto Alexander and then right onto Centennial Olympic Park Drive. Our headquarters is a block up on your right, across from the local police precinct.
Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Civic Center,
Walk distance (in minutes): 5 |
This opportunity can also be performed in these locations:
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| Atlanta |
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Decatur |
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| Counties: |
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| Clayton |
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Cobb |
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Dekalb |
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| Douglas |
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Fulton |
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Gwinnett |
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| Rockdale |
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Web Site: http://www.shelteringarmsforkids.com
Additional Information
| Is this opportunity in a handicapped accessible facility? |
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Yes
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| What county is this volunteer opportunity located within? |
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Fulton
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Have you volunteered with this opportunity?
Log your hours online
Volunteer Reflections
Post Your Own!
Overall Experience 
A Joy.
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Although I had volunteered for small amounts of time at Shelter Arms before, this summer my time spent there impacted me more and has been nothing less than a joy in my life. When I first came to volunteer back in June, my mind filled with expectations and hesitancy. However, once I entered inside and was greeted with a beautiful smile from Aurora, my expectations and hesitancy melted away into the hot summer, and starting every day of my volunteering with that familiar, genuine smile never failed to brighten my day.
Much to my surprise that smile was not the only thing that cheered up each of my days at Sheltering Arms because following it I was greeted with hugs in Room 1 by Miss. Kimesha and Mrs. Ineta. These outstanding women not only taught me so much about caring for the infants in the room, but they taught me life lessons that I will never forget. Their investment in the children showed even on the days when the children seemed to take turns crying one after the other and diaper changing never ended.
One of my favorite visits which exemplifies Miss. Kimesha's and Mrs. Ineta's investment came in mid July. After putting so much time into teaching Gavin to walk, he took his first steps. If someone had been standing outside the room or even close to its vicinity, they would have thought a baseball player just hit a grand slam to win the World Series from the cheering that erupted, yet that was not the case. Nonetheless, Gavin had taken his first steps and as he stood awestruck Miss. Kimesha, Mrs. Ineta, and I cheered, hugged, and high-fived in celebration. I had not invested half the time they had in teaching Gavin to walk, but I understood the joy of teaching at that moment better than I can even put into words. I think those moments supply them with the energy to keep loving and teaching these infants because despite my small investment in his first steps, I smiled the whole way home that day thinking about it.
Moreover, each of the seven children and two teachers in Room 1 brought the joy of teaching to me beyond that one day. On some days, it was Destiny's smile beneath her five pig tails or Hisam's never-ending hugs that enhanced my happiness. Other days my smile came from the way Miguel would sit on the floor with a huge smile rocking himself back and forth completely content and how Marco curled up into my arms after he woke up from a nap. When Kyrah spilled more of her drink on herself than she got in her mouth and Abraham walked around like he owned the classroom, the same joy filled my heart, and of course Gavin's first steps made my heart leap. Forever ingrained in my memory are Mrs. Ineta's heartfelt words of wisdom that she spoke to Miss. Kimesha and me which reaffirmed my love of teaching. Last but certainly not least, Miss. Kimesha not only spent time with me each day I volunteered but she opened up her heart and mind to me. Never in the time I spent at Sheltering Arms this summer did I expect to leave with such a close friend, but through Miss. Kimesha's open heart and mind that is what I have found.
Beyond all my expectations, Sheltering Arms has had an amazing impact on my life. I can now say with confidence and experience why I want to become a teacher, and this joyful experience will only provide extra fuel for me to finish my last two years of college to gain my teaching licensure. As I now leave to head back to school, I know that when I answer the question, "What did you do this summer?" over and over that I will have a rave review of Sheltering Arms and the people of Room 1 to give to them. While my time at Sheltering Arms may have only been a fraction of my summer, its impact will not be forgotten, and I cannot wait to get back when I come home for Christmas.
posted by nelsmc3 on September 16, 2005 |
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