VolunteerMaine!

Long Creek Youth Development Center is a juvenile corrections facility in southern Maine. Volunteers are needed to act as mentors and as tutors for the residents here. Mentors spend an hour or two a week at the facility meeting with a resident, playing a board game with them, doing a craft, playing ping pong; just doing an activity that promotes pro-social learning and positive adult role modeling. Tutors are needed to assist with literacy and math needs. Also, we have an inhouse college course that utilizes tutors to help the residents with writing papers, understanding and completing assignments and giving support and confidence.

All volunteer candidates must submit an application, 3 names of references and a background check. Volunteers are screened carefully and if chosen, go through orientation and trainiing. Volunteers must be over the age of 18, must have clean background checks and be willing to attend trainings.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Long Creek Youth Development Center

Volunteers will work with the following groups

Law Offenders

We need volunteers who are free at these times

Afternoons Occasional Monthly One-Time

This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers

Adults (26-54) Small Group (2-10) Adults (55+) Unpaid Interns Individual Young Adults (18-25) Service Learning

This volunteer opportunity addresses the following social interests

Arts & Culture Family Violence Children & Youth Health Crime Literacy Cultural Mentoring Services Disabilities Substance Abuse Domestic Violence Support/companion Drug Abuse Tutoring Education & Technology

We are looking for volunteers with the following skills

Advocacy Mentoring Companionship Tutoring Listening

Contact Person:
Maria Dorn, Program Director, (phone), (email)

View all agency contacts

Address:

675 Westbrook St. South Portland, ME 04106 (See a map)

Directions:

From North via I-295: continue south to Exit 3 (Westbrook Street/Airport), turn right onto Westbrook Street. Go Straight (Approximately 4/10 mile) and turn right at the first intersection. Continue approximately 1/2 mile and turn right into the Long Creek Youth Development Center. From South via I-295: continue north on I-295 to the Broadway/South Portland exit. Stay to the right while exiting and turn right on Broadway. At the intersection, turn left onto Westbrook Street. Go straight (approximately 4/10 mile) and turn right at the first intersection. Continue for approximately 1/2 mile and turn right into the Long Creek Youth Development Center. From South via the Maine Trunpike: continue north to Exit 7 (South Portland). After the tollbooth, continue straight and turn right onto the Broadway/South Portland Exit. Stay to the right while exiting and turn right on Broadwasy. At the first intersection, turn left onto Westbrook Street. Go straight(approximately 4/10 mile) and turn right at the first intersection. Continue for approximately 1/2 mile and turn right into the Long Creek Youth Development Center.   Nearest Bus Stop: Redbank/McArthur Circle, .25 mile minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.portlandmaine.worldweb.com/Transportation/PublicTransit

Web Site: http://www.maine.gov

Miscellaneous Information

Average number of hours per volunteer that are required weekly to do this task.
	Negotiable
We need the following number of people to fill this position.
	ongoing

Miscellaneous Information

Can this be done off site via computer (Virtual Volunteering)?
	No
May this opportunity be done by a court mandated volunteer?
	No
Volunteers with special needs may apply for this opportunity
	Physical Disability
This is appropriate for a young volunteer
	Not appropriate for a youth.
May a family with young children do this?
	No
Are you looking for a holiday opportunity?
	Christmas/Hanukkah/Ramadan/Kwanza
Is this a group opportunity for a National or Local Service Day?
	This is NOT a service day opportunity

Overall Experience   
Wonderful learning experience

The experience at the Maine Youth Center (now LCYDC) was an amazing one from start to finish. When I first met with Emmy Brown, I knew this was the right place. She matched me up with 3 different mentees, who were amazing girls, who got caught up with the wrong crowd and made some silly decisions. Those experiences stay with me and have opened my eyes. It was a great experience - I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to help out these young women! posted by Fergwhitney on January 30, 2007