How Can I Help?

There are a number of ways to make a very real difference in the lives of children served by the Coalition and we welcome your interest (click on any of the following): as a mentor or academic coach, as a general volunteer, as a concerned business and/or as a donor.

As A Mentor Or Academic Coach

student We rely on volunteers to provide support for area school children.

We expect participants to take this work seriously and only begin if the intent is to follow through with the student(s) for the entire year.

The length and frequency of sessions vary depending on the needs of the child and your availability.

Both mentors and academic coaches require establishing a strong and understanding relationship with the child.

If you choose this path, here are some things you can expect to do:

Complete an application and background check.
Participate in an interview and orientation.
Attend trainings through the Coalition and/or your member agency.
Meet with the student on a set schedule that you help to create.
Continue to communicate with the member agency regarding your relationship and the progress of the student.

Anyone who would like to make a difference in a child's life is encouraged to contact us. Schedules are flexible, and the rewards are endless. To apply:

Download instructions for applicants

Fill out an application online and send via email or print it out and mail it to us.

Or call Elisabeth Bocklet at 252-5936.

As A General Supporter/Volunteer

Even if you can’t work directly with a child at this time there are some important things you can do to support our work. Contact our staff to discuss your skills and interests within the Coalition. Some examples:

Serve on our events team – planning special events throughout the year to celebrate the children and our volunteers as well as to raise money for our work.
Introduce us to your friends – we are always looking for ways to tell others about our program. You can invite us to speak at a civic group meeting or in a faith community that you belong to.
Help us with data entry and office work – it’s not the most glamorous of jobs but it is essential to the quality of our operation.
Become a donor – our work is made possible through the support of individuals, businesses and foundations. Click here to learn more.

As A Concerned Business Or Community Leader

student Your business or community group can support the work of our coalition by becoming a Partner Organization. Scroll below into significant roles you can play by encouraging staff members to become volunteers, sponsoring students, providing in-kind support or helping us create special projects.

Encouraging staff members to become mentors or academic coaches

We welcome you, as CEO or appointed employee, to work with us in recruiting volunteers from your organization to become volunteers. You can then feature your organization’s collaboration with the Coalition in your newsletters and other media.

EXAMPLE: The National Climatic Data Center became Coalition Partners in 2002. As a result, several employees have served as mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters, an Education Coalition member agency. The Center has invited our staff to numerous speaking engagements, further widening our circle of community relationships.

Becoming a sponsor of students

We welcome you, as CEO or appointed employee, to work with us in recruiting people from your organization to become active volunteers. You can then feature your organization’s collaboration with the Coalition in your newsletters and other media.

Providing in-kind support

Your business or community group may have access to tools, materials, or skills that could help us with our work. We invite you to contact our staff to find ways we can partner to make a difference.

EXAMPLE: Cheryl Smith is the owner and founder of DataSmith Inc. Over the last year and a half Cheryl has donated over 50 hours of her time in support of the Education Coalition, helping us create an excellent database that’s saved us over $4200.

Exploring ways to help us create special projects that benefit the program

There are a wealth of ideas that can spin out of thoughtful planning sessions which we would enjoy setting up and involving individuals from your organization and our staff.

EXAMPLE: This year UNCA asked all who attended its staff holiday party to bring a new children’s book to the event. Afterwards Education Coalition staff distributed the books to program participants and organizational sites.

Getting a return for your investment

The Education Coalition will promote your organization through newsletters and other widely-distributed media as well as through television, radio, and/or newspapers.

Studies show that employee volunteer programs:

Build team spirit
Improve your ability to attract and keep high-quality employees
Enhance company image
Heighten employee morale

To discuss options or to develop your Partnership Agreement contact staff.

As A Donor

student We invite you to sponsor a child in our program.

Your 100% tax-deductible investment will support the Coalition as we coordinate our community wide effort.

Working with our schools to identify the children who need support.
Recruiting and training volunteers.
Pairing children and volunteers with a Coaltiion Partner Agency and to supporting the Coalition Partners as they develop stronger programs and enhance best practices.
Offsetting costs at our Coalition Partner sites - from paper to snacks to transportation.

Method of support

Cash
Check
Pledge (Form)
On Line Donation
In-Kind Donation

Sponsorship levels

$1000 and higher – Cum Laude
A gift of $1,000 ensures a child is matched with mentor or academic coach and served for an entire school year
$500 - $999 – Dean’s List
Providing a mentor or academic coach for an identified student for five or more months of the school year
$100 – $499 – High Honors
Providing a mentor or academic coach for one student for one or more months of the school year
Up to $99 – Honors
Providing for one group volunteer training session