Nature and Purpose
The West End House Boys and Girls Club offers life shaping opportunities to immigrant and urban children and teens. Through caring relationships with trusted adults, as well as experiences and instruction in Education & Technology; Sports, Fitness & Nutrition; Leadership & Life Skills and Visual & Performing Arts, our members receive the guidance and support needed to grow into strong, healthy, self-sufficient adults.
Our dedicated staff:
Nuture our members, creating a sense of safety and trust, helping kids develop a positive identity.
Encourage our members to try new things and open their minds to new ideas. Members leave with important skills, a sense of civic responsibility, and a strong moral compass.
Challenge our members physically, intellectually, and creatively, building their confidence and self-esteem and equiping them with life-long healthy habits.
In 2002, The Club completed a $7.5 million renovation & expansion, creating the new positive place for kids where members enjoy a state-of-the-art technology lab, areas for individual and small-group educational activities, a performing arts studio, expanded space for visual arts, a separate section devoted exclusively to teen programs, and a commercial kitchen with dining space for members. The renovated facility, named the Lewis & Gordon Center and featuring the Louis I. Kane Youth Leadership Center, now serves more than 1,000 children and teens each year.
Tasks
PULSE volunteers will spend their time at the Club within two facets; first being assigned to a specific program and second serving as general club volunteer, building positive relationships with our members. The first semester will be spent developing relationships with members and working closely with a staff member getting connected to a program. Some programs may include but are not limited too: Girls/Boys Group, Reading Club, Teen Education, Sports, and Music Lessons. Most programs meet weekly for an hour and consist of discussions, games, and hand-on activities. Second semester will be spent helping to improve relationships with club members and contributing to the curriculum development of the program they have been assigned.
PULSE volunteers spend their scheduled hours in their programs, helping to plan activities with staff and assisting in the different core areas fo the Club. The general volunteer time will consist of helping with homework, playing ping pong, creating art, or shooting hoops. We have specific needs for volunteers that are willing to step out of the comfort zone and try new things. In all cases, PULSE students will be asked to participate in as many activities as they can, to learn about the members and the community within the Club and to assist us with providing services and activities that enhance and promote youth development.
Time Requirements
PULSE students will be asked to provide a minimum of eight hours per week between 2:00pm and 8:00pm, with a schedule designed to maximize the contact with the assigned child and family and still be conducive to the PULSE student's academic schedule.
Supervision
The PULSE students will have access to program directors, based upon the specific core area that they are assigned to. In addition, we will host bi-weekly group meetings to discuss the placement, the process and any issues that arise. At all times PULSE students will have and be encouraged to utilize access to the Club administrative leaders for supervision or informational purposes.
Supervisor
Jenny Nute, Program Director
Address
105 Allston Street
Allston, MA 02134
617-787-4044 ex. 24
www.westendhouse.org
Council Member
Scott Landay