June is fast approaching and as the days of May go by, students
across the South Valley are counting down to the pot of gold at the
end of the rainbow: summer vacation.
June is fast approaching and as the days of May go by, students across the South Valley are counting down to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow: summer vacation.
Aaah, summer vacation. For younger students, it generally means summer camps, longer hours at day care or more time spent at home with a parent. For area teens, it often means three months of sleeping late, watching hours of mindless television and … inevitable boredom.
Even the most enterprising teens might find themselves listless and searching for something to do with three months worth of free time looming ahead.
But fear not! Teens can not only keep boredom at bay, they can also give back to their community by spending some time doing volunteer work this summer, just like 14-year-old Morgan Hill resident Maria Montoya.
“Every Monday I go to (James Boccardo Family Living Center in San Martin) for two hours and I help the kids there do their homework,” said Montoya, who has been volunteering at the center since the fall. “I started going because I had to do community service for school, and now I keep going because I really like it. I get a lot out of it and when I finish for the day, I feel like I really helped someone.”
During summer, Montoya said she’ll help kids who have summer school work and do any other projects she can help with at the center.
Teenage volunteers can do plenty at the center, which provides support and temporary housing to individuals and families trying to transition from homelessness to a permanent home, as well as emergency shelter to migrant workers along with living skills classes and English lessons, said Patricia Vazquez, program manager at the center.
“Teens can help with tutoring, child care, answering phones, playing with kids and helping with their activities; they can help with computers and all kinds of things,” Vazquez said. “This facility relies heavily on the work of volunteers, and the more people we have helping, the better.”
Many teenagers, such as Montoya, have volunteered in the past with great success.
“I’d definitely encourage other teens to volunteer,” Montoya said. “They should just go in with a positive attitude, be prepared for anything, and they’ll probably get a great response, have a lot of fun and get a lot out of it.”
Looking for a place to volunteer? Try calling your church, library or chamber of commerce for ideas or try one of these organizations:
– Live Oak Adult Day Care in Gilroy, (408) 847-5491.
Teens and children of any age are welcome to come to the center a few times a week and visit with the seniors, said Cheryl Huguenor, program director. Teens can bring in their pets, do sing-alongs, talk about recent trips they’ve taken, play piano or read with seniors. Teens can also do things one-on-one with seniors, such as puzzles or play checkers, or they can simply sit and chat.
– Santa Clara County Animal Shelter in San Martin, (408) 686-3900.
Must be 16 to volunteer.
– San Benito County Animal Shelter in Hollister, (831) 636-4320.
Must be 18 to volunteer.
– Gilroy Museum, (408) 846-0446.
Teens can help museum staff go through old newspapers and record vital statistics of historical figures, including the dates of their birth, marriage and death, said Tom Howard, museum assistant. The statistics eventually need to be entered into a data base. Older teens preferred.
– St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Shop in Hollister, (831) 637-7998.
Teens can sort and price donated items, work the cash register and visit with customers. Bilingual teens are encouraged to volunteer to help translate and work with Spanish-speaking customers, said Alice Reed, president of St. Vincent DePaul. A two-hour per week minimum commitment is required.
– Henry Coe State Park in South Santa Clara County, (408) 779-2728.
With more than 400 trails and fire roads, the folks at Henry Coe could use help picking up litter around the park. Teens can also help fix fence lines, paint, make other minor repairs, fix up campgrounds, do some gardening and other tasks to keep the park in top shape, said Randy Neufeld, Gavilan sector maintenance chief.
– Pet Friends in Hollister, (831) 634-1191.
Teens can play with the cats, and walk dogs when they’re in the shelter. There are also general chores, such as cleaning the facilities, sweeping kennels and grooming the animals, said Sharon Boardman, caretaker. Teens younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
– WERC in Morgan Hill, (408) 779-9372.
After training, the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center will let teens prepare diets for baby birds, help feed animals in residence and clean out enclosures. Teens can learn about how native animals are treated when injured and how they are released again, said Sue Howell, executive director. Volunteer applications are available on their Web site, www.werc-ca.org.
– San Benito County Saddle Horse Association, (831) 628-3545.
Around rodeo time, which is June 22-24, the Saddle Horse Association needs help setting up tables and chairs, monitoring the children’s area and directing traffic, said Ann Strickland, who coordinates the rodeo.
– The Lord’s Table/St. Joseph’s Family Center in Gilroy, (408) 842-2205.
Teens can help collect and distribute food in the food pantry, prepare and serve hot meals to seniors at Wheeler Manor, as well as office work, such as data input and filing, said David Cox, executive director. Volunteer applications and information is available online at www.stjosephsgilroy.org. Teens younger than 16 need adult supervision.
– Learning and Loving Education Center in Morgan Hill, (408) 776-1196.
While parents are learning computer skills or taking English classes, teens can spend some time in the facility’s preschool playing with children, reading to them and assisting regular staff.
– The Health Trust in Santa Clara County and Jovenes De Antano in San Benito County, (408) 961-9807, (831) 637-9275.
Teens can put together personal cards and letters, individually wrapped baked goods or small care packages of travel-sized soaps, shampoos and lotions for seniors in your area. Then drop them off with one of these two organizations and they’ll be distributed along with Meals on Wheels. In Santa Clara County, teens can also ride along with regular Meals on Wheels drivers and have the chance to visit with seniors, said Renee Kellythorne, Meals on Wheels director.
– San Benito County Free Library’s Adult Literacy Program, (831) 636-4107
Teens can help adults who want to improve their English reading and writing abilities by offering their services as tutors. Must be at least 18.
