GRACE (Girls Rule! Accepting, Caring, Empowering)
Committee/Council Description:
First Year Active Members Eligible
GRACE volunteers plan and lead mentoring programs for at-risk girls ages 12 to 18 residing at the Methodist Children's Home. These mentoring workshops are designed to build self-esteem, stimulate self-respect, promote values, inspire healthy choices, and encourage steps toward independent living. Through a series of planned programs and activities, volunteers introduce and reinforce topics such as family budgeting, balancing a checkbook, meal planning, grocery shopping, interviewing skills, table manners, etiquette, personal safety, cultural activities, responsible use of credit, internet safety, etc. The young people served by Methodist Children's Home (MCH) have not typically had much exposure to civic, cultural, or enrichment opportunities, so they benefit greatly from programs and activities that reinforce the workshop topics.
Hours:
50 - 59 Hours
Availabilities:
Evening
Seasons:
Year Round
Skills:
Advancing diversity, equity and inclusion
Coaching and mentoring
Cultural competency
Emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills
Relationship building and networking
Community Issue Area (if applicable):
Social Development
Community Partners (if applicable):
Methodist Children's Home
For more information about Methodist Children's Home, please visit www.mchms.org.
Specific Job Responsibilities of Placement:
GRACE volunteers plan and implement educational programs at the MCH's Main Campus. The project meets every other Tuesday evening from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm during the school year with occasional field trips and other activities on weekends or other weekdays. Preparation time is self-determined. Programming may include an evening meal, but it will not be necessary on every occasion.
Committee Meeting Details:
As a volunteer on the GRACE project, you must meet the following requirements in order to complete your project placement and receive project credit for the year. If you have any questions or cannot meet the requirements as described, please contact the Placement Chair at placement@jljackson.org for further direction.
Note: The following list is an outline of the project requirements. As needs arise, this list may be modified or expounded upon in order to properly complete the project for the Community Partner.
- Attend project orientation.*
- Attend cultural competency training.*
- Complete your online project evaluation and online placement evaluation upon project conclusion.*
- Participate in and attend one (1) evening project meeting each month, on-site, at Methodist Children's Home located in Clinton (dates TBA).
- Attend two (2) field trips on Saturdays (dates TBA).
- Coordinate and prepare activities and/or speakers; serve dinner during one (1) project meeting.
Orientation or Training Details:
- Attend project orientation. (date and time TBA)
- Attend cultural competency training.
- Complete your online project evaluation and online placement evaluation upon project conclusion.
- A required orientation meeting (including approximately two hours of training and an overview with MCH staff regarding existing programming and special needs) will be held prior to the start of the project (date TBA).
Important Information:
A signed confidentiality statement is required to comply with regulations for working with children in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
Volunteers attend one (1) evening project meeting each month, on-site, at Methodist Children's Home located in Clinton.
Volunteers attend two (2) field trips on Saturdays (dates TBA).
Volunteers are required to participate in a post-project evaluation and celebration on an evening in the Spring of 2023 (date TBA).
"I adore working with the young women at Methodist Children's Home. They are an amazing group of young women who have been put through hardships that no child should have to endure. Despite all that they have suffered, they are still children who are in need of love and support, just like any other adolescent. There is nothing more rewarding than spending time with them, getting to know them, and allowing them to touch our lives."
For more information, contact 2022-2023 Project Chair, Jessica McGehee at jessicabuntingmcgehee@gmail.com
