DCS Programs and Coordinators 2008-2009

Spanish Enrichment (Tzouanakis)
Cultural Connections
Student Friend (Deer Meadow)
Student Friend (Ridpath)
Peace Lutheran Teacher's Assistant
Putnam County Humane Society Student Friend (Greencastle Middle School)
Tots Time
You, Me and a Book

A-Way Home Shelter

The A-Way Home Shelter is dedicated to meeting the physical and emotional needs of human beings by recognizing the fundamental rights of every person to shelter, food, clothing, health, and self-determination. DePauw students may volunteer individually or in small groups.  Each student and group is assigned a specific time and date to volunteer.  Service opportunities include working with residents on a one-on-one basis,  sorting and organizing donations, helping with yard work, assisting the director and other staff with duties, general cleaning, preparing meals, and acting as a good role model for the residents.     *This program requires a commitment of 2 volunteer hours every other week and your attendance at an Orientation session held at the site*

For more information contact: Linnea Zielinski

Best Buddies

Best Buddies is an organization that bridges the gap between those with intellectual disabilities and those without. Each member of Best Buddies is paired up with a member of the community who has and intellectual disability and a friendship is built between the pair. The buddies are selected through an interview process so that a suitable match is made between college buddy and community buddy. The friendship built is no different than any other friendship. Buddies go to lunch, dinner, watch movies, call on the telephone, write letters go shopping, and attend parties together. **This program requires a year long commitment.**

For more information contact: Mackenzie Boling

Big Brothers / Big Sisters

Big Brother/Big Sister is an In-School Mentoring program meant to empower youth. It serves the emotional, social, and educational needs of children ages six through seventeen, focusing primarily on Cloverdale Middle School . Volunteers develop friendships with their ‘little brother/sister’ under the supervision of a caseworker. The mentors serve one-on-one as role models for the child, providing guidance and support for them through the challenges of adolescence. Volunteers are expected to meet with their match one hour per week during the school day. **This program requires a year long commitment.** Many DCS volunteers have mentored the same child for several years.

For more information contact: Patrick Legendre

Cultural Connections

Students with diverse experiences visit Putnam County schools and     community organizations to offer a first hand glimpse at life in another culture. Through their presentations, DePauw students help to build a deeper understanding of the value of worldwide education, cooperation, and communication. A variety of events are offered, ranging from individualized presentations that are specifically designed by the volunteers for their various audiences, to setting up exhibits for multicultural and  international festivals at schools throughout Putnam County. Speakers share artifacts, pictures, videos, stories, games, crafts, music and native attire.

For more information contact: NOW HIRING

French Enrichment

The French Enrichment program seeks to enrich the minds of local youth through learning the French foreign language.  Volunteers meet once a week at Central Elementary to lead students in fun and educational activities concerning the French language and culture.  DCS    volunteers need only have a basic knowledge of the language and a willingness to interact with children.  This is a fun way to practice your French and get involved with the community!

For more information contact:Matt Brauer

Gobin After School Enrichment

The After School Enrichment program at Gobin is conducted for local children who need extra help with literacy skills.  Volunteers work with the director to plan appropriate curriculum for each session, tutor one-on-one, lead games and activities, and become a mentor for the children.

*Tutors meet with students two times per week after school.*

For more information contact: Jessica Au

Head Start

Head Start is a federal program for low-income families that offers ½ day preschool, full day/full year daycare, home visiting services, and parent education and involvement.  Volunteers play with children, help teachers prepare materials, assist at mealtimes, and help clean and set up the facility.   Volunteers need to be flexible and patient.

For more information contact: Kristen McMahon

Indianapolis Juvenile Detention Center

The IJDC is a medium security state correctional facility for juvenile males who are between the ages of 12 and 18. The facility consists of ten living units that the boys are assigned to based on risk, age, offenses committed, and histories. The IJDC program is a volunteer mentoring program. It focuses on giving guidance and support to the students at this facility. DCS volunteers and IJDC students often make close connections with one another due to their closeness in age. Volunteers travel to Indianapolis together one evening per week.

For more information contact: Shelby Davidson

One By One (O.B.O.)

The One By One program teams with the internationally recognized ONE Campaign. The ONE Declaration: "We believe that in the best American tradition of helping others help themselves, now is the time to join with other countries in a historic pact for compassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world overcome AIDS and extreme poverty. We recognize that a pact including such measures as fair trade, debt relief, fighting corruption and directing additional resources for basic needs - education, health, clean water, food, and care for orphans - would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the poorest countries, at a cost equal to just one percent more of the US budget. We commit ourselves - one person, one voice, one vote at a time - to make a better, safer world for all." DCS volunteers raise awareness about the horrible consequences of AIDS and poverty, both locally and globally.

For more information contact: Chelsey Jonason

Peace Lutheran Teacher’s Assistant

Peace Lutheran School provides a Christian education for students from Preschool through Fourth Grade. DePauw student volunteers assist in all facets of a school environment with the supervision of a teacher. They help with class projects, reading stories, grading papers, and playing games with the children while encouraging the students to master new skills. A weekly commitment is required. No two days at Peace Lutheran are exactly the same!

For more information contact: Katherine Straus

Putnam County Humane Society

The Humane Society program provides students with a love for animals a place to volunteer. Volunteer opportunities include both traditional and non-traditional roles. Some non-traditional ‘jobs’ include computer help, publicity, fundraising, community education, and volunteer recruiting. Traditional roles include walking, playing with, bathing, and training dogs and cats. Volunteers may also help with adoptions at PetSmart, working on and coordinating rescue transports, and helping with the feral cat program. Service at the shelter can be done any day of the week 9am-5pm . The time schedule for offsite opportunities varies.

For more information contact: Janet Mellenger or Kate Frankenberg

Senior Friend ( Asbury Towers )

This program serves Asbury Towers retirement home and nursing facilities, while providing students with an opportunity to interact with senior citizens, gain new insights in the process of aging, and increase their understanding of individuals who are adjusting to this phase of their lives. Students may choose to develop individual friendships or work with the facility’s activity director to assist with activities. Interaction with residents may include conversing, writing letters, reading to the residents, playing card games, or sharing talents or craft know-how.

For more information contact:Braca Benizry

Spanish Enrichment (Tzounakis/Cloverdale)

The Spanish Enrichment program helps teach beginning Spanish to 3 rd through 5 th grade students at Tzounakis and Cloverdale Elementary schools . Volunteers will receive suggestions for curriculum development as well as access to all necessary materials, such as games, flashcards and worksheets. Volunteers must have experience with the Spanish Language.

For more information contact:

Tzouanakis - Lindsay Sutherlin

Cloverdale - Erin Kielty

Special Student Friend - Greencastle High School

This is a new program designed to serve Greencastle High School students who have special needs. Volunteers are able to work with a student with mild to moderate disabilities or severe disabilities. Activities include counting money, having conversations, playing games, cooking, playing in the park, and many more. Volunteers should be patient, friendly, and ready to have fun. The students are eager for interaction with others and are the most rewarding part of the experience. This program provides great opportunities for future educators, parents, and members of any community. This program requires a one hour a week commitment for one or two semesters.

For more information contact: Kaley Robbins

Special Student Friend - Greencastle Middle School

The Special Student Friend Program at the Greencastle Middle School will focus on serving GMS students with mild disabilities.  The Special Student Friend will spend time with a selected special needs student at the middle school during school hours.  They will engage in such activities as playing board games, helping with homework, practicing appropriate social skills and reading together.

For more information contact: Codanda (Ganga) Devaiah

Special Student Friend - TZ and Deer Meadow

This program serves Greencastle students in grades K through 5 who have varying special needs. DCS volunteers are needed to work one-on-one with the children under the direction of a teacher and social worker. Activities include reading, playing games, and enjoying conversation. Volunteers have the opportunity to provide a positive influence in the lives of these special students, and in turn are rewarded by the exceptional relationships they form.

For more information contact: Shannon Timmons

Sports Night

Sports Night provides the youth of Putnam County the opportunity to participate in enriching sporting activities while building relationships with DePauw students. The program aims to enhance the lives of the children who participate by teaching self-discipline, respect and the value of being a team player. It provides an outlet that enables young people to form relationships with DePauw students while learning about the many benefits of sports. Sports Night is a free program open to all Putnam County 1 st through 5 th graders and is offered once a month while DePauw classes are in session. DCS volunteers will be depended on to provide a fun, safe, and positive environment for the program to take place in.

For more information contact: Katie Veatch

Student Friend (Ridpath, Central/Fillmore, TZ, and Deer Meadow)

Student Friend reaches out to the Putnam County Elementary Schools of Ridpath (K-2), Central (K-6), Fillmore (K-6), Tzouanakis (3-5), and Deer Meadow and offers support systems designed to improve a student’s self-image and motivation. The volunteers meet with students and spend time listening to, talking to, and encouraging the child to build on his or her strengths, while they listen to the child read, work with math flash cards, do simple art projects, play a game, help the child in an academic area, or just talk. *The time commitment at Tzouanakis School is only 30 minutes per week, however students are welcome to volunteer two times a week if their schedules allow*

For more information contact:

Central/Fillmore - Erin Crask

Deer Meadow - Chelsy Patterson

Ridpath - Abigail Wilson

TZ - Stephanie Smith

Student Friend - Greencastle Middle School

DCS is excited to offer a new addition to the Student Friend program at Greencastle Middle School.  The objective of Student Friend is the same: to provide social, emotional and academic support to students by being a friend who is interested in them and their success in school.  A volunteer Student Friend is someone who cares about their student and talks with them about their ideas, thoughts and feelings.  A Student Friend should be a sensitive listener whose objective is to promote personal growth and development through a helping relationship.

For more information contact: Staci Orr

Tots Time

The Tots Time program is held at Gobin Methodist Church and is run in conjunction with Putnam County Family Support Services. Volunteers are needed every Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to Noon to babysit and entertain babies and young children from newborn to 5 years old. DCS volunteers participate in ‘free play,’ crafts, reading, snacks, and other activities. The purpose of this program is to prevent child abuse, allow the children to have fun, and give parents a few hours with free childcare and the opportunity to meet other parents.

For more information contact: Juliana Keller

You, Me and a Book

You, Me and a Book is a weekly program that integrates DCS volunteers and Ridpath Elementary School kindergarten classes with interactive one-on-one reading. Students select books from the library, read with a small group for a short time, and then participate in an activity. Volunteers show young readers that reading is fun and exciting and help these children to feel good about themselves by developing a positive relationship.

For more information contact: Lauren Rees or Melissa Buckley