Above / Alive Center is located at 500 West 5th Avenue, behind Naperville North High School off Mill Street.
In collaboration with Respite Endowment Organization, the Alive Center in Naperville has announced a new program for parents of children with special needs, ages 14 and under.
The new initiative, REOrg Respite Program, enlists teen volunteers during one Sunday afternoon per month, for three hours, to provide parents with a much-needed rest break. Along with staff, Teen Care Mentors will volunteer to participate in interactive activities with the children to create a fun, safe and inclusive environment.
Caring Teen Mentor Volunteers will provide one-on-one oversight while parents take an afternoon “time out,” according to Becky Bundy, founder of Respite Endowment Organization, a nonprofit service agency dedicated to providing rest gifts, education and opportunities to parents of children with special needs.
Kandice Hemming said the idea started at an Exchange Club of Naperville Allocations Luncheon earlier this year.
“We have the space and we’re eager to see it filled,” said Hemming. “We hope to be the hub for teen and youth activities. And Becky’s idea for the respite program seems like a perfect fit.”
Teen Care Mentor Requirements & Training
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Respite Endowment Organization is a nonprofit service agency dedicated to providing rest gifts, education and opportunities to parents of children with special needs. Must be able to commit to a minimum of six dates within a 9-month period.
- Attend 4-hour REST (Rest Education Support Tools) certification training course prior to you first volunteer experience. (Training provided by a grant to REOrg from the Rotary Club of Naperville-Downtown).
- Become familiar with their paired child and family in his/her care by reading family form and attend brief, before program, 20-minute monthly staff meeting and talk to parents at drop-off/pick-ups.
- Engage in meaningful activities, providing one-on-one and group interactions designed by Special Recreation Therapist.
- Provide physical and emotional well-being for your assigned care friend during program.
- Be familiar with volunteer guidelines and Respite Program’s policies and procedures.
- Communicate thoughtfully with parents upon drop off and arrival.
- Be polite, on time and get along with others.
- Submit three verifiable references. (References must not be distant relatives or immediate family members.)
Benefits
- REST Program certification as Champion Care Worker/Personal Support Workers
- Internship opportunities as intake coordinators, social service, customer service and more with the REOrg and The Alive Center partnership program.
- Community service hours and practical application hours to put towards college resume and future skilled work on resume.
For more info…
To introduce the Teen Care Mentors Program, REOrg hosted a “table” at the recent KidsMatter Volunteer Fair and Bundy credits The Alive Center and School District 203 with helping to spread the word.
Bundy added, ” We are so grateful for the grant Rotary Downtown endowed us.”
To learn more about the application, reference requirements and to receive a volunteer handbook, contact Becky Pundy at becky@respiteendowment.org. For more information about REOrg, visit respiteendowment.org.
Alive Center is located at 500 West 5th Avenue, behind Naperville North High School off Mill Street.
To inquire about available space at the Alive Center, contact Henning at (630) 778-6093.
