Valley of the Sun United Way

2024 Read Across America March 1 - March 6

** PRE-REGISTRATION **

By signing up through this link, you are opting in to receive email updates on this future opportunity. Please note this is a pre-registration link, and not a commitment to volunteer.

Save the date(s) to join us for a week of service and engagement with our Title 1 schools to read to the kiddos! Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child, everywhere to celebrate reading on March 2nd, the birthday of the spectacular children's author Dr. Seuss. And, throughout the week of March 1 - 6, we will be heading out to schools throughout the valley to bring in some fun storytelling to kids ranging in grades PreK to 3rd!

This will be our second year back in the classroom and this opportunity is great for teams or anyone who wants to share their love of reading!

2024 MLK Jr. Week of Service - January 16 - 20

**PRE-REGISTRATION**

By signing up through this link, you are opting in to receive email updates on this future opportunity. Please note this is a pre-registration link, and not a commitment to volunteer.

Save the date(s)! Throughout the week of January 16 - 20 we are lining up some exciting volunteer opportunities in honor of Martin Luther King Jr's birthday and the National Holiday. Martin Luther King Jr. was a social activist and community leader who, with his grand vision and voice, changed the lives of millions, and what better way to honor is legacy than to serve YOUR community?

This would be ideal for corporate partners for team building or for anyone who wants to come out and serve the community during this week!

Help Valley of the Sun United Way Distribute School Success Kits 

We invite you to join VSUW at the Phoenix Community ToolBank to help distribute our School Success Kits (SSKs).

SSKs are designed for children ages 5 to 6 as a guide to help families support their children’s development while in Kindergarten. These kits have been built and are now, with your help, are being distributed to the schools and programs we partner with throughout Maricopa County.

Phoenix Community Toolbank:

3531 E. Corona Ave Phoenix, AZ 85040

Make Dog Toys for VSUW!

As humankind’s loyal and steadfast friend, dogs emotionally support their pack. One of the ways we, as their family, support them back is by helping them stay active so they don’t get bored. Toys at the pet store can be expensive, and for some families getting to the store is a challenge.

Make an upcycled toy for our furry friends in need with a few old t-shirts and a “paws” in your day, you can make this quick and easy upcycled toy for a furry community friend

HERE’S HOW:

Grab 2-3 t-shirts ready to recycle and some scissors to quickly fashion this t-shirt dog toy for the furry members of local families.

1.) Start by cutting little 2 – 3” wide slits from the bottom of the shirt toward the neck 2.) After you’ve cut your slits, just rip along the slit and your t-shirt will have the perfect strips of fabric for the next step. 3.) Gather your t-shirt strips and tie off one end. 4.) Divide your strips into thirds and braid them together. 5.) Once you’ve braided down to the end, tie it up to finish it off and cut any straggling t-shirt strips

Please send or drop off completed materials to:

Valley of The Sun United Way

3200 E. Camelback Rd Ste 375

Phoenix, AZ 85018

Make Encouragement Cards for VSUW!

 Shower students with encouragement cards - part of Valley of the Sun United Way’s Pantry Packs program.

Join us to make a difference!

Valley of the Sun United Way created the Pantry Packs program to serve local children and their families. Pantry Packs have a set menu of “shelf-stable pantry items” that help families stretch their food dollars.

Help nourish a child’s mind and inspire them to do their best every day. Create cards with positive phrases like “Keep it Up”, “You Rock”, and more to show that a caring adult knows they will succeed. Cards should be gender and religious neutral, glitter free and should not make reference to economic status. These cards are tucked away into pantry packs!

Make Encouragement Bookmarks for VSUW!

 Students can have a positive experience opening a book with an encouragement bookmark from you!

For kids who are working to grow their literacy skills, reading can be frustrating. With some kind words and knowing that someone believes in them every time they open a book, reading can be made fun again! Reading for pleasure and interest will help a child to develop reading skills and will give a child the opportunity to practice these skills in meaningful ways.

Please send or drop off completed materials to:

Valley of The Sun United Way

3200 E. Camelback Rd Ste 375

Phoenix, AZ 85018

Write Letters to Seniors with VSUW!

Join us in writing notes to seniors to brighten their day!

Social distancing is affecting us all but can be especially hard if you are away from family and friends completely. You can help brighten someone’s day by writing a note, drawing a picture, or sending a card and let someone know you are thinking about them. Making a difference can be so simple, yet it can be incredibly impactful!

Please send or drop off completed materials to:

Valley of The Sun United Way

3200 E. Camelback Rd Ste 375

Phoenix, AZ 85018

Mentor for Youths this fall with Future for Kids!!

 **Posted on behalf of our partners at Future for Kids**

Please see the table below and please “register” here if you are interested and we will forward your interest to Future for Kids – they will be in touch with next steps!

Future for kids is looking for some after school mentors for students across the valley. Their Program “Discover Your Future” is a mentor-driven program, serving youth who face adversity in an engaging setting!

Volunteer Impact:

• Form a bond with youth by serving as a mentor
• Enrich the lives of youth who face adversity through providing a consistent and caring relationship
• Work in small groups with elementary students grads 3-6
• Serve as a positive role model and promote resiliency

Specific Ways in which you will work with our Kids:

• Facilitate ethics discussions on topics such as: Trust, respect, responsibility, caring, and citizenship
• Assist small groups of youth with brain-stimulating academic activities (Including STEM activities)
• Assist with fitness and athletic activities such as: football, obstacle courses, yoga, basketball…and many more!
• All activities are provided and prepared in advance for you!

 Mentorship Commitment:

• Mentoring 2.5 hours, once a week for a semester (or school year)
  • Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Phoenix, Glendale, Tolleson
• Program runs Monday through Thursday at 16 different sites throughout the valley during the afterschool hours (Ranging 12pm – 6pm)
• One time training provided/required

Locations:

VELLO Reading Program

Save the Dates:

Tuesday, September 5th - VELLO Virtual Training (9 am AZ time)

October (varies) - Sessions with Students begin!

The VELLO reading program offers volunteers an easy way to read with kids and make a big impact. No previous teaching or tutoring experience is required! Volunteers will provide 1:1 reading support for 30min each week to 1st- 3rd grade students in Maricopa County. You can volunteer from anywhere with an Internet connection; office/work place, home, laptop, PC, etc.

• 30 minute online training and online background check required
• Time commitment: 30min, once each week or so.
• Choose your own schedule!
• No experience necessary!
• Tutoring set to start early October 2023.

Visit Vello.org to learn more and check out our cool videos.

VELLO Reading Program

Save the Dates:

Wednesday, September 20th - VELLO Virtual Training (9 am AZ time)

October (varies) - Sessions with Students begin!

The VELLO reading program offers volunteers an easy way to read with kids and make a big impact. No previous teaching or tutoring experience is required! Volunteers will provide 1:1 reading support for 30min each week to 1st- 3rd grade students in Maricopa County. You can volunteer from anywhere with an Internet connection; office/work place, home, laptop, PC, etc.

• 30 minute online training and online background check required
• Time commitment: 30min, once each week or so.
• Choose your own schedule!
• No experience necessary!
• Tutoring set to start in October 2023.

Visit Vello.org to learn more and check out our cool videos.