GHS: Community Service Program Opportunities 2012-2013

The Gateway Community Service program has a dual purpose. First, service learning is intended to give students opportunities to grow personally through serving others. Participating in service projects give students opportunities to gain a sense of empathy, work cooperatively with others, develop leadership qualities, and build communications skills. Second, service learning is an important component of the Gateway School District’s effort to accomplish its mission to create “productive citizens in a diverse and changing world.” Involvement in service projects enhances civics education. By participating in service activities students are introduced to problems and challenges individuals, communities, and the world encounter. Moreover, by working toward addressing these challenges students are exposed to the working of government as well as the democratic process of establishing priorities for legislation and funding. These practical lessons are an important component of encouraging students to be active, engaged and informed citizens.

Program Description:

Students, faculty, coaches, activities sponsors, support staff, and administrators can participate in the Gateway High School Community Service Program in a variety of ways. Students may embrace several service activities sponsored and coordinated by various clubs, school organizations, sports teams, academic departments and individual teachers. For example, the Gateway High School Interact Club is actively involved in several service projects that all students are free to join. Further, individual teachers may promote projects that are open to general student participation. Players and coaches on sports teams may engage in service projects as a team. Clubs or class councils may also embrace projects. The Community Service Coordinator, Mr. Shawn Whelan will support these activities by providing information about opportunities, connecting Gateway stake holders with community agencies such as the local hospitals, and by helping with arrangements and logistics. Students may also participate in the program by seeking opportunities directly through churches, local or national nonprofits or other service providing organizations. In these situations,! the Community Service Coordinator can provide support, advice and a system of recording activities and hours of participation.
The Community Service Coordinator will also provide support and encouragement to faculty, coaches, activities sponsors, support staff, and administrators who might like to lead a service project with their students, team, club or other student group. This includes suggested activities, logistical support and record keeping.

Community Service Opportunities

Care Communities

Like to read, write, sketch, paint, knit, perform, sing, play games, or make things? Monroeville is home to ten or more facilities that provide nursing care and long-term assistance. Programming is the most pressing need of the centers’ activity directors, with the particular challenge of serving populations that are diverse in interest, ability, and age – teens, elderly people, and all ages in between.
Monroeville Public Library, in partnership with local care centers, is looking for volunteers to share their interests and skills. You don’t need to be “talented” – just willing to share the things you’re enthusiastic about.
Volunteers are needed on a one-time or ongoing basis.
Need some ideas?
Like to draw? Do sketches of the residents.
Like to paint? Do a demo and talk about your process.
Like to write? Lead a session on life story/memoir-writing.
Like to sing or perform? Host a sing-along.
Like to play? Run a Scrabble club, play card games like poker or rummy, or do a Game Night with family and friends along.
Like to create? Teach knitting, scrapbooking, cross stitching, crocheting, jewelry-making, or anything crafty.
Like to read? Read aloud one-on-one or to a small group.
Have a group of performers? Sing, dance, or play together to put on a show!
And if you’re a gamer – teach residents the ins and outs of Xbox, PlayStation, and Wii matches!
Contact Marlene Dean at Monroeville Public Library: deanm@einetwork.net or 412-372-0500 ext. 17.

RAMP - Raising Achievement in Monroeville and Pitcairn.

A tutoring program (and more!). RAMP is always looking for volunteer tutors to work w/ various students. Most of the clients of this organization are part of the Gateway community and they are always looking for high school student to tutor and mentor younger students at times that are flexible. If you would like more information contact Mrs. Épryl King at Email eking at Gateway.

Forbes Regional Hospital

There are a variety of meaningful volunteer opportunities available at West Penn Allegheny Health System. Volunteering is a wonderful way to bring happiness into the lives of others, while also feeling good about yourself. The Volunteer Coordinator, Tracey Petras, will help match your talents and interests with the hospital’s needs. Click on the link below to complete a volunteer application. This is a good opportunity for anybody interested in any medical fields. For information contact Tracy Petras @ 412-858-2578. or visit the website at http://www.wpahs.org/volunteer-application

Pitcairn Community Renaissance

This local organization is committed to enhancing Pitcairn by sponsoring clean up days, maintaining gardens and in many other ways. They conduct several big “Burger Blasts” each year and need volunteers to help with set up, distribution, clean up and in other ways. Contact Doug Crothers at 412-613-9374 for volunteer information

Global Links

Global Links provides medical supplies to providers in nine program countries. These supplies are donated by local hospitals. Global Links picks them up and takes them to an office/sorting facility. There, Medical Supply Assistants sort all the donated materials and shelve them by specialty. Then, volunteers sort the supplies by size and type, and check expiration dates. Some items are cleaned and, if necessary, given a fresh coat of paint. Volunteers put sorted supplies into boxes and carefully fill out packing slips for shipment to places that certainly need them. The organization is looking for volunteers to help with sorting and packaging. Both individuals and groups are welcomed and can register using the link below to volunteer one day or regularly. http://www.globallinks.org/get_involved/volunteer.php

Walk Now for Autism Speaks

Autism is complex developmental brain disorder caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. It is characterized, in varying degrees, by social and behavioral challenges, as well as repetitive behaviors. An estimated one in 88 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum – a 1000 percent increase in the past 40 years that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis.
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed over $180 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. Each yearWalk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 95 cities across North America including Pittsburgh.
For the past 13 years students from Gateway have participated in the Pittsburgh Walk Now for Autism Speaks. It is usually held at Heinz Field in early June. However, students register before then and raise money to support the cause of Autism Speaks. On walk day, these funds are brought to the event. Mr. Wallace organizes Gateway’s participation and students may contact him in room 224 or by email Email mwallace at Gateway if interested in participating.
:

Hello from the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship! We hope you have had a happy and healthy start to the New Year.

It’s hard to believe, but the 2013 Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS is just four months away! Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication in making the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS in 2012 a tremendous success. Your support allowed the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship to donate over $500,000 to various charities in the Pittsburgh area.

It is our sincere hope that each of you will join us for another exciting year. Volunteer registration for the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship will open on Tuesday, February 19th. Please carefully read the following updates:

To obtain the Community Service Documentation Form Please ClickHERE