VOICE / SVP Programs
Volunteer Outreach In Communities Everywhere
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VOICE (Volunteer Outreach in Communities Everywhere) and SVP (Summer Volunteer Program) provide structured group community service opportunities to Mercer Island middle and high-school age youth.
Please click on the following links for more information:
*Registration for VOICE/SVP 2012 is CLOSED*
If you are a registered participant, invoices for payment will be mailed to your home address. They are due April 30th. Check your email for more important details about the program!
VOICE / SVP 2012 Program Dates:
March 16th: Online Registration Opens (3pm)
April 16th: Online Registration Closes (3pm) - invoice for payment mailed to home address
April 30th: Payment due
May 2nd: New Volunteer Meeting (7pm - 8:30pm at Mercer Island Community and Event Center)
May 14th: Refund Deadline (5pm)
May 18th: Shiftboard Calendar Opens (3pm)
May 23rd: ALL Paperwork Due (5pm)
June 16: VOICE Orientation (12:30pm - 3pm at Mercer Island Community and Event Center)
June 19: P-Lit Training (Time and details TBD)
June 20: SVP Orientation (Time and details TBD)
August 12th: All-Star Celebration (Time TBD)
August 14th: VOICE/SVP Recognition Event! (Time TBD)
The VOICE /SVP Program offers a ton of ways for you to have fun, to learn, and to grow. Some of the reasons you should join are:
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To DISCOVER YOURSELF! You will experience a wide variety of volunteer activities and become aware of your own personal strengths for future volunteer and employment decisions.
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To meet and work with people from many different backgrounds, and TO LEARN more about the needs and challenges in our region and community.
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To learn about CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMUNITY and gain a new appreciation for community involvement, and to experience first hand how it feels to make a difference.
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To CHALLENGE YOURSELF by taking chances and stepping out of your comfort zone.
The VOICE / SVP Program provides structured group community service opportunities to middle and high-school age youth. Volunteers work on projects with over 50 community organizations. The program provides the opportunity to work with diverse populations such as children, immigrants and refugees, people living with terminal illnesses and disabilities, and the homeless. Volunteers also participate in environmental projects and community events. All middle school volunteers commit to completing at least 4 projects throughout the 8 week program, with high school volunteers committing to an additional 4 projects.
VOICE is unique in several ways. The purpose of the program is to raise social awareness, and this is accomplished through various means. Through a combination of hands on community service, art, and media the program promotes awareness about social justice issues confronting diverse populations both locally and globally.
Group volunteer projects are intensely scheduled throughout an 8-week period and offer the choice and scheduling flexibility not available in other programs. All groups are led and supervised by college-age young adults who have a personal commitment to community service and youth development.
Art and media are important mechanisms for raising awareness about social justice issues. This summer, the VOICE / SVP Program will continue the Social Justice Film Festival for high school volunteers, in which a series of eight films will help lead us into discussions regarding war and conflict, disability, global epidemics, grassroots community activism, and multi-cultural and artistic celebration.
VOICE participants generally continue their service throughout the school year and beyond high school, as they come to understand the importance of social awareness. Through working with diverse populations, youth build a solid foundation of experiences and skills which are useful in all areas of life.
For more information on the VOICE or SVP programs, please contact Tambi Cork, Youth Development Coordinator, at 206-275-7755 or email tambi.cork@mercergov.org.
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