Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix sites offer tutoring in elementary schools, parent outreach, adult education, and community outreach. The ability to speak Spanish is useful.

Site Director: Carmen Silva, SND
Phone: 602-243-1164
E-mail: phoenix@ndmva.org

Members from Phoenix created this video about their work to share at the 2009 NDMVA Midyear Conference.

Conchos Elementary School

Conchos Elementary School is in the Roosevelt School District in Phoenix, AZ and serves students K-8. Despite having many needs, the school is on the rise. In the past year, the school attained “Performing” status and has created more options for its students. Conchos Elementary School is served by an NDA volunteer who serves as a teacher’s assistant, paraprofessional, computer lab aid, and after school club leader.

For more information, click here:

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international non-profit dedicated to serving the homeless an working poor as well as providing others with the opportunity to serve. The Phoenix Diocesan Council has been assisting central and northern Arizona families since 1946. The Phoenix site is the largest in the nation. Over 3500 meals are prepared daily and up to 250 volunteers are scheduled each day. Programs include services for the homeless, medical and dental care for the working poor, charity dining rooms, thrift stores, a transitional housing shelter, and general assistance for individuals in need.

Volunteer Coordinator: As the Volunteer Coordinator, you will help schedule volunteers for the Society based on the current needs. The NDA member will also work one on one with the different volunteer groups. These groups include schools, churches, and large corporations. The member may also facilitate special projects such as creating holiday center pieces for the five dining rooms or build a haunted house where the children of the families you serve can play.

Opportunity Program Coordinator: The Opportunity Program is a job development program within the Ministries to the Homeless Department, which assists homeless and working poor clients by providing them with skill building opportunities. The Program also aims to remove obstacles that stand in their way of gaining employment. As the OP Coordinator, the NDA member essentially serves as a case worker for about 20 clients. Among other responsibilities, the NDA member assists clients with resume writing, job searching, and interview preparation. Additionally, the NDA member will provide living assistance to clients who have gotten jobs are awaiting their first pay check.

For more information, click here:

Southwest Key Program

Southwest Key Program is a non-profit that works with the government to house and educate unaccompanied immigrant minors that are being legally detained. These children have been arrested by I.C.E. for illegally entering the country. The program provides housing, education, medical/dental care, legal representation, and counseling while the case managers search for suitable placements for each client. The NDA volunteer serves in the Education Department as a teacher’s assistant. The volunteer may also on occasion be asked to substitute or even teach his/her own class. In addition, the NDA member will participate in school activities and fieldtrips. It is essential that the NDA member speaks Spanish because the majority of the clients come from Mexico, Central and South America. This site provides an excellent opportunity for the volunteer to learn more about teaching, counseling and social work. This is the perfect site for someone that enjoys learning about other cultures and backgrounds. Though the work can be challenging, it will certainly provide a life-changing experience.

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Valley View Elementary

Valley View Elementary is a K-8 public school in the Roosevelt School District in South Phoenix. The staff members, students, and families at Valley View all play integral roles as parts of a learning community that promotes literacy, academic achievement, environmental awareness, and community responsibility. Students are exposed to a variety of hands-on studies and experiences as they are introduced to new concepts. At Valley View, NDA members serve as Gardening, Animal Habitat, and Outdoor Education instructors; classroom assistants; tutors; and coaches. They also coordinate and maintain an after-school program at the Home Library, a small room in an apartment complex near the school that is full of books, arts, and crafts, puzzles, and games. Students come to the Home Library to read, borrow books, get homework help, play, and participate in activities planned by NDA members.

For more information, click here.