Apopka, Florida

(Orlando Area)

Site Director: Laura Firtel
Site Director: Ann Kendrick, SND
Phone: 407-880-4673
E-mail: apopka@ndmva.org
Website: http://www.hcc-offm.org/

The unique site is located just ten miles northwest of Orlando in the community of Apopka and reaches out to a low-income community of migrant farm workers, immigrants, the working poor, and their families. The families are primarily of Hispanic, Haitian, and African-American descent.

Each Notre Dame Americorps member has a primary work site (one of those described below) but also receives a great deal of encouragement and support in identifying where the community’s needs intersect their skill sets and many create program offerings during their service year(s). If you want to work deeply in this community that is culturally rich and economically poor, this is the place for you. If you speak a second language – especially Spanish or Creole, it’s an asset, but it is not a requirement.

Life as a Member in Apopka

Serve on a 30-person, culturally rich team of volunteers. We are diverse in just about every way a group can be diverse – culture, race, religion (or no religion), age, education, class, life experiences. The team consists of people who come from outside the area as well as people who have lived in the area for years – even some people who were themselves tutored by Notre Dame Americorps members when they attended Apopka High School.

Apopka has a small town feel. Public transportation is available but it is limited. Having your own car is an asset but if you are willing walk, ride a bike, and/or make connections with other people who have their own car, you can survive without a car.

These are the primary worksites where members serve:

Hope CommUnity Center

Hope CommUnity is the host of the entire Apopka Notre Dame Americorps team. It is a family of programs working with Hispanic, Haitian, African-American immigrants, farm workers, and other low-income families. NDA members assigned to serve at HCC have the opportunity to take on a leadership/coordination role in one of the many programs offered here including the after-school tutoring program; career and college access program, which works with middle and high school students – many of whom are the first in their families to be on track to graduate high school; or the Nurturing Family Program, which provides classes for the entire family to improve family dynamics. If you are a self-starter with creative ideas and energy, this is a good placement for you. Check out the HCC website at www.hcc-offm.org for additional information.

Orange County Public Schools

Orange County Public Schools are elementary, middle and high schools that serve a highly diverse population of students in and around Apopka. Here, the NDA members provide academic and mentoring support to students. Academic support may take place in the classroom in small groups or one-on-one; or the members may work in a Student Tutoring Center where students come to receive additional support. Faculty at each school decides how to utilize the NDA members at that school. The members also provide enrichment activities in the schools’ after-school programs as well as the after-school programs offered by Hope CommUnity Center. If you love youth, especially youth who may not have always experienced success in school – if you enjoy encouraging students and you want to work with youth in academic and non-academic settings, this is a great assignment for you.

Farmworker Association of Florida

The FWAF is a grassroots community organization founded to provide services to farm worker communities throughout Florida, including Apopka. The position in Apopka serves as a liaison between FWAF and local/non-local colleges/universities, service organizations and other groups wanting service-learning opportunities. In collaboration with staff from FWAF, this person designs service-learning projects including coordinating with other agencies/organizations as needed. This person also participates in writing articles and blogs for the FWAF.

Apopka Family Learning Center

AFLC hosts the Kids in Motion program, an after-school program offered to youth k-8th grade. The NDA members serve as the teachers in this academically rigorous program. The members also get involved in other youth enrichment activities that are offered in the program including singing, drama, art, and music. Members may also be called upon to work on AFLC’s newsletter and participate in cultural events hosted by the organization. For more information see www.apopkafamilylearningcenter.com

GROWS

This is a family literacy program. Members serve in one of two capacities. The first is a teaching position in a pre-school class with primarily Hispanic children ages 2-4 years. The second position is one that teaches English to adults. In the mornings, the adult teacher is working with the mothers of the 2-4 year olds taking pre-school classes. The mothers are learning English. In the evenings, the adult teacher conducts night classes for working people who are learning English. The vast majority of students are Spanish-speakers.

Pennies for Power Youth Credit Union

Pennies for Power is the youth “branch” of the Community Trust Federal Credit Union which was chartered to serve the financial needs of the low-income migrant farm worker community. Pennies for Power recruits and provides financial literacy training to youth. Youth learn to be tellers and they learn other aspects of the “banking” industry. This NDA position often collaborates with HCC’s Career and College Access program as youth are encouraged to save for college or other post-secondary education. There is a club at Apopka High called Darter Dollars, which is a part of Pennies for Power. The NDA member who works with Pennies serves at Apopka High, is the coordinator for Darter Dollars and also gets the opportunity to work at the credit union. This position is for a business-minded, open-hearted individual interested in growing membership in Pennies for Power, educating youth and advancing the Individual Development Account Program.

Domestic Violence Service

NDA members serve with domestic violence organizations in either Orange or Osceola County. Members may serve inside the DV shelters themselves; they may function as court advocates at the courthouses assisting survivors in obtaining restraining orders or they may be assigned to work in DV outreach programs.

CHIP Coordinator

This position serves in an Orange County Public School and also coordinates the CHIP (Children of Incarcerated Parents) program. The member is responsible for recruiting both caring adult mentors and children who have an incarcerated parent and need a mentor. The member makes the matches and provides oversight and support to make sure the relationships are successful. This position also provides requisite reporting on program progress.

Community Housing in Apopka

There is a community house in Apopka. It is for people who have a desire to live in an intentional community. This can take many forms - sharing meals together, supporting one another in your service experience, setting aside a time for group spiritual practice. The 4-5 people who live there split the rent and utility costs (about $300/month) and they are responsible for keeping the house clean and the lawn mowed.