Get Involved

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers play an important role at Thompson Child & Family Focus by offering their time and experience for a variety of projects. Current volunteer opportunities include:

SUPPORT PROJECTS:

• SCHOOL TUTORS: When children first come to the residential campus at Thompson, they are often far behind in their schoolwork. Volunteers help them attain grade-appropriate skills, often in reading and math. Commitment is at least a one hour session per week for the school year.
• CLASSROOM READERS: Energetic, animated adults are needed to read for 20-30 minutes on Monday through Thursday from Noon to 1:15 p.m. to our kindergarten - eighth grade classes. This opportunity can be done once or several times, no on-going commitment during the school year.
• PET PARTNERS: Children in treatment can benefit from loving interaction with a special pet. Volunteers with licensed therapy animals are assigned to a classroom. Pet Partners come weekly for one hour.
• SOCIAL EVENTS: Groups are invited to host social gatherings for the children on the residential campus. Such on-campus events might include picnics, carnivals, field games, bingo and arts and crafts.
• COTTAGE AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES: Individuals and groups are invited to provide enrichment activities for the children on the residential campus, which may include dance or music lessons, arts and crafts, gardening, and athletic skills instruction. These opportunities may be one-time or on-going.
• OFFICE ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL EVENTS: Volunteers can benefit the children by helping staff with mailings, data entry, phone calls, filing, etc. Volunteers are also needed to help with organization, set-up, clean up and other miscellaneous jobs related to special celebrations and parties throughout the year.
• KNITTING INSTRUCTORS: Volunteers are needed to teach knitting to girls, ages 10-12 years old. Volunteers would visit at least twice a month, probably on a weekday afternoon.
• LIFEGUARDS: Red Cross certified lifeguards are needed to guard free swim periods for children in residential and day treatment programs. Lifeguards should have experience working with groups of children. Volunteers are preferred for school days and weekday afternoons, but weekend scheduling is also available.
• FRONT DESK RELIEF: Adults are needed to greet visitors, answer telephones and complete simple office projects.  Training will be provided.  Volunteers are needed for one hour lunch relief shifts and on-call basis on weekdays.  Interview and volunteer application required. 

• FACILITIES PROJECTS: Group projects on one of the two Thompson campuses in Charlotte may include cleaning, landscaping, mural painting, or sorting and organizing donations. We especially appreciate any volunteers who can contribute materials such as plants and lumber. Projects can be scheduled on weekdays or weekends.
  • Raised Bed Project -- 5-10 volunteers needed to build a raised garden bed for Smith Cottage. This project will require donations of keystone, dirt and plants. The work may be scheduled on a weekday or Saturday and should take 3-4 hours.
  • Saint Peter's Lane Plantings -- 7-10 volunteers are needed to plant ivy, nandinas and boxwoods along the road leading to our campus. This project will require donations of the plants, dirt and mulch. The work may be scheduled on a weekday or Saturday and should take 3 hours.
  • Traffic Circle Plantings -- 6-10 volunteers are needed to dig out azaleas and replant our traffic circle. Donations of liropie, shrubs, pine straw and dirt are needed. The work may be scheduled on a weekday or Saturday and should take 4-6 hours.
  • Pressure Washers -- Volunteers with experience using pressure washing equipment are needed to clean outside structures. Volunteers would work closely with the Maintenance Coordinator on weekdays.
    
• SPECIAL DONATIONS: Volunteers who are willing to help when special in-kind needs arise (sometimes last minute) for events, birthdays, incentives or other activities. We also appreciate any connections with other community resources that volunteers may be able to facilitate.
• Civic groups, companies, and youth groups can help provide for the material and financial needs of the Agency by holding car washes, bake sales or golf tournaments to raise monetary donations, or by sponsoring drives for school supplies, clothing, or hygiene items.

For more information, contact Rachel Eldridge, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 704.644.4403 or through email.