Become a volunteer
Spark Central is a volunteer-powered organization. We rely on ordinary heroes like you to keep the engine running! Whatever your talents - we need your help and are excited to bring your passions to Spark Central. Build value for yourself and your community while having fun, gaining skills, and building relationships. Below you’ll find things that volunteers commonly do - expand the drop-down menus to see details. If you want to learn more about our specific programs, click the links to the program pages!
WAYS TO VOLUNTEER
MENTOR YOUTH IN THEIR CREATIVITY
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Details:
· Mentor kids in grades 3-5 for up to a full school year.
· Support students during three units that engage in investigative performance arts, technology and entrepreneurship, and large-scale visual art projects.Volunteer Commitment:
· One or more days weekly for 2 or more months
· Tues-Fri, 2:50-5:15 PM at Holmes and Garfield elementary schools
· Mon + Wed, 3:15-5:30 PM at Yasuhara Middle School -
Details:
· Join a playful, multi-day camp for elementary or middle school youth.
· Help kids get excited and stay excited about all kinds of creative projects.
· No special skills needed - just bring your best self!
· Camps occur during summer, spring, and winter breaks during the District 81 school year.Volunteer Commitment:
· Dates and times vary. Camps generally run 3 or 4 days for 2 hours each. Camp volunteers try to attend each day.To learn more about volunteering at Spark Central’s camps and workshops, click here.
SHARE YOUR TALENTS WITH OUR COMMUNITY
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Details:
· Help adults and youth feel safe and welcomed in our space.
· Check out books, computers, and more using our library system.Volunteer Commitment:
· One or more days a week.
· Typically 2-3 hours each shift, but we’re flexible!
· Wacky schedule? We’re also in need of substitutes! We’ll call you if we need station coverage and you’ll have complete freedom to say yes or no. -
Details:
· Relaxed programs that anyone can walk in and join.
· Recur at least once a month.
· Most drop-in programs are volunteer-planned and led. Starting a drop-in program is a great way to share your own creative passions!Volunteer Commitment:
· Drop-in programs typically last 1-3 hours and occur weekly to monthly.
· Some existing drop-in programs need extra volunteers to make them as effective and fun as they can be. These programs’ schedules are already set.To see our current drop-in programs and learn how to create your own, click here.ription
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Details:
· Attend events and talk about Spark Central.
· Hand out flyers.
· Encourage volunteer, program, and/or membership sign-ups.Volunteer Commitment:
· Varies. Dates & times TBD as opportunities arise, but generally 2-3 hours. -
We have lots of other ways to help! Some of those include:
- Graphic design volunteers
- Maintenance volunteers
- Fundraising & events volunteers
- Data entry volunteers
- Photography/videography volunteers
- Any help you’d like to provide in any other capacity!
get started
Click the orange button below to fill out a volunteer interest form. This form will include our current volunteer needs. If our current needs don’t match your availability- don’t worry! Filling out the form will get you added to our volunteer email blast which will include upcoming opportunities!
Registration Disclaimer: All registrations are subject to background checks. Background checks can take up to a full week to process. Spark Central reserves the right to refuse any volunteer registration if staff believes the person to be a poor fit for representing Spark to the community or believes them to be insensitive to the needs of minors.
Please also read the volunteer handbook prior to your first day volunteering with us. You will receive one at orientation, or you can access it online here!
Once you have filled out the initial interest form, Spark Central will perform a background check and reach out to let you know if you are eligible to volunteer with us. After that, you will need to attend one of our volunteer trainings. These tend to happen once a month or on a case by case basis.
We will try to keep you up to date on upcoming volunteer needs based on your interests - but if you see or hear about something you’d love to help with, feel free to email volunteers@spark-central.org and let us know!
want to get involved as a company or team?
Become a corporate partner! Our corporate partners play a vital role in keeping our services accessible to those who need sponsoring a station within our space or becoming a youth program sponsor is a great way to make our community a better place. We love to recognize our generous sponsors on our website, in our newsletters, and on social media. Contact us for more information!
Our way of saying thanks for your volunteer power…
Volunteering at Spark Central means you are part of a special community who give back as they share their talents and build relationships that go beyond Spark Central. These writers, artists, musicians, makers, and generous folks of all kinds bring vibrancy and imagination to our programs.