Resource Center Archives - Alternatives For Girls

July Volunteer Spotlight: Angela Wisniewski

Jul. 7 2017 | Tags: Resource Center, volunteer projects, volunteers

Each month, Alternatives For Girls’ Volunteer Department, highlights one volunteer who AFG staff recognize as being dedicated, passionate, and going above and beyond. This month we spotlight Angela Wisniewski, a volunteer who helps out in countless ways!

Angela has been volunteering at Alternatives For Girls for about six months and has made a big impact within the organization in that short amount of time.

After researching organizations that help women and hearing positive things about AFG, Angela decided to become a volunteer so that she could support women and be part of the community. Angela has volunteered in many ways; at the Role Model Dinner, by offering her skills and experience in photography and social media to support AFG’s programs, and consistently volunteering in the Crisis Resource Center since March.

One day, while in the Crisis Resource Center, Angela noticed a woman that was utilizing the center’s walk-in services having a difficult time finding what she needed in the clothing closet. Since that experience, Angela made it her mission to organize the clothing closet. She prepared the closet for summer and also purchased new hangers and other organizational items! Angela has made the clothing closet into a fun, easy, and positive experience for all who use it. Both staff and participants are appreciative to the time Angela invested into the closet and the impact it continues to have.

In addition to her organizational skills, Angela offers empathy and is easy to talk to. Angela is a role model for all girls and women through her independence, perseverance, and by demonstrating the importance of following one’s own path.

Thank you, Angela, for supporting Alternatives For Girls!

Interested in volunteering? Please contact our Volunteer Department at volunteering@alternativesforgirls.org to discuss the next steps to becoming a volunteer at Alternatives For Girls!

October Volunteer Spotlight: Erin McLoughin

Nov. 1 2016 | Tags: human trafficking, Outreach, Resource Center, volunteer projects, volunteers

Each month, Alternatives For Girls’ Volunteer Department, highlights one volunteer who AFG staff recognize as being a dedicated and passionate volunteer. This month, Erin McLoughin, a volunteer in AFG’s Outreach Department, was nominated because of her dedication to AFG’s mission!

After surviving her own trauma, Erin decided she wanted to give back. She chose AFG because of its mission and involvement with combating human trafficking, an issue close to her heart. Erin became a volunteer at AFG in November of 2015 and since then has been involved in several projects and programs in the Outreach Department. She has been a volunteer in the Resource Center, with the Safe Choices and New Choices programs, and has even facilitated special events and programming! When asked about her greatest strength, Erin mentioned her flexibility, which is an asset to AFG. Erin is willing to step in and take on any situation as it arises, whether it is mundane or stressful.

Erin says she has gained a lot of knowledge through volunteering at Alternatives For Girls and her goal of being a volunteer has transformed since she began. When Erin first started, she primarily wanted to learn and help where needed. Today, Erin aspires to carry out AFG’s mission and take what she has learned to educate others on this issue of human trafficking, which she identifies a key way to stop it from occurring.

As an AFG volunteer and advocate, Erin is a role model to the girls and young women in AFG’s programs because she is strong, goal-centered, and identifies as an alpha-female. Some of the young women have even nicknamed Erin as “G.I. Jane” because of her personality and past military experience!

During her time as a volunteer so far, Erin is very thankful for the girls and young women she’s met, the experience and knowledge she’s gained, and the mentorship she’s received from the Outreach Department staff members. As she continues as a volunteer, Erin wants to encourage girls and young women to move forward and be “not just a survivor, but a thrivor.”

Thank you, Erin, for your on-going commitment to helping girls and young women!

Interested in volunteering? Please contact Jenny Clement, Volunteer Services Manager, at 313-361-4000 x248 or volunteering@alternativesforgirls.org to discuss the next steps to becoming a volunteer at Alternatives For Girls!

Volunteer Opportunities at Alternatives For Girls

Jun. 2 2016 | Tags: Asset Building Project, Resource Center, Rise N' Shine, volunteer projects, volunteers

More than 300 volunteers give over 20,000 hours of their time and talents to Alternatives For Girls each year! The programs provided for girls and young women at AFG could not be done without volunteers. For more information on our current volunteer opportunities and how to become a volunteer at AFG, contact our Volunteer Services Manager, Jenny Clement, at 313-361-4000 ext. 248 or volunteering@alternativesforgirls.org.

Resource Center Volunteer

AFG’s Resource Center manages a walk-in center and a 24/7 crisis line for those in the community that are in crisis or in need of services. Volunteers will serve as a listening ear and a conduit of information about resources inside and outside of AFG. Volunteers will answer the phone and assist any walk-ins seeking assistance. Shifts are available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Evening shifts are preferred.

Mentor

AFG’s Asset Building Project is a new program aimed at helping young women prepare financially, academically, and culturally for post-secondary education (read about it here in our Spring 2016 Newsletter). The program is in need of mentors to work with the middle school aged girls enrolled in the program. The mentor serves as a positive role model for their assigned mentee and will work to support, guide, and help her prepare for college. Mentors meet with their mentees a few times each month to engage in educational and recreational activities. Mentoring takes place during the evening or on the weekend. Spanish speaking mentors preferred.

Rise N’ Shine Summer Camp Volunteers

AFG’s Rise N’ Shine summer camp is a free day camp for girls between the ages of 4-14 living in southwest Detroit. Rise N’ Shine provides fun and educational workshops, field trips, and more. Volunteer chaperones are needed to assist with Rise N’ Shine field trips with on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 beginning July 7th.