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Volunteer Program
The Volunteer Program was established in 1998 to address the challenges of a growing organization operating under the financial constraints of a nonprofit. This fully integrated volunteer program offers community members the opportunity to become involved in daily Harbor life (La Porte Campus) and/or the Development Office (Houston Office) operations. Volunteers work directly with a full-time staff member under whose position the selected area(s) of interest falls. Harbor Helpers are comprised of caring individuals, civic, social, and employee groups.
As
volunteer support is essential to the success of the Harbor and its
children, volunteer schedules are flexible. If you have a few hours a
week or a few hours a month, there is a place for you at the Harbor.
Volunteer Opportunities
Campus Special Events: Assist with coordination and development of on-going special events for the campus (Children's Christmas Party, Annual Harbor Awards Banquet, etc.).
Clerical & Administration: General administrative support, maintain files and answer office phones.
Development/Fundraising: Assist with donor research and data entry.
Education: Tutor children during school year, tutor children during summer reading program, organize the library, and teach computer skills.
Facility & Maintenance: General maintenance of buildings and grounds, painting, electrical, plumbing and special projects. Mowing, planting flowers, mulch beds, fence repair, tree trimming, etc.
4-H Farm & Agriculture: Assist children working with show animals to prepare for livestock shows in April and October, help with up-keep of pastures and farm grounds, work cattle, clip and groom animals, and assist with maintenance of pecan orchard.
In-kind Donations & Distributions: Solicit donations, assist with pick-up of donated items, record, sort and distribute donated items, and assist with organization of clothing room.
Programs & Training: Present various programs to children including those dealing with life skills and family patterns, provide career or vocational training and educational seminars to older Harbor residents, teach children special skills - choir, dance, art, etc., assist with staff and resident drug awareness program, and provide clerical support.
Public Relations & Volunteer Recruitment: Promote community awareness of services provided, speak to community and civic organizations, help with volunteer coordination, utilization and retention, contribute to volunteer newsletter, and coordinate publication and distribution of volunteer newsletter.
Recreation & Athletics: Assist recreation director with sporting events, coach teams, maintain and organize equipment, referee basketball games, umpire baseball/softball games, keep score at Harbor sporting events, and operate score clock.
Social Services: File maintenance, network with other service agencies, update referrals, and maintain medical information.
Special Events: Includes annual gala, children's fashion show, Good Skipper banquet, and golf tournament. Assist with underwriting mailings, assemble corporate information packets, assist with event decoration and set-up, help with event check-in tables, information booth and/or silent auction tables, and solicit and pick up silent auction items.
The Harbor Resale Shop: Located at 518 Main Street in La Porte, needs volunteers to help unpacking and sorting items, arranging displays, pricing and selling merchandise.
Host Family: Host a child every other weekend, vacations and select holidays throughout the year. (Background check required). Speak to churches and civic organizations regarding program in attempts to build Sponsor Family base. Click here for a Host Family application form.
Additional Information
Letters of Reference: Upon written request from volunteers, Boys & Girls Harbor will gladly provide a letter of reference or volunteer verification to current or prospective employers, as well as organizations to which a Harbor Helper is trying to gain membership. An official letter of reference will be written by the supervising staff member and co-signed by Harbor Executive Director or Campus Director.
Tax Deductions: Volunteers may deduct unreimbursed expenditures incurred during service to Boys & Girls Harbor. Examples of approved deductions include automobile mileage, bus and cab fares, parking fees and tolls. The value of volunteer time, however, is not an acceptable deduction. Please contact your local IRS office for a detailed description of approved Federal deductions for volunteers.
Confidentiality: Confidentiality is vital to the safety and well being of the Harbor's children. House parents are not permitted to give any background or current information that does not directly relate to the specific contact between the volunteer and child.
Children are placed at the Harbor for their personal protection and any reference, whether intentional or not, to the child's whereabouts could place that child and other Harbor children in danger. Generally unfortunate and unpleasant circumstances lead children to the Harbor. The effects of which can be seen as feelings of guilt, shame and misunderstanding. Our confidentiality policy offers each child a safe and loving home that is free from harsh judgments and embarrassment. We ask all volunteers to accept each child on the simple terms that they present to you.
