Miller Mentoring is an after school mentoring program that works with youth in grades 5-12 at Winona Middle School and Winona Senior High. Our primary goal is to build strong relationships while focusing on social-emotional wellness and academic success.
Takes place: Mon – Wed from 3:30-5:00pm at both schools. Mentors join on a set day once per week and are matched with a student who shares similar interests.
You can apply directly by using the link provided or by calling/emailing the contact info for Drew Althoff.
Volunteers will be needed starting late winter/early spring for the 2022-2023 school year. Junior Achievement will supply the curriculum to teach 5-6 sessions which are each about 45 mins long. Volunteers will be matched with interested classrooms by a coordinator. Once placed with a class, the volunteer and teacher will plan out what days’ work for both the classroom schedule as well as the volunteers schedule.
Minimum time commitment of 1-2 hours a week for 3 months. The person will need to be able to rock infants, talk, read and sing to them. There is the need to possibly carry them.
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
They are the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs for girls from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to do something amazing.
Empowering Girls
As Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Girls grow courageous and strong through a wide variety of enriching experiences, such as field trips, skill-building sports clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships.
Girl Scouts helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.
Winona’s Park and Recreation Department coordinates youth and adult activities, programming, equipment rental, and facility rental at the City’s many parks and recreational resources. The Park and Recreation webpage includes information on parks, trails, special events, sports leagues, creative workshops, trainings, and a number of other recreational opportunities.
Description:
The 4-H idea is simple: help young people and their families gain the skills they need to be proactive forces in their communities and develop ideas for a more innovative economy.
The aim of Winona County 4-H is to engage local area youth in experiential learning. This process is enhanced through connections with local community partners, Land Grant institutions, and of course volunteers. Winona County 4-H believes that communities benefit when youth are engaged, thus we strive to give opportunities so that every participant feels valued and recognized for their unique talents.
4-H’s research-based, learn-by-doing model equips kids with skills such as problem solving, decision making and communicating — essential for them to succeed in school, college, careers and communities. Volunteers have a role to play in 4-H clubs, after-school programs, community service, civic engagement and camping programs.
4-H offers a number of training opportunities throughout the year where volunteers learn about leading clubs, projects and more.
Website:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/youth/mn4-h/volunteer/
Contact Information:
While programs and services have evolved throughout history to remain relevant to the Winona community, the foundation and mission have been steadfast.
Mission
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Vision
To connect and engage people to enhance lives and build community.
Values
Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility
Focus
For Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen
For Healthy Living: Improving the nation’s health and well-being
For Social Responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors
Project GO programs are community-driven outdoor programs that introduce children to nature during the afterschool and out-of-school hours. These programs are implemented by local communities using the GO Toolkit designed by Project Get Outdoors, Inc., a non-profit organization that created this program.
Volunteer:
Project GO would not exist without the efforts of a vast volunteer network and dedicated interns. These individuals are critical to the ongoing success of the program.
There are a variety of local and statewide volunteer opportunities available to those who are interested in assisting. All volunteers over the age of 18 who will be working on an on-going basis with the children will be screened and trained.
Family & Children’s Center is a regional, private, not-for-profit agency that provides a continuum of services designed to strengthen families and promote individual well-being, including child abuse and neglect prevention, alternative schools, community-based counseling, residential options, community support programs, and several outreach programs.
FCC offers:
- LEADERSHIP Alternative Education- services middle and high school students within 45 minutes of Winona
- Day Treatment (CTSS)- half day mental health service
- In-Home Counseling- counselors meet twice weekly with each family
- Matty’s Place- children’s advocacy center
- Outpatient Counseling- designed to help children and adults overcome social, emotional or mental challenges
- Tracking Program- check-in system of juveniles who are currently on supervision with Winona County Department of Corrections
- Treatment Foster Care- Enhanced Foster Care, Treatment Foster Care, and Exceptional Treatment Foster Care
- Youth Night Campus- includes three hours of group therapy per day, individual therapy if needed, academic support and independent living skills training
Volunteer:
You can become a part of the life changing work that FCC does. With your unique skills, abilities, and experience you can help make a difference in your community. The majority of opportunities are intermittent.
You must be at least 21 years of age and pass a criminal background check to volunteer at the Family & Children’s Center due to state licensing regulations. They do not allow volunteers in need of court-ordered community service hours.
Click here to learn more about volunteering.
Project FINE provides foreign language interpreters and translators as well as opportunities for education, information, referral, and empowerment for immigrants and refugees. Their mission is to strengthen and enrich the community by facilitating the integration of people who are ethnically diverse. They provide culturally and linguistically appropriate educational programming and connect newcomers with existing services.
Project FINE helps build contributing individuals, healthy families and a stronger, respectful community for all of us. Through the educational programs and services at Project FINE, newcomers are learning about the U.S. banking system, purchasing their own homes and becoming American citizens. Project FINE provides information and resources, and helps to keep the hopes and dreams of newcomers alive. In turn, the local economy is enhanced, lives are enriched, and the American Dream continues.
Project FINE is always seeking volunteers to assist with programs and provide general organizational support. Click here to get involved.
Youth Volunteer Opportunities
- Support for our educational programs including help with setup, taking photos and other duties
- Assist with watching the children of individuals attending the session if they accompany their parents
- By special request, youth who are interested in Language Services can volunteer to shadow interpreters
- Under 18 may be prohibited from certain duties, such as childcare
All applicants must submit to a background check and attend a training session.
Events are typically held Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings 5-8pm, locations vary.
Kids First serves students who living in the Maplewood subsidized housing neighborhood. It provides students in grades K-12 with a safe place to hang out after school. The program is staffed with WSU teacher education volunteers who help with homework, supervise activities, and provide a wide variety of enrichment opportunities. This program is free, but parent permission is required. Hours are from 2:30 – 6:00, Monday – Thursdays.
Located in the Winona Family Community Center.
Grace Place is a Non-Profit Organization whose mission is to provide Christian guidance, support, and encouragement for families experiencing brokenness and change. To support this, they happily accept donations of gently used items that they sell in their thrift stores. The profit from the stores allows them to provide the guidance, support, and encouragement to all those who need it.
Grace Place offers a variety of group opportunities to support families and provide a safe space for learning and growth.
Programs include:
- Morning Music
- Evening Song
- Godly Play
- Gospel Hour
- Breaking Bread Community Meal
Volunteer:
If you are looking for an opportunity to grow your skills and experiences, you are invited to become a part of the Grace Place family. Grace Place would not be successful without people like you! Grace Place offers a variety of opportunities for those in the community who wish to become involved in helping single mothers and families.
Click here to learn more about volunteering.
Youth Volunteer Opportunities:
- Help in the thrift shop with sorting and organizing
- Morning Family Music session assistance
- Basement organization and holiday material
- Set up holiday decoration
- Fundraising events, painting and music groups
All volunteers will be paired with an older volunteer.
Updated hours (as of 3/29/2021)
Open Tuesday – Friday 10-5 ; and Saturday 10-2,
Donations are received T-Th 10:30-3:30 at the back of our building loading dock area behind our buildings.
Donations are limited to three 13 gallon garbage bags or 2 boxes. Individuals needing benevolence such as clothing, housewares, bedding, cleaning supplies, toiletries, or children’s items may stop on Tues.-Thurs. 10-2. Our group mentoring is scheduled to resume mid-summer with a limited group size. Grace House, our transitional shelter, is scheduled to open this Fall instead of Spring as originally planned.
Winona Area Mountain Bikers aim to educate, promote and grow the sport of mountain biking through advocacy, youth and community involvement, and environmentally conscious decisions. We encourage cooperation between all silent outdoor recreation user groups to ultimately influence the mental, physical, and economic well being of Winona through an active lifestyle.
The Minnesota Youth Ski League (MYSL) is a non-profit Minnesota Corporation. The MYSL provides membership and instruction to all youth without regard to race, creed, color, or athletic ability. This volunteer organization offers children between the ages of 4 and 13 and their parents the opportunity to learn, develop and enjoy cross country skiing skills together.
Weather permitting, meet for approximately eight weeks beginning in December or January.
Communities Off n’ Funning is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to creating, and supporting active endeavors in communities large and small. Our goal: to get kids, families and communities up, out and active by providing fun adventures and educational opportunities that inspire a healthy lifestyle and a passion for unplugged play.
Click here for upcoming events.
Volunteer:
Volunteering with Communities Off N’ Funning is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have! It is the volunteers that ensure participants have a safe, inspirational experience and provide some awesome ooo-raa-raa support! If you’re interested in lending a helping hand for any of the events, please email volunteer@offnfunning.com.
Big Brothers Big Sisters matches children referred by parents, other relatives, social workers and school staff with volunteer Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Big Couples. Their mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.
Volunteer:
Big Brother. Big Sister. Big Couple
You can start something BIG today! By volunteering as a Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple you have the opportunity to impact the life of a child for the better. You can change a child’s life, and have fun doing it! You have the opportunity to become a special friend, but more importantly, to become a role model to a child. You will become someone that the child will look up to and respect. It’s as simple as playing catch, going to a ball game, painting nails, watching a moving, sharing stories, and just hanging out together. Click here to learn more or sign up.
•Enroll/Refer a Child
Littles are children between the ages of 5 and 15. Littles are typically looking for a mentor or a caring, adult figure in their life to spend time with. A Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple gives a child an additional friend in his/her life. Bigs are carefully screened volunteers from the community who spend time each week with their Littles. We accept referrals from teachers, social workers, therapists, guidance counselors, and other professionals.
•Community-Based Mentoring (must be 16 or older)
Community-Based mentoring helps ignite the brightest possible futures for youth. They involve one-on-one outings and activities that both the Big and Little are interested in out in the community. Meet 2 – 4 times a month with your little for a minimum 1 year commitment.
•Site-Based Mentoring (must be 16 or older)
Site-Based Bigs help a child realize their full potential at school or another site based location. Kids enjoy having their Bigs meet with them there, whether it’s in the classroom or on the playground or at a club. Meet 2 – 4 times a month with your little for a minimum 1 year commitment.
•Events with BBBS
◦Catered for Kids’ Sake – Community event involving an auction, raffle, and a night of food sampling at the Waterfront Restaurant
◦Bowl for Kids’ Sake – Form a team and fundraise with us! Enjoy a bowling party when you reach your fundraising goals
◦Movie Night & Food Trucks – Community event put on through a partnership with Verve. Typically occurs in the summer.
◦Taste of Winona – Community event involving an auction, raffle, and a night of food sampling in Winona.
The Winona County Restorative Justice Program is a community based program that strives to make a difference in the lives of young people. The program is housed with the Department of Corrections and takes a restorative approach to dealing with juveniles. The program’s mission is to “facilitate compassionate responses for crime and wrongdoing that fosters support and healing for the victim; accountability, rehabilitation of the offender; and renewal and safety for the community.”
Winona County Restorative Justice offers a multitude of programming for youth age 10-18. The primary objective is to work with our community’s youth in building strong values while helping them to understand accountability for their actions.
There are several opportunities to volunteer with this program. Complete the volunteer application here.
Miller Mentoring is a school based mentoring program that works with students in 5th-12th grade from Winona Middle and Winona Senior High Schools. Volunteers are matched one on one with a student and they meet one day a week at school during the academic school year. Miller Mentoring goals are to help students academically through goal setting, homework completion, and by improving a student’s organizational skills. The program also help students socially by building positive relationships and improving communication skills. Miller Mentoring also helps students emotionally by providing the support they need to boost their self-confidence and achieve a positive personal identity.
Volunteer:
Requirements: Mentors must be 18 years of age, complete an application that includes references and a background check (paid for by the program), attend a mandatory training session, and commit to one day per week for the academic school year. All matches are supervised by a program coordinator.
MENTOR APPLICATION: https://www.winonaschools.org/miller-mentoring-application