VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
November 9: City-wide 'Shadowing Day'
On Thursday, November 9, ninth grade high school students will be
matched with volunteers from the University's faculty and staff to
observe and participate in the workplace activities by following their
assigned employee mentors for one day. These students get a first-hand
look at the everyday working world. A partnership between One to One
Philadelphia, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the
School District of Philadelphia's Office of Education for Employment
makes Shadowing Day possible. Penn participated in Shadowing Day last
year and it was a great success. The high school students are on campus
for about four hours. To volunteer to make a difference call 898-
2020.
Mentoring Shaw Students
Penn faculty and staff are being sought by Penn VIPS to mentor
about two dozen 8th grade youth from Shaw Middle School. The program
which will normally take place on the fourth Thursday of each month from
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will begin on Tuesday, November 21 due to the
Thanksgiving holiday. The program continues through May 23. Group
learning activities are planned from 10-11 a.m., and for the remaining
two hours the mentor and mentee meet one-to-one to explore educational
and career opportunities, or just to talk and reinforce the life skills
they will need to survive. If there are enough volunteers, the program
will be expanded to include youth from Sulzberger Middle School. An
orientation session and training will be provided beforehand. To become
a mentor, workshop facilitator, guest speaker or to help with field
trips, call 898-2020.
-- Bonnie Ragsdale, Staff Assistant to the Executive Vice President