Volunteer
Surrounding Students with a Community of Support
Volunteers play a vital role in helping students succeed. By sharing their time, talents, and compassion, volunteers help create the network of support that students need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Whether you’re participating in a one-time service project, completing a hands-on DIY activity, or making a longer-term commitment through mentoring or another ongoing opportunity, there are many meaningful ways to get involved with CIS-C.
Every act of service makes a difference.
When volunteers step up, students gain encouragement, resources, and caring connections that help them feel supported, valued, and seen — and that impact lasts far beyond the day you serve.
Become a Mentor
Research consistently shows that students who have the support of a caring adult are more likely to succeed in school and in life. Mentoring can help students build confidence, strengthen relationships, improve school engagement, and develop the skills they need to reach their goals.
As a CIS-C mentor, you’ll be matched with a student for in-person, one-on-one mentoring at one of our partner schools. Mentors commit to meeting with their student once each week for at least one school year, providing the consistency, encouragement, and support that can make a lasting difference.
We accept mentor applications year-round. If you apply during the summer or between school years, our team will connect with you to begin the onboarding process so you’re ready to start mentoring when students return to school.
Ready to make an impact? Complete the mentor application to get started.
Hear From Our Mentors
Our mentors often tell us that the relationships they build with students become some of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences of their lives.
Read our Mentor Spotlights to hear from CIS-C mentors about their experiences, the connections they’ve formed, and the impact that mentoring has had on both their students and themselves.
Tutoring
Supporting academic success is at the heart of what we do, and tutoring is one of the most impactful ways volunteers can help students reach their full potential. By providing extra academic support, tutors help students build confidence, strengthen key skills, and stay on track toward graduation.
CIS-C works with schools to connect volunteers with students who would benefit from additional academic support. Opportunities may range from a short-term commitment focused on a specific subject or upcoming exam to a longer-term tutoring relationship that spans the school year.
By sharing your knowledge and encouragement, you can help a student overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and gain confidence in their abilities — and that impact can last far beyond the time you spend together.
Interested in helping change a student’s academic trajectory?
Contact Wendy Lively, Program Director, at [email protected] to learn more about tutoring opportunities.
Supply Drives & In-Kind Projects
Many of the students we serve need access to basic essentials such as hygiene products, snacks, school supplies, clothing, and other everyday necessities. Supply drives and in-kind service projects are a meaningful, hands-on way to help meet these needs and make an immediate impact on students and families.
Volunteers often support our work by collecting requested items or assembling ready-to-use kits that can be distributed directly to students across our partner schools. For example, a group might purchase snack items from a recommended list, assemble them into individual packages, and deliver them to the CIS-C office for distribution.
These projects are flexible and can be completed in a variety of settings:
- At your workplace with colleagues
- At home with family or friends
- On-site at our office or at one of our partner schools
Because student needs evolve throughout the year, we ask that all supply drives and in-kind projects be coordinated with our team in advance. This helps ensure your efforts are aligned with our most current needs and maximize the impact of your generosity.
Interested in organizing a supply drive or service project? Contact Wendy Lively, Program Director, at [email protected].
Questions or Want to Get Involved?
Have questions about tutoring, supply drives, mentoring, or other volunteer opportunities? We’d love to hear from you.
Contact Wendy Lively, Program Director, at [email protected] or call our office at (804) 717-9305.
You can also stay connected by following us on Facebook and Instagram (@cisofchesterfield) for student success stories, volunteer opportunities, organization updates, and other ways to support Chesterfield students throughout the year.
Support a Student Today
When CIS is present, 99% of students stay in school.