Who are our volunteers?

 

     Volunteers must be at least 14 years old; there are exceptions when volunteering with a group (e.g. youth groups, Girl Scouts). However, volunteers range in age from teenagers to  seasoned adults. In addition to the wide range in ages, volunteers also have a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

     Some volunteers come to TASK with no experience at all, many of which are high school students who enjoy working with peers and young children. Other volunteers are currently pursuing undergraduate degrees or professional programs such as occupational therapy, physical therapy and recreational therapy. We also have volunteers who work in the fields of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and special education, as well as adults who have no ties to the special needs community in their professional careers.

      Whether you have absolutely no experience or an exceptionally large amount of experience working with people with disabilities, if you have a positive attitude, are reliable, and like working with children, teenagers, and young adults with various disabilities, you would be a great volunteer at TASK! 

 

What do volunteers do at TASK?

 

      At TASK, volunteers are VITAL to support participants with their activities. When you come to TASK, look for Ryan or another TASK team member sitting at a sign in table. Once you've signed in, you will then help set up the activity.  Once participants start arriving, you will get paired with an athlete or you will hang out with our athletes. After this, it will vary depending on the program.

 

Some examples of what volunteers do at programs:

 

• Kids in Motion: You will be asked to help set up the activity, so please come 30 minutes early! Typically, you will be paired with one or more athletes. For approximately 30 minutes, athletes will go through an obstacle course. Please encourage the athletes to go through the course and help keep the line moving. You will be helping the participants know where to go and what to do, showing them how to do things on the course and helping them through activities. For the second half of the program, the participants are also taught a dance. This is a great chance to  show off your dance skills and dance with the participants! Sometimes, during Kids in Motion, participants may be scared to try a new obstacle course or dance move, so help everyone to stay motivated by showing your enthusiasm! 

 

• Cooking: You will usually be assigned to sit at a certain table. If the setup is not ready, please talk with the participants at various tables. Then, cooking will begin. You will be working with the athletes to help them make the food. You do not make your own food, but you help each participant. Sometimes participants need help with certain techniques, but encourage the participants to do as much as possible safely (such as opening containers, pouring, mixing cleaning, cutting etc). Then afterwards, if there is time, you may be asked to find a cleaning task for the participant to do such as washing dishes, cleaning counter tops, throwing out food, etc. This helps to promote independence and life skills. 

 

Why are volunteers VITAL to TASK?

 

      TASK is primarily run by dedicated volunteers who support and guide athletes during TASK activities, make-up our Board of Directors and serve on planning committees. Through our volunteers and philanthropic organizations, TASK is a reality.

     Many participants at TASK need one-on-one support to participate in an activity. Without volunteer support, our athletes would be unable to participate. Only through having enough volunteers are we able to have enough support for every athlete to achieve their dreams. 

 

Why is volunteering beneficial to me?

 

     There are many benefits to volunteering besides gathering volunteer hours. Being a volunteer, you are making a difference in the lives of our participants. TASK is the only place where many of our athletes get to play sports or participate in this type of programming due to a variety of levels of ability. As a TASK volunteer, you should feel proud knowing that you assisted an athlete in participating in an activity that otherwise he or she might not be able to do. As a volunteer at TASK, you are also gaining skills and life experience that enhances your life. You get to meet a wide variety of volunteers from all over the St. Louis area.   You also gain confidence and new skill sets while supporting and assisting participants with various disabilities. Although at times it can be challenging, there is nothing better than seeing the excitement and smiles on the faces of athletes who completed an activity with the support of the volunteers!

 

FAQ Volunteer Questions

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1. I have no experience and am worried that I might be uncomfortable with the level of skill required to work with children with disabilities.

2. What are some tips for supporting athletes with disabilities?

3. I do not know what to say or I am afraid I might say the wrong thing! What if the partcipant is nonverbal?

4. What should I do if a child is not doing the activity? What if a child is becoming upset or starts to cry?

5. I need a certain amount of hours for my school/organization. Is there a way you keep track of hours?

6. I have volunteered before, why do I have to come 30 minutes early?

7. Where do I put my personal items when I volunteer?

 

Volunteer testimonials

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Coming soon! 

 

 

Still unsure about volunteering? Contact Paul Kraus at PaulK@Tasksports.org to further discuss volunteer opportunities available.