Durham Volunteers
Bring Play To Your City
Recent News
The Power of Play
Playworks is a national nonprofit that provides safe, healthy playtime at low-income schools to create a positive environment for teaching and learning. Our highly trained Program Coordinators (PCs) aka “Coaches” are on the playground full-time to introduce games designed to build leadership, self-esteem and foster teamwork. As a result, kids return to class focused and ready to learn and teachers can use all class time for teaching instead of resolving conflicts from the playground. Our after-school programs and sports leagues continue to reinforce the valuable lessons learned throughout the school day. Our strategy for protecting recess and making play a part of every day; improves the entire school climate and has transformed 300 schools across the country.
About You
We are looking for dynamic individuals who are naturally motivated and possess clear and open communication skills. You should be humorous and playful with an ability to set clear goals and follow through. You are patient, flexible and enjoy working with elementary school age children. You are comfortable working in a leadership role, possess creative problem solving tools and able to accept direction from our Coaches. As a Playworks Ambassador, you will mirror our core values of respect, inclusion, healthy play, and healthy community and have an opportunity to be a part of this important growing movement across the Nation.
"The Player"
Recess Program Support
Duties: Assist in creating a safe and inclusive recess yard and be a significant presence on the yard by organizing and playing games with 20+ students. Encourage safe, healthy play and positive conflict resolution through role modeling and active participation. Volunteers may also support PCs in setup or break-down of recess equipment and other things relative to school needs.
Details: Must love to play games and lead activities with kids and have the ability to model positive behavior. Actively engage a diverse range of students in respectful and inclusive healthy play. Demonstrate ability to build rapport, trust and respect with students. Day/Hours: Varies upon school site but typically M-F between the hours of 11:00am -3:00pm
Commitment: We ask for a minimum of 2 hours per visit and at least 1 visit per month.
"The Closer"
After School Program Support
Duties: Assist Program Coordinator with After School program, including serving healthy snack, playing games, and helping students with homework.
Details: Must love to play games and lead activities with kids and have the ability to model positive behavior. Actively engage a diverse range of students in respectful and inclusive healthy play. Demonstrate ability to build rapport, trust and respect with students.
Day/Hour: Monday through Thursday, 3:30-5:00pm
Commitment: Length can be discussed, (start dates are ongoing), 8-10 hours/week.
"The Manager"
Developmental Sports League Support
Duties:
Refereeing at Games.
Referees can create a fun, supportive environment for developing players by officiating, explaining rules and enthusiastically promoting non-competitive play. Referees don't need to know full rules of games - training is provided!
Extravaganzas and Jamborees are one-day special events that enhance leagues. Volunteers can help coaches and other staff members implement and ensure the success of these sports-and-games centered field days for students and families by running games, providing refreshments, organizing other activities, manning stations and booths, refereeing, cheering, and coaching.
Details: This position requires the ability to work sensitively with parents and children. Must possess strong interpersonal and good problem solving skills. Must love to play games and lead activities with kids and have the ability to model positive behavior. Actively engage a diverse range of students in respectful and inclusive healthy play.
Day/Hours: Tuesday & Wednesdays, 5:30pm-8:00pm Games, plus organization time during the week. Extravaganzas and Jamborees are on the weekends.
Commitment: We ask for a minimum of 3 hours per week for 6 weeks (each season) plus an
occasional weekend day.
- See above mentioned descriptions
- See above mentioned descriptions
As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, or physical ability, and evaluates all candidates on a merit basis.
Contact:
Brandi Parker, Program Associate
Playworks Durham
919.794.6459
bparker@playworks.org
