Philadelphia Volunteers

Playworks is a national nonprofit organization that supports learning by providing safe, healthy and inclusive play and physical activity to schools at recess and throughout the entire school day. Playworks Philadelphia hopes to build on the spirit of service that already exists in this city by expanding volunteer involvement, which will work to build healthy communities.  Playworks is recruiting enthusiastic individuals to come volunteer and help improve our program both on the playground working with kids and assisting the program staff team in our office.

“The Recess Champion” (Recess support in schools)
Duties: Assist in creating a safe and inclusive recess and be a significant presence on the playground 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 Program Coordinators 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 10:00am -2:00pm
Commitment: We ask for a minimum of 2 hours per visit and at least 1 visit per month.

“The Pro” (After school program support in schools)
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, 3:00-5:00pm
Commitment: Length can be discussed. After School Programs run from October- late May. We ask for a minimum of once a week visits.

“The Manager” (Developmental sports league support in and out of schools)
Duties:
Refereeing at Games.
Referees can create a fun, supportive environment for developing players by officiating, explaining rules and enthusiastically promoting non-competitive play.

Assistant Coaching
Assistant coaches will work with PCs (Coaches) to run practices and coach games, all the while building skills, positive attitudes and enforcing teamwork. Be advised that for this experience to be meaningful for volunteers, PCs and players, assistant coaches should commit to all league events (practices and games) for the entire 7-week season.

Extravaganzas and Jamborees are one-day special events that enhance leagues.
Volunteers can help PCs 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: Practices and evening games will be held once a week. Practices generally held from 3:15-4:30 p.m. Game times TBA . Extravaganzas and Jamborees are on the weekends.
Commitment: We ask for a minimum of 2 hours per week for 7 weeks (each season) plus an
occasional weekend day.

“Social Media Guru” (Office Support)
Duties: As Playworks’ Social Media Volunteer you will assist in maintaining and improving the Playworks Philadelphia Facebook Page, Twitter Account, Webpage and blog. Social Media Volunteers would also work on printed material that Playworks can use for promotion. As the Social Media Volunteer, you must possess outstanding administrative skills, and be detail oriented, self-motivated, dedicated to quality, and ready to take on new challenges.
Details:
-Update Facebook Page, Twitter, webpage and LinkedIn on a continuous basis
-Create new printed material that could be used to promote Playworks Philadelphia
-Create promotional materials for specific Playworks Philadelphia events
Skills and Qualifications:
-Strong commitment to youth
-Playful spirit
-Undergraduate student or recent college graduate preferred
-Proficiency in Social Networking
-Strong written and oral communication skills
-Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
-Ability to organize, prioritize and work independently
Days/Hours: Length can be discussed, approximately 5 to 10 hours/week.

"The Pinch Hitter" (Office and school support)
Additional Program Support  
Duties: Participating in various school/community outreach projects, fairs and fundraising events.
Details: Varied depending on project or opportunity.
Day/Hour: Varied
Commitment: Flexible and/or on call

“The Relief Pitcher” (Grant writing office support)
Duties: As Playworks’ Grant Writing Volunteer you will assist with researching and completing grants. As the Grant Writing Volunteer, you must possess outstanding administrative skills, and be detail-oriented, self-motivated, dedicated to quality, and ready to take on new challenges.
Details:
-Research grants in Philadelphia for program support
-Data entry using Excel, Salesforce, and other programs
-Draft grant proposals
Skills and Qualifications:
-Strong commitment to youth
-Playful spirit
-Undergraduate student or recent college graduate preferred
-Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
-Strong written and oral communication skills
-Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
-Ability to organize, prioritize and work independently
Commitment: Length can be discussed; 5 to 10 hours/week. Commitment is flexible.