Service-Learning OpportunitiesAt — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County

Join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County and make a difference in the lives of our youth. As part of a nonprofit organization, you will be able to work directly with our youth or in an administrative role to support various programs, activities, and events. You will have the opportunity to experience rewarding connections and you will walk away from your time at BBSVC with personal growth, professional training, and life skills.

1) PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AT LEMONWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (OXNARD)
Under direct supervision, students will plan, organize, facilitate, and monitor the activities of children enrolled in the BBSVC after-school program.  Students monitor and interact with mentors and mentees to keep them engaged in intellectual, creative, and physical activities. Students are responsible for set-up, clean-up, program implementation, and tracking, and promoting healthy youth development.

2) ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES OR LEARNING EVENTS
Students may plan, organize, and execute S.T.E.A.M. or health-related enrichment activities for Bigs and Littles, as well as youth in the general public, or simply assist with existing enrichment events. Enrichment activities include, but are not limited to, the BBSVC Big Summer Beach Day, Summer Poetry Workshops, Hike Days, etc. Learning Events include, but are not limited to, the Safe Teen Dating Workshop, Campus Tours, Career Discussions, and more.

3) MARKETING & RECRUITMENT ASSISTANCE
Working directly with the Vice President of Marketing & Recruitment, students will support specific campaigns from development to analytic tracking. Students may engage directly with the public, corporate and nonprofit business partners, and be tasked with social media projects and outreach.  Current campaigns include male mentor outreach, LGBTQ mentor outreach, and Latino mentor outreach.

4) FUND DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
Working directly with the Director of Public Relations, students will support fundraising event development and execution; events will vary depending on months of student participation.  Current events include Bags, Bling & Bubbly; Bowl For Kids’ Sake; the BBSVC Golf Classic.

5) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE

Working directly with the Vice President of Programs, students will support the In-depth, multi-platform development of BBSVC’s online technology, including website, volunteer database, CRM, and giving platforms. Develops strategies for overlap of software use and facilitation of information. Troubleshoots concerns and assists in training staff on updates.

6) COMMUNITY PROGRAM ASSISTANCE

Working directly with the Enrollment Specialist, students would be responsible for support the community program match support specialists and enrollment staff, including collecting and summarizing observations for print. Analysis of different program reports, needs, etc. Connecting program participants with enrichment opportunities. May include the opportunity for site-based supervision, for the right candidates.

7) YOUTH MENTORSHIP ASSISTANCE

Students would be matched in a 1-to-1 mentorship with a high school-aged youth, providing a combination of virtual and in-person (as any physical-distancing restrictions and best practices allow) engagement. Students would provide light tutoring for a mentee, and also follow a lightly-guided curriculum provided by BBSVC to support engagement time with youth. Students would also be expected to support the development of youth interests, explore opportunities, and help connect youth with community resources. Students would participate in scheduled internship meetups, as well as dialogue with the BBSVC program team for the development of mentorship services. A full year of service is preferred with the opportunity to continue.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Ventura County is also interested in working directly with faculty from varied disciplines to build service-learning projects that support course outcomes.