How can you volunteer with Alston Wilkes? We use volunteers in all of our programs.

Facility / Program Advisory Councils
Private citizens throughout the State serve as members of our various Advisory Councils. Members must be at least 21 years of age and must have completed the NCIC, SLED and Central Registry Check.

Administrative Aide
To assist staff in carrying out routine office and administrative tasks as assigned by the Facility Director or Administrative Assistant.

Sample Activities: answering the telephone, run errands, make copies, keep manuals updated, keep forms stocked, accountability for community service workers accreditation file updating, typing and other duties assigned by the Administrative Assistant.

Time Frame: Three to six months; two to three hours per week.

Benefit: Allows the Administrative Assistance and the supervision staff to do more specialized tasks.

Facility Suport Staff
To provide facility maintenance, repair, improvement to physical plant and grounds.

Sample Activities: interior and exterior painting, plumbing, electrical and gardening or landscaping.

Time Frame: Until project completion.

Benefit: Assists staff in ensuring that facilities are in optimum condition at all times.

Prison Visitation Volunteer
To provide volunteers a unique opportunity to visit a man or woman in prison who never receives any visits from the outside world. Visitations are typically on a monthly basis for one year.

**Must be at least 21 years of age.

Time Frame: Minimum one year commitment.

Recreational Aide
To plan, coordinate and/or implement recreational activities on site or away from the facility.

Sample Activities: conduct shopping trips and field trips, coordinate table games, teach musical instruments, conduct aerobic classes/excercise classes/cooking classes, conduct art and craft classes, coordinate sports activities, conduct special events and conduct in-house community clubs or organizations.

Time Frame: Three to six months; two to three hours weekly

Benefits: Allows program to offer more varied and frequent recreational opportunities and allows the resident to interact with members of the community. It also enhances the development of social, recreational and leisure skills as well as self-esteem.

Mentor
To engage in one-to-one interaction appropriate with assigned residents to provide outside contact, role modeling, and supportive presence.

Sample Activities: Regular visits, accompany resident to community events or appointments when possible, assist resident in completing job applications, writing resumes, etc., provide translation and advocacy for non-English speaking residents.

Time Frame: Length of stay of assigned resident or one year; one to two hours once a week.

Benefits: Allows the resident to establish community ties and to adjust better to the program and transition to the community; establishing healthy, trusting relationships.

Self Enhancement / Life Skills Facilitator
To provide individual or group instruction in activities designed to enhance self-esteem and personal growth.

Sample Activities: Academic tutoring, conduct groups in family living skills, conduct support groups (i.e. AA, NA), conduct religious services.

Time Frame: Three to six months minimum; two to seven hours per month.

Benefits: Prepares residents to be effective members of the community and provides them with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge base, increasing the likelihood of successful program completion.

To volunteer for any of our programs, please call (803) 799-2490 or click here to email: Volunteer with AWS.