Hands that Serve Hearts that Care
Some of the many faces of volunteers that make a difference in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.
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How does the District add thousands of dedicated part-time staff members who are willing to work without pay? Through the efforts of the Volunteer Services Program!
Community involvement pulses through each of the District’s 33 schools. Begun in 1973, the program has grown from 626 volunteers contributing 11,000 hours to an amazing corps of 6,357 volunteers sharing a reported 135,939 hours during the 2007-08 school year! Parents continue to make up the bulk of the volunteer workforce, with non-parents, high school and college students, senior adults, and business and industry partiers greatly contributing as well. Last year, volunteers outnumbered staff at a ratio of more than 2 to 1. This is equivalent to 126 teacher associates, working six hours a day!
“The spirit of volunteerism continues to thrive in the Cedar Rapids Community Schools,” explained Marcia Hughes, Community Relations Supervisor. “The example set by our volunteers inspires others to share their own time and talents. Their efforts enrich the learning environment for all students.”
The District will recognize one volunteer from each school on April 27 during the board of education meeting. The Outstanding Building Volunteers were selected by their school volunteer programs to represent the many excellent volunteers that contribute to the academic success of students at that school. Click here for the 2009 Volunteer Hall of Fame.