Service Learning Guide
2003 - 2004
PO Box 5164 Largo, FL 33779-5164
Phone 727-518-3348 FAX 727-518-3353
Website: www.211tampabaycares.org
Enjoy the Benefits of Volunteering!
Develop Leadership Skills
Create College/Scholarship References
Brainstorm Career Ideas
Make New Friends
Learn New Skills
Help Other People
VOLUNTEER!
Enhance your application to college. Universities across the country are stressing the importance of volunteering and have increased the attention they pay towards individuals who volunteer.
The St. Petersburg Times reported that "83% of college freshmen last year said they had performed community work in their high schools-a jump of 26% in just more than a decade."
So let's get started... What is Service Learning?
Service Learning connects meaningful service, schoolwork, personal growth, and responsibility. It's different from volunteering because Service Learning links your individual academic coursework with a specific community Problem. Service Learning hours can meet the needs for the Bright Futures Scholarship program and the 75 hours required for the Florida Academic Scholars Award, as well as additional Service Learning hours that may be needed for graduation!
This directory is a listing of nonprofit organizations throughout Pinellas County that need your assistance, and have been trained to assist you with your Service Learning requirements.
How do I get started?
To assist you with your project, we recommend you follow the 6 steps below in order to have a positive and successful Service Learning experience:
STEP 1: What do you want to do to help your community? What segment of your community do you want to make a lasting impact on? Do you want to help to fight animal abuse? How about fight hunger, and feeding a young child, who needs people like you?! Or, if you are interested in theater, research the benefits of cultural arts in society.
STEP 2: Find an agency in this guide that matches the issue.
STEP 3: Call the contact person listed for the agency you want to work with, tell them you want to complete a Service Learning project there.
STEP 4: Ask questions!
· What does the organization do?
· Where is it located and where will I be working?
· Are the hours flexible enough so I can complete my project? · Can I get a job description and a brochure about the agency in the mail?
STEP 5: Arrange a time to meet the people at the agency.
STEP 6: Have Fun! Make the commitment to your project and keep it.
So what are you waiting for? LET'S GET STARTED!
Sincerely,
George Vasiliou
2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares, Inc. & The Volunteer Action Center Youth Volunteer Services Coordinator
Phone: (727) 518-3348 george@211tampabay.info
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NORTH COUNTY
CLEARWATER
CLEARWATER PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Contact: Birgitt Dowd, (727) 562-4803
Email: bdowd@clearwater.fl.com
Address: P0. Box 4748, Clearwater FL 33738
· Minimum Age: 12
This agency can accommodate groups. The size is determined according to the project.
Service Learning Project Topics: Environmental Conservation and the Cultural Arts
Description: Clearwater Parks and Recreation develops, organizes, and presents activities for its citizens.
COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER
Contact: Sharon Hillestad, (727) 441-4444
Email: sharonh@tampabay.rr.com
Address: 1611 N. Ft. Harrison, Clearwater FL 33755
· Minimum Age: 13
They can accommodate groups of about 3 people
Service Learning Project Topics: Early Adolescent Development, Education - literary and mathematics
Description: This center works at increasing the literary of youth and adults through teaching phonetics and using resource materials
HUMANE SOCIETY OF NORTH PINELLAS
Contact: Mary Chaboudy, (727) 797-7722 or (727) 542-8949
Address: 3040 S.R. 590, Clearwater FL 33759
· Minimum Age: 15
this agency cannot accomodate larger groups.
Service Learning Project Topics: Animals, animal abuse
Description: This agency serves as a voice for animals all across Pinellas County. They care for, nurture, and find homes for all animals.
MORTON PLANT HOSPITAL
Contact: Karin Williams, (727) 461-8155
Email: Karin.Williams@baycare.org
Address: 300 Pinellas St. Clearwater, FL 33756
· Minimum Age: 14
This agency can accomodate groups of up to 4 teens
Service Learning Project Topics: Health Care and Children
Description: Morton Plant Hospital provides a variety of medical services to our community.
Pinellas County Government
Contact: Joe LeGath, (727) 464-3945
Email: jlegath@co.pinellas.fl.us
Address: 333 Chestnut St. Clearwater, FL 33756
· Minimum Age: Depends on department
They can accomodate groups--size depends on project.
Service Learning Project Topics: Government, civics, environmental conservation, history
Description: Pinellas County Government provides a variety of services to its residents. Services are intended to support the needs of citizens throughout the county.
RCS
Program Names: RCS Food Pantry, The Haven Domestic Violence Center Grace House, Stepping Stone
Contact: Stephanie Dawson, (727) 584-3528
Email: sdawson@rcshelps.com
Address: 855 South Highland, Clearwater FL 33756
· Minimum Age: 8
They can accommodate large groups of up to 40 people.
Service Learning Project Topics: Poverty, Hunger, Homelessness
Description: The RCS food pantry provides emergenry food for families and individuals. More than 3,500 people come for food each month.
UPARC (Upper Pinellas Assoc. for Retarded Citizens)
Contact: Stanley Meyers, (727) 799-3330 ext. 7632
Address: 1501 N. Belcher Rd, Ste 249, Clearwater FL 33765
· Minimum Age: 14
They can accommodate groups up to 6 teens.
Service Learning ProjectTopics: Children, Education
Description: This agency provides group homes for retarded citizens and operates thrift shops and gift shops. |
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YWCA of Tampa Bay
Description: Judy Wood Ganisin, (727) 461-2997 ext. 22
Email: jwg@ywcaoftampabay.org
Address: 601 Lincoln Ave, Clearwater FL 33756
· Minimum Age: 14
This agency can accommodate groups of up to 12 teens.
Service learning Project Topics: Children, Education, Poverty, Literary, Immigration
Description: The YWCA provides educational programming and housing for homeless families. They are also advocates for the Hispanic population, and provide interpreters.
DUNEDIN
CITY OF DUNEDIN
Contact: Jan Sebald, (727) 298-321
Email: jsebald@dunedinfl.net
Address: 542 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698
· Minimum Age: 16
This agency can accommodate large groups of up to 20 teens.
Service Learning Project Topics: Media, Education, Journalism, Civics, Government, Environment
FAITH IN ACTION OF UPPER PINELLAS
Contact: Mary Ann Carey, (727) 739-4307
Email: fiaup@juno.com
Address: 5 Patricia Avenue, Dunedin, FL 34698
· Minimum Age: 13
This agency can accommodate groups of up to 20 teens.
Service Learning Project Topics: Senior Citizens
Description: Independent living services to assist frail elders and disabled persons to enable them to remain in their own homes.
LARGO
Pinellas County 4-H
Program Name: Youth as Resources
Contact: Beth Tobias, (727) 582-582-2513
Email: etobias@co.pinellas.fl.us
Address: 12175 125th St., Largo, FL 33774
·Minimum Age: 5
This agency can accommodate groups of up to 20 teens.
Service Learning Project Topics: Children, education, human resources, animals
Description: YAR provides monetary grants to youth in Pinellas County to assist in the completion of different volunteer/service projects
BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS OF PINELLAS COUNTY
Program Name: Site/School Based Mentoring
Contact: Amy Clark, (727) 518-8860
Email: Amy@bbbspc.org
Address: 918 East Bay Drive, Largo, FL 33770
·Minimum Age: 16
This agency can accommodate groups of essentially any size; project availability will be determined upon phone call.
Service Learning Project Topics: Children, education, literacy, poverty
Description: BB/BSPC works at matching children to adult mentors. These mentors provide support, tutoring, and companionship to children of all ages. Most of all, they act as a much needed friend.
PINELLAS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Contact: Chandler "Chuck" Parsons, (727) 536-4755
Email: chuckparsons@phfh.org
Address: 1255 Starkey Rd N, Largo, FL 33771
· Minimum Age: Call ahead
This agency can handle groups of up to 12 teens.
Service Learning Project Topics: Homelessness, Poverty, Community Planning
Description: Habitat works to ensure that all persons of all races and classes work in partnership to eradicate poverty, change lives, and build community.
LARGO CULTURAL CENTER
Program Name: V.I.T.A.L. (Volunteers in the Arts of Largo)
Contact: Lance Riddile, (727) 587-6751
Email: Iriddile@largo.com
Address: P0. Box 296, Largo FL 33779-0296
· Minimum Age: 16
This program can accommodate groups of up to 10 teens.
Service Learning Project Topics: Children, Adults, Cultural Arts, Performing Arts
Description: This is a cultural center dedicated to providing a wide range of performances. |
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SOMEBODY CARES, TAMPA BAY
Contact: Gloria Baacke, (727) 536-2273
Email: GloriaC@sctb.org
Address: 2111 34th Way N, Largo, FL 33771
· Minimum Age: 14
This agency can accommodate groups of up to 20 teens.
Service learning Project Topics: Children, Poverty
Description: This agency provides food, financial assistance, as well as referrals to other agencies for clients from all over Pinellas County.
THE HOSPICE OF THE FLORIDA SUNCOAST
Contact: Kendra Polachy, (727) 773-2570
Email: Kendrapolachy@thehospice.org
Address: 300 East Bay Drive, Largo FL 33770
Minimum age: 14 and entering 9th grade
Will accomodate groups upon availabliity, but no more than 10 teens
Service Learning ProjectTopics: Children,Adults, Senior Health Care
Description: Hospice provides care for individuals dealing with chronic illness, facing the end of life, or grieving relatives.
WATSON CENTER FOR THE BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Contact: Karina Cano, (727) 544-4433 ext. 237
Email: kcano@watsoncenter.org
Address: 6925 112th Circle N, #103, Largo, FL 33773
Minimum Age: 8
This center can accommodate groups of up to 30 teens.
Service Learning ProjectTopics: Children, Health Care, Physically disabled
Description: This center provides rehabilitation services to adults and children who are blind or visually impaired. We help those who cannot see well, live like those who do.
SAFETY HARBOR MUSEUM OF REGIONAL HISTORY
Contact: Robin Bajkiewicz, (727) 726-1668
Email: shmuseum@ij.net
Address: 329 S. Bayshore Blvd, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
Minimum Age: 16
They can accommodate groups up to 20 teens depending on project.
Service Learning Project Topics: History, Education, Civics, Children
Description: This museum offers a unique look into Pinellas (TampaBav) local history, Thev have rotatinq exhibits and give guided tours as well as lectures.
SUNCOAST PRIMATE SANCTUARY
Contact: George McCoy, (727) 943-5897
Email: info@chimpfarm.org
Address: 4612 Alt Hwy 19 Palm Harbor, FL 34683
· Minimum Age: Any, with adult present
They can accomodate groups of up to 15 youths.
Service Learning Project Topics: Animals, Abused animals
Description: This ageny is dedicated to informing the public on zoological issues and the care of aging and abused primates.
THE SHEPARD CENTER OF TARPON SPRINGS
Contact: Bill Vasiliou, (727) 939-1400 ext. 10
Email: anaphor@aol.com
Address: P.O. Box 1766, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688-1766
· Minimum Age: 14
This agency cannot accommodate groups.
Service Learning Project Topics: Children, Poverty, Hunger, Homelessness
Description: The Shepard Center provides food, clothing and help to all people. They work at defeating hunger, poverty, and homelessness throughout Pinellas County. |
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