WHO ARE OUR VOLUNTEERS AND MENTORS?
Our volunteers and mentors are professional women of color and their non-women of color allies. Each is committed to mentoring, guiding, nurturing, supporting, and advocating on behalf of the educational rights of girls and young women of color. They are also committed to helping girls thrive and succeed in school and in life. Click HERE to download a copy of the information on this page.
WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT?
The success of our volunteer program is based on positive relationship building, stability and continuity. Our volunteers are asked to commit to Code Switch for a minimum of one 12 month period. Non-mentoring volunteers provide guidance and support behind the scenes. Activities may include supporting event planning, speaking at school-based events, attending network meetings, and/or helping with office tasks. Volunteers committing to critical mentorship are expected to have two contacts per week with our girls. In-school mentors are asked to meet weekly with their mentee for one hour at the partner school site during and/or after the school day. Community-based mentors provide girls with academic, emotional, and cultural support and are asked to accompany girls to planned mentored events and outings.
WHY DOES CODE SWITCH WORK?
The mentored relationship helps girls develop healthy life and leadership skills which aids in establishing a strong foundation for future academic achievement, emotional and personal growth, and community-based advocacy on behalf of themselves and other youth. Events and circles employing restorative practices provide girls with culturally-centered, humanizing space to discuss and resolve conflicts connected to life and schooling experiences. Combined, both increase the likelihood that participating girls thrive, graduate from high school and go on to pursue positive post-secondary pathways of success.
WHAT DO I DO TO GET STARTED?
Once the volunteer application is submitted, each applicant’s references are contacted and a background and interview process is completed. All volunteers are required to participate in a multi-tiered training process that includes an introduction to the Code Switch Network, the completion of mentor training requirements with community partners (i.e. local school district, mentor providers, etc.), and on-going training in the use of restorative practices.
WHAT KIND OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE IS AVAILABLE?
Our volunteers serve in many roles. Read more about each type of volunteer below. They include:
CULTURAL MENTORS: Code Switch girls expect to receive the support and guidance necessary to achieve and thrive in school. This includes academic tutoring to successfully complete and meet graduation requirements. Cultural mentors are professional Women of Color from the community, aged 25+ volunteering to spend time with girls in a host site (i.e. public middle and/or high school) within the Code Switch partnership network. They serve as positive role models, as well as a trusted adviser committed to keeping girls on track academically, and providing them with the love, support, nurturing, tools and confidence they need to successfully graduate from high school. A 12-month commitment is required and a minimum of 2 hours of weekly contact is required - one hour at a host site and an additional hour as determined by the mentor and mentee (email, phone, video-call contacts encouraged). Cultural mentors are also asked to accompany mentees to occasional outings and events sponsored by Code Switch and/or partnering mentorship organizations.
EDUCATOR MENTORS: Like Cultural Mentors, Educator Mentors provide girls and young women with the supports and guidance necessary to achieve and thrive in school. Specifically, Educator Mentors are Women of Color educators teaching, leading, and serving in a public middle and/or high school within the Code Switch partnership network. They serve as school-based liaisons, positive role models, as well as a trusted adviser committed to keeping girls on track academically. They work with other site-based stakeholders to employ culturally-centered restorative practices within the school setting as a way to provide girls with the love, support, nurturing, tools and confidence they need to successfully graduate from high school and achieve post-graduation success.
YOUTH JUSTICE ADVOCATES: Many of the Girls of Color we work with are seeking committed, culturally responsive adult role-models who can help guide them in the right direction. Youth Justice Advocates are Professional Women of Color (or racial justice allies) from the community, aged 25+, who help girls tap into the knowledge, cultural wealth, and power they already have living inside of them. They co-lead and facilitate weekly justice sessions in community space, helping participating girls develop a strong sense of self-awareness and determination by guiding them to explore and unpack cultural and racial identity. Youth Justice Advocates also provide participating girls with the tools they need to be successful and thrive in and outside of school by introducing them to theories connected to restorative practices, critical mentorship, and youth participatory action research (YPAR) and helping them apply these concepts to actionable projects meant to make schools and communities more equitable and just. These volunteers should also expect to work directly with partnering mentorship organizations. An 8-month commitment is required (October - May)
NETWORK ADVOCATES: These volunteers are practitioners, researchers, education stakeholders, concerned community members, and community-based organizations inspired to take actionable steps to begin to address the structural and institutional barriers and inequities experienced by girls of color (with a focus on Black girls) in local school and community spaces. In addition to working on behind-the-scenes tasks, they form a strategically networked alliance called the Southern Nevada Black Girl Equity Collaborative charged with engaging data-driven problem solving to implement policy-based solutions to the challenges Black girls and young women face.
CULTURAL MENTORS: Code Switch girls expect to receive the support and guidance necessary to achieve and thrive in school. This includes academic tutoring to successfully complete and meet graduation requirements. Cultural mentors are professional Women of Color from the community, aged 25+ volunteering to spend time with girls in a host site (i.e. public middle and/or high school) within the Code Switch partnership network. They serve as positive role models, as well as a trusted adviser committed to keeping girls on track academically, and providing them with the love, support, nurturing, tools and confidence they need to successfully graduate from high school. A 12-month commitment is required and a minimum of 2 hours of weekly contact is required - one hour at a host site and an additional hour as determined by the mentor and mentee (email, phone, video-call contacts encouraged). Cultural mentors are also asked to accompany mentees to occasional outings and events sponsored by Code Switch and/or partnering mentorship organizations.
EDUCATOR MENTORS: Like Cultural Mentors, Educator Mentors provide girls and young women with the supports and guidance necessary to achieve and thrive in school. Specifically, Educator Mentors are Women of Color educators teaching, leading, and serving in a public middle and/or high school within the Code Switch partnership network. They serve as school-based liaisons, positive role models, as well as a trusted adviser committed to keeping girls on track academically. They work with other site-based stakeholders to employ culturally-centered restorative practices within the school setting as a way to provide girls with the love, support, nurturing, tools and confidence they need to successfully graduate from high school and achieve post-graduation success.
YOUTH JUSTICE ADVOCATES: Many of the Girls of Color we work with are seeking committed, culturally responsive adult role-models who can help guide them in the right direction. Youth Justice Advocates are Professional Women of Color (or racial justice allies) from the community, aged 25+, who help girls tap into the knowledge, cultural wealth, and power they already have living inside of them. They co-lead and facilitate weekly justice sessions in community space, helping participating girls develop a strong sense of self-awareness and determination by guiding them to explore and unpack cultural and racial identity. Youth Justice Advocates also provide participating girls with the tools they need to be successful and thrive in and outside of school by introducing them to theories connected to restorative practices, critical mentorship, and youth participatory action research (YPAR) and helping them apply these concepts to actionable projects meant to make schools and communities more equitable and just. These volunteers should also expect to work directly with partnering mentorship organizations. An 8-month commitment is required (October - May)
NETWORK ADVOCATES: These volunteers are practitioners, researchers, education stakeholders, concerned community members, and community-based organizations inspired to take actionable steps to begin to address the structural and institutional barriers and inequities experienced by girls of color (with a focus on Black girls) in local school and community spaces. In addition to working on behind-the-scenes tasks, they form a strategically networked alliance called the Southern Nevada Black Girl Equity Collaborative charged with engaging data-driven problem solving to implement policy-based solutions to the challenges Black girls and young women face.
WHAT IS CODE SWITCH LOOKING FOR IN A VOLUNTEER?
Serving as a Code Switch volunteer is a serious commitment. You will be serving as a role model and support system for a vulnerable, yet empowered youth population. Each volunteer brings collective knowledge, talents and life experiences to share with our girls, who are each on their own road of discovery and also bring their own unique knowledge, talents, and life experiences. We ask that you take pause and consider carefully your will to commit before completing the volunteer application process. You should also be sure you meet the criteria listed below.
Minimum Volunteer Criteria:
Minimum Volunteer Commitments:
Minimum Volunteer Criteria:
- Self-identify as a Professional Woman of Color, aged 25+ (and/or as a racial justice ally committed to educational equity for Girls of Color)
- Strong commitment to racial equity
- Self-identify with, and willing to unapologetically combat anti-blackness through anti-racist advocacy
- Able to commit to 2 hours per week in volunteer/mentorship work
- Willing to complete an application and can successfully pay for and pass a comprehensive Background check
Minimum Volunteer Commitments:
- Serve as a positive role model.
- Take the lead in supporting participating girls through an on-going, one-to-one relationship.
- Help participating girls set goals and work toward accomplishing them.
- Build relationships with girls and the Code Switch leadership team, as well as the network of individuals and organizations supporting them.
- Participate in Code Switch and partnering organizations’ activities together.
- Continue to build knowledge about critical mentorship and restorative practices through attending monthly network meetings, as well as training and development events sponsored by Code Switch.
- Strive for mutual respect.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Step 0: Register Interest and Complete the Introduction Course: Sign up to volunteer for Code Switch by registering with us through the National Mentoring Partnership Site or go straight to our Introductory Training Canvas Course. This course will provide you with an opportunity to get to know more about us before making a decision to volunteer. Once you have completed the Introductory Module and made the decision to commit for a year of volunteer service, you are ready to start the process. The process includes each of the steps that follow. Let's get started!
Step 1: Volunteer Application: Complete the application. You will be asked to provide information regarding personal history, education, employment, and experience with youth . Applications are only made available to those completing our introductory course.
Step 2: Personal Interview: Potential volunteers will be contacted by a Code Switch team member. Participating in the interview is required before moving forward in the application screening process.
Step 3: Background Check: Potential volunteers will need to agree to complete a multiple-step federal background check that potentially includes participating in both Code Switch and the local school district’s (CCSD) volunteer screening process. This process may include signing up for the local district's mentor program, submitting to fingerprinting, and participating in a second interview. There may be a fee for the local school district's fingerprinting and background check. If passed and a volunteer consent form is signed with Code Switch, reimbursement is available.
Step 4: Background Check Verification: Potential volunteers will need to submit proof of successfully completing a comprehensive background check. Applicants will also be cross-referenced with the National Sex Offender registry. Once clearances are received applicants are eligible to participate in orientation and training in preparation for volunteer service.
Step 5: Code Switch Orientation: Potential volunteers will participate in an orientation session with Code Switch to review important policies, procedures, skills, tips, and strategies that promote successful mentoring and volunteer service.
Step 6: Culturally Centered Restorative Practices Training: Potential volunteers are required to participate in restorative practices training with Code Switch and/or a Code Switch approved provider, to develop culturally-centered knowledge and mentorship strategies unique to working with Girls of Color. Restorative topics may include but not be limited to:
Step 7: Weekly Volunteer/Mentored Sessions: Volunteers will be matched with tasks specific to application requests. Weekly mentoring sessions may occur during the school day, on the school campus after school, or in community space at host sites. Times for sessions may vary, however, volunteers/mentors should plan for about 1-2 hours each week, and two contacts. In some cases, contacts can also be made via phone, video-call, email, text, or social media engagement.
Step 8: Project Evaluation: Volunteers, Mentors, mentees, and parents/guardians are asked to complete an end of year evaluation to assess the effectiveness of volunteer service.
Step 1: Volunteer Application: Complete the application. You will be asked to provide information regarding personal history, education, employment, and experience with youth . Applications are only made available to those completing our introductory course.
Step 2: Personal Interview: Potential volunteers will be contacted by a Code Switch team member. Participating in the interview is required before moving forward in the application screening process.
Step 3: Background Check: Potential volunteers will need to agree to complete a multiple-step federal background check that potentially includes participating in both Code Switch and the local school district’s (CCSD) volunteer screening process. This process may include signing up for the local district's mentor program, submitting to fingerprinting, and participating in a second interview. There may be a fee for the local school district's fingerprinting and background check. If passed and a volunteer consent form is signed with Code Switch, reimbursement is available.
Step 4: Background Check Verification: Potential volunteers will need to submit proof of successfully completing a comprehensive background check. Applicants will also be cross-referenced with the National Sex Offender registry. Once clearances are received applicants are eligible to participate in orientation and training in preparation for volunteer service.
Step 5: Code Switch Orientation: Potential volunteers will participate in an orientation session with Code Switch to review important policies, procedures, skills, tips, and strategies that promote successful mentoring and volunteer service.
Step 6: Culturally Centered Restorative Practices Training: Potential volunteers are required to participate in restorative practices training with Code Switch and/or a Code Switch approved provider, to develop culturally-centered knowledge and mentorship strategies unique to working with Girls of Color. Restorative topics may include but not be limited to:
- Self-identity work by reflecting on one’s own privilege, assumptions, and biases about girls of color,
- the specific needs and issues faced by Black girls (and other girls of color),
- oppression and social justice issues experienced by Black girls,
- an introduction to Restorative Practices, including restorative circles and conferencing,
- an introduction to the Code Switch sister circle, and
- how to apply this knowledge to mentoring Girls of Color
Step 7: Weekly Volunteer/Mentored Sessions: Volunteers will be matched with tasks specific to application requests. Weekly mentoring sessions may occur during the school day, on the school campus after school, or in community space at host sites. Times for sessions may vary, however, volunteers/mentors should plan for about 1-2 hours each week, and two contacts. In some cases, contacts can also be made via phone, video-call, email, text, or social media engagement.
Step 8: Project Evaluation: Volunteers, Mentors, mentees, and parents/guardians are asked to complete an end of year evaluation to assess the effectiveness of volunteer service.
You can make the difference for a lifetime.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER OR MENTOR TODAY!
BECOME A VOLUNTEER OR MENTOR TODAY!