 |  | | was funded by PNC Grow Up Great. Founded by The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., PNC Grow Up Great and PNC Crezca con Éxito form a bilingual, $350 million, multi-year initiative that began in 2004 to help prepare chil- dren – particularly underserved children – from birth to age five for success in school and life. Through Grow Up Great, PNC emphasizes the importance of the first five years of life, which research has shown is critical to long- term achievement, by helping families, educators and community partners provide innovative opportunities that enhance learning and development in a child’s early years. |  | NHSA, in collaboration with PNC Grow Up Great is pleased to offer Opening the Doors: A Community Volunteer Tool Kit to Head Start and Early Head Start directors and community outreach staff who want to enhance their program’s services by engaging community volunteers.
Using this tool kit can help you: | | | Increase the number of community volunteers Contribute substantially toward your non-federal share Provide new and innovative resources for staff and parents Strengthen existing volunteer coordination systems | | Opening the Doors is easy to use and provides everything you need for a first-rate volunteer program. The Tool Kit was field tested in Head Start pro- grams in several states for three months and reflects the best practices of exemplary community outreach programs. |  | | Here is some of what you will find in the Tool Kit: What’s In It For Me? Is There a Need? A Step by Step Needs Assessment Increase the number of community volunteers Checklist for Community Volunteer Readiness Building Investment Among Staff Sample Job Descriptions Sample Forms and Policies Volunteer Recruitment Screening, Interviewing, and Placement Recordkeeping and Reporting Measuring Volunteer Program Effectiveness | |  | "Portage Learning Centers and PNC have created a great working rela- tionship where we have a team of 10 volunteers committed to adopting our Head Start centers as part of their Grow up Great Program. The team is out going and wonderful to work with. We look forward to our rela- tionship growing stronger."—Portage Learning Centers Ravenna, OH |
"The folks at PNC are great to work with and truly put their heart into every volunteer experience each person provides to our Head Start program. This year PNC has do- nated approximately $4,500 in non-federal share to our program. Thank you PNC!"—Community Ac- tion Agency of Columbiana County Head Start, Ohio
| | |  | | |  | Volunteers can provide specialized skills and the benefits of accumulated knowledge from years of experience. They bring new ideas, fresh perspectives, and a contagious surge of refreshed energy! With flexible schedules and the ability to focus intently on a particular task, volunteers can ease the workload strain on full- time staff. Volunteers can spread the word in your community about the great things your program does for children and families! |  |  | Siria Rioja 1651 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 E-mail: srioja@nhsa.org | | |  | How to get started?
In 2012-2013, the Opening the Doors Toolkit is available to National Head Start Association members in the following states:
Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin In January, 2013 we will launch Opening the Doors in: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina | | | |
