The Ross Community Center offers many opportunities for a variety of volunteer experiences, including elementary education, community outreach and youth sports. Ross accepts volunteers from independent and coordinated programs. The Ross Center has something for everyone. Come join us!
Volunteer
Why should someone volunteer with the Ross Center?
Requirements to volunteer:
1. All volunteers are required to have a complete limited-criminal background check on file prior to their desired start date. Limited Criminal History Search
2. Individuals must be 17 years of age or older
Volunteer Opportunities:
Education:
After School Program
The Ross After School Program provides elementary aged students ages K-5. Providing students with one-on-one tutoring, homework help, project-based learning, and learning through play. The Center services many Muncie city schools, in addition to private schools and a large home schooled population. The Center welcomes students outside the city limits as well, seeing an increase in participation from surrounding county schools. When school is not in session, there is no After School Program. The program opens early to students every fourth Tuesday of the month, the students start arriving at 12:45PM.
Program Schedule
The After School Program runs Monday- Thursday 2:30PM- 5:30PM, following the Muncie Public School Schedule. Fridays are only for Music classes. >>Muncie Public School Calendar
Your Role in the Program
Mentor: Serve as a positive role model for our kids. Encourage them to learn and invest in positive hobbies. Support them in working towards personal goals.
Tutoring: Currently, tutoring needs are primarily in reading and math
Homework support: Help students to complete homework to the best of their abilities. Ensuring that they understand the concepts being taught/practiced in their assignments.
If you have questions about volunteering with our After School Program contact our Education and Horticulture Coordinator at education@rosscentermuncie.org.
Community Outreach:
Community Market
The Ross Community Center Community Market provides community members in need with food and other necessities, servicing over five hundred individuals weekly.
Program Schedule
Every Friday from 1PM-6PM. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. consists in preparation for the market; unloading the truck and sorting the items in boxes. From 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. we engage with the people at the market, giving out the boxes and other essential items.
Apparel Requirements
This event takes place outside in all weather conditions, please be sure to dress appropriately. Sturdy closed-toed shoes are recommended.
Your Role in the Program
As a volunteer working with the Community Market, individuals will work with Ross Center employees to sort food deliveries from Second Harvest Food Bank. In addition, volunteers will pack boxes for distribution and assist with the distribution of said boxes.
If you have any questions about volunteering with our outreach programs, contact our Community Programs Coordinator at education@rosscentermuncie.org.
Community Programs and Events
If you are interested in a one day event and connecting with the local community, come volunteer for our monthly community events.
If you have question about volunteering with our upcoming community programs and events contact our Executive Director, Jacqueline Hanoman: director@rosscentermuncie.org.
Sports
Since 2016, the Ross Community Center has grown tremendously in many ways, with sports being one of them. Since inaugurating our new ballfields in 2018, the Ross Community Center Baseball Program has flourished. As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, our numbers continue to grow. The Ross Community Center Baseball program offers opportunities to local youth to learn new skills and make positive connections with their peers.
Sports Camps
The Ross Community Center regularly hosts sports camps throughout the year, including flag football, soccer, baseball and basketball. Volunteers will be mentoring camp participants and assisting with teaching the athletic skills in practice.
Leagues
The Ross Community Center currently hosts a successful youth baseball program. Volunteer coaches, base coaches and umpires are vital to the success of the Ross Community Center Youth Baseball Program. In 2023 the center is expanding, hosting a flag football league in addition, compounding the center’s need for volunteer couches. All volunteer coaches will be provided with coaching classes and curriculum.
Concessions
Volunteers are always needed to run concession stands during the Ross Community Center Summer Youth Baseball Program, running weekdays during May and June.
For more information, please contact sports@rosscentermuncie.org.
Gardens
Help the Ross Center expand and maintain our public park and garden.
If you have any questions about volunteering with our park and garden contact our Education and Horticulture Coordinator at education@rosscentermuncie.org.
