Beacon of H.O.P.E. looking for volunteers
The Beacon of H.O.P.E. is seeking volunteers for several of the programs it offers the Pine Island community. The programs are in the areas of social services and education.
An Open House will be held on Nov. 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Stonegate Bank so that prospective volunteers can ask questions and get information.
One important duty to be filled is grant writing. The Beacon has had some success with obtaining grants in the past and already has templates of the basic information that is typically required, such as the history of the organization.
“We need someone with experience in researching appropriate grant opportunities and writing the grant applications,” said Betsy Haesemeyer, executive director of the Beacon.
The Students Achieving Success program is now helping 20 students at Pine Island Elementary School, but 30 more are on a waiting list. Volunteers are needed primarily to mentor fourth and fifth graders. Those working with fourth graders meet from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the school. Fifth graders meet with the mentors on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“The volunteers may help a little with homework, but they are mainly helping the students to develop more self-esteem and confidence,” Haesemeyer said. “Schedules are flexible, but we prefer year round residents to be consistent role models.”
The volunteers also offer enrichment activities to the students, according to Elsie Stearns, Beacon board member.
“We’ve had African drumming, yoga, painting and crafts,” Stearns said. “Some have shared their travel experiences to give cultural awareness.”
Another educational program enables older students to pass their General Educational Development or GED tests. This program was started by the family of the late Chrissie Frahm. The Matlacha Hookers are now partnering with the Beacon and providing funds for tests, books, and online classes.
Volunteers are needed to tutor in basic math, science, social studies, and language arts. The Beacon is also looking for additional donors to pay for a GED instructor to meet with students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1to 3 p.m.
“Our GED students range in age from their 20s to their 40s,” Haesemeyer said. “Getting a job is so competitive now that they must have their GED to be successful. Each one is required to give back 10 hours of community service.”
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes are held at the Bokeelia Fire Station at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays in conjunction with the Literacy Council of the Gulf Coast. Volunteers need not speak Spanish. Mike Neighbors and Carol Wilson from St. John’s Episcopal Church are the main volunteers but more are needed. Training will be provided.
One component of local social services the Beacon oversees is Meals on Wheels. Currently, the Beacon has 18 Meals on Wheels clients. They expect to serve at least 25 in season. Haesemeyer thinks there are probably more residents who are homebound or unable to cook who could use the service but aren’t aware it exists. The program is coordinated through the Pine Island United Methodist Church. The Beacon is looking for additional volunteer drivers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Pattie Scott, Anita Martin, and Joanne Merritt at the Beacon have all received special training in how to complete the paperwork for Social Security, Access, and food stamps. This training will allow them to fill out the forms more completely and reduce the time required to obtain these service.
In addition to all of the above, the Beacon offers periodic health screenings and operates a thrift store.
Haesemeyer estimates the Beacon averages 380 appointments for its community programs per month. For information about any of the services and programs, call the Beacon of H.O.P.E. at (239) 283-5123.
Beacon of H.O.P.E. looking for volunteers
The Beacon of H.O.P.E. is seeking volunteers for several of the programs it offers the Pine Island community. The programs are in the areas of social services and education.
An Open House will be held on Nov. 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Stonegate Bank so that prospective volunteers can ask questions and get information.
One important duty to be filled is grant writing. The Beacon has had some success with obtaining grants in the past and already has templates of the basic information that is typically required, such as the history of the organization.
“We need someone with experience in researching appropriate grant opportunities and writing the grant applications,” said Betsy Haesemeyer, executive director of the Beacon.
The Students Achieving Success program is now helping 20 students at Pine Island Elementary School, but 30 more are on a waiting list. Volunteers are needed primarily to mentor fourth and fifth graders. Those working with fourth graders meet from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the school. Fifth graders meet with the mentors on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“The volunteers may help a little with homework, but they are mainly helping the students to develop more self-esteem and confidence,” Haesemeyer said. “Schedules are flexible, but we prefer year round residents to be consistent role models.”
The volunteers also offer enrichment activities to the students, according to Elsie Stearns, Beacon board member.
“We’ve had African drumming, yoga, painting and crafts,” Stearns said. “Some have shared their travel experiences to give cultural awareness.”
Another educational program enables older students to pass their General Educational Development or GED tests. This program was started by the family of the late Chrissie Frahm. The Matlacha Hookers are now partnering with the Beacon and providing funds for tests, books, and online classes.
Volunteers are needed to tutor in basic math, science, social studies, and language arts. The Beacon is also looking for additional donors to pay for a GED instructor to meet with students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1to 3 p.m.
“Our GED students range in age from their 20s to their 40s,” Haesemeyer said. “Getting a job is so competitive now that they must have their GED to be successful. Each one is required to give back 10 hours of community service.”
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes are held at the Bokeelia Fire Station at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays in conjunction with the Literacy Council of the Gulf Coast. Volunteers need not speak Spanish. Mike Neighbors and Carol Wilson from St. John’s Episcopal Church are the main volunteers but more are needed. Training will be provided.
One component of local social services the Beacon oversees is Meals on Wheels. Currently, the Beacon has 18 Meals on Wheels clients. They expect to serve at least 25 in season. Haesemeyer thinks there are probably more residents who are homebound or unable to cook who could use the service but aren’t aware it exists. The program is coordinated through the Pine Island United Methodist Church. The Beacon is looking for additional volunteer drivers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Pattie Scott, Anita Martin, and Joanne Merritt at the Beacon have all received special training in how to complete the paperwork for Social Security, Access, and food stamps. This training will allow them to fill out the forms more completely and reduce the time required to obtain these service.
In addition to all of the above, the Beacon offers periodic health screenings and operates a thrift store.
Haesemeyer estimates the Beacon averages 380 appointments for its community programs per month. For information about any of the services and programs, call the Beacon of H.O.P.E. at (239) 283-5123.