At Helen Keller School, signing is helpful but not necessary. Some volunteers might read to the children in the dorms, help out in the classrooms, teach children a new song or tell them about a country they've visited lately. When people outside the classroom care enough to spend their time with us, it sends a very clear signal to these children that they are important and they are loved. Because they primarily work with children, all AIDB volunteers on campus must go through the personnel office to complete an application packet, including submitting references. The process includes a background check.
Consistency is important for all our volunteers.
If a volunteer makes a commitment to come on a certain day, he or she must keep that commitment. We expect our volunteers to be as reliable as our staff. Our Regional Centers serve thousands of people every year, and they always need volunteer help. It doesn't always require special skills, either. Volunteers might read mail to a visually impaired client, provide transportation to the grocery store or doctor, serve juice and cookies at a Kinderprep class, or just visit the children and read them a story.