Volunteer with ABC Strath Haven

We’re Looking for a Few Good People

Do you have some time and talent?

Can you share some of it with a local organization that does a tremendous amount of good for some really great kids?

Nominations Sought for ABC Strath Haven Board:  Our local board consists of nine positions (refer to ABC Strath Haven Board and Organizational Structure). Nominations are currently being sought from community members for all board positions. Whether you would like to put your own name forward or recognize someone else who you feel would be well-suited for one of the positions, we’d like to hear from you. Board positions are generally established for a three year term, however, if you would like to serve for only one or two, that’s not out of the question and there’s a space for indicating so on the board nomination form.

Volunteer Committees:  Our local ABC chapter is managed by a board of directors, but also counts on the interest and dedication of many volunteers from the community to oversee various aspects and activities (refer to ABC Strath Haven Board and Organizational Structure). Some of these opportunities involve a commitment for much of the year, while others entail a brief stint organizing a specific event. If you’d like to help out or know someone who would, please let us know by submitting a volunteer nomination form.

Questions?  Contact the nominating committee c/o Chris Darrell via email or phone (610-690-4421).

Drivers:  ABC students are not permitted to have cars, but like all high school students, they need transportation to and from school activities and doctor’s appointments.  A list of local residents who are willing to drive students during the week is posted in each ABC house.

On the weekends, ABC students need rides to the movies, the mall, and other area locations where they can socialize with their friends.  Weekend transportation is provided by a group of committed drivers who volunteer to drive ABC students one weekend evening a month. 

If you are interested in becoming an ABC volunteer driver, please contact Transportation Coordinator Beth Cohen at mosmom@yahoo.com or 610-742-4923.

Host Families:  Each student is assigned to a host family.  Students spend alternate Sundays with their families, who have volunteered to welcome the students into their homes.  These families will be sharing their regular activities from 1 pm until 7 pm.  This gives the student a chance to be on his/her own and to develop a special relationship with a family in the Swarthmore community.  Students often bond very closely with their host families and when alumni return, it is usually to visit the host family.

If you are interested in becoming a Host Family, please contact Vicki Shelter: vshelter@aol.com or 610-543-8163.

Academic Advisors:  Each student in the ABC program gets an Academic Advisor who stays with him/her for all four years at Strath Haven HS.  The academic advisor acts as the “academic parent” for the student.  Because staff at the houses may change, the AA is the person who knows the student’s strengths and weaknesses best, and can advocate for the student with the school.  Academic Advisors meet weekly with students, and communicate regularly with Resident Directors, tutors, and parents.

If you are interested in becoming an Academic Advisor, please contact Jane Billings at jbillings221@yahoo.com or 610-544-4164.

Roomservice: There are a limited number of hotel rooms in the Swarthmore area, and not enough space to accommodate parents and friends for Swarthmore College events such as Parents Weekend and Graduation.  Through Roomservice, ABC works with Swarthmore College to make rooms in private homes available for a night or a weekend to people visiting the College.  Proceeds from hosting College visitors go to ABC.

If you are interested in providing guest housing, please contact Jennifer Lenway at jlenway@earthlink.net or 610-541-0361.