Every school year, Thomas Worthington High School Juniors and Seniors are given the opportunity to participate in a program called Cards For Kids. Cards For Kids is a choice for students who would like to volunteer in an elementary school Classroom. Whether it’s helping with crafts, reading, writing, or even just playing outside with the kids at recess, Volunteers enjoy working with young students and their teachers to create a positive environment in the classroom.

Being a mentor does come with a few requirements. Students must attend a mandatory training session before they can be matched with a teacher/classroom. Mentors must then initiate a one on one meeting with the teacher they are assigned with to discuss classroom expectations, set up a schedule of when the mentor will be helping in the classroom, and any other necessary details. The student must spend at least one hour per week with their assigned class and are expected to sign in and out of the TWHS office and the elementary school they are volunteering at.

Teachers submit requests to be matched with a high school mentor, based on need. The requests are all very different, for example: need high school helpers to help with reading, looking for help with our math block, help with kindergartners in the library. High school students are then matched with teachers based on the specific needs of the teachers as well their schedule availability given by both the student and teacher.

Becky Fennie, A parent of multiple TWHS students, and the new head of the Cards For Kids program. The program benefits the community by the careful design of its goals.

“The goals of the program are multi-part. It’s a great way for high schoolers to give back to the school community. The high schoolers also support the teachers by helping to meet needs within their classroom,” says Fennie.

Cards For Kids is one of the many volunteer opportunities that Thomas Worthington Offers for students. Engaging in these types of activities in high school is a valuable experience that comes with numerous benefits. Not only does it allow students to give back to their communities, but it can also help them develop many essential life skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving. Participating in volunteering can also enhance college applications/resumes, but the real reward extends far beyond the high school years, creating a long lasting impact on both the student and community as a whole.