United Way Community Centers
What is United Way Community Centers?
The United Way Community Centers offer a variety of fun and fulfilling service opportunities for volunteers to work with children and teens. Throughout the year, the United Way Community Centers need help with tutoring, coaching youth sports, and teaching music, art, and dance. Y-Serve’s role at the Community Centers is constantly expanding! Spanish-speaking ability is helpful, but not required.
How do I get involved?
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Volunteer Description: Volunteers interact with children, mentor them, and will participate in uplifting activities together.
Volunteer Commitment: Though not required, consistent attendance leads to more meaningful connections.
Opportunities:
*NOTE: Please contact the Lead Program Director before attending any programs*
South Franklin Community Center
770 S 700 W St Provo, UT 84601
| Reading Club Help children improve their reading skills and learn to love books. | Thursdays 5:00-6:00 PM |
| Homework Help Helps kids K-12 with various homework assignments and subjects. Mandarin speakers needed. | Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00-7:00 PM |
| Soccer Help kids to exercise and learn basic soccer skills. Soccer experience is helpful, but definitely not required. | Thursdays 6:00-7:00 PM |
| Basketball Club Teach kids how to play basketball and utilize basic mobility skills. Basketball experience is helpful, but not required. | Mondays 6:00-7:00 PM |
| Board Game Club Be a role model for kids while hanging out and playing board games | Fridays 4:00-5:00 PM |
| Music Lessons Provide private music lessons for kids in piano, violin, and guitar. Please contact us if you play a different instrument, there is likely still a need for it! | Please email us so that we can work with your schedule! |
One-Time Events
South Franklin also holds events (holiday parties, program graduation ceremonies, etc.) that need volunteer assistance. Please email communitycenters@byu.edu with your name to be added to our list of volunteers to reach out to for these events. This is a great way to do service at times that work for you!
Payson Community Center
| Reading Club Help children improve their reading skills and learn to love books. | Mondays 4:30-5:30 PM |
| Homework Help Help kids K-12 with various homework assignments and subjects. Mandarin Speakers Needed. | Thursdays 4:30-5:30 PM |
| Music Lessons Provide private music lessons for kids in piano, violin, and guitar. Please contact us if you play a different instrument, there is likely still a need for it! | Please email us so that we can work with your schedule! |
How to Volunteer:
To get involved with any of our programs, please email communitycenters@byu.edu or text the Lead Program Director (found on the "Contact Us" tab) to get in contact with us. We would be happy to talk to you to help you find the perfect fit.
BECOME A LEADER
Volunteer Leader Description: There are two kinds of leadership positions: Lead Program Director and Program Director. A program only has one Lead Program Director, but multiple Program Directors. Leaders are generally responsible for overseeing recruitment, retention, and reflection with volunteers. They also coordinate service with community partners and ensure their program runs smoothly. Volunteer leaders may also share the responsibilities of volunteers as outlined in the Volunteer Description. For more information, visit our section called Be a Leader!
Volunteer Leader Commitment: In addition to volunteering, Volunteer leaders commit to a 1-hour monthly team meeting to discuss needs and make plans for the program. Apply to become a leader by completing the application below:
Contact Info
My favorite experience from this semester was being involved in the reading program at the United Way South Franklin Community Center. We teach kids to read and sometimes their parents come and they can't read English and they thank us profusely because we spend the time to give their kids the opportunity they never had. I loved getting to know the kids and how they were able to get to know me. Probably the most fun aspect was playing games at the end of our activity. It was so fun and funny to see the kids get competitive and how much they enjoyed our service activity!
I worked with a girl this semester brand new to the states. Her mom came to me with her desires for her daughter as a new immigrant and begged me to help. I have seen this be one of many community members helped by giving of my time. I saw volunteers turn boring home work into fun games of learn. I have seen children bring smiles to faces of all. It’s been such a blessing.
Last semester, I discovered a volunteer opportunity to help kids with their Mandarin through Y-Serve, which led me to become an intern at the South Franklin Center. This semester, I've taken on the responsibility of leading the Mandarin program there! I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity to utilize my skills while making a meaningful impact on others! Building on this experience, I am now launching a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children in Chinese immersion programs by enhancing their cultural competency and understanding. This initiative includes establishing the first Chinese Mandarin library in Utah - a resource designed to foster a deeper connection to Chinese language and culture for young learners.