CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Most students aren’t even aware what they are experiencing is homelessness. Even if they did, no student wants to be labeled as homeless. STUDENTS JUST WANT TO FIT IN. 

How can you access The Education Project?

The Education Project is housed in the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD). Here you can find information about who is eligible for McKinney-Vento services, what services are offered and additional links and supports around youth homelessness and education. The Education Project works closely with liaisons in the school districts, allies within each school, community partners, and families to identify and serve all youth affected by homelessness. You can reach Jessica in the Education Project office at 734-994-8100 X 1518 or at jherrmann@washtenawisd.org

How can you help?

The Education Project relies on a combination of grant support from the state and donations from members of the community. Many of the items provided to families, like toiletries and school supplies, are supplied through donations. This allows The Education Project the ability to fund other school related expenses like field trips, sports/activities, tutoring services and temporary transportation for students. Additionally, the program is always looking for volunteers to help pack up supplies for youth as well as deliver supplies to schools within the districts. By having a team of volunteers ready to disperse supplies, The Education Project will serve families more effectively.

The Education Project Volunteer Opportunities

• Inventory Management:  Count, sort and organize school supplies, toiletries, clothing, etc. to be distributed to students and families.  Assemble school supply and toiletry kits as needed.
• Distribution of Supplies:  Deliver backpacks and other supplies to schools, shelters, etc. to be given to students. (Completion of Volunteer Orientation/Training, Background Check and Fingerprinting required.)
• Shoppers:  Volunteers are needed to shop (sometimes with families) at Meijer, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. (using donated gift cards) for these items. (Completion of Volunteer Orientation/Training, Background Check and Fingerprinting required.)
• Organize a drive for new winter coats or gift cards to Target & Walmart at your local religious organization, place of work, neighborhood, schools, etc.  Contact us for specific needs.
• Join our Extended Family Network.  The Education Project’s Extended Family is a group of volunteers who give us permission to contact them approximately 1-2x per month when our families have requests that we may not have funding for or for supplies we do not have.
• Make a donation!  We are always in need of gift cards (Target & Walmart), school supplies, personal care items (shampoo, soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, lotion, etc.) and cash to be used to fund special needs of students that may arise during the year. Please click here to see our current needs list!

If you are interested in volunteering, contact us at volunteer.educationproject@gmail.com.

Monetary donations can be made online by clicking on “Donate Now” above or click here.

Checks can be mailed to:
Ozone House
1600 N. Huron River Drive
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Please include The Education Project in the memo line.

In-kind donations can be delivered to:
Washtenaw Intermediate School District
1819 W. Wagner Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
Deliveries can be made M-Th 9-4pm.