Volunteering comes in many shapes and sizes and is a way to reach out to children who desperately need love and attention. By choosing to volunteer at Brooklawn you will receive the lasting reward of knowing that you touched the life of a child. We invite you to join our volunteer team in our effort to restore hope and healing for young minds and hearts.
Become a tutorMany of our boys have been moved from family member to family member or hospital to hospital, and lack many basic educational skills. Tutoring helps our boys improve classroom performance and build self-esteem. Volunteer tutors help our boys with reading, math or specific homework assignments. In-school tutors may assist in classrooms between 8:30 am until 2:30 pm. After school, tutoring is Monday through Thursday between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Tutoring requires a minimum commitment of one half-hour session per week.
Organize a partyFriends, co-workers or church groups are invited to plan a birthday or theme party for a deserving group of boys. Parties are held on Saturdays from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm. Groups usually provide light refreshments and plan on-campus activities for 15 -20 boys. These parties enable our boys to interact with positive role models while under the supervision of the Brooklawn staff.
Become a mentorMany of the boys who come to Brooklawn are victims of abuse, abandonment or neglect. They are left without a family to call their own. Thus, it is extremely important for these children to get special adult attention. These boys need experiences that restore their confidence and trust in adults. Mentoring can be achieved by simply coming to the Brooklawn campus to play basketball, read a book, or eat dinner with an assigned resident. To display consistency and care, mentors are asked to make a six-month weekly commitment to visit one of the residents.
Take a discovery tripVolunteers are needed to plan and escort 15 to 20 residents on an off-campus outing. These trips expand our boys’ educational and recreational experiences. Possible outings include: Louisville Slugger Museum , Newport Aquarium, Louisville Science Center , a factory/career oriented location, fishing, hiking, skating or the Louisville Zoo.
Perform a campusBrooklawn greatly benefits from volunteers who help paint, wash windows and landscape. It is a continuous effort to keep the 25-acre, 15-building campus pleasant, neat and liveable for the boys. Companies, organizations and church groups are invited to inquire about these special projects.
Volunteer at aBrooklawn participates in special events throughout the year. Helpers are needed at the St. James Court Art Show, the Brooklawn Festival and Craft Bazaar, the Annual German Dinner, the Pancake Luncheon, and the Boys’ Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners.
Join the Brooklawn AuxilliaryThe Brooklawn Auxiliary is a group of special volunteers who support the Brooklawn boys, remembering them on holidays and other special occasions.
The Auxiliary coordinates and participates in special events such as our annual German Dinner, Potato Pancake Luncheon and Fall Festival. They also help make our mailings possible by stuffing envelopes and adhering labels.
The Auxiliary helps raise money to fund extra activities for the boys. They made a generous gift of $10,000 to help construct the Brooklawn School and recently gave $1,000 to begin Brooklawn’s new Boy Scout Troop.
The Brooklawn Auxiliary meets every second Monday of the month at 10:30 AM.
Other ways to help:
Brooklawn staff members are present during all volunteer activities and they must be scheduled through Brooklawn’s Volunteer Coordinator, Patty Youngs at 515-0434 or pyoungs@brooklawn.net. You can also call our Director of Community Involvement, Missy Fountain at (502) 515-0474 or mfountain@brooklawn.net.
"I want to offer a big thank you to all of Brooklawn’s volunteers. You are all very special to me and our Brooklawn residents. You give hope, love and compassion to children who desperately need it. You make a difference and for that I am very grateful."
Missy Hollar Fountain
Director of Community Involvement