Volunteerism and the Youngstown City School System

[tony]

TimeBank Mahoning Watershed, Inc., is an umbrella network of communities based on "Time Dollars:" (TD$) the currency of equally valued services, the exchange of which empowers individuals to utilize their assets, to enhance their lives, neighborhood and communities.

The TimeBank Mahoning Watershed is a free, member-run service exchange that invites and enables folks to share their skills, while drawing out hidden talents and unfulfilled aspirations.  Together we are building networks of helpfulness and community that can provide true security and a high quality of life for all.

Tony Budak
www.tbmw.org

[AllanY2525]

President-Elect Obama has called for a renewed spirit of Public Service
in America, to help us get through these tough times.  I wonder if the
Youngstown City School System has considered the idea of recruiting
volunteers to help staff the city schools?

As a child, I remember my mother teaching art classes at our local elementary
school.  She donated several hours of her time each week to teach kids in
grades 1 through 4, and the school was very grateful to her for her time and
her passion for art - not to mention the fact that the other kids really liked her.
She never asked for a single penny in return.

I had an aunt who used to teach music/piano classes as a volunteer.  She
did it out of the goodness of her heart, and because she CARED.

Are there any smart, decent, caring people out there who might be willing to
volunteer a few hours a week to work as teacher's aides, etc. in the city's
schools to help stretch their budget?   I for one think that there are.

I worked in the I.T. industry for seventeen years and, although I am not ready
for retirement just yet, I have often considered a volunteer job someday when
I am ready to retire.  It would afford me an opportunity to "give something back"
in return for all of the opportunities I was given.  I've often fancied the idea of
teaching kids how to assemble/repair PC's and file server hardware, and how to
install and configure Linux as an alternative to Microsoft Windows, how to setup
a web server, etc - a valuable skill in the age of the Internet which could lead to
a promising and good-paying career.

Giving our young people more educational opportunities in the Internet field is
one way that the city could possibly attract more tech industry to the area,
by providing a larger work force that is learned in the technical trades.

One of the most beautiful aspects of the Internet business is that it is
basically irrelevant where the businesses are located, physically.  Jobs
in these types of businesses typically pay VERY well and, as I always say,
Youngstown needs to return to being an "export economy"  ANY product
or service that can be made or rendered in Youngstown and sold abroad
will only serve to bring MORE money and jobs INTO Youngstown.

Older folks who are at, or near, retirement age could provide valuable skills,
experience and knowledge to help mentor today's kids and prepare themselves
for life as an adult.  Especially those who were professionals in technical and
skilled trades jobs during their working years.  These folks are an incredibly
valuable asset to any community - both in terms of the knowledge they can
pass on and as role models for, and a source of encouragement TO - our
young people.

Any thoughts on this idea?