Next Door Foundation
Address: Helwig Family Community Center, 4063 N. 64th Street
Transportation: By Bus: Take the #23 bus West to Congress and North 64th. Walk 3 blocks south to the Helwig Family Community Center. By Car: Turn right on 27th and Wisconsin. (2.5mi) Turn left onto Clark (just before Fond Du Lac) go 2 blocks and take another left on 29th. Park on the street.
Approximate Travel Time By Bus: 38 minutes
Approximate Travel Time By Car: 11 minutes
- We recommend traveling by car or in a group if by bus since the bus leaves you a few blocks away from the agency.
Orientation: Arrange individual orientations with Beverly, the site contact.
Days/Hours of Operation: Varies by program, see below.
Description of Agency: The Next Door Foundation serves central city children and families. Its vision is to position central city Milwaukee kids to succeed; its mission is to support the intellectual, physical, spiritual and emotional development of children so they become self-sufficient, contributing members of the community. It is a strong, multifaceted agency offering many programs, including: head start, programs for developmentally delayed kids, 4 and 5-year-old kindergarten, a health clinic, family literacy programs for children and adults; "Books for Kids" book distribution program; educational and recreational programs for children and youth; special events.
Student Role in Agency: Students are most needed in the following areas:
- Readers-Read with Me Program: Volunteers are needed to read with children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old. Volunteers will read for 30 minutes, sharing the love of reading with a child one-on-one or in a small group. Volunteers are needed every Tuesday from 1:30pm to 4:00pm and every Wednesday from 9:00am to 11:30am during the school year.
- Youth Tutor-Leaders of Tomorrow Program: This after school program serves children ages 5-12. Most tutoring is in reading with children to help improve their literacy, some math and science as well as some computer assistance-this is all performed in a small group setting. A 2 hour per week commitment is required, Monday-Thursday between 2:30pm and 6:00pm.
- Classroom assistant- Educare Center of Milwaukee-Infants: Assist in 2 infant classrooms with children ages birth to 2 years old. Volunteers will help with holding, feeding, rocking, and interacting with infants on the floor. Volunteers must be responsible, patient, and reliable, and able to lift and hold up to 20 lbs. Positions are available Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday from 9:00am-12:00pm.
- Adult Tutor: GED Fast-Track and Skill Building Program: This program serves adult students that have not completed high school ages 18+. Students need tutoring in basic skill areas such as reading and mathematics in order to gain the skills needed to take and pass the GED tests. Tutoring can be done one-on-one or in small groups. In addition, assistance with grading students' work is helpful as well. Times and days are flexible. Classes meet Monday-Wednesday 9:00am-11:30am or 1:30pm-4:00pm.
Commitment: A 30 minute orientation, plus 2 hours per week during the semester. In addition, students must complete a volunteer application and agency background check.
- In order to start service as soon as possible, get your application materials in ASAP.
- Students must get a TB test prior to starting service, more information about when Marquette Student Health sponsors this will be available at Sign-Up Night.
- If you have not already completed Marquette's Working With Minors training, you must do so. More information will be available at Sign-Up Night.
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