Following a year of substantial growth, Art With a Heart (AWaH) reports they are experiencing a shortage of teachers for after school art education programming.
“We’ve been surprised by the increase in demand this year,” said Executive Director Andrew Lee. “New partnerships have been made with The Julian Center, the Archdiocese, and the City of Greenwood, but we still have a waiting list because we’re short of suitable teachers and volunteers.”
It’s rare for a nonprofit to have this problem, but programs in Pike and Lawrence Township are currently on hold because of the shortage – despite the clients having full funding. In addition to our growing need for teachers and volunteers, plans for expansion into Johnson County may require additional needs for even more staff in 2015 according to Lee.
AWaH is preparing to expand their kindergarten program into three new schools in Center Township that are anticipated to start this coming January. Approximately 30 new volunteers will be needed to help make the program successful according to Volunteer Manager Susan Grade. “Kindergarten is a great opportunity to develop the love of learning in a child,” Grade said. “With a 75 percent volunteer return rate, we know that the people who give their time to this program enjoy what they’re doing and see the impact it makes on the children and the community.”
Elese, an AWaH volunteer, after working with us for a while said, “I am very sincere in saying that I have not worked with an organization that is as functional and friendly as Art With a Heart or one that delivers on their stated mission as well you do.”
AWaH is in need of qualified individuals who are excited about art education programming to add to their current team of teachers and volunteers. Become a teacher or volunteer and see the difference you can make to the children they serve and in your community.
Qualified art educators or experienced teaching artists interested in working with Art With a Heart should email a resume to resume@artwithaheart.us.
Contact Susan Grade by phone or email at (317) 602-7222 ext. 4# or sgrade@artwithaheart.us if you’re interested in volunteering for 2 hours a week in a kindergarten classroom. No artistic skills are required, volunteers will be trained, and previous experience in the classroom is valued.
