America Reads
America Reads is a program that places Dickinson students in the Carlisle community elementary schools and other local non-profit organizations to tutor young students in literacy. The program is federally funded and part of the national initiative to ensure that America’s children will be able to read and write by age eight. Research demonstrates that if students cannot read well by the end of the third grade, their chances for success are significantly diminished, and they have a greater likelihood of dropping out or engaging in delinquent behavior. Dickinson students help their mentees gain the necessary literacy skills by reading stories, listening to their students read, giving spelling quizzes, and most importantly encouraging kids to acquire a love of reading.
Contact: amreads@dickinson.eduBig Little
This program is a mentoring program that works closely with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region. Members are paired with a “little”: a local elementary-aged student. The program is on-site, meaning bigs visit with their little once a week at the little’s school during lunch or recess. Group activities are organized monthly and there are bi-weekly all big meetings to share stories, progress, and problems. The program is a great way to get involved in the community and perfect for people who like children.
Contact: big@dickinson.eduCarlisle Tutoring
Dickinson students tutor Carlisle area high school and middle school students in group homework help sessions and/or an individual basis.
Contact: ctp@dickinson.edu
CARES
CARES was founded on the basis of catering to elementary school children who are recent immigrants to the United States. The program runs once a week for two hours. During these two hours, the children are paired with a mentor who lends support during the homework and life skills hour. CARES also plans field trips with the mentors and mentees to create trust and a stronger bond between the pair. Although CARES prides itself on helping the mentees educationally, the more important aspects are teaching the children daily responsibilities and life-long skills. The mentors are chosen through an application and interview process. These mentors demonstrate the outstanding qualities to be a teacher, big brother/sister, friend and support system at the same time.
Contact: cares@dickinson.edu
Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts provides Dickinson students with the opportunity to mentor the male youths of Carlisle. The scouts are members of Cub Scout Pack 149 hosted at Hope Station. Cub Scouts have regular den meetings on Wednesday evenings. Throughout the year, the mentors also do various trips and activities with the scouts.
Contact: cub@dickinson.edu or www.scouting.org
Disaster Action Team
The Dickinson Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) is a team of students trained to respond to any natural disaster in the Cumberland County area and provide necessary amenities to families in need. Members of DAT are expected to partake in 8 hours of training and be on call 24/7 for two weeks each semester.
Contact: dat@dickinson.edu
DreamCatchers
Dreamcatchers provides an environment that promotes social and educational success to ESL students in Carlisle area middle schools with the help of Dickinson College mentors. Dreamcatchers promotes a reciprocal relationship where the mentors gain just as much as the mentees. Our highly committed mentors work with students to encourage a strong desire to succeed in their lives.
Contact: dream@dickinson.eduEmpower!
This group of dedicated students works to serve and support the youth of Carlisle in mentoring and tutoring after school from 3-6PM Monday through Friday. Empower helps to promote students’ events, plan large projects, and host events for students. This program is offered for students in 2nd – 12th grades and builds relationships through empowering students to make a difference in Carlisle themselves.
Contact: empower@dickinson.edu
ESL Field of Dreams
The ESL (English as a Second Language) program provides English classes to Hispanic immigrants in Adams County, with the purpose of empowering migrant workers and families. Students in Dickinson’s medical Spanish service-learning course founded the ESL program several years ago when they realized that the existing services and resources for migrant workers lacked language instruction.
Contact: esl@dickinson.eduGirl Scouts
Dickinson students serve as leaders for the Girl Scout troop at the Hope Station. The troop serves as an evening safe escape for girls in grades K-6. The purpose of the troop is to provide a place where girls can grow and enjoy a variety of activities outside of the classroom. The leaders mentor girls and take them on weekend trips. Past activities have included trips to Baltimore, Wagoner’s Gap, Hershey Park, and a horse farm.
Contact: gscouts@dickinson.edu or www.girlscouts.orgHabitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a national organization that works to eliminate poverty housing by building and restoring houses and selling them to qualified families at no cost. Dickinson’s chapter works in nearby areas throughout the semester and raises money for Habitat organizations. Both skilled and unskilled volunteers are invited to participate.
Contact: habitat@dickinson.edu or www.habitat.orgRotaract
Rotaract is a program of Rotary International. Rotaract picks a topic each year and looks at the community needs both nationally and internationally. This year group is focusing on water purity. Rotaract has drawn community support through its connection to the Carlisle Rotary Clubs of Sunrise and Noontime.
Contact: rotaract@dickinson.eduSpecial Friends
Special Friends is a mentoring program that pairs Dickinson students with special needs (both physcial and mental) young people from the Carlisle area. Students meet with their special friends once a week and participate in monthly group events.
Contact: sfriends@dickinson.edu
