Opportunities From: United Way of Kaw Valley

FutureNow Finance is an exercise that helps students understand some of the “realities” involved in preparing for an employable future and adulthood. Students will have an invaluable experience of managing finances for a month as a 26-year-old adult. At FutureNow: Finance, students receive an adult scenario based on a survey they have completed prior to the event. The scenario includes marital status, number of children, career field, and net monthly income (based on choice of career field and current GPA). The students will use that information to determine their monthly payments and balance their budgets. Students will visit a variety of booths to “purchase” housing, transportation, communication services, child care, food, utilities, insurance, etc. They will also have the opportunity to save money, give to charity and learn about unexpected things that affect daily life (e.g. accidents, unexpected visitors, flat tires).

SparkWheel is in need of volunteers to provide in-class tutoring for math, Mondays through Fridays at the following times:

3rd Grade – 1:55 pm to 2:55 pm

4th Grade – 11:20 am to 12:20 pm

5th Grade – 12:35 pm to 1:35 pm

Volunteers don't need to be available to provide assistance for all open sessions. However, each volunteer will need to commit to providing support to students within the hours identified on any of the school days.

For more information regarding this volunteer position, please contact Imelda Panuco, Student Support Coordinator at State Street Elementary School by email at imelda.panuco@sparkwheel.org. 

Many of the parents and caregivers served by Sparkwheel experience barriers to engaging in their student’s education (e.g., poverty, trauma, discrimination, etc.). Moreover, they may not feel welcome to take a more active approach in their student’s education. The purposes of this program are to provide support, validation, and a sense of community for parents and caregivers of students at Ross Elementary School. The intention of this adult-to-adult parent/caregiver mentor program is to empower parents and caregivers to advocate for their family’s needs and the educational needs of their students. 

Parents and caregivers who have been referred to the program will be paired with parent/caregiver mentors who have had experience navigating education and other systems on behalf of children in their care. The mentors will also be residents of southeast Topeka, and therefore, familiar with the community and neighborhoods surrounding Ross Elementary School.

SparkWheel is in need of volunteers to provide English language supports for students at State Street Elementary School, Mondays through Fridays, between the hours of 8:40 am and 3:30 pm in pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and first grade students. Volunteers don't need to be available to provide assistance for all hours in the school day. However, each volunteer will need to commit to providing support to students for 1 to 2 hours each week.

For more information regarding this volunteer position, please contact Imelda Panuco, Student Support Coordinator at State Street Elementary School by email at imelda.panuco@sparkwheel.org.