Volunteering
Volunteers contribute to all aspects of life in our district. At Tomorrow Today we depend on volunteers to support our programs and our organisation, working on our committees and serving on the Tomorrow Today Board.
Volunteers are central to our Education Benalla Program. They help nurture children’s communication and literacy skills and are often matched to an individual child, or young person, to provide new opportunities and support.
All volunteers engaging with children require a current Working With Children Check.
PEEP volunteers
Every week during school term we run numerous PEEP (Parents Early Education Partnership) sessions for parents of children from birth to pre-school. A special part of each PEEP session is ‘parent talk time’ when the children (aged 12 months and older) move into the play room for supervised fun activities so the parents can discuss topics of interest. Our volunteers assist staff in the play room and enjoy helping the children to explore structured play activities.
Reading Buddy volunteers
Volunteer Reading Buddies work one-on-one with a child who needs extra support to improve their reading and writing skills in the early primary classroom.
Volunteers need to commit at least one morning per week during school term.
Our staff provide initial training and you will be matched to a student who will benefit from your assistance in one of the Benalla primary schools.
The special relationship that develops is rewarding for both the Reading Buddies and the students.
Kinder Pal volunteers
Kinder Pals visit children at preschools and engage them in books and conversation through play activities. Volunteers need to commit at least one hour per week during school term.
Kinder Pals are provided with training and books to use in the preschools.
Motiv8 Honchos
Motiv8 Honchos are confident, motivated, local individuals who lead a small group of four Year 8 students through a series of planned activities over three school terms. Meeting fortnightly, and supported by Tomorrow Today staff, each group joins their Honcho to complete challenges designed to improve their wellbeing and their engagement in education and community.
Connect9 Mentors
As a volunteer with our Connect9 program you will become a mentor to a Year 9 student for one school term. A group of up to 12 students, who are not well connected to the community, are carefully matched with individual mentors (of the same gender).
The program begins with fun weekly group activities and then provides an opportunity for the mentor and mentee to explore new activities and workplace interests together. At the final session, mentees experience a glider flight over Benalla and enjoy a celebration with their families and mentors.
Our Connect9 mentors are active adults who either live or work in Benalla and who are well-connected in our local community. Connect9 Mentors have hobbies and interests to share with young people. They are good communicators, enjoy helping teenagers develop to their full potential and they have a positive outlook on life.
ConnectParent Community Connectors
As a volunteer Community Connector with our ConnectParent program you would be paired with a family (pregnant or with a newborn) to assist them to connect to the resources and support they need within the Benalla community. Community Connectors receive full training and ongoing support and contact with the ConnectParent supervisor and other Community Connectors.