Volunteers

FYI: Informational Briefings to the Community

These briefings provided opportunities to share the message about what coaching is and is not. They also described the relationship of coaching, youth, education, and healthy communities. We convened at public places and used slideshow presentations, stories, and a question-and-answer period to share our Vision.

We asked the following questions:

  • Would you like to help young people receive the support they need to be happy and successful in this unpredictable and challenging world?
  • Could you provide an understanding ear to teens searching to find their voice, or sort out who they are and who they want to become?
  • Do you remember the older friend, neighbor, or teacher who made time for you and helped you realize you were important?

We were looking for caring adults who…

  • Wanted an opportunity to give back and make a difference in a young person’s life.
  • Cared about young people, believe in investing in the future, and can listen well.
  • Could see teens for who they really are and do so without judgment.
  • Were willing and open to learn new skills of Basic Coaching Conversations as a Volunteer Success Coach.
Coach speaking at FYI
Volunteer Coach and Guest Speaker at FYI Event

Interested participants were invited to follow a process to apply and partake in a day-long Orientation and Training. Neither the prospective volunteer nor Touch Point Connection was obligated to proceed until after the applicant was interviewed and assessed by a certified coach and attend the Orientation and Training.

Data points – 2009

TPC outreach flyer

Volunteer Success Coach

Our community volunteers were well prepared for their roles as Success Coaches. They appreciated the thoroughness and professionalism of the selection process.

Six steps were required prior to their first coaching experience:
  1. Submit an application to Touch Point Connection.
  2. Complete an application to the school district.
  3. Get fingerprinted.
  4. Be interviewed by a Coach Manager (someone who has completed a certified coach training program) and have references checked.
  5. Attended a day-long Orientation and Training.
  6. Complete a Policies and Procedures meeting before meeting up with their assigned teen.
Orientation and Training was a full-day event which consisted of:
  • What coaching is and is not
  • A teen panel to better understand the Life of a Teen Today
  • A Coaching Demonstration
  • Policies about confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and duty to warn, etc.
  • How to create a Sanctuary of non judgment and safety
  • Practice that included listening and asking questions.
During their tenure as Success Coaches, support came from their Coach Manager in these forms:
  • Just-in-time support
  • Workshops
  • Information on school district requirements and logistics.
  • Tools and models for coaching.

Volunteer Intake

Volunteer Intake

Volunteer application

Coach manager and volunteer pledge

6 steps to becoming a volunteer coach

Volunteer interest form

Volunteer interview form

Volunteer Notebook

Example of what is included

Our Principle Coaching Model

There are many coaching models and frameworks that coaches can implement. It was incumbent to create a model that gave our volunteers guidance and confidence while simplifying the coaching process. Relying on the foundation of the Coach and Teen agreements, and establishing a sanctuary for the relationship — the model below was generated for our volunteers.

Coaching conversation model

Volunteer Training and Other Supporting Documents

TPC orientation and training slide presentation

Volunteer Coach Agreement

Powerful questions

Coaching tips

Sanctuary

Understanding coaching by contrasting words

Network of support map

Volunteer Coach monthly report-sample

Coaching Teens… Building Futures

Students Say…

“At first we just talked, it felt good to talk to someone and really trust them.”
“I had somebody who would help me set up steps to reach my goals. It wasn't complicated, she made it simple. It was positive, and I had the ability to identify those steps.”
“Coaching was a moment where I could just talk about what I want.”
“Coaching has given me the strength to show the world what I've got and what I can do. I have learned to not limit my challenges but challenge my limits.”
“Before my coaching I had no ideas of what to do after high school. Now I have ideas on how to reach my goals.”
“Talking with someone helped me to understand what was right and wrong.”
“Because of coaching, my life is better because I can actually meet my goals and reach for my future goals.   I'm stronger and more positive since having a coach.”
“My coach didn’t judge me and tell me I was throwing away my life.”
“It felt good to have an adult in my life that I could trust and didn’t judge me.”
“Before coaching I was getting C's and D's. Now I am getting A's and B's on my report card.”
“It was good. My coach helped me a lot with organizing my life.”
“I connected with my coach. I wasn’t afraid to tell her personal stuff. I could trust her because I wasn’t being judged.”
“Our relationship was more about a friendship. I have told him secrets - things about myself I have not told anyone else.”
“Before my coaching I had no idea of what to do after high school; now I have ideas on how to reach goals I didn’t know I had.”
“Since I started working with a coach I'm way more confident and I don't care if people judge me.”
“I know now that when I have a problem there are different ways to solve it other than violence.”
“I used to think of myself as lazy and a failure. Since I've had a coach, my perspective is different and now I can see myself being successful.”
“My coach and I worked on a graph so I could organize my time better. I was getting C’s and D’s on my progress report, now I am getting A’s and B’s on my report card.”
“I learned that I can be independent and don’t have to rely on others, but can get support when I feel I need it.”
“I had someone who just listened. When I had a question there was a combination of getting ideas from him, and figuring out myself.”
“When asked what makes an ideal coach, she responded: "Somebody who listens to my opinions and helps me get more ideas about what I want.”
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