Volunteer With Us!

At North Florida School of Special Education (NFSSE), we believe in the power of a legacy crafted by many hands. Volunteering at NFSSE provides you with an opportunity to help shape the future of our students, and fulfill an important role as a change agent in our community. As a volunteer, NFSSE has many ways for you to give the gift of your time throughout the year, from lending your talents in our Microenterprise programs to create products for revenue, to assisting at NFSSE’s fundraising events, or sharing your leadership with an after-school club.

Volunteers help NFSSE fulfil our mission to discover and foster each student’s unique abilities, revealing their highest potential within an engaged community. NFSSE is a frontrunner in Reverse Inclusion, a technique in which typical students and adults visit our school and are immersed in special education. They accompany and assist our students in their extracurricular activities and vocational training. The purpose of Reverse Inclusion is to create a comfortable environment in which our students are able to interact successfully with their typical peers and appropriate role models. Volunteers and guests receive just as much value as NFSSE students, experiencing the abilities of those with intellectual and developmental differences (IDD) and discovering how alike we really are. We hope your experience extends far beyond your time at NFSSE, inspiring you to become an advocate for the IDD community and to foster greater understanding, inclusion, and acceptance in your future interactions.

Please reference the Volunteer FAQ at the bottom of the page for additional volunteer information.

We hope that you will build lasting friendships with our students and staff and learn something new along the way!

VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT

1. I will respect the rights, dignity, and worth of all individuals at North Florida School of Special Education. I will treat everyone equally regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion, or ability.

2. I will dress and act at all times in a manner which will be appropriate to my assigned responsibilities and a credit to myself, the students, and North Florida School of Special Education.

3. I will provide for the general welfare, health, and safety of any North Florida School of Special Education student(s) during the course of my assigned duties.

4. I will report any emergencies and suspicious activity to North Florida School of Special Education personnel.

5. I will not take part in the consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking, chewing tobacco, and controlled substances at any North Florida School of Special Education location.

6. I will not engage in any type of inappropriate behavior, sexual activity, and/or verbal or physical abuse with North Florida School of Special Education students, staff, guests, or other volunteers.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

Art with Soul

Art With Soul, a vocational training program of North Florida School of Special Education, is seeking volunteers to serve alongside its adult students! Students develop their artistic perspectives and create work that is celebrated and made available for purchase, such as mosaic windows, home decor, stadium bags, gorgeous painted tiles, greeting cards, and more. The joy of Art With Soul is working together to discover each other’s strengths and our commonalities. Every artist has a purpose, a story to tell.

We ask that our Art With Soul volunteers be individuals who are passionate about art and/or have previous art experience, with patience to work alongside our students. Volunteers assist our Art With Soul artists as they complete projects or finish final details on products independently.

Schedule:

School year: August – May

Mon – Fri 9:30am – 12:00pm (with exception to holidays & no-school dates).

Check back in August for volunteer registration!

Barkin’ Biscuits

Barkin’ Biscuits Pet Bakery is an all-natural dog treat baking operation out of North Florida School of Special Education that provides its Transition & Postgraduate students with intellectual and developmental differences with vocational training. The program is offered five days a week (on applicable school days), with students aged 18 to 45+. Barkin’ Biscuits is a nationwide supplier of all-natural, tasty dog treats that your canine will love!

Volunteers follow recipes, mix ingredients, roll and cut the dough, weigh and package for the retail market, and prepare custom orders alongside our students!

Schedule:

School year: August – May

Mon – Fri from 9:30am – 12:00pm (with exception to holidays & no-school dates).

Berry Good Farms

Berry Good Farms, a vocational training program of North Florida School of Special Education, is seeking volunteers to support daily farm and garden operations alongside NFSSE adult students, working under the guidance of Berry Good Farms staff!

Volunteer tasks may include:

Planting & pruning – cut flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees
Aquaculture and hydroponic plant care
Garden bed preparation
General grounds maintenance
Bee care

Schedule:

School year: August – May

Mon – Fri 9:30am – 12:00pm (with exception to holidays & no-school dates).

Berry Good Blooms

Berry Good Blooms, a vocational training program of North Florida School of Special Education, is seeking volunteers to serve alongside its adult students, working under the guidance of Berry Good Blooms staff! We create floral arrangements incorporating flowers grown at Berry Good Farms for weddings, dinners, fundraisers, holidays, Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions, etc. New volunteers are always welcome; we will teach you along the way!

Volunteer tasks may include:

Processing flowers – cutting stems & excess foliage, organizing in buckets
Bouquet arrangement
Relocating arrangements to NFSSE’s Lower School
Leading flower learning activities & games

Schedule:

School year: August – May

Mon – Fri 9:30am – 12:00pm (with exception to holidays & no-school dates).

Delores Barr Weaver Therapeutic Equestrian Center: Therapeutic Riding

Equine therapy at NFSSE’s Delores Barr Weaver Therapeutic Equestrian Center helps children and adults with intellectual and developmental differences (IDD) reach their full potential by improving confidence, flexibility, balance, posture, and muscle strength, as well as psychological, cognitive, behavioral, social, and communication skills.

Every lesson is led by a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, with volunteers playing a crucial role by serving as lead walkers to the horses and side walkers, helping to keep students stable in the saddle. Assisting staff with some general animal care may be included in the volunteer session as well. Volunteers also enjoy the barn environment with free-range chickens, bunnies, pigs, and even a turkey! No prior experience needed, the NFSSE barn team will get you oriented and teach you your role on your first day.

We need lead walkers, side walkers, and enthusiastic individuals with a passion for horses and our riders. No prior riding experience required to volunteer! Must be ages 14 and older to volunteer independently.

Schedule:

School year: August – May

Mon, Wed, Thurs from 1:30 pm– 5:30pm, Sat from 8:30am – 1:30pm, Sun from 11:30am – 4:30pm (six-week sessions with one week off in between sessions).

Delores Barr Weaver Therapeutic Equestrian Center: Project SADDLE

Project S.A.D.D.L.E. is a vocational training program for North Florida School of Special Education’s adult students at their Delores Barr Weaver Therapeutic Equestrian Center on campus! Students and volunteers tend the barn, clean saddles & tack, upkeep grounds/arena, unload feed, groom horses, and complete other general animal care such as cleaning stalls and pastures. Students learn a myriad of soft job skills they can apply to any future employer, such as task completion, following directions, inventory, animal care, etc.

Schedule:

School year: August – May

Mon – Fri 9:00am – 12:00pm (No-school dates are also available with no NFSSE students in session).

Extended Day/Enrichments

Volunteers for our Extended Day/Enrichments will be asked to support our programs depending on the day of the week they sign up. This may include helping instructors/teachers, getting supplies, or being a peer with our students.

Schedule:

August – May: Mon – Fri 3:45pm – 5:45pm (with exception to holidays & no-school dates).

Volunteer with After-School

People Like Us Theatre Program

Assist our People Like Us Theatre Troupe students practice lines, learn a dance, or review songs with our actors, etc.

Schedule:

School year:

October – May

Mon & Wed from 4:00pm – 6:00pm (with exception to early releases, holidays & no-school dates).

Check back in September for school year volunteer registration!

Unified Partners – Special Olympics with NFSSE

Unified Partners are typical individuals who practice alongside Special Olympics athletes. NFSSE hosts its own Special Olympics teams you can volunteer with!

Sports:

Athletics, Basketball, Soccer (January – May)
Bowling (May – September)
Flag Football (July – November)
Equestrian (November – April)

Schedule:

Practices are on select days after school.

Get Involved

Equestrian: Email Faye Clever at FClever@northfloridaschool.org!

All other sports: Email Jackie Williams at JaWilliams@northfloridaschool.org for more information and registration.

Volunteer FAQ

Q: I have never volunteered at NFSSE before, how do I get started?

A. New volunteers may simply register to volunteer for any available shift on any program’s Sign Up Genius that you are interested in. If you would like to tour NFSSE on your first day, let us know by answering the question on the Sign Up Genius confirmation page after your sign up for a shift(s). NFSSE only requires an orientation/training session for summer camp volunteering. For school year volunteering, each program’s respective staff will get you oriented and teach you your role on your first day.

Q: Does NFSSE have a volunteer age limit?

A. Volunteers must be 14+ years old to serve independently. We accept volunteers a few years younger with a parent/guardian accompanied.

Q: How do I set up a group volunteering session for my organization/club/school, etc?

A. Volunteer groups may register themselves on the program’s respective Sign Up Genius, or contact Eden Resnik, Volunteer Coordinator and Marketing Manager, at EResnik@northfloridaschool.org.

Q: What days and times are available to volunteer?

A. We have a variety of days and times during the school day, predominantly on weekday mornings, but we also have after-school volunteering, and on weekends with Therapeutic Riding lessons available. We also have a variety of special events during the school year and summer where we rely on volunteers.

Q: I am skilled at “x”. Am I able to share it with the school?

A. Of course! We are always looking for new opportunities to bring to our students and their families. Please reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator and Marketing Manager, Eden Resnik, to discuss further at EResnik@northfloridaschool.org.

Q: Do I need to have experience with individuals with differences to volunteer at your school?

A. You do not! We just ask that you have an open heart, are respectful, and recognize that we are all more alike than different.

Q: What should I wear and bring with me?

A. MUST wear school-appropriate clothing. We recommend dressing for the environment you will be helping in. If there are any specific requirements for what to wear, we will be sure to communicate those with you. Please make sure to always bring a water bottle and wearing closed-toe shoes when volunteering, whether inside or outside. Additional attire details will be found on the respective program’s Sign Up Genius.

Q: Who do I contact?

A. If you are a community volunteer and not affiliated with the school, please contact Eden Resnik, Volunteer and Marketing Manager, at EResnik@northfloridaschool.org. If you are a parent volunteer and affiliated with the school, please contact Stacy Santiago, Director of Family and Student Activities, at SSantiago@northfloridaschool.org

Q: Does NFSSE accept court-mandated community service hours?

A. Individuals seeking to complete court-mandated community service hours at North Florida School of Special Education (NFSSE) must receive approval before beginning any volunteer service. Due to the nature of our organization and our commitment to the safety of our students, we are unable to accept individuals with convictions involving violent crimes or crimes against children. Please note that volunteer opportunities for court-mandated service are limited and will not involve direct interaction with students. Available assignments are based on organizational needs and supervision requirements. Court-mandated volunteers must disclose the nature of the offense resulting in community service requirements and provide any court documentation related to your service requirements. Acceptance is at the sole discretion of NFSSE and is subject to organizational needs, safety considerations, and volunteer placement availability. To determine eligibility and available opportunities, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Eden Resnik, at EResnik@northfloridaschool.org prior to scheduling service hours.

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Thank you for supporting our cause! We look forward to connecting with you!