Outreach Opportunities
AAUW Vero Beach’s efforts to empower women and girls in Indian River County often involve support of a dual nature: monetary and/or volunteers’ time. Below are some of the organizations with whom we collaborate that offer opportunities for you to act by volunteering your time or donating needed items.
Adult Literacy
Volunteer to tutor an adult learner one-on-one to help them master reading or English as a Second Language. Conducted through Literacy Services of Indian River County’s program.
Chair: Lorraine Ledford, llledford@gmail.com.
Friends After Diagnosis Chemo Kits
Our branch members donate items for “Chemo Kits,” a project started by Friends After Diagnosis, a local nonprofit that supports women with cancer and men with breast cancer. Contact Linda Barker, 703-898-8260, or AAUWVeroBeach@gmail.com.
Gifford Community Cultural and Resource Center
The new cultural center complex will expand the existing Gifford Historical Museum Cultural Center as well as the resources and cultural programming offered to the Gifford community. The Center’s mission is to preserve, enhance and celebrate Gifford's rich history and African Americans throughout the county through enrichment and educational programs. Planned programs for girls to include leadership, personal development, art, music, history, and film. Visit giffordhistoricalmuseumandculturalcenter.org or contact Vera Smith at 772-473-8317 about volunteer opportunities.
Little Free Libraries
Pass on the joy of reading! You can make a difference for a child every time you attend one of our events! Bring a new or gently used pre-Kindergarten level book with you and it will go into one of our four Little Free Libraries located at preschool and community sites. Donated books from attendees at our Branch Meetings and Book Review Breakfasts help to keep these libraries stocked. For more information, contact Christine Ryall, 772-231-2591 or drcryall@gmail.com
STEM Programs
We support a variety of programs to encourage and promote young girls’ interest in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields.
AAUW-FL Tech Trek is a week-long STEM residential experience at Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter or Stetson University in Deland for girls going into the 8th grade. It is designed to make STEM fields exciting and accessible to girls in middle school. Volunteer opportunities could include assisting teachers, serving as camp staff, assisting with hands-on workshops, field trips, or special events.
IRC Science Fair Sponsored by the Indian River County Education Foundation, the program “reinforces math, reading, and writing skills through scientific research and discovery.” The School based fairs take place in November and December. The Indian River Regional Science and Engineering Fair (IRRSEF) is held on the last Saturday in January. More than 200 volunteers, professionals and research scientists mentor students and review science projects.
Treasure Coast Girls Coalition STEM Camp For a 2nd year, TCGC will conduct a STEM camp in the summer of 2023 for local middle school girls. There they will specialize in digital literacy, emotional intelligence, and environmental learning at the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. The Camp was made possible by a Community Action Grant from AAUW National with AAUW Vero Beach as their sponsor. TCGC also has year-round volunteer opportunities available. For more information on volunteering, visit Get Involved with TCGC.
STEM Programs
We support a variety of programs to encourage and promote young girls’ interest in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields.
AAUW-FL Tech Trek is a week-long STEM residential experience at Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter or Stetson University in Deland for girls going into the 8th grade. It is designed to make STEM fields exciting and accessible to girls in middle school. Volunteer opportunities could include assisting teachers, serving as camp staff, assisting with hands-on workshops, field trips, or special events.
IRC Science Fair Sponsored by the Indian River County Education Foundation, the program “reinforces math, reading, and writing skills through scientific research and discovery.” The School based fairs take place in November and December. The Indian River Regional Science and Engineering Fair (IRRSEF) is held on the last Saturday in January. More than 200 volunteers, professionals and research scientists mentor students and review science projects.
Treasure Coast Girls Coalition STEM Camp For a 2nd year, TCGC will conduct a STEM camp in the summer of 2023 for local middle school girls. There they will specialize in digital literacy, emotional intelligence, and environmental learning at the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. The Camp was made possible by a Community Action Grant from AAUW National with AAUW Vero Beach as their sponsor. TCGC also has year-round volunteer opportunities available. For more information on volunteering, visit Get Involved with TCGC.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Tutoring
Volunteer to tutor or mentor an elementary school child in reading or other subjects as part of this Big Brothers/Big Sisters sponsored program. Member is matched with the right age group and student to foster a rewarding experience for both student and mentor. Chair: Christine Ryall,
772-231-2591 or drcryall@gmail.com.
Take Stock in Children
Mentors offer support, guidance and encouragement for high school students to guide them toward graduation and college. Mentors will receive training and resources to support their student’s academic success. More information is on their website: https://giving.irsc.edu/ways-to-give/stock-in-children/. Contact Judith Morales, jmorales@irsc.edu.
