Guest Commentary by K.Sayford-Wilson

In today’s economy, volunteering at schools and charitable organizations
is more important than ever, and can add up to “federal dollars earned”
but ironically has become increasingly impossible for many families for
the same reasons that it’s most needed.

Take Head Start for example. This federally funded school readiness program, which is designed to benefit low-income families and their children, has been around since 1965. In order to qualify, parents must volunteer at the school for their children to attend. But in this sluggish economy, paying the bills has become harder, and taking time off from work to volunteer probably isn’t an option for many of these parents.

I’ve had this problem myself. If I get a call for a job that pays well - I cannot turn it down. If I’m not available to work - I lose that money. I’ve had to cancel several volunteer opportunities due to work projects recently. Many parents face the same situation. In this economy, we have to choose our jobs.

My child is in the Early Intervention program, not Head Start, but it comprises a large section of my child’s school. What many of our parents don’t realize is that a little volunteering - like walking children to and from the school bus, helping children to cross the street before school, helping to set up breakfast in the classroom, or helping with school bags and hand washing in the morning - all count towards federal dollars earned in
Head Start programs. That volunteer time can determine whether a Head Start school remains funded and stays open. Fill out those volunteer forms. If your child’s Head Start classroom doesn’t have one - ask for one!

K. Sayford-Wilson lives and works in Philadelphia, PA with her husband and children. She volunteers on the parent advisory committee of her child’s preschool and is involved with her children’s education.