MISSION
Jabbok Family Services enhances the lives of families in the Whittier neighborhood by providing services for children from birth through high school as well as their parents. Located in Calvary Baptist Church, Jabbok’s programs include: Innovative Supports To Empower Parents (INSTEP) and Center of Our Lives (COOL) Youth Center. They are located at 2608 Blaisdell Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408.
For more information, please contact Kathi Eilers at 612.870.6118.
INSTEP
INSTEP is a one-of-a kind childcare center that provides high quality, part-time childcare focused on early childhood education and school readiness for children that fall through the cracks of traditional childcare assistance. For parents, INSTEP provides family support advocacy and parent group learning sessions. For the majority of our children, INSTEP is the only formalized early childhood education they will receive before entering kindergarten. The average hourly cost of childcare in Hennepin County is $8.56 per hour, per child. Our families cannot afford this. INSTEP charges 50 cents per hour, per family. 99% of the children served last year were children of color and 90% of our children speak a language other than English in their homes.
COOL YOUTH CENTER
The COOL Youth Center is a neighborhood based, family oriented program that provides academic enrichment, social and emotional development, and life skills training for youth ages six through 18. COOL is the only youth center in the Whittier neighborhood that engages neighborhood middle school and high school aged youth in after school programming and in the last three years, COOL’s enrollment has more than doubled. The majority of our families are led by single women and nearly 100% of our families have annual incomes of less than $35,000.
JABBOK: INSTEP CHILDCARE GIVER
Adults and teens (ages 16 and over) are needed to provide loving care for children from birth to five years. You will assist teachers with activities, snacks, lunch, and play time. Appreciation for developmental needs and cultural diversity of children is important.
INSTEP is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00AM–4:00PM, and Friday, 8:00AM–2:30PM. Volunteers work flexible 2–4 hour shifts.
For more information, please contact Lisa Mauer at 612.870.6118 or lmauer@jabbokfamilyservices.org.
JABBOK: INSTEP GUEST READER
Adults and teens (ages 16 and over) are needed to share a story with the children of INSTEP. Read your favorite book to the children as part of the developmentally appropriate activities of INSTEP.
INSTEP story time is daily at 10:30AM and 12:30PM.
For more information, please contact Lisa Mauer at 612.870.6118 or lmauer@jabbokfamilyservices.org.
JABBOK: COOL YOUTH CENTER TUTOR
Help COOL staff provide quality homework help, tutoring, and enrichment activities to youth 1st-12th grades. Tutoring needs are in basic skills as well as in other academic areas, and training is provided.
Tutoring times are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 4:30–6:15PM (grades 1st–12th) during the school year. A weekly or bi-weekly commitment is encouraged.
For more information, please contact Lisa Mauer at 612.870.6118 or lmauer@jabbokfamilyservices.org.
JABBOK: COOL YOUTH CENTER ENRICHMENT LEADER
Share a hobby, talent, or an enrichment experience with school age kids at the COOL Youth Center. Bring your passion for cooking, tie dye, or crafts to the kids of Whittier and have some fun! This would be a special event for the COOL youth.
The center is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00–8:00 PM during the school year.
For more information, please contact Lisa Mauer at 612.870.6118 or lmauer@jabbokfamilyservices.org.
JABBOK: COOL YOUTH CENTER MEALS
Typical service time is from 5:00-7:00PM, plus additional time for planning and purchasing the meal. This is an ideal group volunteer opportunity! Gather your friends, family, or small group to provide a nutritious meal to 40 kids of the COOL Youth Center and volunteers. You will purchase, prepare, serve, and clean up any serving pieces (the children wash their own dishes). Service equipment is provided. Well-balanced meals including fruits, vegetables, protein (no pork please), whole grains, and milk are appreciated.
For more information, please contact Lisa Mauer at 612.870.6118 or lmauer@jabbokfamilyservices.org.
JABBOK: COOL YOUTH CENTER DRIVER
The COOL Youth Center provides transportation to youth who could not otherwise attend. Pick-up or take home students who come to the Center for after-school homework help and enrichment. Drivers must have a good driving record. Training is provided. Drivers are also welcome to serve as volunteer tutors during program time.
Drivers are needed Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 4:00PM, 6:30PM, and 8:00PM during the school year. Each route is approximately 30 minutes long and a consistent commitment of four weeks or more is encouraged.
For more information, please contact Lisa Mauer at 612.870.6118 or lmauer@jabbokfamilyservices.org.
