Volunteering/Membership
Join the STEMStars Literacy Foundation and ignite the spark of curiosity in young underserved minds! There are different ways you can volunteer. The most significant one would be to become a member by coming to one of our events that can be found under the "Events" page, or you can contact a local chapter near you that can be found down below in order to help work with our kids in your region. Email this organization while describing your interest in participation as well as what unique skill set you might be able to bring. In addition, we do have opportunities to offer peer counseling support for some of our children we work with, but we do need a background check and an interview process for that activity. You can also volunteer by simply submitting an idea for a storybook/submit illustrations, you can donate to the organization, or you can send in resources the non-profit can resort to in order to plan more maker spaces or events .
Starting a Chapter
Step 1: Organize a team of at least 4 individuals who can be the leaders of the chapter. You will need someone who can organize volunteering events, plan fundraisers, handle community outreach, and maintain social media/press.
Step 2: Check out our official chapter initiation packet to better understand the comprehensive approach to starting a chapter. Reach out to local shelters and organizations that can help sponsor your efforts and also work with you to plan events with underserved kids. This process takes the most amount of time and is also the most stressful. Contacting shelters or organizations is going to take a great deal of emailing, follow ups, and persistence. Be patient with your partners and sponsors you reach out to and please be PERSISTENT.
Step 3: Start planning your events. Dig deeper into organizing maker spaces or science fairs, considering the resources and tools you will need. Try to create accommodations like children’s books or board games for the nuero-divergent and disabled children, as can be found on the website.
Step 4: Plan which activities you want to provide for the children you plan on working with. Make sure to cater different activities based on a different STEM principle. Have some variety, and research cheap affordable activities online, or feel free to create your own activities as well. With every new chapter, we send packages of simulations, materials, or activities to help initiate the new chapter’s volunteering projects.
Step 5: Recruit members and garner your organization some recognition in order to promote our cause. Start working with kids and post more updates on your social media. There is a great deal of creative expression with starting your own chapter but the most important thing is to remain true to starting a chapter that will continue to promote STEM education amongst young, underserved kids and help them pursue their educational goals. And of course, please reach out to stemstarsliteracyfoundation@gmail.com to let the executive board know about your new chapter!
Step 6: Once your chapter has been approved and recognized after having personal contact with the executive board members, submit this google form on a monthly basis in order for your number of volunteers and kids supported to be tracked.
Submitting a Volunteering Idea
Have an idea for a community volunteering event? Send us an email with a pdf. Format of your plan, and we will be happy to look it over and give you volunteer hours for your amazing contribution!
Chapters Map
Most of our global chapters are student volunteer groups that have formed their own branch specific to using our activities and books amongst young, underserved children, and we would love for more middle school or high school students to get involved in making a difference for the children in their communities. Help us help more kids by strengthening our impact through starting a chapter!
