What does it take to be a volunteer for the Portal 2:20 Teen Center?
At Portal 2:20, we believe that one caring adult can make a lasting difference in the life of a teenager. Our volunteers aren't simply filling a position for an evening—they are helping create a safe place where teens can belong, build relationships, have fun, and experience the love of Christ.
You don't have to be a youth pastor. You don't have to be an expert with teenagers. You just have to be willing to show up, be present, and care.
You don't have to be a youth pastor. You don't have to be an expert with teenagers. You just have to be willing to show up, be present, and care.
Who We're Looking For:
Portal 2:20 is a Christ-centered ministry, and our volunteers play an important role in representing that mission. We are looking for adults who:
1.) Personally follow Jesus Christ and are actively involved in a local church.
Have a willing heart to spend time with teenagers and share the love of Christ through their words, actions, and relationships.
2.) Are friendly, trustworthy, dependable, and consistent in the lives of our teens.
3.) Are at least 21 years old and have reliable transportation.
4.) Are able to independently carry out assigned responsibilities, follow Portal policies and safety procedures, appropriately supervise and interact with teens, and respond responsibly to situations that may arise during an evening of operation.
5.) Complete our volunteer application and participate in an initial conversation with Portal leadership. If approved to move forward, complete and pass the required background check.
Your Relationship with Jesus Matters
Volunteering at Portal isn't about preaching, teaching, or trying to get kids to attend church. It's about shining the light of Christ through your words, your actions, and the way you treat teenagers every day.
Be Present
Your time and attention are important. Being present allows us to provide adequate supervision while also building meaningful relationships with our teens. For this reason, we ask volunteers to keep personal phones and other devices put away while volunteering, except when needed for an assigned Portal responsibility.
Safety Matters
Background checks are a MUST. The well-being of our organization, our volunteers, and our students requires us to be diligent about safety and security. Because background checks have an associated cost, Portal will complete an initial review and conversation before requesting one.
*Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance as a Portal volunteer. All applications are reviewed and approved by Portal leadership/board.*
1.) Personally follow Jesus Christ and are actively involved in a local church.
Have a willing heart to spend time with teenagers and share the love of Christ through their words, actions, and relationships.
2.) Are friendly, trustworthy, dependable, and consistent in the lives of our teens.
3.) Are at least 21 years old and have reliable transportation.
4.) Are able to independently carry out assigned responsibilities, follow Portal policies and safety procedures, appropriately supervise and interact with teens, and respond responsibly to situations that may arise during an evening of operation.
5.) Complete our volunteer application and participate in an initial conversation with Portal leadership. If approved to move forward, complete and pass the required background check.
Your Relationship with Jesus Matters
Volunteering at Portal isn't about preaching, teaching, or trying to get kids to attend church. It's about shining the light of Christ through your words, your actions, and the way you treat teenagers every day.
Be Present
Your time and attention are important. Being present allows us to provide adequate supervision while also building meaningful relationships with our teens. For this reason, we ask volunteers to keep personal phones and other devices put away while volunteering, except when needed for an assigned Portal responsibility.
Safety Matters
Background checks are a MUST. The well-being of our organization, our volunteers, and our students requires us to be diligent about safety and security. Because background checks have an associated cost, Portal will complete an initial review and conversation before requesting one.
*Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance as a Portal volunteer. All applications are reviewed and approved by Portal leadership/board.*
What We Ask of You:
Our regular hours of operation are Mondays and Tuesdays from 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Regular volunteers are asked to commit to at least one evening per month. Volunteers are welcome to serve more frequently, up to twice a week, depending on their availability.
When scheduled, volunteers should:
Whether you volunteer once a month or more frequently, your consistency and presence can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our teens. *Note: We utilize Google Docs for volunteer scheduling.
What Will I Actually Do?
Volunteering at Portal is about relationships—and sometimes that means doing things you may not have expected!
You may find yourself playing card or board games, playing video games or billiards, telling jokes, eating snacks, listening to a teen who needs someone to talk to, drawing, watching a movie, singing, playing laser tag, reading comic books, or simply hanging out and being present.
You don't have to be entertaining. You don't have to have all the answers. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is simply be there.
Regular volunteers are asked to commit to at least one evening per month. Volunteers are welcome to serve more frequently, up to twice a week, depending on their availability.
When scheduled, volunteers should:
- Arrive no later than 5:45 p.m. for setup and prayer.
- Remain through the end of the evening to help with cleanup and closing.
- Stay engaged and attentive to the teens throughout their volunteer time.
- Follow Portal policies and safety procedures.
- Help lovingly enforce Portal rules and address inappropriate behavior when necessary.
- Communicate any concerns or incidents to Portal leadership before leaving for the evening.
Whether you volunteer once a month or more frequently, your consistency and presence can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our teens. *Note: We utilize Google Docs for volunteer scheduling.
What Will I Actually Do?
Volunteering at Portal is about relationships—and sometimes that means doing things you may not have expected!
You may find yourself playing card or board games, playing video games or billiards, telling jokes, eating snacks, listening to a teen who needs someone to talk to, drawing, watching a movie, singing, playing laser tag, reading comic books, or simply hanging out and being present.
You don't have to be entertaining. You don't have to have all the answers. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is simply be there.
Welcome Desk-
Responsible for people entering and exiting the building. Duties include signing students in and out, handling new student registration paperwork, and making sure visitors are properly signed in and following Portal's visitor guidelines.
Snack Bar-
Responsible for Portal Credit redemption and serving hot and cold snacks. Duties include setup and cleanup of the concession area, restocking the refrigerator and snacks, and keeping counters and tables clean. A student helper may assist at the discretion of the director.
Student Monitor-
Helps provide active supervision throughout the building. Duties include monitoring student activity, regularly checking all areas to ensure teens are appropriately supervised, monitoring hallways and restrooms, and addressing concerns in a friendly but firm manner.
Game Room Manager-
Patrols and participates in game room activities with students. Duties include initiating games and conversations, keeping track of gaming equipment and accessories, making sure all parts and pieces are accounted for, addressing misuse of property, and maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment.
*All volunteers share responsibility for helping teens follow Portal's rules and guidelines & must be comfortable lovingly enforcing Portal rules, addressing inappropriate behavior, and having difficult conversations with teens when necessary. Any significant issues or concerns should be brought to the attention of Portal leadership and addressed before leaving for the evening.
Responsible for people entering and exiting the building. Duties include signing students in and out, handling new student registration paperwork, and making sure visitors are properly signed in and following Portal's visitor guidelines.
Snack Bar-
Responsible for Portal Credit redemption and serving hot and cold snacks. Duties include setup and cleanup of the concession area, restocking the refrigerator and snacks, and keeping counters and tables clean. A student helper may assist at the discretion of the director.
Student Monitor-
Helps provide active supervision throughout the building. Duties include monitoring student activity, regularly checking all areas to ensure teens are appropriately supervised, monitoring hallways and restrooms, and addressing concerns in a friendly but firm manner.
Game Room Manager-
Patrols and participates in game room activities with students. Duties include initiating games and conversations, keeping track of gaming equipment and accessories, making sure all parts and pieces are accounted for, addressing misuse of property, and maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment.
*All volunteers share responsibility for helping teens follow Portal's rules and guidelines & must be comfortable lovingly enforcing Portal rules, addressing inappropriate behavior, and having difficult conversations with teens when necessary. Any significant issues or concerns should be brought to the attention of Portal leadership and addressed before leaving for the evening.
Ways to Serve:
Other Ways to Support Portal:
Not everyone is available to volunteer during regular Teen Center hours—and that's okay! There are other ways to use your time and talents to help Portal continue its mission. These opportunities do not involve direct interaction or supervision of teens and do not require the regular volunteer application. Each position can be divided among multiple individuals and scheduled as needed.
Grounds & Facility Maintenance
Help keep the outside and inside of our facility safe and maintained. Tasks may include snow removal, weed control, clearing walkways, picking up trash, replacing light bulbs, changing air filters, assisting with annual fire extinguisher maintenance, and helping with other repairs or maintenance needs.
Facility Cleaning
Help keep Portal clean, welcoming, and ready for our teens. Tasks may include sweeping and mopping hard floors, vacuuming carpets, emptying trash, dusting, removing cobwebs, cleaning bathrooms, restocking soap and paper products, and cleaning windows.
Grounds & Facility Maintenance
Help keep the outside and inside of our facility safe and maintained. Tasks may include snow removal, weed control, clearing walkways, picking up trash, replacing light bulbs, changing air filters, assisting with annual fire extinguisher maintenance, and helping with other repairs or maintenance needs.
Facility Cleaning
Help keep Portal clean, welcoming, and ready for our teens. Tasks may include sweeping and mopping hard floors, vacuuming carpets, emptying trash, dusting, removing cobwebs, cleaning bathrooms, restocking soap and paper products, and cleaning windows.
Before You Apply:
Because our volunteers work with teenagers, we take the application and screening process seriously.
Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance as a Portal volunteer. All applicants are subject to review and approval by Portal leadership/board.
Our process is:
Step 1 — Review our volunteer expectations
Make sure Portal's mission, requirements, and time commitment are a good fit for you.
Step 2 — Submit an application
Complete the Portal 2:20 volunteer application.
Step 3 — Initial review and conversation
Portal leadership will review your application and may contact you for an initial conversation about your faith, availability, experience, and interest in volunteering.
Step 4 — Background check
If approved to move forward, applicants will be responsible for the cost of the required background check. If the cost presents a financial hardship, please let us know. We do not want the cost of a background check to prevent someone from serving, and assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis.
A background check will not be requested until an applicant has completed the initial review and conversation and has been approved to move forward in the volunteer process.
Step 5 — Orientation and scheduling
Approved volunteers will receive any necessary orientation and be added to the volunteer schedule.
Please consider your availability and ability to meet the expectations of the position before submitting an application. We are grateful for your interest, and we want to make sure volunteering at Portal is a good fit for you as well as for our teens.
Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance as a Portal volunteer. All applicants are subject to review and approval by Portal leadership/board.
Our process is:
Step 1 — Review our volunteer expectations
Make sure Portal's mission, requirements, and time commitment are a good fit for you.
Step 2 — Submit an application
Complete the Portal 2:20 volunteer application.
Step 3 — Initial review and conversation
Portal leadership will review your application and may contact you for an initial conversation about your faith, availability, experience, and interest in volunteering.
Step 4 — Background check
If approved to move forward, applicants will be responsible for the cost of the required background check. If the cost presents a financial hardship, please let us know. We do not want the cost of a background check to prevent someone from serving, and assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis.
A background check will not be requested until an applicant has completed the initial review and conversation and has been approved to move forward in the volunteer process.
Step 5 — Orientation and scheduling
Approved volunteers will receive any necessary orientation and be added to the volunteer schedule.
Please consider your availability and ability to meet the expectations of the position before submitting an application. We are grateful for your interest, and we want to make sure volunteering at Portal is a good fit for you as well as for our teens.
Ready to make a difference?
If you feel that Portal may be a place where you can serve, we'd love to hear from you!
Whether you can give one evening a month or more, your time matters. Your presence matters. And you matter to the teens who walk through our doors. Please complete the volunteer application using the link below. Applications may be mailed or dropped off during our regular hours. All applications are subject to review and approval by Portal leadership/board.
Whether you can give one evening a month or more, your time matters. Your presence matters. And you matter to the teens who walk through our doors. Please complete the volunteer application using the link below. Applications may be mailed or dropped off during our regular hours. All applications are subject to review and approval by Portal leadership/board.
You don't have to be a youth pastor. You don't have to be an expert with teenagers. You just have to be willing to show up, be present, and care.
|
|
"UNLESS SOMEONE LIKE YOU CARES A WHOLE AWFUL LOT, NOTHING IS GOING TO GET BETTER. IT'S NOT." ~Dr. Seuss
