Volunteers and National Service

Efforts to improve attendance can benefit from an extra set of adults mentoring at-risk students, knocking on doors and helping families get their children to school on time every day. The Why Attendance Matters handout found on this page explains why Volunteers and National Service organizations should care about attendance and offers ideas for how they can work with schools, parents and communities to address the challenges that may be keeping many students from participating in school.

Below are some resources to help you find and leverage volunteers and national service organizations.

Community volunteers can provide an extra shift of adults to help manage attendance and track down absentee students. Several community-based organizations, such as AARP Experience Corps, provide mentors and tutors.

Local Boys & Girls Clubs of America offer afterschool and summer programs and can partner with schools to improve attendance and connect students with resources. Hear how one Boys & Girls Club partners with local schools on the webinar, Keep Kids Engaged and Showing Up for Learning: Relationships, Routines and Partnerships.

New York City has developed confidentiality forms for volunteers working in public schools.

Download confidentiality forms for community based organizations

Download confidentiality form for mentors 

Updated May 2022.