Teen Reach, an after-school program for area residents 10 to 17, is looking for more Eastern students to reach out to the program.

Approximately 40 Eastern students currently volunteer at Teen Reach, located at 513 Seventh St.

“We are always looking for volunteers,” community service/volunteer coordinator Mellissa Sons said Monday.

Volunteers do not have to be just individuals, groups are welcome as well, Sons said. The center is especially seeking volunteers to chaperone its Valentine’s dance from 6 to 8 p.m. February 15.

Eastern students who do volunteer have heard about Teen Reach simply through word of mouth. Sons said her goal is to make current volunteers and new recruits more involved with the Charleston community.

“They may feel left out,” she said. “(But) just because they go to Eastern doesn’t make them not a Charleston resident.”

Students who volunteer can receive observation hours if they are going into the teaching profession, receive letters of recommendation if they are a good volunteer, and possibly even receive an internship.

“It looks good on a resume,” Sons said.

Volunteers are required to meet certain criteria. They must pass a background check, display a commitment to youth and agree to confidentiality, Sons said.

Those interested must meet with Sons to fill out paperwork and go through orientation. Sons estimates this takes approximately 20 minutes.

The center offers a variety of services for children, including tutoring, a life skills program, a mentor program, a civil service class and other community activities. In the past, the center has participated in Eastern’s homecoming parade, Make-A-Difference Day and Octoberfest. Teen Reach has also held a kite day and hosted a summer 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

Teen Reach’s life skills classes gives children the chance to learn to cook as well as attend an alcohol prevention workshop. The civil service class is a 4-H club that visits nursing homes and goes Christmas caroling. The mentor program is similar to Mid-Illinois Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

The life skills coordinator at Teen Reach also conducts “Career Seeker,” an opportunity for students to learn how to apply for a job, write a resume and find a summer job. They also bring in people from various careers or colleges to talk to the center participants.

The parents of the teenagers who participate in Teen Reach recognize the efforts of those who give their time at the center.

“The parents love the volunteers,” Sons said. “Some of the children who attend Teen Reach come from single parent homes and the volunteers serve as another role model.”

Teen Reach was founded in 1998 by the Illinois Department of Human Services and is a non-profit organization. “The people in the community thought there was a need for a place for kids to go after school,” Sons said.