Volunteer

Volunteers are the heart of our organization. We provide a range of opportunities for individuals and groups to get involved and create a meaningful impact.

Become a Mend-tor

We are looking for volunteer Mend-tors (mentors for mending!) who care about crafting a welcoming space for social connection and are willing to learn visible mending skills. If you apply to become a volunteer Mend-tor, fear not—we will provide in-person training and plenty of opportunities to volunteer in our circles.

What do Mend-tors do?

Volunteer Mend-tors assist the Lead Mend-tor in mending circles. They provide guidance on mending skills and a welcoming, kind attitude. Mend-tors welcome people, pass out name tags, and assist individuals on their mending skills and projects.

Mending circles can be for pre-teens, teens, adults, seniors, or intergenerational groups. Sessions can be one to two weeks apart or one-time events. Our circles usually last two hours.

Requirements

Mend-tors must be:

• warm and welcoming with a can-do attitude
• willing to be inclusive and create safe spaces
• willing to learn visible mending skills
• comfortable volunteering for circles for 2-3 hours
• willing to complete a background check with the hosting organization (if needed)

Background checks

Depending on the age group or location of your mending circle, you may need to apply to be a volunteer through the hosting organization. Each organization has their own required vetting process, background checks, and training. Here are the links for Arlington County Parks and Recreation, Public Schools, Libraries, and Affordable Homes and Communities.

Social Skills

Mend-tors are highly encouraged to learn more about inclusion, belonging, and open communication, creating safe spaces. Here are some recommended resources:

• Project PEACE’s Becoming More Askable by attending a workshop, reading the brochure, or listening to the podcast. Becoming More Askable is an opportunity to ensure that every young person in Arlington has at least one askable adult (a person youth has identified as willing and able to listen, provide support and understanding, and answer questions without judgment).
• Platonic: how the science of attachment can help you make–and keep–friends by Marisa G. Franco, PhD
• Inclusion by Harvard Business Review
• The power of mattering: how leaders can create a culture of significance by Zach Mercurio
• The art of gathering: how we meet and why it matters by Priya Parker

Apply

Want to become a Mend-tor? Tell us a little about yourself using the form below. And we will be sure to be in touch!

Share your superpower

We will need many hands on deck to launch this. Let us know if you want to lead, assist, or intern with any of the following or have some other superpower to offer:

• Photographer
• Graphic Designer
• Grants / Fundraising Coordinator
• Social Media Manager to take photos and video at our events and make reels for social media.
• Guest speakers–such as people involved in textile art, upcycling, art activism, fashion, creativity, inclusion, or belonging–who are willing to talk about your work, profession, hobby, or interest for 15-20 minutes at the beginning of our open lab days.

Photo by Hanna Leka/The George Washington University