Elkhart Community Schools is proud to partner with CARES (Communities Actively Relating to Elkhart Schools), Inc. as the official volunteer arm in serving students at school.  CARES volunteers do everything from tutoring to mentoring to coaching, working with students in kindergarten through senior high. No special skills are needed to volunteer, and every school could use more adult volunteers.

Ellen Moore Volunteer Coordinator

Two CARES Board Members on List of Michiana’s Forty Under 40  This year's Michiana Forty Under 40 list includes two CARES board members, treasurer Stephanie Leniski, vice president and office manager of the Beardsley Branch of Lake City Bank, and Jay Weldy, a sales representative for Welch Packaging.  |  more CARES Receives Prestigious State Award

The CARES program, the volunteer arm of Elkhart Community Schools, received an Indiana Youth Investment Award from the Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) Nov. 9. Only 10 of the prestigious statewide awards are presented each year.   The program was recognized for its recruitment of more than 2,000 adult volunteers over the past eight years to work one-on-one with students enrolled in Elkhart Community Schools.  |  More

Did you know ... Indiana now has its own mentoring partnership?

CARES is proud to be part of one of the most progressive states in the nation for mentoring. Join the great movement of mentoring Hoosiers here.


January is National Mentoring Month

Let's resolve to "meet the need" for 2010! Every young person who wants a mentor should get one. Great ideas here on how you can help.

You can also share ideas and ask questions in a national online forum through MENTOR: How to Get Involved with CARES   Becoming a CARES volunteer is one of the best things you can do for kids and community. It takes just a little effort to get started:   1.      Visit the Personnel Department of Elkhart Community Schools (J.C. Rice Educational Services Center at 2720 California Road) any weekday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  2.      Fill out the CARES Information and Background Screen forms. (We will conduct a criminal background check, just as we do for all of our employees.) 3.      Bring a picture ID to be copied for your file.       4.   Once your application is approved, we'll contact you about a starting date.   Companies, service clubs, churches or other organizations with prospective new CARES volunteers are encouraged to call the CARES office (262-5944) to schedule a convenient on-site sign up session.
Resources: Mission and Goals Find out what CARES is all about. The CARES Story The CARES' story is an inspiring example of hope. Good things happen when people who care about kids come together. Board of Directors Current list and photos. CARES School Coordinators Contact your school's coordinator directly. When you sign up to receive the free Elkhart WINS! e-newsletter, you will receive inspiring stories of how CARES is making a difference in our community. | Subscribe today! Find answers to Commonly Asked Questions about the CARES program				Get Involved: Schedule a Presentation To schedule a presentation on the great story of CARES for your business, congregation, service club, or other organization, contact Ellen Moore: 262-5944. Contact Us For more information about these or other related topics, contact Ellen Moore: 262-5944.