Partner With Us
You’ve heard it said, “It takes a village to raise a child”. In the case of Samara’s Village, the “village” is an entire community of dedicated volunteers who live in Brunswick County and are willing to give their time and talents to help adolescent moms raise healthy babies.
We invite individuals with a heart for our organization, no matter your previous level of knowledge or experience, to learn more about Samara’s Village and thoughtfully consider joining us. We’ll even train you!!
Take a look at the numerous ways to become involved. Then fill out an application and a background check and we will contact you to set up an Orientation.
Sharing Your Talents: Volunteer Needs
- Motherhood Mentor
- Motherhood Mentors are the lifeline between Samara’s Village and the female participant. They are the program facilitators for our Partners for a Healthy Baby Curriculum.
- Mentors work with participants to set career and education goals and help them attain them.
- Motherhood mentors must be able to meet with those mothers at least monthly for the duration of their time in the program.
- This is a commitment until the baby turns 3 and requires specialized training.
- Fatherhood Mentor
- The fatherhood mentor must possess the desire to help support and educate young fathers.
- The Fatherhood Mentor will implement, direct, instruct, guide, and document individual and/or group meeting with participants. The position requires strong listening and communication skills.
- This is a commitment until the baby turns 3 and requires specialized training.
- Village Ambassadors
- Team members represent Samara’s Village within a defined area (“territory”) of Brunswick County. They consistently promote Samara’s Village monthly at each location and build an ongoing relationship. The expected outcomes are an increase in program participants, donor development, and Samara’s Village name recognition.
- Good communication skills are necessary.
- This volunteer position requires three to four hours per month and a car is necessary.
- Resource Development Team
- Like raising money for a great cause? This Team may be for you.
- We are looking for Villagers to help with fundraising initiatives, write grants, solicit corporate donations, and participate in donor development.
- This position requires ten volunteer hours per month.
- Marketing Team
- Assist with media relations
- Develop 4 quarterly newsletters
- Maintain the website
- Manage content updates to Samara’s Village and Village Treasures social media
- Help compile information such as success stories, info and photos on new volunteers, collect sponsor logos, etc. for use in our newsletters and websites.
- Organize our marketing media, assets and other files so that they are current.
- Help create a marketing calendar.
- This volunteer position requires three to four hours per month
- Admin Team
- Assist Executive Director and Program Director with administrative tasks
- Maintain databases of donors and volunteers
- Send thank you letters and other communications
- Help organize events
- This position requires five volunteer hours per month.
- Resource Center Team
- Help manage donations
- Maintain organized inventory of supplies including diapers, clothing, bottles, etc.
- Manage toys and library
- This position requires five volunteer hours per month.
If you are interested in any of these positions, please complete the three steps below:
#1 – Choose Your Volunteer Role
Decide what volunteer position you are interested in applying for.
#2 – Apply
Complete the online application to tell us a little about yourself
and what position you are interested in.
#3 – Complete Background Check
Applicants must complete a background check to participate as volunteers at Samara’s Village.
For further information contact Kelly Burke at kelly@samarasvillage.org
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION
VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION
MEET SOME OF OUR VOLUNTEERS
Juliana Cortina
I am originally from New York and went to college in Savannah, GA for fashion design. After college I moved to North Carolina where my parents retired to. I discovered Samara’s Village through my mom who volunteers as the resource center volunteer coordinator. Being creative, well versed in marketing and having graphic design skills from college I volunteered to be Social Media Coordinator which turned into volunteering as a graphic designer as well! I chose to volunteer at Samara’s Village because I love their mission and I wanted to get involved in helping out our community!
Ted Stephens
My wife Jackie and I moved to Southport from Iowa after 18 years with 3M selling electrical products. I have coached many teams as well as my children. As a father of 4, I have always enjoyed coaching my kids trying to bring out their best. I have been blessed in so many ways and want to make a difference in future generations especially anything that involves Supporting Life which has always been a priority for me.
I have been involved with Samara’s Village for 2 years and currently mentoring a young father. Challenging, yes, but the blessings are numerous.
Hobbies include tennis, golf, fishing, travel, volunteering with several local organizations and spending time with the grandchildren on the beach.
Megan Ayala
My name is Megan Ayala. I have a wonderful husband, Dominic, and four beautiful children, Dominic (11), Asa (10), Gabe (10), and Zoey (4). I am a former teacher turned homeschool mom who loves serving my community through Generations Church, Foster BrunsCo, and Samara’s Village.
I’m excited to be volunteering with Samara’s Village because our family has been actively involved with foster care and see this as an opportunity to serve moms and children in a new way. Our family feels blessed to be a part of this ministry and the positive impact they are having on the community.
Stacey Saveth
My name is Stacey Saveth. My history is long and complicated. Originally a New Yorker. Graduated from college with a BS in Speech Pathology and Audiology. From there at the age of 19, I went to graduate school at the University of Denver, receiving a BS in Speech Pathology. I worked in the suburbs of Denver in the public schools and lived in Boulder, Colorado. I loved Colorado and thought I would be there forever. In 1984 I met a man, packed up my car and drove across country to move to NJ. A variety of jobs in NY and NJ kept me busy until I became a mom in 1992. Divorced with an 8-year-old in 2001, I moved to Randolph NJ until my retirement in 2016, when I moved to NC. A few years later I married again, and we will be celebrating our fourth anniversary in October 2023.
I started off at Samara’s Village as a mother mentor. After raising a bunch of money to help her out, I was asked to be part of the fundraising team. We had a great bunch of ladies and after a bunch of small fundraisers, the offer of Saint James’ flea market morphed into Village Treasures. I have been part of Village treasures since its inception. I am also on the communications and Fundraising committees. My husband Don is the Webmaster.
I live in St. James and people say I failed retirement. I currently run the Single’s Club, which I started 5 years ago. I am also Fundraising chairperson for the St. James Service Club and chair their Holiday Festival. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, reading, gardening, cooking, baking, kayaking, and traveling.
Elly Sorenson
Hi there, my name is Elly. I was born and raised in Wisconsin, until my family decided to move to Bolivia in 2021. It was the best decision of our lives. I am a mom of three kiddos and being a mom is THE best job I have ever had. When I’m not in my leading role as mom, you may find me leading a paint class for my traveling art studio.
After moving to the area I learned about Samaras Village through my church and knew I had to be a part of something so amazing. My kids mean the world to me, and I want to help other teen moms fulfill that same dream of being a mother and all the love that the title “mom” brings. My volunteer activities as a Mother Mentor is very fulfilling.
Jim Lightbourne
The first half of my career was in university research and education. The second half I worked at the National Science Foundation. After retirement my wife and I moved from Arlington Va to Southport. I have enjoyed volunteer opportunities in teaching ESl, tutoring for the GED, tutoring students in mathematics, serving as a volunteer for activities in the city of Southport, and being an instructor for exercise classes for senior citizens. For a few years now, I have served as a Father Mentor for Samaras Village, which I very much enjoy.
