Needs From: MC Serves!

Volunteer Roles (SSL-Compliant)

Volunteers with the Ethiopian Eritrean Special Needs Community (EESNC) support children, youth, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, as well as their families, through structured, supervised, and community-based activities.

All volunteer activities are conducted under the direct supervision of an EESNC staff member in public or designated program settings to ensure safety and compliance with SSL requirements.

Volunteer responsibilities include: Autism Mentorship (Supervised Group Support):
Support individuals with autism through structured activities focused on social engagement, communication skills, and community participation in public program settings. Family Support Assistance (Community-Based Activities):
Assist families during organized workshops, resource events, and group support sessions that promote caregiver education and access to services. Vocational and Life Skills Support:
Help participants build independence through supervised activities that may include job readiness, social skills development, and structured learning sessions. Community Engagement Events:
Assist during cultural events, resource fairs, and educational workshops hosted in public venues, helping with setup, participant support, and engagement activities. Virtual Mentorship (Fully Supervised):
Participate in EESNC-led virtual sessions under direct staff supervision, with all SSL safety and privacy requirements strictly followed.

All volunteer service is designed to be meaningful, structured, and developmentally supportive while maintaining full compliance with MCPS SSL guidelines.

Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:

A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.

Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.

Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.

The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.

Virtual sessions will not be recorded.

Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.

Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.