VOLUNTEER TO BE A CLASSROOM MENTOR
Our mentors work once a week in a classroom with the students that need extra support. Teachers in both regular classrooms and in academic recovery classes request the support of our mentors to help students that are falling behind. See our current openings.
- You must be willing to attend a 1.5 hr class period once a week
- You must be 18 or older and complete our Mentor Application
BECOMING A VOLUNTEER
New Volunteers
- After we receive your Mentor Application we will schedule a short interview to review your information and determine if we have openings that match your interest.
- You will complete a liability waiver form and we'll start you on the DOJ clearance process. Clearance requires fingerprinting at a location near you. See below for more information about the process.
- Upload recent TB results. See below for more information about the test requirements.
Returning Mentors
As of 2024, you will need to complete mandated reporter requirements if you work more than one semester per year. This two-hour training can be accessed here. Once completed, send your certificate of training to us at [email protected].
If you did not work with us for more than one semester, email us to determine any additional requirements.
If you did not work with us for more than one semester, email us to determine any additional requirements.
Can't Mentor? See other ways to help!
- Help us continue to recruit, train and support our mentors. Donate!
- Sponsor us. Email [email protected] to discuss options.
- Volunteer to help with fundraising or publicity.
Fingerprinting for DOJ/FBI clearance
Everyone who works with students is required to be cleared by the FBI and Dept of Justice (DOJ). A licensed operator will take your fingerprints on a digital pad. The prints are sent to both agencies to ensure that you do not have a criminal record and are cleared to work with students.
Any subsequent arrest after the Live Scan process occurs will be reported to Oakland Serves. The information collected through this test is confidential and will be guarded safely and securely within our system. We will not share this information with any outside entity. If your fingerprints are not cleared by the DOJ and/or FBI, or if there is a subsequent arrest, you may not volunteer with our program.
DOJ does not permit Oakland Serves to accept fingerprints from another agency. If you have volunteered with another organization in the past, you will have to be fingerprinted again for our program.
Steps to complete the fingerprinting process
Step 1: after our initial interview, we will send you a link to register and you will complete a Lives Scan Fingerprint Form.
Step 2: Make an appointment with a Live Scan service provider. We recommend Certifax facilities; find a location near you.
Step 3: Bring your form and a drivers license or equivalent form of identification with you to the appointment and pay the fingerprinting fee. Fees may vary with location.
Step 4: Your fingerprints will automatically be sent for DOJ/FBI review. You will receive a notice of clearance when review is complete.
Any subsequent arrest after the Live Scan process occurs will be reported to Oakland Serves. The information collected through this test is confidential and will be guarded safely and securely within our system. We will not share this information with any outside entity. If your fingerprints are not cleared by the DOJ and/or FBI, or if there is a subsequent arrest, you may not volunteer with our program.
DOJ does not permit Oakland Serves to accept fingerprints from another agency. If you have volunteered with another organization in the past, you will have to be fingerprinted again for our program.
Steps to complete the fingerprinting process
Step 1: after our initial interview, we will send you a link to register and you will complete a Lives Scan Fingerprint Form.
Step 2: Make an appointment with a Live Scan service provider. We recommend Certifax facilities; find a location near you.
Step 3: Bring your form and a drivers license or equivalent form of identification with you to the appointment and pay the fingerprinting fee. Fees may vary with location.
Step 4: Your fingerprints will automatically be sent for DOJ/FBI review. You will receive a notice of clearance when review is complete.
TB Testing Requirements
In order to volunteer in Oakland schools, you must provide proof that you do not have tuberculosis (TB). If you already have an up-to-date test (less than four years old) you can submit that to us. An image of your TB screening proof must be included. Please take special care that the document is clear and legible.
There are 4 ways to provide proof of TB test:
TB Testing Locations
Schedule an appointment with your health care provider or visit these suggested free clinics. Please call providers beforehand to verify services, cost, and appointment times. Please tell them which type of test you need when scheduling your appointment.
Berkeley Department of Health and Human Services
830 University Ave. Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 981-5350
HOURS = Drop-in for skin test on Tuesday from 9:00 – 11:00 am or 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Reading on Thursdays from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
FEES = Sliding scales based on income.
Berkeley Free Clinic
2339 Durant Ave. (at Dana St.) Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 548-2570
HOURS = By appointment only. Call at 5:30 pm for same evening appointments. FEES = None.
Prescott-Joseph Center
920 Peralta St., West Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 835-8683
HOURS = First come first serve for skin test Mondays from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Reading Wednesdays from 1:00 – 2:00 pm.
FEES = None.
Kaiser Permanente (for members)
Various sites. Walk-in to an injection clinic.
HOURS = Check for the intended facility
FEES = None
Tang Center (for Cal students)
There are 4 ways to provide proof of TB test:
- Risk Assessment Questionnaire: If you have no history of risk factors (certain travel, contacts or physical health) described in the Risk Assessment Questionnaire, you can meet with a licensed health care provider who can complete the form.
- Skin Test: Receive an intra-dermal injection of the serum from a licensed health care professional. Then return to the health care provider 48-72 hours later to have the results read.
- Blood Test: Get an interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) blood test from a licensed health care professional. This only requires one visit to the lab but you need a referral from a health care provider.
- Chest X-Ray: Receive a chest X-Ray as TB screener from a licensed health care provider. Seek this option if you have documented history of positive TB test or TB disease.
TB Testing Locations
Schedule an appointment with your health care provider or visit these suggested free clinics. Please call providers beforehand to verify services, cost, and appointment times. Please tell them which type of test you need when scheduling your appointment.
Berkeley Department of Health and Human Services
830 University Ave. Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 981-5350
HOURS = Drop-in for skin test on Tuesday from 9:00 – 11:00 am or 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Reading on Thursdays from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
FEES = Sliding scales based on income.
Berkeley Free Clinic
2339 Durant Ave. (at Dana St.) Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 548-2570
HOURS = By appointment only. Call at 5:30 pm for same evening appointments. FEES = None.
Prescott-Joseph Center
920 Peralta St., West Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 835-8683
HOURS = First come first serve for skin test Mondays from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Reading Wednesdays from 1:00 – 2:00 pm.
FEES = None.
Kaiser Permanente (for members)
Various sites. Walk-in to an injection clinic.
HOURS = Check for the intended facility
FEES = None
Tang Center (for Cal students)
- Login to your eTang portal
- Messages > New Message > Order Lab Tests (continue) > Order TB Test (continue).
Your Safety as a Mentor
Your health
- Tuberculosis: All personnel that work with OUSD students are required to have a recent (within 4 years) negative TB test.
- Covid-19: OUSD schools follow California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines for Covid procedures.
- General: Unless required by CDPH or CDC, wearing masks is discretionary.
- All personnel that work with minors are required to have their fingerprints on file with the FBI and Department of Justice.
- Federal law requires all paid employees to have received Harassment Training.
- Every OUSD school has a School Site Safety Plan.
- All schools have on-site parking areas
- Oakland Serves is not liable for any injuries or damage that occur at the school site or traveling to or from the school.
- You are responsible for your behavior on school grounds. Oakland Serves is not liable for unsafe or illegal actions of mentors.