The Durham Mothers Club is looking for volunteers to help out at their annual Fall Festival on Saturday, November 1st from 3 to 6 pm at Old Mill Farm in Durham. The picnic is one of their biggest events of the year and a way for them to give back to members and their families and bring the community together.  

They are seeking volunteers who are ready to contribute their time and abilities. They are currently looking for help with general festival setup, during the festival at various stations (check-in, food, craft, raffles, and clean-up) with shifts from 30 minutes up to the whole length of the picnic, and are flexible with the total time required and open to fitting volunteers that match their skills and preferences. Volunteers are vital to the success of the festival, helping it run smoothly and allowing attendees to enjoy the festivities. They believe that volunteer involvement will make a significant difference.

They value accountability and commitment, so they are looking for individuals who can attend scheduled shifts and take on their responsibilities with seriousness and care. If you are at least 15 years of age, are dedicated, responsible, and would be a good fit for helping at the event, please sign up directly via Sign Up Genius here. Please feel free to reach out to Ms. Sarah Lanier at durhammothers@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like more information about the volunteer opportunities. 

Through R.I.S.E. (Readiness in Sports Education), students gain practical experience in sports marketing and media. This program equips them to craft compelling content for their school’s website and social media channels, fostering creativity and real-world skills.

Click here to sign up!

The NC Youth Health Advisory is seeking passionate high school students from across the state who are interested in adolescent health and wellbeing to join this dynamic, youth-led group.

YHA group is made up of youth aged 14-18 who partner with the NC Division of Child and Family Well-Being to:

• Discuss important adolescent health issues

• Promote health education among youth statewide

• Provide valuable insights to make communities and our state healthier places for adolescents

By joining, youth will gain leadership experience, contribute feedback and guidance on youth-related topics, and collaborate with various agencies and departments. Most importantly, youth unique perspectives will help shape programs that support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of young people throughout the state.

Beginning September 15th, use this link to apply.

If you have questions or want to learn more, contact Brianna.Session@dhhs.nc.gov 

Real Talk is a career and college exploration initiative designed to connect Black students and families with Black professionals and representatives from colleges and access organizations across the country. They empower Black students to own their future, their way. 

If you are looking for opportunities to enrich your skills this summer, the CFNC Student Enrichment Programs Search Tool is the place to start. Many organizations across the state offer fun educational programs for students of all ages on a range of topics. Check it out here!

The mission of The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Center is to strengthen the Triangle community by mobilizing volunteers, empowering and supporting non-profits, enhancing community leadership and involvement, engaging and developing corporate partnerships, and coordinating vital human services for the Department of Social Services.

They offer multiple summer programs for high school students:

• IMPACT Camp provides Triangle high school students with a local week-long summer service experience. Together, a diverse cohort of participants learn about the issues facing their community by visiting different community organizations, working on a variety of service projects, hearing from community leaders, and engaging in reflection activities. 

• CELI is an intensive week-long summer enrichment experience that empowers high school students to impact Triangle communities through socially conscious thought and action. By exploring the root causes of social issues, working with nonprofit agencies, and creating capstone service projects, students develop the knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to help shape the future of the Triangle and beyond. One capstone project has the option to become fully funded and implemented should the student choose to do so.  

• In an adapted Model UN simulation, students take on the role of UN ambassadors and learn the fundamentals of diplomatic debate. Students think critically, act collaboratively, and develop solutions to today's most pressing global challenges. The Center is partnering with UNC-Chapel Hill's own Model United Nations club and Duke Corporate Education to facilitate this week. 

Looking to volunteer or in need of community service/volunteer hours? The Triangle Area has so many wonderful places to spend your time at and give back to the community. Look through these opportunities and find the right fit for you! 

From the NCSSM website:

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics equips students with the skills and knowledge they need to design their futures. For more than 40 years, our school has been opening doors of opportunity for talented young North Carolinians from every part of the state through our residential school option for 11th- and 12th-graders on our original Durham campus. In the fall of 2022, our second campus opened atop a ridge in Morganton, ultimately expanding the opportunity to 300 more students each year.

Something transformative happens when we gather a critical mass of highly motivated and diverse high school students with equally accomplished, credentialed, and diverse faculty in these living-learning communities. Our 11,000 alumni have become global leaders in technology, commerce, medicine, education, and the arts – a community of real-world problem solvers who build a brighter future. Could this be the opportunity that helps you become one, too?

Click here to learn more!

Click here to learn more about the application process to NCSSM.  The application process for the Class of 2028 will open on October 15, 2025, and close on  January 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM. 

Please include me, Ms. Maureen Kurz (maureen_kurz@dpsnc.net), as your counselor in the application portal, as I will be completing the counselor recommendations for NCSSM applications.  It is ALWAYS a good idea to email or talk to the person from whom you are requesting a recommendation, so stop by Student Services to see me!