Kids Count volunteers love children and know that they are making a difference in the lives of our students. Whether it is providing academic support, homework help, or assisting with an exciting enrichment  activity the volunteers and the children are involved in, our volunteers are  helping to build positive relationships and a positive future for the students.  Due to the success of our programs volunteers are needed to work with our students grades in K-3.  A minimum of one hour per week is required. Click the links below to view the volunteer handbook and fill out an application.

While Kids Count requires volunteers to serve a minimum of one hour weekly, UF sophomore Tahj Hopkins spends two and a half hours twice a week helping our Kids Count kids. A Gainesville native, Tahj is a sophomore majoring in Food and Resource Economics and minoring in Business. His interests include running track, creating music, writing, reading and doing math equations. Tahj says, "What keeps me coming back to Kids Count is seeing the smiles on the students' faces and knowing they have the potential for a great future if they are given enough individual support and encouragement." One child he has worked closely with is Dray about whom he says, "In a short time, I have seen Dray develop into a better  student. His mindset has changed and he is more eager to learn. Kids Count enables kids to get the personal attention they need to thrive". About Tahj, Dray told us, "I like Mr. Tahj because he helps me. I like Kids Count because it's fun and I am learning to read books."

Stephanie Bennett, a University of Florida freshman from Orlando, started volunteering with Kids Count in January 2010 and consistently comes three times a week. A Family, Youth and Community Sciences major, Stephanie's goal is to build children's self esteem and her favorite thing is seeing how excited a child gets when he or she "gets it". She said that when she walks through the door at Kids Count she loves seeing children's faces light up knowing she is there to help them. One child she has grown close to is Christian who, she shares, is a natural storyteller. She says Christian used to be more interested in telling stories than doing school work but is now motivated to complete his work so that she will sing him the Good Job song (G-double O-D J-O-B, good job, good job). Christian also knows that he can earn the right to tell Stephanie a story or two once his work is done! Thank you, Stephanie, for your commitment to children and making a difference.