OPBEA programs depend on volunteers! The students of Oak Park Schools benefit from the interaction of caring people from our community. Please give strong consideration to volunteering for one of our programs:

The School Liaison Program has been initiated and supported by the OPBEA to enable the business community to collaborate with Oak Park teachers and administrators in preparing Oak Park Students for post-secondary education and 21st century careers.  This program pairs volunteers from the business community with educators in a classroom setting to teach lessons regarding such diverse topics as career awareness, entrepreneurship, goal-setting as well as leadership and soft-skills development. 

We value your “real life” work experience that can be shared with tomorrow’s workforce.
We are looking for volunteers willing to work with a diverse student population and have excellent leadership and presentation skills.

As a business volunteer you would be asked to commit to the following:

1. Junior Achievement training.  (One time, 1 1/2 hours)
2. Attendance at an Orientation meeting.  (Approximately 1-1½ hours)
3. Five to six consecutive weeks of in-class participation presenting the Junior Achievement Curriculum. (Number of weeks depends on grade level and starts approx. in November.)
4. Upon completion of the Junior Achievement Curriculum, approximately a 2 hour visit once a month to your adopted classroom.
5. Sharing evaluation feedback

Faces of the Future Mentoring Program is an innovative, motivational, strategic planning and mentoring program using an award-winning program produced by Winning Futures. Adult mentors are being asked to participate in a one-year small group-mentoring program. Mentors work with second-semester Oak Park eighth grade students through their first semester of ninth grade. We meet bi-weekly after school.  You will be matched with up to three students and work within a facilitated larger group. Students will benefit from you as a role model as they transition into high school and make decisions that will shape their futures.  This provides them with an opportunity to learn about a profession as you share personal and professional experiences.

Share your expertise by participating as a guest speaker in a classroom or participating in a Career Day Expo. We welcome your donation of time and talent! Contact us.