Retirement in Florida offers more than just year-round great weather – it offers an abundance of ways to get involved in your community around Lake Ashton. Polk County Public Schools offer a great opportunity for volunteers in a variety of capacities.

If you prefer special events over routine work, you can serve on an event planning committee and help with tasks associated with hosting school events. Or you can volunteer in the various school offices, assisting with administrative tasks and projects as needed.

Retirees who enjoy working directly with youngsters may tutor public school students in kindergarten through third grade in reading. This grant-funded program takes place at selected school sites in Polk County.

If you prefer to work with older children, consider becoming a Take Stock in Children mentor. Each mentor is matched with a scholarship student in grades 9 through 12. Mentors meet with their students for 30 minutes at a time, 3-4 times a month, for a year. As a mentor, you’ll become a friend and role model, guiding your student to academic and life success. It’s a great way to pass on your wisdom to the next generation and make a very special lifelong friend.

The Youth Motivator program brings students who can benefit from one-on-one attention together with positive role models who work together on a weekly basis to improve grades, attendance and behaviors. The goal is to help students develop self-confidence, academic competence and other skills that will help them be successful in school and life.

To become a volunteer in a Polk County school, you must pay a one-time, non-refundable fee of $25 to cover the cost of a background check, complete an application form and receive your orientation. This is an opportunity to spend time in your Florida retirement making a difference for future generations.