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Richland 1 presents CHAMPS volunteer program; district reports more than 100 volunteers and 213 hours logged
Summary
The district described Richland 1 CHAMPS, a volunteer mentoring and campus-support program that has recruited more than 100 volunteers, including Benedict College students and city employees; training dates and volunteer expectations were presented to the board.
District staff briefed the board Tuesday on Richland 1 CHAMPS — "Caring Hearts, Making a Positive Shift" — a districtwide volunteer program that places role models in schools to support students and staff.
"The main goal of the program is to be a positive influence to students during the school day and to be helpful to the staff as they provide a quality education to our students," program coordinator Mr. Abel told the Board. He described CHAMPS duties as welcoming students, supporting transitions during class changes, monitoring hallways and assisting school staff during events. Volunteers are not expected to act as teachers, counselors or administrators and must call school staff in the event of fights or crises, Abel said.
The district reported more than 100 volunteers have participated since the program began, with 17 volunteers from Benedict College, 54 people assigned to schools and 213 volunteer hours logged this school year. City of Columbia staff participated in a "champ for a day" pilot at the start of the year and the city has authorized employees to take time to volunteer during the week, Abel said. Volunteer training dates were listed for Jan. 23, Feb. 11 and Feb. 18 at the Line Street Teleconference Center.
Commissioners praised the program and asked about tracking and sustainability. Abel said volunteers scan into the district system so hours can be recorded and that recruitment and retention remain challenges. "The biggest issue is we've had a lot of people who initially signed up, but they didn't show up," he said, pointing to regular volunteers such as retired Navy veteran Wellington Booker as consistent participants.
Board members asked about end‑of‑year recognition and a possible summer retreat or mentoring summit; Abel said the district plans an end‑of‑year celebration and is exploring a mentoring summit with partners including the University of South Carolina’s Office of Access and Opportunity.
