Volunteers
Beans and Rice, Inc. relies heavily upon resident, student, and community volunteers to staff Community Learning Center programs. Annually, volunteers provide an in-kind contribution of $50,000.

Developing leadership capacity at all volunteer levels is a primary focus. Our volunteers are expected to go beyond passive participation and the completion of menial tasks. They serve as mentors, tutors, and teachers. All volunteers receive training and close supervision from both Beans and Rice staff and experienced volunteers.

Here are some of the ways volunteers help Beans and Rice, Inc. achieve its mission:

Resident Volunteers
Resident volunteers serve in a variety of programs including mealtime, preschool, after school programs, and the youth leadership program. This group includes parents, grandparents, and other family members of children enrolled in our Community Learning Center programs as well as adults living in the low-income housing units.

Student Volunteers
College students from Radford University, Virginia Tech, and New River Community College make up the majority of staff members for preschool, after school, and the youth leadership programs. This group participates in the Service-Learning Program.

Community Volunteers
New River Valley residents serve with Beans and Rice, Inc. in a variety of capacities. This group serves as coaches, gardeners, reading and computer tutors, and mentors in the summer enrichment program. Community members may also participate in the Service-Learning Program. Recently, a group from First Baptist Church, Radford, began providing, preparing, and serving dinner on a weekly basis through our Mealtime Program.