Frequently Asked Questions

What is Share Yourself?

Work First is our state's effort to move people off welfare and into jobs. The goal of Share Yourself is to help Work First participants succeed in their new work experiences. The program was developed by North Carolina Cooperative Extension, which is sponsored by North Carolina A&T State University and North Carolina State University, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services. The program is offered in your community by your local Cooperative Extension Center and the county Department of Social Services.

How can a mentor program like Share Yourself help Work First participants with job success?

The problems that prevent many Work First participants from being successful on the job are often related to their inability to deal with everyday problems. Share Yourself was created so Work First participants could benefit from life skills, work experiences and other positive qualities a volunteer coach can share.

What do I get out of being a volunteer?

Share Yourself offers volunteers a chance to give back to the community. As a volunteer, you will be a positive force in the Work First participant's life, help insure job success for Work First participants, see families become independent, and experience the joy of helping, giving back and seeing others succeed.

How can I start a Share Yourself Program in my community?

What characteristics do volunteers need?

All that's needed to be a Share Yourself coach is a sincere desire to help others, a positive attitude, a willingness to accept differences in people, and to respect others for who they are and the experiences they bring to the relationship.

If I become a coach, what will be expected of me?

Coaches commit to Share Yourself for one year. Your involvement will begin after attending a training session to help prepare you for your new role. The training is hands-on and will last five to six hours. The training sessions are scheduled to meet the needs of new coaches.

How much time will I need to devote to Share Yourself as a coach?

We ask that you have a coaching session with your Work First participant at least once a month for about an hour. The coaching session maybe in person or by telephone. We recommend that most sessions be conducted in person. However, when scheduling conflicts make meeting impossible, you may need to coach by telephone. These are minimum expectations. You can give more or less time per month as needed.

What resources are available to help me be an effective coach?

Each coach receives a "Coach's Playbook" filled with information that will help you build a successful relationship with your Work First participant.

The participant receives a workbook called "The Winner's Game Plan" which helps them develop a plan for success in their personal life and on the job.

These resources and the activities they contain are the focus of discussion at your coaching sessions. These materials and how to use them will be explained during the coaches training.

How much does it cost to be a Share Yourself volunteer? Do volunteers incur any costs when they become associated with the program?

Aside from any incidental meeting costs, such as gas for transportation, everything needed for Share Yourself will be provided through the Cooperative Extension Center in your county. The other cost to you is the small amount of time you invest.

How can I let people in my community know that Share Yourself is available?

Your Cooperative Extension Center has access to a media and marketing packet containing radio announcements, press releases, brochures and other material that can be used to spread the message. In addition, Extension staff is available to present the program to community and other groups.

What type of people will I be coaching?

You will be coaching welfare recipients who are participating in the Work First program sponsored by your local Department of Social Services. These people will be looking for work or already on the job.

My community already has one or more programs helping Work First participants. How is this one different?

Every program is unique, and that fact often makes cooperative efforts involving two or more programs all that more effective. We are very willing to meet with your organization and offer ideas on how you can use Share Yourself in conjunction with existing programs.