Here at HOME WORKS!, volunteers are vital to helping our school-based family events run smoothly so teachers can focus on building trusting relationships with students’ families. In recognition of the many contributions of volunteers, we are celebrating with a spotlight of HOME WORKS! Volunteer, Jermaine Pettis. Read on to learn about how Jermaine has been inspired to join the Family Engagement movement!
What motivates you to volunteer?
What motivated me to volunteer is simple…giving. Giving my time, my effort, and my passion to help students grow into their full potential. I believe that giving is part of receiving and people tend to forget about that. When you give freely from your heart you receive an abundance of blessings, and for me these blessings come in the form of graduations, promotions, scholarships, diplomas, degrees, champions, etc.
What drew you to HOME WORKS! mission?
What drew me to the HOME WORKS! mission was their powerful statement, “We partner with underserved schools to build capacity to engage families and communities for students’ success”. As a former educator and School-Home Coordinator at a St. Louis Charter School, I spent much of my time building relationships among the school, parents, and the surrounding community. In the summer of 2012, our school partnered with HOME WORKS! and fully embraced its mission. Through initiatives like Parent-Teacher Workshops, Family Dinners, and Home Visits, we were able to deepen our connection with families. The results spoke for themselves – student attendance, academic performance, and parent involvement all improved significantly. Even now, in 2025, the saying holds true: it takes a village to raise a child. HOME WORKS! is a vital part of that village, offering support, training, and essential resources to both educators and families.
What have you enjoyed the most about volunteering at HOME WORKS!?
What I have enjoyed most about volunteering at HOME WORKS! is seeing the smiles on kid’s faces at the Family Dinners and Parent Teacher Workshops and feeling the gratitude from school staff, students, and families at these events. The educators and families get to see individuals from beyond their school walls demonstrate we care about their educational progress.
What would you say to someone thinking of becoming a volunteer with HOME WORKS!?
You’d be remiss if you didn’t at least consider it. It should actually be a no brainer to contribute your time to the future leaders of this world. Do it! 
Are you interested in becoming a HOME WORKS! Volunteer? Email volunteers@teacherhomevisit.org to learn more!