Who we are

Hello! We are Alyssa and Damir Orlov, brother and sister living in Massachusetts, USA. We go to high school and we’ve created Shared Connections non-profit organization to help younger kids who need more social interaction as well as help high school kids to volunteer and get involved in a community service in safe and rewarding environment.

Our Plan

• To organize small groups of kids of similar age/interest to have safe online space to talk on a regular basis. Our volunteers will overlook, provide guidance and topics for conversations. 

• To offer weekly one-on-one zoom meeting with teen volunteers.

  Disclaimer: We do not provide counseling or psychological help.

The Sessions Options and Ideas

• One-on-one sessions

• Small group sessions (Ratio of 3-4 kids to one volunteer)

• Theme sessions

  • They can be weekly, bi-weekli, monthly or even one time sessions

  • Range from topics like “Let’s talk about pokemon”, to book club to movie night to pet showcase to talent show to volunteers sharing their hobbies/interests (ex: Telling about what robotics club is, or sharing their experience at theater audition, or talking about Mars or WWII etc)

  • Movie nights/game nights

  • Book reading

• Homework help sessions 

  • Can be offered in one-on-one format or small group

  • Tutoring sessions for anyone who needs it or wants it

• Learning Sessions

  • Private sessions or Semi-Private

  • Can range from knitting to singing to algebra. 

  • Kids can volunteer to share their knowledge with peers

• Create a net for other kids’ projects, Social Connections can “take them under its wing” so they can receive volunteer hours for their work with us and have a support of organization.

What WILL Our Structure Look Like?

• For every 7-10 volunteer teens there will be a volunteer adult

  • The adult is hopefully a social worker or someone with a background is physcology

  • They are there to look over and provide guidance if needed

  • Provide immediate help if needed

    • Ex. Child is in immediate danger from themself or others. 

• Our hope is to have a psychologist create a training program and initial interview for volunteers, overlook whole structure of our program.

• Have outline of themes and possible dialogs for volunteers to break the ice. 

  • Ex. “What’s your favorite ice cream?” “What book/movie you thought you wouldn't like but actually enjoyed?” “Would you rather…?” etc.

Who Is This For?

• Children who are unable to go out and be social

  • Ex. Kids at hospitals, Immunocompromised kids or kids who live in an immunocompromised home 

• Children who struggle with making friends and being social 

• It will also be a great space for high school kids who have the same struggle (ex. immunocompromised/shy etc) to volunteer and make a difference in other kids’ lives.

• Especially right now, with COVID 19 still being unpredictable this could be a resource for anyone  in case of another lockdown.