Becoming a Volunteer at The Children’s Home
As a nonprofit organization, The Children’s Home depends on the generosity of the public to maintain high standards in residents’ academic performance, facility improvements and expansion, and innovative programs. Volunteers are essential to The Children’s Home and the young people we serve, and we make every effort to make sure your talents are put to the best use. The Home has been blessed with many volunteers since our opening days in 1863, and we hope to count you among them.
We invite you to become part of a statewide network for children and families. There are enough opportunities to match your interests and available time. Training programs are available for all volunteer positions. Listed below are a few of our one-time or intermittent volunteer opportunities. Want to become a volunteer tutor, mentor, instructor, or coach? Please visit this webpage to learn more and apply.
Holiday Volunteer Opportunities
Creating a holiday experience for so many kids takes a lot of love and a lot of work. Help make the holidays brighter by signing up to be a volunteer “elf.” We have several opportunities throughout the month of December, with differing activity levels. Please note that in-person volunteers must be age 12 or older, and that each volunteer ages 12-18 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
One-time & Intermittent Volunteer Opportunities
Group Service Project
The Children’s Home enjoys hosting a variety of groups for service days, and would like you to be among them. Groups have undertaken a wide variety of service projects, both on and off of our campus, including:
- Painting
- Organizing
- Gardening
- Trail maintenance
- Holiday decorating
If you have a corporate, religious, or civic group looking to help the community, our staff can craft a day of service and team building to meet your needs. To learn more, please complete the volunteer interest form below or call Christy Page at 410-744-7310.
Bike Repair
Have a talent for fixing things? Kids can be hard on bicycles (and our residents are no exception). We could use a person or group to help repair bikes so that others can use them. This can be done on your own schedule, and we have most tools/supplies on hand. Submit the form below to learn more.
Clothing Room Organizer
Do your closets look like they could be featured on Instagram? We’re seeking volunteers who can assist with organizing our clothing storage. This is the space where residents come to “shop” for clothes, and we’d like to make it as welcoming and warm as possible. This is an excellent one-time or ongoing project for small groups. Normal business hours preferred. Complete the form below to learn more.
Vegetable Garden Maintenance
Do you have a green thumb? Help our kids learn about horticulture while getting in a little extra sun. Between lessons, we need a volunteer to help maintain the garden and to help it succeed. Visits can be done on your schedule, and tools are provided. Requires at least one visit a week during the growing season, preferably the same day each week. (Note: this role does not interact with the kids in our care, and can include volunteers under age 21.) To learn more, please complete the interest form below.
Community Advocate
Do you like public speaking? Do you have a large social media following? We’re looking for volunteers who can help tell our story. We’ll provide training and all the support materials you need to tell the world about the work The Children’s Home does and the lives it impacts. To learn how you can be an advocate, please complete the interest form below.
Event Planner
The Children’s Home hosts events throughout the year to celebrate milestones and to raise money for our critical services. If you would like to be a part of the team, we could use your help! Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one event a year, each with varying time commitments. Planning meetings are typically held in the late afternoon or early evening. To learn more, please complete the volunteer interest form below.
Volunteer Interest Form
Volunteer Tutors, Mentors, Instructors, & Coaches
The Children’s Home has a limited number of opportunities available for volunteers who want to work closely with our residents. These positions are limited to volunteers ages 21 and older.
- Tutors volunteer the same time each week to help with specific junior and senior high school subjects. Traditionally, this takes place between 3:30-5:00pm, M-Th.
- Mentors volunteer the same time each week to work with a small group of residents to teach and help improve life skills (e.g. job readiness, cooking, budgeting, etc.).
- Instructors volunteer the same time each week or month to teach a group of residents a special skill (e.g. arts, crafts, music, book club, chess/gaming, coding, etc.).
- Coaches volunteer the same time each week or month to lead regular sporting activities (e.g. basketball, football, soccer, swimming, etc.).
To give the residents of the Home the finest care possible, volunteers in these positions are carefully vetted and trained, and are asked to make a six-month commitment.
