Experience the Student Program at Washington Hospital Center

The Washington Hospital Center, the District's largest hospital, has a volunteer program geared toward high school students wishing to earn community service hours. Volunteers can work in many different departments of the hospital, and receive complimentary meals and parking!

Note: Washington Hospital Center's Student Volunteer Program has many steps, including:

• an online application
• a reference from a teacher or employer
• a one-page typed summary/description of yourself
• an interview

All applicants must be at least 14 years old.

Click on this link to get started with your online application. If you have any questions, please come talk with Ms. Boehle-Silva in Programs.

Check out Georgetown University Hospital's Volunteer Program THIS Saturday!

The Georgetown University Hospital is offering its final Volunteer Open House event this Saturday, December 10. Volunteers can find out about Georgetown's programs and fill out an application on site!

As volunteers at GUH, students can:

• Assist employees, patients and visitors in inpatient and outpatient areas
• Provide clerical assistance in hospital administration offices
• Guide individuals through out the facility with the hospital's Wayfinding Program
• Use your creative and musical skills with in the Arts Humanities program
• Provide Pet Therapy through National Capital Therapy Dogs
• Participate in the Reach Out and Read Program

Note: Students must be at least 15 years old and ready to commit to at least 4 hours of community service a week for one year.

Ready to apply right now? Head to the High School Volunteer Page.

Become an Ambassador at Children's National Medical Center

If you're looking to gain experience by volunteering at a hospital over a long period of time, consider applying for the Dr. Bear's Ambassador Volunteer Program at Children's National Medical Center. This competitive volunteer program will look great on your college or work resume--and several of the volunteer sites are located in Anacostia at the hospital's satellite Children's centers.

To begin the process, read, print, and complete the volunteer information and application packet, which can be found here.

Note: This program has several requirements:

• Volunteers must be 15 years of age or older.
• Volunteers must commit to at least 70 hours of service for an entire year.
• Volunteers are not guaranteed admission to the location or program of their choice.
• Volunteers must complete a medical eligibility packet and an interview before beginning work. 

If you have any questions, or would like help in completing the application process, please talk to Ms. Boehle-Silva in Programs!

So Others Might Eat (SOME): Options, Options, Options!

SOME has served Washington, DC for more than 40 years, working to

• Feed and clothe DC’s homeless and poor 
• Treat ill, homeless people at their medical, dental and mental health programs
• Train people for jobs and house homeless families and single adults

Over the years, SOME has helped thousands of people get off the streets, transform their lives, and live independently.

SOME has over 10 different areas in need of volunteers, including:

 

Administrative 

Professional Services 

Elderly Services 

Tutoring Adults 

Tutoring Children 

Food Service 

Special Occasions 

Landscaping 

Activity Leaders 

Material Donations 

Opportunities for Children 

Long-term Volunteers

After you've looked over the many options on SOME's volunteer page, fill out their volunteer application (here).

Affordable Housing in the District: Sarah's Circle

Sarah's Circle is an affordable housing residence and Wellness Center in Adams Morgan that provides comprehensive programs and services for very low-income seniors.

Whether you are looking for a one-day volunteer opportunity for a group or to volunteer as an individual, Sarah's Circle can accommodate your schedule and your needs. Volunteer opportunities range from serving meals to providing landscaping and painting assistance to coordinating fun and lively activities and parties for the seniors.


For more information about volunteer opportunities and to discuss your specific needs, please call 202-332-1400 ext. 23 or email info@sarahscircle.org.

Follow Sarah’s Circle on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/sarahscircle 

Build Affordable Housing with DC Habitat for Humanity

Help Habitat for Humanity build clean, affordable, energy-efficient housing to DC residents.


There are several options for service, including: 

Construction
DC Habitat builds homes and they want your help! DC Habitat’s construction crew utilizes volunteers each Wednesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., year-round. They welcome your participation whether you are an experienced builder or you don’t know a sixteen-penny nail from a spackling knife!

 
NOTE: Volunteers should only report to the construction site when they have received confirmation from DC Habitat staff (phone or email) that they are scheduled for the given date.

Office Volunteers
D.C. Habitat always needs volunteers who are willing to assist with administrative tasks in their office, such as helping with mailings, database updates and other organizational support.

Volunteer Committees
If you’re not really the hammer and nails type, consider joining one of the other volunteer groups: the Family Support Committee; the Environmental & Building Performance Commitee; or the DC Habitat Ambassadors

New volunteers must complete a short (25-30 minutes) online orientation, titled "Nuts and Bolts" before participating in any project. Find it here.

For more information, check out DC Habitat's volunteer page: http://www.dchabitat.org/gi_individual.html

Work with Children at Bright Beginnings

Students interested in working with children should check out Bright Beginnings, an organization that provides a safe, nurturing education environment for young children whose families are experiencing homelessness.

Volunteers can work in Bright Beginnings' classrooms a few hours, a half day or full day or can develop a specialized volunteer experience based on their skills (technology, fundraising, marketing, data analysis, art, music, etc.)

To get started, fill out an online volunteer application here.

Note: Volunteers must be 16 or older, and provide a background check and a negative TB-test in order to volunteer. Talk to Ms. Boehle-Silva if you have any questions!

Holiday Volunteer Opportunity at Bread for the City

Take some time in December to prepare holiday meals for those in need!

During the holidays (November and December), Bread for the City’s Food Pantries offer each of our clients a complete holiday meal, including a turkey and all the trimmings.  This year, we want to provide Holiday Helpings to more than 9,000 families.

Bread for the City needs extra help to make this happen, and can take small groups of 3-5 volunteers each weekday afternoon (excluding Fridays) during November and December. These volunteers help package the meals, sort and organize donations.  

Note that Bread for the City does not have volunteer opportunities on Christmas Eve or Day.

To sign up, email Volunteer Coordinator Anna Tahtamouni at atahtamouni@breadforthecity.org.

 Still not sure how you want to volunteer? Check out Bread for the City's volunteer page for a full list of opportunities: http://www.breadforthecity.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Serve Food to the Homeless at Loaves and Fishes

 Loaves and Fishes, a ministry of St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church, has served lunch to the hungry and homeless on Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays since 1968. Since most Washington food programs serve only on weekdays, the program offers a crucial service to its guests, some of whom travel across the city to be able to eat on the weekend. The program serves the Mt. Pleasant community in Washington, D.C. and is supported by a number of churches and volunteer organizations from around the D.C. metro area.

Volunteers help prepare and serve food at various locations on weekends and federal holidays.

To sign up for a volunteer session, click on the event descriptions on the Loaves and Fishes Calendar at http://www.loavesandfishesdc.org/calendar.

If you’d like to sign up to volunteer as a group, talk to Ms. Boehle-Silva in Programs and she can help you get ready.

Many Hands Make Light Work: Thrive DC

Over 6,000 people in Washington, DC face the night without knowing where they will sleep or what they will eat. Thrive DC makes sure that no one has to face homelessness alone or on an empty stomach. Each day, Thrive DC provides over 200 meals and supportive services to help homeless men and women end their homelessness and change their lives.

Thrive DC volunteers:

• Work in Thrive's Daily Bread/Daily Needs, preparing meals and distributing emergency supplies
• Provide assistance in the computer workshop
• Help individuals apply for jobs and prepare for interviews
• Work in the Links program, leading enrichment activities and teaching educational classes
• Assist with administrative and development tasks
• Lead special projects
• Offer a familiar face and kind word

To see all current volunteer opportunities, check out Thrive DC's handout here.

Students seeking to volunteer with Thrive DC must sign up for a volunteer orientation session here. 

You must also download and fill out the volunteer form (find it at the bottom of the volunteer page.

Help Clean up the Anacostia River with the Anacostia Watershed Society

The Anacostia Watershed Society has one ambition. They want the Anacostia River to be a clean and healthy place to live and visit once again. Help turn this dream into a reality by volunteering to clean up the Anacostia River and its waterways!

Students can volunteer by joining one of the AWS' scheduled river clean ups (see the link to the calendar at the bottom of this post) or by gathering a group of friends or TMA students to volunteer together! (If you're interested in volunteering as a group, talk to Ms. Boehle-Silva in Programs and she can help you get set up with the AWS.)

For more information, visit the AWS volunteer information page: http://www.anacostiaws.org/programs/stewardship/cleanups.

Keep informed about upcoming watershed clean ups and other volunteer opportunities by checking out the AWS event calendar regularly at http://www.anacostiaws.org/calendar

Join the High School Community Service Program at The EXTENSION Center

The EXTENSION Center of World Missions for Christ Ministries coordinates several volunteer programs throughout the District, including holiday baskets, tutoring/mentoring, summer camps, a book club, and many more.

Students interested in volunteering should download the Center's Community Service Form, available on their website (find it in the left hand column). You must have this form signed by your dean and bring it with you each time you volunteer. You should also email or call the Center to set up an appointment: extensioncenter@verizon.net or (202) 387-3082.

Accessible via the P6 Bus.

Work with Children at the Spanish Education Development (SED) Center

Hey, Spanish-speaking students! Looking for a way to practice your language skills? Like to work with children? Sounds like the Spanish Education Development Center (SED) is for you!

SED Center focuses on providing education to low-income families, particularly those with young children. Volunteers can read or play with children in the preschool and after school/weekend programs, mentor a child, or help SED spread the word about their programs.

Note: Spanish is not required, but is helpful. 

To begin volunteering, contact Doris Ruano at (202) 462-8848, or email her at dorisruano@sedcenter.com.

This site is accessible via the Green Line and 90 Bus.