Serve for Good

Volunteer Opportunities for Houston Teens

Let us help you find a volunteer project!

TARGET HUNGER

What Is It?

A nonprofit that distributes 3.9 million pounds to food each year to food insecure seniors, children, and families who face the risk of going hungry every day.  Its services include food pantries, community and educational gardens, senior home delivery routes, and a free breakfast program.

Help Needed:

Volunteers help with the food pantries and distribution center, educational food fairs, community gardens, special events, and administrative tasks.  Some organizational work may also be done from home.  Please contact Target Hunger for COVID-related updates. 

Minimum Age to Volunteer

16 independently; children in first grade and older may volunteer with a parent /guardian.

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TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

What Is It?

A not-for-profit organization, recognized as one of the best children’s hospitals in the U.S., whose mission is “to create a healthier future for children and women throughout our global community by leading in patient care, education, and research.”

 

Help Needed:

Serve as a Junior Volunteer for 8 weeks in the summer or during the school year, create activity kits for patients, or donate other needed items.  Volunteer programs currently suspended.  Please contact TCH for COVID-related updates. 

Minimum Age to Volunteer

Junior Program volunteers must be aged 15-18.

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TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE ADOPT-A-BEACH PROGRAM

What Is It?

A program that helps keep Texas beaches clean through annual all-volunteer cleanups; educates Texans about harmful marine debris; and rallies support for intiatives to clean coastal waters.

Help Needed:

Join thousands of other volunteers in picking up trash along the Texas coast.  2021 events are planned for April. 

Minimum Age to Volunteer

None, but all youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone.

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THEATRE UNDER THE STARS: THE RIVER PERFORMING & VISUAL ARTS CENTER

What Is It?

The River provides accessible, affordable, fine arts education for children and young adults with disabilities or chronic illnesses, or who are economically disadvantaged. It offers year-round, barrier-free classes in music, art, drama, and dance.

Help Needed:

Assist students and teachers as needed, to provide support for students with disabilities to achieve their creative ideas and goals.  Please contact TUTS for COVID-related updates. 

Minimum Age to Volunteer

15 independently, 12-14 with a parent or guardian

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TIRR MEMORIAL HERMANN

What Is It?

One of the nation’s leading rehabilitation and research hospitals, offering personalized treatment programs for individuals who have experienced catastrophic illness or injury.

Help Needed:

Volunteers help throughout the hospital, for 3-6 hours per week, for a minimum of 3 months. Please contact TIRR for COVID-related updates. 

Minimum Age to Volunteer

15

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TREES FOR HOUSTON

What Is It?

A charity that plants, protects, and promotes trees throughout the greater Houston area. Since 1983 it has planted more than 500,000 trees along streets, esplanades, and trails; in parks; and around schools.

Help Needed:

Help plant trees on Saturday planting days that take place several times each year, usually in November and December.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

None, but volunteers under 18 must have a parent’s waiver, and parents should accompany young children.

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TWRC WILDLIFE CENTER

What Is It?

An urban wildlife emergency and rehabilitative care facility that cares for injured, orphaned, or ill wild animals brought in by the public.  TWRC also conducts outreach programs for youths and adult groups to promote living in harmony with nature.

Help Needed:

Assist with education programs, caring for animals, and maintaining the animal care center. Volunteers also feed baby birds, squirrels, and opossums and collect needed items.  Please contact TWRC for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

14. Volunteers must be at least 12 (with a guardian) for baby bird and baby squirrel programs.

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UNDIES FOR EVERYONE

What Is It?

A nonprofit that “enhances the self-esteem, dignity, hygiene, and success of Houston’s disadvantaged students by providing them clean underwear, keeping kids in class and bullies at bay.”

Help Needed:

Help sort and pack donated underwear packages for distribution, or collect underwear to donate.  Please contact Undies for Everyone for COVID-related updates. 

Minimum Age to Volunteer

None, but children under age 6 require adult supervision. 

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URBAN HARVEST

What Is It?

A nonprofit that, through its community gardens, education, and Farmers’ Markets, “inspires and empowers people of diverse backgrounds to grow and share healthy foods, in the process enriching the city we all call home.”

Help Needed:

Gardening; helping with classes or events, such as the annual fruit tree sale; working on large-scale Earth Day projects.  Please contact Urban Harvest for COVID-related updates. 

 

Minimum Age to Volunteer

3. Volunteers under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the activity. Volunteers aged 12-17 must provide a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

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VITA LIVING, INC.

What Is It?

A non-profit that provides lifelong support programs for adults and children with disabilities like cerebral palsy and autism, “to help them live meaningful, independent lives in the communities we share.” Current programs include 18 group homes, respite care, nursing, and transportation.

Help Needed:

Volunteers are invited to lead activities with clients, such as making cards, doing crafts, and playing sports, or work on home improvement projects such as painting, gardening, and organizing.  Please contact Vita Living for COVID-related updates. 

Minimum Age to Volunteer

14

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VOLUNTEERS FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION, INC.

What Is It?

A non-profit, no-kill, volunteer-run animal welfare organization in Kingwood that rescues and places abandoned, abused, and neglected cats and dogs into permanent loving homes. 

Help Needed:

Help care for animals (socialize them, clean living spaces), assist with adoption events, collect needed items, do chores around shelter, including outdoor work.

 

Minimum Age to Volunteer

Must be at least 17 to care for/walk/socialize animals. Younger volunteers may collect supplies, help with fundraisers, and help in other ways.

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WILDLIFE CENTER OF TEXAS

What Is It?

A non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured, sick, oiled, and orphaned native wild animals.

 

Help Needed:

Care for animals, help with community education or special events, or collect needed supplies.  Please contact the Center for COVID-related updates. 

Minimum Age to Volunteer

16

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WILLOW WATERHOLE GREENSPACE CONSERVANCY

What Is It?

 This 290-acre greenway offers Houstonians recreational opportunities and helps control flooding, and includes ponds, native plants, walking trails and gazebos, and a variety of wildlife.

Help Needed:

Help with planting; cleaning and maintaining the landscape; refurbishing, replacing, or adding signs or other features; or volunteering at the annual MusicFEST.  Please contact WWGC for COVID-related updates.

Minimum Age to Volunteer

None

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THE WOMEN'S HOME

What Is It?

A nonprofit that provides housing and supportive services to women and families who are homeless or vulnerable to homelessness. Programs include a long-term residential treatment program in Montrose and affordable housing complexes and a service center in Spring Branch.

Help Needed:

Help with the Cottage resale shop, collect needed supplies, or help with special events.  Please contact the Home for COVID-related updates. 

Minimum Age to Volunteer

16

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