About
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.
Details
Minimum Age to Volunteer
Junior Program volunteers must be aged 15-18.
Time Commitment
Summer Junior volunteers serve for 12 hours a week, for a minimum of 8 weeks.
School year volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 2 hours a week for the course of the school year. Shifts are available on weekends and after school from 4:30-6:30.
Training Needed
The application process includes an interview. Successful applicants attend an orientation and training. Dependability is extremely important for this program, as volunteers are assigned to a specific area on a specific day and time.
Help Needed
SUMMER JUNIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
This program gives high school students the opportunity to gain experience providing customer service and support to patients and their families in a hospital setting. “While we do not offer opportunities for clinical exposure and/or shadowing Hospital staff, Junior Volunteers will learn about the healthcare environment through certain assignments.”
Summer Junior volunteers are asked to serve for 12 hours a week, for a minimum of 8 weeks during June to mid-August. All volunteers must complete a minimum of 96 hours over the summer. Shifts are Monday to Friday 9-12 and 1-4; students typically commit to 4 shifts a week. Application information for the summer appears on the Volunteer Program web page in January.
SCHOOL YEAR JUNIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
In this program, high school students serve after school and/or on weekends for at least 2 hours a week. As with the summer program, duties include customer service and patient/family support and do not involve clinical exposure or shadowing. Application information for the school year program appears on the Volunteer Program web page in August.
CREATE SMALL CRAFT / ACTIVITY KITS
The hospital welcomes:
Craft packets that include all supplies so that patients can work in their rooms unsupervised. Examples include door hangers, nametags, or small crafts. Place all items in a Ziploc bag with simple instructions a child can follow.
Activity books that contain a few coloring pages, word finds, or crosswords. You can make packets with 5 pages, hole punch one corner and connect with a ribbon for a customized, possibly seasonally inspired, activity packet.
Knitting supplies: cotton yarn – not bulky (any brand and color), size 7 circular knitting needles (small loops preferred, but not necessary), size I/9 crochet hooks.
More ideas and information are here.
DONATE NEW TOYS & GAMES
Items for infants and adolescents are particularly appreciated. All items must be new, in original packaging.
Infants: Crib mobiles Musical stuffed animals Cradle gyms Soft rubber dolls Fisher Price brand toys & rattles Infant mirrors Sassy brand items Receiving blankets Infant links
Toddlers: Wooden puzzles, musical toys & boxes, Fisher-Price brand toys, Playskool brand toys, push/pull toys, dolls & action figures, Play-Doh (non-toxic), Tonka brand toys, Matchbox cars, Buddy-L vehicles.
School aged: Board games- simple, 2+ players, activity books, 50-piece puzzles, craft/paint/model sets, Etch-a-sketch, coloring books, crayons & markers (non-toxic), DVDs (rated G and PG).
Adolescents: Sudoku puzzles, Hair supplies/accessories, cross stitch sets, Lego sets, Playing cards (Uno, Skip-bo), Board games (Chess, Connect 4), PlayStation 2 and Wii games (rated G or PG- 13), advanced craft/paint/model sets, handheld video games, DVDs (rated G or PG), coloring books for adults, 100+ piece puzzles.
More ideas and information are here.
DONATE NEW NON-TOY ITEMS
Care kits including: travel size toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, disposable razors, shaving cream, comb, hairbrush, and/or lotion.
New clothing such as plain colored pajama pants, elastic waist shorts, t-shirts, socks, slippers, underwear and onesies.
Fun colored blankets and pillows to brighten patient rooms.
More ideas and information are here.
MAKE BLANKETS, PILLOWCASES, OR PILLOWS
Blankets comfort patients of any age. Infant flannel blankets should measure 30” x 30”. Fleece and quilted blankets can measure from 36” x 36” up to 72” x 90”. Material should be pre-washed.
Volunteers can also make cheerful patterned pillowcases made from soft prewashed fabric or fleece the size of a standard pillowcase. These are given to patients.
Fun-shaped handmade pillows can bring joy and comfort to patients. Pillows should not be larger than 7” x 10″.
The hospital also welcomes handmade telemetry device holders, finger puppets, hats, and other items.
Guidelines and more information are here.
Contact Details
Contact
For more information, visit the Volunteer Program web page.
Location
TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Houston, Texas 77030
Location Details
Houston, Texas 77030
The West Campus (Katy) and Woodlands Campus also have junior volunteer programs.
Additional Information
“This is Texas Children’s Hospital” Video (3 minutes 35 seconds) (2014)
Examples of past Scout projects
Eagle: Robert J. (Troop 266) collected children’s books, games, toys and coloring supplies, then built, stained, branded, and sealed eight bookcases to house those donations to create activity centers.
Eagle: Jack built a toy cabinet and collected cash / new toy donations to help him fill the cabinet. (2017)
Gallery
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