Volunteer Opportunities for Houston Teens
A day program that provides fellowship, memory care, and wellness for adults with mild to moderate memory loss, and support to their families and the community.
Visit with participants and join them in activities and outings, or participate in the STARS summer internship program. Please contact Amazing Place for COVID-related updates.
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A non-profit organization that provides educational services to children and young adults with autism. Services include a year-round day school, a smaller day program for young adults, and three residential group homes.
Help with activities such as games, crafts, and celebrations; assist with special events; help spruce up grounds or facilities; or collect needed items. Please contact Avondale House for COVID-related updates.
There is no specific minimum age, but all volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult (a parent, or their teacher/adult volunteer if they are on a class field trip).
A nonprofit “dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for friendships, employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Assist with the Friendship Walk & 5K fundraiser in April, or help with event planning in the office. The 2021 Friendship Walk date was April 17.
14 to help at the Friendship Walk, and 16 to help in the office.
A “God-centered educational, residential, entrepreneurial community” that provides spiritual, educational, & vocational opportunities for adults with special needs.
Help with Saturday fitness activities such as team sports, walking, and biking, and/or assist with Sunday worship services. Please contact Brookwood for COVID-related updates.
Sports Fitness volunteers must be 6th graders and up. All ages are welcome to help with worship services.
A nonprofit organization that provides “residential, vocational, and day services that promote individual choice, personal growth, and independence for persons with developmental disabilities.”
Assist with campus beautification projects, engage with clients, collect needed items, and/or package gingersnaps and other baked goods for sale. Please contact the Center for COVID-related updates.
15 to volunteer independently. Any volunteer younger than 15 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian/teacher.
A baseball program for boys and girls with physical and mental challenges. The most fundamental goal of the Challenger Division is to give everyone a chance to play baseball and have a rewarding experience, regardless of limitations.
Buddies help their challenged partners by enabling them to play baseball. This might include pushing wheelchair-bound children around the bases or helping the players bat or field the ball. Please visit the Challenger website for COVID-related updates.
Volunteers must be in 6th-12th grades.
An adaptive program for those with a variety of medical, developmental, and intellectual challenges, where all can participate in sports, aided by Buddies, in an inclusive, safe, and protected environment.
Buddies help their challenged partners, enabling them to participate in football, basketball, or cheer. Other volunteers may help with check-in or with other tasks. Please visit the Challenger website for COVID-related updates.
Volunteers must be in high school.
A week-long day camp for children ages 6-14 with disabilities and their siblings to attend together.
Volunteers work one on one with a camper and act as his or her buddy all week at camp, developing a strong bond. Please contact Easter Seals for COVID-related updates.
14 independently; 13 with a parent/guardian.
A week-long overnight camp for children ages 6-14 with cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders, at the barrier-free Camp for All. Each day campers participate in typical outdoor camp activities like rock climbing, fishing, paint ball, karaoke, swimming, and many more; all activities been adapted to fit the needs of each camper.
Each teen counselor spends a week at camp with a camper buddy. Please contact Easter Seals for COVID-related updates.
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A Saturday morning camp for children ages 6-14 with disabilities and their siblings ages 6-10. It’s a time for kids to have fun while parents take a break.
Spend time one-on-one with a child, doing arts and crafts, playing games, or just having fun. Please contact Easter Seals for COVID-related updates.
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The mission of the Friendship Circle is to create meaningful relationships between local teen volunteers and children with special needs.
Opportunities include helping at inclusive Jewish and social programs including bowling parties, challah baking, tennis outings, and Shabbat dinners; making regular visits to buddies with disabilities; and assisting with the annual Friendship Walk. Please contact the Friendship Circle for COVID-related updates.
11. Volunteers must be in or entering 6th grade for group events, and in or entering 8th grade for the one-on-one Friends@Home program.
A nonprofit “Down syndrome achievement center” that provides educational and therapeutic programs for all ages, one-on-one tutoring and support for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community. All programs are free.
Volunteer opportunities include leading or assisting with programs; helping with crafts, games, and other activities; assisting with social/awareness events or fundraisers; and taking photos. Please contact Gigi’s Playhouse for COVID-related updates.
15, to volunteer independently. Individual volunteers aged 15-17 need parental waivers. There is no minimum age, but each volunteer under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a parent /guardian.
An Interfaith Ministries program that matches volunteers with homebound clients to help with chores and tasks that the clients may be unable to do on their own.
Lawn care such as mowing and weeding, laundry, kitchen help, and more. Volunteers choose the services they want to provide. Please contact Interfaith Ministries for COVID-related updates.
17, to volunteer independently. No minimum age to volunteer off-site (at food pantry or a client’s home) with a parent.
A non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of life for people with special needs and disabilities through therapeutic horsemanship activities and therapies, and educational outreach.
Volunteers may be side-walkers or horse leaders, or assist with special events, administrative work, barn cleaning, or other tasks. Please contact SIRE for COVID-related updates.
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A charity that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, “giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.”
Help with competitions / events by serving as a timer, scorekeeper, escort, or similar position. Please contact Special Olympics Texas for COVID-related updates.
15, to volunteer independently. Ages 8-14 must have an adult chaperone. (Children aged 7 and younger are welcome to come as spectators with an adult chaperone.)
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.
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.
15 independently, 12-14 with a parent or guardian
One of the nation’s leading rehabilitation and research hospitals, offering personalized treatment programs for individuals who have experienced catastrophic illness or injury.
Volunteers help throughout the hospital, for 3-6 hours per week, for a minimum of 3 months. Please contact TIRR for COVID-related updates.
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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.
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.
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