Volunteer Opportunities for Houston Teens
A nonprofit that provides “temporary housing in our community with a warm, safe environment for individuals and their families who are hospitalized or receiving treatment for a serious medical condition.”
Projects could include bringing a meal to share, collecting supplies, helping with landscaping, or helping with decorating or organizing.
None. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, but volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
A nonprofit that provides weekend meals to elementary school-aged children who are eligible for school lunch programs during the week, but are in danger of going hungry on weekends.
Volunteers may assemble bags of easy-to-prepare food, deliver the bags to the children’s schools, and/or donate pantry items.
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A “bereavement center offering grief support services to children, ages 3 to 18, and their families who have experienced the death of a child or an adult in their immediate family, as well as programs for grieving adults.”
Help serve potluck meals that families provide, or bring and serve a meal; help supervise children in the playground.
13-15, depending on the project.
A charity that collects gently used books and distributes them to Houston’s at-risk children. Since 2013 Books Between Kids has distributed more than 1,769,000 books.
Help organize books at the warehouse on Harwin Drive, or collect books to donate.
Children as young as 5 are welcome, but all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please provide 1 adult to supervise every 2 children under age 10 and 1 adult for every 5 children ages 10-15.
A nonprofit that delivers fresh produce and nutrition education to underserved communities where access to grocery stores stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables is sorely limited.
Help unload and bag the fresh fruits and vegetables that are sent home with families each week, help distribute food, and other tasks. Please contact Brighter Bites for COVID-related updates.
16, with a valid ID. Younger children may assist if a parent or guardian is volunteering as well.
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 multi-ethnic, comprehensive social service agency, working “to bridge East and West by enriching families with educational, cultural, and social service programs.”
Help with week-long summer day camps; must commit to at least 80 hours of service.
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A private, non-profit organization that provides shelter, adoption, foster care, rescue, and other services, as well as humane education and community outreach programs to encourage love and respect for animals.
Help care for shelter animals, assist visitors, help at the clinic, represent CAP at festivals or other events, help at the Pet Supply Shop, and more. Please contact CAP for COVID-related updates.
14. Youth age 14-15 must have a parent or legal guardian attend training and volunteer side-by-side with them at all times. When volunteering, one parent may supervise only one child at a time. Youth age 16-18 may volunteer without parental supervision, but a parent or legal guardian must sign a legal release.
A nonprofit that “demonstrates God’s love through the provision of gently used clothing to those in need” in Houston, Katy, and surrounding areas.
Help sort and bag clothing and shoes; assist with deliveries/pickups, repairs, or other “heavier” tasks; work at community events; or help in office. Please contact Clothed by Faith for COVID-related updates.
12, for community events, with an adult. Warehouse and “muscle group” volunteers must be at least 14, and 14 & 15 year olds must volunteer with an adult. See details below.
A nonprofit that “works to protect greenspace for its conservation and recreational benefits, enhance wildlife habitat, restore tallgrass prairie and wetlands, sponsor scientific research, and offer public programming and activities.”
Work at the Indiangrass Preserve (remove invasive species, plant native grasses and other plants, work in plant nursery, collect or package seeds, help maintain trails, and more) or help grow plants at home.
16, to volunteer independently. Volunteers age 12 and up are welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult.
The primary provider of assistance services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Fort Bend County, offering a shelter and a range of other services.
Help at the Center’s four resale stores, collect needed items for the Center’s clients, help with landscaping or other projects. Please contact the Center for COVID-related updates.
12. Students must be 15 to volunteer without a parent or guardian present. Students ages 12-14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
A nonprofit that collects used bicycles; refurbishes them to safe, reliable condition; and distributes them to refugees and other recent arrivals in Houston who need a way to get to work or school.
Help repair, maintain, and/or clean donated bikes (instruction provided); help distribute bikes and equipment to refugees.
Volunteer mechanics must be high school juniors and seniors, ages 16-18. Volunteers age 12 and up may help clean bikes and perform routine maintenance.
A non-profit organization that assists people in need through emergency food pantry operations and services designed to assist individuals in gaining healthy families and meaningful employment, and achieving self-sufficiency.
Help organize and distribute food in the Emergency Food Pantry, collect items for or help at the the resale shop, or help with the Christmas celebration.
None. Volunteers under age 13 are welcome to volunteer with a parent or guardian. Volunteers between the ages of 13 and 15 must be accompanied by a parent the first time they volunteer. Volunteers under age 18 must have a parent or guardian’s signature on the registration form.
A conservation, education, and advocacy organization that focuses on protecting the natural environment for birds and people. It owns and manages 17 nature sanctuaries to protect habitat for birds and to give people recreational opportunities in nature.
Trail maintenance, invasive species removal, filling bird feeders and baths, litter pick-up, native gardening, and other habitat improvement projects. Please contact Houston Audubon for COVID-related updates.
Varies. For most events, everyone is welcome, but volunteers under 14 must to attend with a parent or other adult. Volunteers must be 15 to work on trails.
A no-kill rescue organization that creates programs to save animals most at risk of euthanasia. Its goal is to “prevent animals from entering a shelter, and for those that do, get them out alive.”
Help care for adoptable cats at various local PetSmart stores, help with adoption events, collect needed items. Please contact Pets Alive for COVID-related updates.
14. Volunteers ages 14-17 must be supervised by a parent or legal guardian and may not volunteer in the dog area for liability reasons.
Houston’s first and largest animal protection organization and shelter, offering a comprehensive array of animal adoption, shelter, rescue, rehabilitation, and other programs.
Volunteers may work directly with animals or in other areas; they must commit to serve for 8 hours a month for 6 months. The shelter also has a wish list of needed items.
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The largest Meals on Wheels program in Texas, serving about 4,000 homebound seniors and persons with disabilities each day. Clients are unable to prepare their own meals and have no one else to help with their daily nutrition, making their meal delivery absolutely essential.
Assemble breakfast bags, help with meal delivery, work in the warehouse, make greeting cards, and other projects. Please contact Interfaith Ministries for COVID-related updates.
17 to volunteer independently. Children aged 6-16 may volunteer with parental supervision on-site (at the IM offices); no minimum age to volunteer with a parent off-site. Parental consent required for volunteers 17 or younger.
A nonprofit that “helps people bounce back from a crisis and care for their families.” Volunteer and paid caseworkers help MAM clients address their immediate needs with an array of emergency services, then help find long-term solutions to underlying issues that will continue to threaten families’ long-term stability.
Assist customers, sort and price donations, and help in other ways at MAM’s popular resale store. Please contact MAM for COVID-related updates.
13; youth aged 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult while volunteering. Students under the age of 18 need written parental permission to volunteer.
A nonprofit dedicated to bringing together veterans and non-profit community partners to address issues facing our communities. The projects also empower veterans to find purpose through community impact, and inspire future generations to serve.
Events include helping at back-to-school events, sprucing up parks and schools, storm recovery projects, working at food banks and farmers’ markets, placing flags at military cemeteries, and more. Please contact The Mission Continues for COVID-related updates.
None. Children and teens are welcome at most projects.
A non-profit that improves the lives of young refugees as they face the great challenges of learning a new language and adapting to a new way of life. “Our programs assist youth in adjusting to American life, achieving academic success, and becoming self-sufficient and engaged members of our community.”
Serve as an after-school mentor and tutor, or help lead the middle school summer program, including field trips and other activities. Please contact PAIR for COVID-related updates.
16. Parental permission is required if volunteer is under 18.
A nonprofit that offers economically disadvantaged refugees an opportunity to become self-sufficient through growing, harvesting, and selling produce from a sustainable urban farm in Houston, while providing fresh, local produce to Houstonians.
Help with farming activities, prepare produce for market, sell produce at farmers’ markets, work on fundraisers or other special projects, take photos, help with social media, or assist in the office. Please contact Plant It Forward for COVID-related updates.
7. Volunteers age 7-16 must have adult supervision. Students over 16 can work independently (or in groups) with parental approval.
A nonprofit organization focused on “community service, social development, and unity within our community.” It promotes the practice and obligation of Zakat (charity), one of the five Pillars of Islam, and welcomes volunteers of all faiths.
Help with serving meals at Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen, distributing food to the homeless at various locations, and other projects. Please contact Promulgate for COVID-related updates.
None
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 national, volunteer-run organization that provides beds, complete with mattresses and bedding, to needy children. There are three chapters in the Houston area.
Help build beds on regular Build Days; possibly help deliver beds. Please contact SIHP for COVID-related updates.
12. Volunteers age 12-17 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
A non-profit organization that operates three preschools for economically at-risk children, providing a high-quality education, social and emotional support, a nurturing Christian environment, transportation, and nutritious meals.
Summer camp volunteers to help teachers in class, at meals, and on the playground; donations of needed items are also always welcome. Please contact Small Steps for COVID-related updates.
Volunteers must be entering 7th to 12th grade.
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.”
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.
Junior Program volunteers must be aged 15-18.
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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