Individual Volunteer Opportunities

There are many opportunities available to individual volunteers. Each opportunity allows for a unique life-changing experience interacting with children served by the agency.

Emergency Shelter

Volunteers can visit with the children any day of the week between 9am and 9pm. Volunteers help the staff with meal times and art therapy; play on the playground, read with the kids, rock and feed the babies and chaperone during off-site children's activities. Most importantly, volunteers provide a positive adult experience for the children.

Foster Care

Volunteers provide childcare for foster children while their foster parents attend foster parent training. Many of these children were once residing in the emergency shelter. You could visit some old friends!

Girls Inc.

Volunteers are needed for administrative duties to help spread the word about Girls Inc. Female volunteers are needed to help administer Girls Inc. curriculum to girls ages 6-18 attending public schools in the Northside and San Antonio Independent school districts. Classes cover issues such as teen pregnancy prevention, substance abuse prevention, media literacy, economic literacy and self-defense. Additional training is required.

Project Mas (PMAS)

Volunteers are needed to provide love and attention to infant babies while their teen mother's attend parenting classes in the PMAS Nurturing Program.

Special Events

Volunteers are needed throughout the year for help with agency special events. Volunteers are also needed for administrative and data-entry duties.

Group Volunteer Opportunities

Groups are invited to schedule children's activities for the children residing in the emergency shelter. Churches, organizations, professional and civic groups are welcome to plan activities for the children. Activities include: game nights, arts and crafts, birthday parties and off-site field trips. To schedule a children's activity, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (210) 212-2512 or volunteer@chshel.org

Volunteer Requirements

Licensing standards require all volunteers to be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent. Volunteers are also required to submit a volunteer application and questionnaire, three letters of recommendation, $2 for a criminal background check, $35 for a state-mandated drug test, TB test results within the last year and are required to attend volunteer orientation. For orientation dates, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (210) 212-2512 or volunteer@chshel.org.

Youth Volunteer Opportunities

Younger volunteers are still encouraged to get involved with The Children's Shelter. Youth are encouraged to have a staff member from The Children's Shelter speak to your group, sponsor a donation drive, make an in-kind donation, donate to The Children's Shelter thrift store or host a special event. For information about youth volunteer opportunities, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (210) 212-2512 or volunteer@chshel.org.

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters and The Children's Shelter Volunteer Opportunities

Through a new partnership between Big Brother Big Sisters of South Texas (BBBS) and The Children's Shelter's KCI Servant's Heart Residential Treatment Center (RTC), mentors from BBBS will be paired with a child in the RTC with the goal of following the child through the foster care system to provide a stable role model for the child during the foster care process. If you are interested in becoming a Big Brother or Sister for a child at our RTC facility, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (210) 212-2512 or volunteer@chshel.org. Visit our webpage about the Residential Treatment Center for further infomation or visit the BBBS website at www.bigmentor.org.

Locations

Administrative Offices: 2939 W. Woodlawn, SATX 78228
Emergency Shelter: 2939 W. Woodlawn, SATX 78228
Foster Care: 1209 S. St. Mary's, SATX 78210
PMAS: 1209 S. St. Mary's, SATX 78210
Girls Inc.: 1209 S. St. Mary's, SATX 78210