Youth Volunteering

Young people are our next generation of philanthropists. Volunteer Alexandria’s youth and family volunteer program promotes civic responsibility and recognizes community service. Whether your family is one parent/guardian and one child or an extended family, families engaged in service frequently develop a lifelong commitment to volunteering.

Our goal is for children, ages 6 to 18, to become involved in their community.

6 reasons why children should volunteer:

Children develop compassion when they help other people, appreciate what they have and learn how to work with others.
Volunteering teaches children how to do things they’re good at and skills they want to develop. Getting kids out of their comfort zone helps build self-confidence.
Children discover inner strengths and life skills by volunteering. Teamwork, tolerance and problem-solving help them cope with daily challenges in their own lives.
Youth volunteers learn how to become valued community citizens. Growing up with a greater sense of social responsibility makes children more likely to volunteer throughout their lives.
Kids who volunteer meet people from different backgrounds and make new friends. These activities enhance children’s emotional development, fostering socializing and communication.
Volunteering puts in practice what Mahatma Gandhi said was to “Be the change they wish to see in the world.”

Listen to these YouTube videos from Mitchell and Claire.

Make an investment to support family volunteering by donating $25 or more. Make a donation today!

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Youth Opportunities by age group

All ages:

Help pick up litter. The Trash Trekkers meet every month from 10 to 11 a.m. to pick up trash at a local library. Equipment will be provided. Sign up to pick up trash for Saturday, September 18 at Barrett Branch Library.

8 to 12 years old

Fight hunger by making sandwiches. Children learn about hunger in Alexandria and make sandwiches for others. Sandwiches are donated to a local shelter and food pantry. This program will resume in the Fall.

12 and older

Library volunteers. The Teen Advisory Group meets monthly with current and prospective library volunteers. Their next meeting is Thursday, September 21, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Beatley Library. Participants will receive 1 service hour. Snacks provided. Register online to volunteer at Beatley Library.

Play Ball! Assist people with physical and developmental disabilities play baseball, by helping individuals, pushing wheelchairs, or being a pinch runner. Games are on Wednesday (for youth) and Saturday (for adults) afternoons.

Donate a knitting project. With Knit for a Cause, this Barrett Branch knitting and crochet group meets every first and third Thursday to work on a meaningful project to donate. No experience necessary. Materials are provided, but feel welcome to bring your own.

Agencies that work with youth volunteers 12 and older

ALIVE | Church of Saint Clement

14 and older

Teen disaster preparedness volunteers. The City of Alexandria Office of Emergency Management is recruiting for its Teen Community Emergency Response Team (Teen CERT). Teen CERT members are trained in disaster preparedness and emergency response. Students must be enrolled in school (9th through 12th grade), live in or attend school in Alexandria, and able to attend classes in Fall 2023.

Agencies that work with youth volunteers 16 and older

City of Alexandria Parks & Recreation | Fly Minds Youth Development Club | Girls on the Run NOVA | The Child & Family Network Centers | Wright to Read

Agencies that work with youth volunteers 18 and older