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. We create projects for youth as young as six years old. There are many reasons for children to volunteer. Read more HERE. Help us engage them in volunteering! Check out what Mitchell and Claire have to say about their experience. Make an investment to support family volunteering by donating $25 or more. Make a donation today! 

Sign up HERE to receive the Youth & Family Newsletter, which includes opportunities for children, teens, and families.

Current Volunteer Opportunities for Youth

We offer middle and high school students a service-learning program during school breaks called Breaks With Impact. Learn more about this program HERE.

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. Click HERE to sign up for Saturday, April 1 at Burke Library. Click HERE to sign up for Saturday, April 1 at Barrett Branch Library.

12 and older: 

Promote Fire Safety on Saturday, March 18 - the American Red Cross is going door-to-door in Arlandria to install fire alarms and share safety materials from 8 a.m. to noon. Breakfast and lunch provided.

Help Dogs Get Adopted - The Lucky Dog Animal Rescue needs dog handlers, drivers, and advocates to talk up dogs to potential adopters on the first Sunday of each month between 11:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Anyone between 12 and 17 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Dates will be annouced soon.

The Library Wants to Hear from You! The Teen Advisory Group meets monthly for students who want to volunteer or are already volunteering at the library. Their next meeting is Thursday, April 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Beatley Library. Participants will receive 1 service hour. Snacks provided. Click HERE to sign-up.

ASCEND Alexandria is looking for volunteers to help combat climate change. They are looking for students to either help volunteer or be in a leadership role. ASCEND leads park clean-ups, DIY activities, and environmental awareness campaigns. Click HERE to sign-up. Check out the ASCEND webpage for more information.

Knit for a Cause - The Barrett Branch knitting and crochet group meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month to work on a meaningful project to donate. No experience nescessary. Materials are provided, but welcomed to bring your own. Click HERE for more information.

13 and older: 

Remove Invasive Species at River Farm (click here to sign-up). Invasive species wreak havoc on local ecosystems by killing plants and suffocating trees. Join the American Horticultural Society to remove invasives on Saturday, March 18 from 9 a.m. to noon.

14 and older: 

Volunteer at the Del Ray Dog Fest (click here to sign-up). The Del Rey Dog Fest needs volunteers to assist with set-up, supervise activites, games, trash removal, and breakdown on Saturday, April 2 with shifts from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Volunteer at the Health Fair on Saturday, March 25 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to support uninsured residents. Volunteers are needed to check in attendees, manage children’s activities, set up, and greet visitors. 

15 and older: 

Read to Children at the Library (click here to sign-up). Join Reading Buddies to read with children and help improve their literacy skills every Monday at Burke Library, beginning in May.

16 and older: 

Sort Donations at UpCycle (click here to sign-up). Sort and prepare donations, shelve them, and maintain the overall organization of the shop at UpCycle. 5/28

View a list of additional organizations, who may have opportunities available.

Top Six Reasons Why Children Should Volunteer:

1 – Children develop compassion as they learn the value of giving to others. They learn to appreciate what they have and learn to work with others.

2 – Volunteering encourages children to do things at which they excel, as well as things they’d like to learn. Moving beyond their comfort zone helps build self-confidence.

3 – Children discover inner strengths and life skills by volunteering. Teamwork, tolerance and problem-solving help them cope with daily challenges in their own lives.

4 – Children learn how to be a valued member of their community. Growing up with a greater sense of social responsibility makes them more likely to volunteer throughout their lives.

5 – Volunteering gives kids the chance to meet people from different backgrounds and to make new friends. It enhances their emotional development, fostering socializing and communication.

6 – Volunteering shows the next generation how to be what Mahatma Gandhi said was to “Be the change they wish to see in the world.”