Seeking volunteer opportunities to participate in with my teen
Hello,
I am looking for volunteer opportunities for my teen foster daughter and me to participate in together on weekends. I was initially interested in something like the Food Bank but they didn't have any weekend shifts available.
I am curious what other types of volunteer work parents and their teens have done together and what ideas/suggestions you all may around this goal.
Thank you in advance!
Feb 7, 2024
Parent Replies
My teenage son and I volunteer at the Berkeley animal shelter, and it’s been such a positive experience for both of us. Each Sunday, we go there for about an hour to play with cats and walk dogs. The dogs love getting outside their pens, and you really feel like you are making a difference in their lives. There are no shifts that you need to sign up for, so it’s very flexible. They only ask that you volunteer once a week. Highly recommend! Check out: https://www.friendsofbacs.org/volunteer
My teen son and I just did a Saturday half day with Friends of Sausal Creek. Here is the link, click on Individual or Small Group and a Google Form pops up with specific dates and locations. sausalcreek.org/volunteer
I don't know where you live or how far you are wiling to drive but the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano does have weekend opportunities in various places throughout the county. See their March calendar. I have volunteered with my teen at the Fairfield warehouse and also at a distribution site in Richmond. My teen prefers the faceless task of sorting food in the warehouse. Others may prefer seeing people.
Alameda County Community Food Bank (off Hegenberger in Oakland) has Saturday shifts twice a month: https://www.accfb.org/get-involved/volunteer-calendar/