With the holiday season approaching, it’s important to cultivate a sense of community, compassion and empathy in our kids. Volunteering is not only a great way to teach these values, but a wonderful way to bond as a family as well. In our area, many organizations welcome the help of kids as volunteers. Here’s our guide to some of the many family-friendly Volunteer Opportunities for Kids in Cincinnati
Adopt a Book Ohio
[email protected]
(513) 335-5014
Adopt a Book is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing at-risk kids with books of their own. The program was started by local 12-year-old twins as a way to help every Cincinnati child have access to books. Kids can get involved by donating their used books at a drop-off site, collecting their friends’ books for donations or even organizing a classroom book drive.
Anthony Muñoz Foundation
[email protected]
(513) 772-4900
The Anthony Muñoz Foundation Whiz Kids Program is a one-on-one after school tutoring program for at-risk students. This program focuses on aiding 25 Kindergarten-5th graders with their reading skills. Tutors must be 16 years old, and do not need prior tutoring experience.
Behringer-Crawford Museum
1600 Montague Rd., Devou Park, Covington
(859) 491-4003
The Behringer-Crawford Museum is a center for the collection, presentation, study and enjoyment of Greater Cincinnati’s natural, cultural, visual and performing arts heritage. Jobs for teens include greeting guests, grounds keeping and working with education groups during their visits. During the holidays, teens over 14 can run the train exhibits (following the completion of a 4-hour training session).
Cincinnati Nature Center
4949 Tealtown Rd., Milford
(513) 831-1711, ext. 128
Volunteers are important members of the Cincinnati Nature Center community and play an integral role in its daily operation. There are many family friendly opportunities for volunteer work, including trail maintenance and cleanup, special event setup and even maple syruping!
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
3400 Vine St., Cincinnati
(513) 559-7755
If your child loves the Zoo, he or she should join its VolunTeens program! This program is designed for teens 13-17 who love nature and the Zoo. There are VolunTeen opportunities in the Education Department, Children’s Zoo, Horticulture, Green Team and T.R.I.B.E.
Freestore Foodbank
Freestore Foodbank, 112 East Liberty St., Cincinnati
(513) 482-7550
The Freestore Foodbank is one of Ohio’s largest food banks, distributing 20 million meals annually through a network of about 260 community partner agencies serving 20 counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. A variety of volunteer opportunities are available for individuals, families and groups.
Gorman Heritage Farm
10052 Reading Rd., Cincinnati
(513) 563-6663
Volunteers are critical to the survival of Gorman Heritage Farm. Anyone can volunteer at Gorman Heritage Farm because there is a job for everyone! Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult while volunteering.
HEARTT Animal Refuge
11354 Reading Rd., Cincinnati
(513) 368-4568
HEARTT Animal Refuge is a no-kill, all-volunteer organization founded in 2007. Its volunteers help out in almost every aspect of day-to-day operations, performing duties such as cleaning cages and rooms, dog walking and fundraising. Children are welcome to volunteer, but must be with a parent or guardian.
Hospice of the Bluegrass
7388 Turfway Rd., Florence, KY
Northern Kentucky Contact: Kimberly Heestand, (859) 441-6332
In 1978, Hospice of the Bluegrass began with a small group of volunteers. In 2010 the organization had over 950 volunteers contribute over 34,000 hours of volunteer service. There is an opportunity for everyone, including kids, at Hospice of the Bluegrass.
Keep Cincinnati Beautiful
1115 Bates Ave., Cincinnati
(513) 352-4380
Keep Cincinnati Beautiful (KCB) is an award-winning affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. Its mission is to educate and encourage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environment. Families can participate in The Great American Cleanup, schools can take part in service learning programs and there are even large mural projects young artists can participate in!
Matthew 25: Ministries
11060 Kenwood Rd., Blue Ash
Weekday Volunteering: Anita Bowman, [email protected]
Saturday Volunteering: Shelly Clos, [email protected]
Volunteers play an essential role in the work of Matthew 25: Ministries. Volunteering at Matthew 25 is not only family friendly, but can be a great team-building activity as well. Children under 16 are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult at all times under the following guidelines: 1 adult/child under 8; 1 adult/2 children 9-11; 1 adult/3 kids 11-16.
Milestones Inc.
12372 Riggs Road, Independence, KY
[email protected]
(859) 694-7669
Milestones is a nationally accredited non-profit organization whose mission is to improve cognitive, physical and psychological function, as well as nurture the emotional health of members of our community through therapeutic horseback riding activities. Milestones relies on volunteer support to help during lessons, as well as to keep the program up and running. Teens are welcome to volunteer; however, all volunteers must pass a background check and attend training before being admitted into the program.
Ronald McDonald House
350 Erkenbrecher Ave., Cincinnati
(513) 636-7642
Families from throughout Ohio, across the United States and from around the world come to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center seeking life-saving treatment for their critically ill children. Volunteers play a key role in the program. Motivated high schoolers can apply for the VolunTEEN Program and help families in the House on a weekly basis. Families can also put together care packages or craft packs, which is a fun way to get small kids involved.
spca Cincinnati
11900 Conrey Rd., Cincinnati
[email protected]
spca Cincinnati is an animal shelter and humane society that continually strives to strengthen the human-animal bond and improve the welfare of animals by fostering the humane care and treatment of all animals. Volunteers socialize with the dogs and cats, assist in the mobile adoption unit and help with education programs. Each volunteer must attend an orientation class. Volunteers must be at least 15; until a volunteer is 18, they must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. The parent/guardian is also required to attend an orientation class.
Stepping Stones
5650 Given Rd., Cincinnati
(513) 965-5151
Since 1963, Stepping Stones has been helping people with disabilities find pathways to independence that will improve their lives and enable them to be fully participating members of their communities. Stepping Stones needs volunteers to complete special maintenance projects, assist in programs such as Saturday Kids Club and Weekend Respites and help with other special projects and fund-raising events. The minimum age to volunteer is 13.
Wesley Community Services
2091 Radcliff Dr., Cincinnat
(513) 661-2777
Since 1992, the mission of Wesley Community Services has been to deliver essential services that promote the independence of seniors so they may remain in the comfort of their own homes for as long as possible. Families can volunteer in the Packing/Distribution Center, which involves folding and filling boxes of non-perishable foods. Kids are welcome and encouraged to create cards to go in these boxes.
