Abigail St. Jean, Caroline Surratt and Leigh Welther
Do you want to get involved in the community? Do you need service hours? Do you want to build your college resume? Then volunteering is perfect for you. Don’t know where to start? There are many different places and events for teenagers to volunteer right here in Alexandria. Below are some events and organizations that are looking for teenage volunteers!
Girls on the Run 5k
Girls on the Run is a non-profit organization in Northern Virginia dedicated to boosting young girls’ self esteem and confidence while they train for a 3.1 mile run. The 5k that the 2000 girls have been working for takes place in two different locations on consecutive days (December 1st and December 2nd). Both locations have volunteer opportunities for race day. Click this link to sign up: https://www.raceplanner.com/register/index/Fall-2018-5k-Volunteers?sid=082f0f0b9a234dc493f6adc943ecdf44
ALIVE
ALIVE is a non-profit food bank organization that helps provide food to low income Alexandrians. They have a last Saturday of every month distribution day were they hand out food to families in need. They welcome volunteers over the age of 14 without parents. They have 3 food distribution locations. One is at Cora Kelly Rec Center, set up time is from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on the Friday before. The second place for food distribution is John Adams Elementary School. The third location is the Ladrey Senior Residence. There is no set up time for the Ladrey Senior Residence. All food distributions start at 8:30 a.m. and go to 12:00 a.m. During food distributions there is no need to sign up in advance to volunteer. volunteers@alive-inc.org
INOVA
INOVA Alexandria is our local hospital. INOVA Alexandria offers volunteer opportunities for people 16 years and above. Volunteers can help make the stay of patients as pleasant as possible, provide assistance for the health care staff and better connect the community with the hospital. Teen volunteers, ages 16 – 18 are expected to volunteer two to four hours a week; a minimum of 50 hours a year. Volunteers must attend a two hour orientation and a 30 minute information session to be paired with an assignment that fits them. Volunteers can serve in clinical and non clinical areas of the hospital. If you are interested in volunteering at INOVA Alexandria, call the volunteer manager at 703-504-3031.
Rise Against Hunger
Rise Against Hunger is a non profit organization that packages meals for people around the world in poverty. The meals help promote education in developing countries, as many of them are served in schools. Rise Against Hunger hosts meal packaging events around the DC area that people can volunteer for, just watch the website to see upcoming events near you. https://www.riseagainsthunger.org/get-involved/
Upcycle
Upcycle is a non profit organization that connects conservation and art. They have a shop also known as a materials center in the Durant Arts center in Old Town and are always looking for teenage volunteers to help organize the donations they receive. Drop in at any time Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 to 6 p.m. or on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a completed volunteer application. You must be able to work for at least an hour. Find more information at this link https://www.upcyclecrc.org/volunteer.html
Torpedo Factory
The Torpedo Factory is an art center in Old Town, Alexandria. If you want to volunteer and get involved the art community then the Torpedo Factory is the place for you! Most of the volunteer opportunities are parts of special events. You can help out at these events by welcoming people at the doors or assisting the hands-on art activities. There are multiple events over the year that volunteers could help at. You can also act as a visitor volunteer. Visitor volunteers are ambassadors for the Torpedo Factory at the information desk by helping visitors and leading tours. This position is better if you want to volunteer more frequently. If you would like to sign up to volunteer at the Torpedo Factory then contact this email address daniel.guzman@alexandriava.gov
Gadsby’s Tavern
Gadsby’s Tavern is a historic commercial building in Old Town, Alexandria. It is a very popular tourist attraction and there are many volunteer opportunities for high school students. All volunteers must submit an application and agree to have a minimum monthly commitment of three to six hours. Students in high school can apply for any regular volunteering opportunities including tours of Gatsby’s Tavern. The volunteer coordinator is happy to work with students for many volunteer opportunities. The link below has the application and the possible volunteer opportunities:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/historic/gadsbys/default.aspx?id=35234#JuniorDocentProgram
