Our volunteers are valued partners in fulfilling our mission to transform the lives of children, youth, and their families by providing safe havens and opportunities to grow and thrive. Everything you do makes a difference! Learn more about our volunteer opportunities below. Once you sign up, we will contact you to discuss next steps within five business days. Thank you for your interest in volunteering!
Sound Editor for Podcast
We’re looking for a volunteer with sound editing experience using Adobe Audition, or a similar tool, to collaborate directly with our Communications team to edit and help produce our organization’s podcast, Second Stories. The volunteer will work virtually.
Graphic Design
As a graphic design volunteer for Second Story, you'll work directly with the Development and Communications Teams on portfolio-building opportunities. We’re looking for someone with experience working with Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as Canva. The volunteer role is virtual. Projects may include updating existing materials, and designing new ones such as our annual report, event invitations, flyers, promotional brochures, social media posts, and others.
Be an Ambassador!
Ambassadors help further the reach of Second Story by inviting people to our Open Door Information Sessions. Guests of ambassadors can include coworkers, family, friends, neighbors, civic groups, church members, and more. With a group of 10 people or more, we can also schedule a private tour if space isn’t available to accommodate the group in one of our regularly scheduled tours. Ambassadors can also help us increase our visibility on social media platforms by liking and sharing our posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and sharing our podcast called "Second Stories."
DIY Fundraiser
Raise funds and awareness for Second Story by hosting a bake sale, car wash, or Facebook fundraiser! We are also open to your creative ideas! Fundraisers can be hosted at your house, school, or workplace. For examples of how your donation can make a difference, look at our full impact list.
After-School Staff Support
Volunteers at Second Story in the Community work closely with our staff and the youth in our program to help fulfill our mission by tutoring, distributing snacks to young people, and playing board games, computer games and billiards. Our after-school program operates Monday - Thursday from 2:30 - 9:00pm and Fridays from 2:30 - 6:00pm. We ask that volunteers commit to at least 3 - 4 hour increments. Fluency in Spanish is highly desired.
Location: Culmore (near Bailey's Crossroads), Fairfax County
Care Packs
Care Packs are distributed to young people in our programs who are in need of food, hygiene supplies, or other basic items. We provide "snack packs" and "toddler packs" containing non-perishable food items to youth and families in need of food, and also "infant packs" and "toiletry packs" containing personal hygiene items to young mothers and other young people.
This project may be eligible for community service hours. If you are volunteering in order to fulfill court-ordered community service, please indicate that in the Volunteer Notes section when you sign up.
If you're interested in providing Care Packs, please contact Christine Bartell for more information and drop-off instructions. If you plan to provide care packs to meet court-ordered hours, be sure to mention that when you contact Ms. Bartell.
Assembled Care Packs can be dropped off at Second Story for Teens in Crisis (2100 Gallows Rd, Vienna) Tuesdays and Thursdays between 4:30pm and 8:30pm or Fridays and Sundays between 10:00am and 3:30pm.
Electrical Repair Services
Skilled electrical repair service volunteers help with facility maintenance, such as installing/maintaining electrical wiring, identifying electrical problems. and repairing or replacing wiring, equipment, or fixtures as needed. We can be flexible to work with the volunteer's schedule. Due to licensing requirements, electricians performing work at our facilities need to be licensed and bonded. Please indicate any specific skill set in the Volunteer Notes section of the application.
Facility/Home Repairs
Skilled facility repair volunteers help with various projects such as home repair, drywall repair, appliance repair, lock replacement and re-keying, general handyman work, etc. We can be flexible to work with the volunteer's schedule.
Please tell us you particular skills and availability in the Volunteer Notes section of the signup form.
Hotline/Staff Support
Hotline/staff support volunteers at Second Story for Teens in Crisis work closely with our staff and the youth in our program to help fulfill our mission by taking hotline calls, interacting with residents, and performing other tasks as needed (i.e., donation sorting). Program orientation and hotline training will be provided.
These volunteers undergo a high level of screening and vetting, including background checks and a TB screening, and must commit to volunteering for a minimum of four hours a week for at least one year. They must also attend an Open Door Information Session before volunteering.
Want to Do Something Else?
If you don't see any volunteer opportunities listed here that appeal to you or work for your schedule but you'd still like to help Second Story and the people we serve, please let us know of your interest and skills. We're sure that we can find a rewarding opportunity that fits your interests and availability.