The benefits of volunteerism for adults are well-documented, but kids get a lot out of giving, too. Getting children involved in their communities at a young age helps foster empathy and a better understanding of the world at large. Although many opportunities are geared toward people 18 and up, plenty of local organizations offer options for youngsters. Here are 14 places where youth and teens can help people, animals and even the environment. (Check out our Guide to Giving 2023 for many more ideas for volunteers of all ages, including service learning opportunities for students.)
Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Founded by volunteers in 1944, AWLA accepts youth volunteers who are 16 and 17 years old at the shelter. The organization also offers free monthly virtual workshops that teach youngsters in second through eighth grades how to care for adoptable animals, as well as wildlife they find in the community. Another way children and young teens can get involved is through Paws & Read, a program that invites kids to read to adoptable cats and small animals. Additionally, AWLA has guides—one for cats, one for dogs and one for small animals—on how to make toys for animal enrichment that can be donated to the shelter. // 2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington
Arlington Food and Assistance Center
AFAC has been providing groceries to neighbors in need for 35 years. Recently, that need has become greater than ever. Visits to its Arlington food pantry this year increased by almost 30%, with the nonprofit serving more than 6,500 families (translating to about 16,000 individuals, almost 5,400 of whom were children). Interested in helping out? Children younger than 14 must volunteer with a parent or guardian. To sort groceries in AFAC’s warehouse, helpers must be at least 12. On its website, the organization suggests other ways youngsters can get involved, such as by participating in a food drive and raising money to donate for grocery purchases. // 2708 S. Nelson St., Arlington
Arlington Independent Media
AIM produces, supports and educates young people about independent media production in the form of community television, local radio and digital arts. Volunteers of all ages can participate in community events like AIM’s music festivals, neighborhood celebrations and more. Think of it as kids helping kids because AIM offers two free teen programs for ages 14-19: a monthly journalism club and journalism and multimedia production intensives. // 2701-C Wilson Blvd., ArlingtonÂ
Center for Youth and Family Advocacy
With a mission of transforming systems and empowering children and youth to create and achieve successful outcomes, this nonprofit includes a Youth Advisory Board that helps inform CYFA’s programming and initiatives and the Promoting Empathy through Equitable Resolution (PEER) program, a youth-led diversion program for kids ages 10-17 who have engaged in behavior that would amount to a misdemeanor or nonviolent felony. // 2111 Wilson Blvd., 8th Floor, Arlington
Children’s Science Center Lab
Tucked inside Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, the Children’s Science Center Lab is an interactive museum where children, families, and school groups can explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts through fun, engaging hands-on exhibits, activities, and programs. The lab welcomes volunteers as young as 13, although anyone between the ages of 13 and 16 must volunteer with an adult. There’s no need to be a STEAM expert to participate. Check out the center’s volunteer portal to learn more about opportunities and apply. // 11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax
The Clothesline for Arlington Kids
Teens 15 and up can help sort and organize clothing for this organization that collects and distributes new and gently used garments for school-aged kids. As Arlington’s first free clothing store dedicated to that age group, it “provides a welcoming, fun, retail-like environment where low-income families can shop for and select a season’s worth of quality clothing twice a year at no charge. // 2704 N. Pershing Drive, Arlington
Color a Smile
Here’s a way to do good without leaving home. This 23-year-old nonprofit has distributed millions of colorful, cheerful drawings to anyone who needs a boost, including senior citizens, U.S. troops overseas and sick children. Anyone can volunteer to color. Just select and print a coloring sheet from the website, sign it with a first name and age, and mail it to the organization’s headquarters in Morristown, New Jersey.
Doorways
Concerned Arlington residents started Doorways in 1978 as a safe haven for families in crisis. The organization provides shelter, with a mission of helping people find a way out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault. Although all in-person volunteer activities have a minimum age of 18, there are ways young ones can get involved. Twice a year, Doorways invites volunteers to sponsor a child—once before school starts, when you can help provide back-to-school supplies, and during the winter holidays, when you’re invited to make wishes come true for kids in need. Check the website for when sponsorship forms become available.
Food for Others
Since 1995, FFO has been helping families in need in Northern Virginia, including Arlington County. The nonprofit gets much of its food through donations, and often relies on volunteers to pick up unsold food from grocery stores and bring it to the warehouse for temporary storage and distribution. In fiscal year 2022, FFO served almost 50,000 individuals and distributed almost 100,000 Power Packs (weekend meal packs for children that are given out discreetly at schools). The minimum age for volunteering in the warehouse is 12, and kids 12-16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Other ways to help include riding along on food pickups and distributions. Check the volunteer catalog for upcoming opportunities. // 2938 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax
Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation
The photos on this rescue organization’s website are enough to get volunteers clawing to help. Which is good, because it helps place more than 2,000 animals each year, largely through adoption events at local PetSmart and PetCo stores. Since its 2001 founding, the rescue has saved the lives of more than 45,000 animals. Teens who are at least 14 can handle dogs at one of the adoption events or care for cats and kittens at the foundation’s Cat Condo at the Seven Corners PetSmart—if they’re accompanied by an adult. Kids and teens can also help by organizing a supplies drive to collect food, paper towels, old bath towels, treats and more, or making DIY snuffle mats for dogs. // 6801 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church
Northern Virginia Family Service
NVFS connects volunteers with family-oriented organizations that need help. All volunteer opportunities are available here. Kids as young as 12 are welcome to volunteer as ambassadors at the Clock Tower Thrift Shop (2860 Annandale Road, Falls Church), with a parent or guardian if they are younger than 16. Tasks include sorting donations, tagging items for sale, accepting and processing donations, and greeting customers. Another option for those 16 and up is to be a Head Start classroom volunteer, helping teachers with preschoolers at the Head Start Center (2920 S. Glebe Road, Arlington).
R.E.A.D.
Aimed at addressing reading inequities and promoting literacy by sharing books with young readers, R.E.A.D. (Read Early and Daily) welcomes volunteers with a valid driver’s license to deliver books to families in Arlington. Other opportunities include giving baby book bags to Spanish-speaking expectant parents at the VHC Health Outpatient Clinic. Staff are happy to work with families to create parent-child volunteering options.
VHC Health
The hospital welcomes anyone 16 or older to donate their time for at least four hours a week for six months. Areas in which volunteers can work in direct patient care include Women & Infant Health and outpatient services, such as the pharmacy, clinic and rehabilitation. Check out all the requirements on the volunteer page. // 1701 N. George Mason Drive, Arlington
Volunteer Arlington
This group connects individuals, groups, nonprofits and businesses to a treasure trove of volunteer opportunities in our area. For instance, people of any age can sign up to make 10 thank you notes for Bridges to Independence, an organization that supports children and families experiencing homelessness. Or make snack bags containing nonperishable foods, holiday gift bags for teens, or a holiday card and gift bag for senior citizens for Affordable Homes & Communities. Kids ages 9-14, accompanied by a parent or guardian, can sign up to sort food for Food for Neighbors (816 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington) for three hours on a Saturday morning five times each school year.