Frequently Asked Questions

  • Individuals

How old do I have to be to volunteer?

Since we are a youth-serving organization, all individual volunteers must be at least 18 years old. If you’re under 18 and want to get involved, please reach out to us about organizing a group event or hosting a book drive at your school or in your community!

I can only help for a month, or I can't make a weekly committment, can I still volunteer?

Consistency is vital for our youth, so we encourage individual volunteers to commit to a regular weekly time slot (though we understand that occasional conflicts may arise). We also ask that volunteers plan to stay with us for a minimum of 6 months, as it takes time to build meaningful relationships and develop the skills needed to make a significant impact. If you're unable to commit to this schedule, you can still contribute by organizing a book drive or coordinating a group volunteer event.

What is the application process and how long does it take to start?

To start the application process, you'll first need to attend a virtual Information and Application session. After the session, our Volunteer Coordinator will send the official application to participants. Since we work with youth, the approval process includes a background check and 2-3 reference checks. Once approved, the Volunteer Coordinator will help you secure a spot and schedule an orientation session before you officially join the team. Due to the thorough nature of this process, it typically takes 2-3 months from your initial contact until you're ready to begin.

What are the expectations?

We encourage our volunteers to demonstrate consistency and professionalism as role models for our youth. We request a commitment of at least 6 months with regular weekly participation. We understand that conflicts may arise, and we simply ask that volunteers inform us if they are unable to attend. Like all members of our community, volunteers are expected to adhere to our visitor guidelines, respect and follow youth leadership, refrain from making judgments or generalizations, and honor the boundaries set around our youth.

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