Below is a list of organizations that provide ongoing engagement opportunities in the community.
Washington University
- Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement: WashU’s office of civic engagement. “We are dedicated to supporting all members of the Washington University community seeking to connect your academic, professional, and personal commitments with meaningful community engagement. Please reach out, and we will work with you to identify options that will turn your passions into action.”
Regional
- United Way’s Volunteer Center: An excellent tool to find volunteer opportunities in the region.
- Volunteer Match: A service that connects volunteers to non-profit volunteering opportunities in their area.
Local
- AmeriCorps-St. Louis: Needs warming shelter volunteers to help with meals, visiting with clients, and housekeeping duties. Seasonal, beginning in the fall. Also help cleanup and rebuild after disasters. Call 314-772-9002 or go to www.americorpsstl.org. Teens or adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- Angels’ Arms: Does not receive any federal or state money or United Way funding for its foster homes, so organizing a fund-raiser would be a great volunteer effort. Help is always needed for home maintenance projects (gutter cleaning, yard work, deep cleaning, etc.), as well as organizing day-long events for families so the foster kids can enjoy childhood–Grant’s Farm, ice-skating, sporting events or organizing a birthday party for a selected foster child. For details and an online application go to the website at www.angelsarms.org and click on “Volunteer” or call 314-771-5868. Adults; groups; event; inside or outside.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis: Tutor, teach dance, coach sports or cheerleading, assist with fitness program, help with celebrations, with their talent show and with fundraisers. Call 314-335-8141or go to www.bgcstl.org and click on “Volunteer” to see specifics and to access an online application. Adults; individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- Brides Against Breast Cancer: Groups or individuals are needed for their annual Charity Wedding Gown Event. Volunteers assist brides-to-be with fitting gowns, returning gowns to racks as well as set-up before the event. Many of the brides come alone and so you may also act as a “personal shopper” for them. The gowns are donated by manufacturers and individuals; the money goes to people with breast cancer. The event is held in December. Visit www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org for more information. Call 1-877-471-8353 or email volunteering@bridesabc.org to volunteer. Adults; groups or individuals; event; inside.
- Brightside St. Louis (formerly Operation Brightside): From graffiti removal to planting daffodils, Brightside St. Louis is the city’s oldest and most comprehensive not-for-profit cleaning and greening group. Call 314-772-4646 or go to www.brightsidestl.org and click on “Get Involved” to fill out an online application. Teens or adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- Community Women Against Hardship: Volunteers sort food in their food pantry or clothing in their clothing boutique or to organize their library. May help with their annual fund-raiser or plan and teach student enrichment classes such as nutritional cooking, chess, or computers. Call 314-289-7523 or go to www.cwah.org and click on “Volunteer” to download an application for mailing. Adults; groups or individuals; event; inside.
- Covenant House Missouri: This organization works to empower homeless, runaway and at-risk youth. You may plan parties or barbecues for residents, organize a drive to collect soap, shampoo, etc, help chaperone events planned by Covenant House, take kids (and provide tickets) to sporting events, movies, museums, etc , adopt a resident as they leave Covenant House and provide items needed for their new residence. Call 314-450-7670 or go to the website at www.covenanthousemo.org and click on “Volunteer” to fill out an online application. Adults; groups; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- Gateway 180: Prepares approximately 75 brown bag lunches off-site and deliver them to the shelter, meal preparation and assembling food and hygiene bags for families that are leaving the shelter. May also plan and supervise children’s activities or assist at the front desk. Call 314-231-1515 or go to the website at www.gateway180.org and click on “Volunteer” for more details and to fill out an online application. Teens 16+ or adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- Gateway Greening: Can use volunteer groups to help with City Seeds Urban Farm, a 2.5 acre farm operated in collaboration with St. Patrick’s Center, or to help with their Urban Roots or Youth Gardens. In the spring they need volunteers to divide perennials and pot them for distribution to community garden members. Groups can also apply for Gateway Greening grants to start their own community gardens. (Food can be distributed locally or donated to food pantries.) Call 314-588-9600, ext. 110 or go to www.gatewaygreening.org and click on “Volunteer” to access either an individual or a group online application. Adults; groups or individuals; event; outside.
- Girl Scouts Beyond Bars: This is a Girl Scout Troop for girls whose mothers are in prison. Women over 18 years of age are needed to facilitate troop meetings, lead activities and to take them for monthly visits to the prison where their mothers reside. To volunteer call the Program Manager at 314-592-2398. For more information visit https://www.girlscoutsem.org/en/join-us/become-a-girl-scout/ways-to-participate/girl-scouts-beyond-bars.html. Adults 18+; individuals; ongoing; inside or outside.
- Habitat for Humanity: Help with their build days, in their ReStore store or with office work. Specific opportunities for either individuals or groups can be found at https://www.habitatstl.org/volunteer/ or by calling 314-371-0400. Adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- Haven of Grace: Host a maternity shower to collect items needed for young mothers, provide childcare, cook a meal for busy clients, teach skills, do administrative tasks, garden or beautify the grounds. Call 314-621-6507 or go to www.havenofgracestl.org and click on “change the world” to view more opportunities or to access an email link. Adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- HomeFirst STL: Repair and paint homes for the homeless. Can also use help on an on-going basis for mentoring life skills for the recipients of these homes, as well as items to serve as “move-in kits.” Email info@HomeFirstSTL.org or call 314-669-4980. Adults; groups; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- International Institute St. Louis: Provide childcare for children of immigrants while their parents attend extended orientation classes on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3 P.M., or job training classes on Wed. from 1:30 to 3 P.M. Experience with children and non-English speaking populations is a plus. Call 314-773-9090, ext. 169, or go to www.iistl.org and choose “Volunteer.” From there you may either access an online application or find a complete list of current needs. Adults; individuals; ongoing; inside.
- Isaiah 58 Ministries: Volunteers needed to sort donations and help in the thrift store, help in the office with mailings, teach/lead classes or become a youth sponsor. Fill out the volunteer form online at www.i58ministries.org or call 314-776-1410. Adults; individuals; ongoing; inside.
- Karen House: This women’s shelter is run completely by volunteers who cook and tutor residents. Contact Jenny Truax at cwjedi@gmail.com or call 314-621-4052. Adults; groups or individuals; ongoing; inside.
- Kingdom House: Set up a service morning or a weekday evening event, adopt a daycare classroom to plan and implement activities, advocate for the poor through participation at rallies and meetings with local politicians, etc., Make a year-long commitment to guide a family to self-sufficiency, chaperone daycare children to swim lessons and assist with the lessons in the summertime. Kingdom House partners with two other agencies to run the Christmas Store in early-mid December and can always use help with set-up. Go to www.kingdomhouse.org and click on “Get Involved” to access online applications or call the Volunteer Coordinator at 314-627-9826. Teens or adults; groups or individuals; event; inside or outside.
- Lydia’s House: Participate in outreach events, children’s programs, administrative duties or prepare food for Wednesday evening community meals. Prep new apartments, help with lawn care, donation drives and/or sorting. Sit on committees to help manage events. Call 314-771-4411 ext. 103 or email volunteer@LydiasHouse.org. Adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- Mary Ryder Home: A residential care/assisted living facility for low-income Seniors in the Central West End. Volunteers to act as buddies for field trips, play cards or board games or help with arts and crafts. May sit on their special events committee or help with fund-raisers. Go to www.maryryderhome.org for details. You may call 314-531-1314 ext. 224 to speak with Volunteer Coordinator Terry Jones-Signaigo or email her at tjsignaigo@maryryderhome.org. Adults; individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- Mission: St. Louis: Help in the office, with job/leadership training, home repair, sports coaching, after-school or summer camp counseling, as a reading tutor or as a classroom aide. Go to the website at www.missionstl.org and click on “Volunteer” to access the online application or call 314-534-1188. Teens or Adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- Neighborhood Houses: Help with early childhood or after-school programs, planning and implementing Trivia Night and Gala Dinner fundraisers. Go to the volunteer page on the website and click on a category to submit your information at www.neighborhoodhouses.org or call 314-383-1733. Adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside.
- Peter & Paul Community Services: Provides housing and supportive services to those who are homeless, those who experience mental illness or who live with HIV. Volunteer opportunities are available for data entry, teaching classes, providing meals, helping at the emergency shelter and with special events. Go to www.ppcsinc.org and click on “Volunteer” to access both a list of opportunities and an online application, or call the Volunteer Coordinator at 314-588-7111, ext. 209. Adults; groups or individuals; ongoing; inside.
- Places for People: This organization helps serve the unique needs of people who are at risk for homelessness. You can help by making phone calls, doing clerical work, cleaning apartments and doing touch-up painting. You may also help clients move into new apartments, provide a basket of items for a successful new start, prepare a vegetable garden or help with fundraising events. Call 314-535-2310 or you may submit an online application via their website at www.placesforpeople.org. Adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- St. Louis Challenger Baseball: Help by being a buddy for a special needs baseball team. (This is only for youth aged 10-20, so it could be an ideal outreach for faith-oriented youth groups). Contact Buck Smith at buck@challengerbaseball.org or call 314-822-2518. Opportunities for teens; groups and individuals; event or ongoing; outside.
- St. Louis Crisis Nursery: Volunteers assist the professional, trained staff in taking care of children, ages birth through 12 years, during their stay at the Nursery. Volunteers also assist with maintaining a welcoming, clean and safe Nursery environment.
- St. Louis Effort for AIDS: Needs help with fundraisers, office support, working on agency projects, prepping for socials and organizing pet food and supplies. Call 314-333-6660 or fill out an online form at www.stlefa.org. Adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside.
- St. Patrick Center: Provides housing, employment and health opportunities for people who are either homeless or are at risk for homelessness. You can help with administrative tasks, special events, client events, by sorting donations, serving lunch or preparing dinners. There are even ways to help from your home. Call the Volunteer Coordinator at 314-802-0681 or go to www.stpatrickcenter.org to fill out an online volunteer form. Adults; groups or individuals; ongoing; inside.
- St. Vincent DePaul Parish St. Louis: This parish offers a variety of opportunities to serve through their social ministries. You may help with the Meals Program, the Lunch Window, with Senior outreach or assisting women in transition from prison to society. Visit www.stvstl.org for details; call 314-231-9328 to connect. Adults; groups or individuals; ongoing; inside.
- Santa’s Helpers – St. Louis: De-price, sort and wrap gifts, then deliver them for Christmas or Hanukkah. Call 314-727-0186 or go to www.santashelpersstl.com to volunteer. Adults; groups; event; inside.
- SGSM Ministries: South Grand Senior Ministries–help with small chores, yard work, clean for seniors through their Job Squad program. Call 314-664-9700 or check the website for additional details at www.sgsmnetwork.org. Adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- Shalom House: This organization helps homeless women stabilize and rebuild their lives. You can help by making phone calls, doing data entry, working in the computer lab, leading activities, teaching classes, sorting donations, organizing shelves, repackaging necessities, doing landscaping and other manual work. Call 314-534-1010, ext. 18 or visit www.shalomhousestl.org and fill out the online volunteer application. Adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside.
- Smiles with Music: This is a program which encourages kids and teens to share their gifts of music with area nursing homes, assisted living centers and independent living centers. Currently participating centers include: Bethesda Dillworth, Sunrise Assisted Living on Clarkson, Alexian Brothers Sherbrooke Village and The Hallmark in Creve Coeur. Contact via the volunteer form at www.smileswithmusic.org. Teens; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside.
- Woman’s Place: This is a drop-in center that offers crisis intervention, referral services, support groups and personal empowerment workshops. You can help with quilting, clerical activities, public relations, procuring supplies, as well as with fundraisers, facilities repair/upkeep and used cell phone recycling. Call 314-645-4848 or visit www.womansplacestl.org, and click on “Support” then on “Volunteer.” Adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- Youth in Need: This organization was started to help runaway teens and other at-risk youth. There are locations in St. Louis City, St. Louis County as well as St. Charles County which can use your help with children and teens in classrooms, centers and residential facilities. You may also help complete projects necessary for programs: buildings and grounds upkeep, donation drives and more. In either county, call 636-757-9334 or see website at www.youthinneed.org for details and to download a volunteer application. Adults; groups or individuals; event or ongoing; inside or outside.
- Youth Learning Center: Provide after-school help as a Homework Helper working directly with students, support administrative functions or serve as committee or board member. Call 314-531-9916 or fill out an online application at www.ylc-stl.org. Adults; groups or individuals; ongoing; inside.