Volunteer Opportunities for Kids Around Houston

Hannah Scott:  CYCLE is an acronym for "Changing Young Children’s Lives through Education," which is exactly what this charity aims to do by rewarding kids with a bicycle if they show academic improvement. Children and family are welcome to participate in their annual bicycle build events.

Hannah Scott:  Houston Food Bank offers several volunteer opportunities for kids around Houston. They feed 800,000+ people across Southeast Texas each year -- that's a lot of meals to coordinate! Individuals and groups can help out at the Portwall Warehouse, where the whole family can volunteer in sorting and repacking food and restocking the Emergency Food Pantry.

Hannah Scott:  Northwest Assistance Ministries describes itself as "neighbors helping neighbors" meet basic needs of food, shelter, health, education, safety and financial education. Volunteer opportunities include helping out at the food pantry, with their emergency and housing services programs, and annual events. On site volunteer opportunities for kids under 16 require an adult to be present. Scholarships are available for college-bound volunteers as well!

Target Hunger is a community-based nonprofit that helps feed needy families and seniors in Houston by operating multiple food pantries, a senior home delivery program, a community garden, educational events, and more. They have had children volunteer with their parents at all of their volunteer events. Their garden shifts are usually great for younger kids, and their food distribution events like food fairs and mobile pantry support shifts are great for older kids.

Hannah Scott:  Looking for a volunteer opportunity for an animal lover? BARC may be the perfect fit. They help find foster placements and forever homes for thousands of animals in Houston each year. Volunteers are able to help care for animals, assist at adoption events, help with administrative duties and more.

Hannah Scott:  Small Steps is an early childhood program serving economically at-risk children and their families, offering education, meals, and support via two preschools and a summer camp. Middle and high schoolers can volunteer to help in either the classroom or at camp, assisting in classroom center, at mealtimes, or on the playground.

Japhet Creek Nature Park is a tributary of the Buffalo Bayou that was used as a dumping ground for decades. It recently became part of the Houston park system and will be preserved for wildlife -- but there is still lots of work to do to clean it up, which is where volunteers come in! Volunteers are recruited to help pick up trash, plant native trees and bushes, clear out brush, and more. It's a great volunteer opportunity for kids interested in environmental stewardship.

Kids' Meals seeks to end the cycle of poverty by providing free meals to hungry preschool children in Houston and resources for their parents. Volunteer opportunities for kids include helping to make and assemble the meals that will be distributed across the area, as well as sorting and packing food donations. They also offer ideas for kids younger than eight to get involved in supporting the mission as well, such as decorating the lunch bags used for distributing food.

Hannah Scott:  SEARCH Homeless Services is dedicated to providing housing and services to individuals and families living on the streets in Houston. One of the ways they serve the homeless is by distributing Snack Packs and Survival Kits. Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to assemble these kits and donate them for distribution -- a great project for a group of kids who all want to be involved! A detailed list with specific instructions is available on their website.

The Beacon is a nonprofit organization serving Houston's homeless community, assisting with meals, personal care, laundry, legal services, medical care, and more. Teens can help out with meal prep and serving, washing and folding clothes, and making clients feel welcome. Teen volunteers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Hannah Scott:  The River is home to fine arts opportunities for Houston youth who have disabilities, chronic illness, or economic disadvantage. Classes take place year round in music, art, drama, and dance. Volunteers are invited to assist both teachers and students as needed to help everyone achieve their goals. Teens 15 and older can volunteer independently, and younger volunteers can participate along with a parent or guardian.

Hey there, birthday enthusiast! The Birthday Party Project needs your help to make birthday celebrations happen. Birthdays are for everyone – and so are opportunities to make magic! The Birthday Party Project seeks volunteers at their agency celebrations as well as wrapping gifts and helping prepare for parties at Party HQ.

Special Olympics is an organization dedicated to empowering people with intellectual disabilities through sports -- and inspiring their families and communities in the process. Regional, statewide, national, and even international competition are held in a wide variety of athletic disciplines, and volunteers are always needed! Volunteering on the day of the event is most popular with new volunteers, and duties may include working as a timer, scorekeeper, or escort. Preregistration is required; volunteers younger than 15 are also welcome if they are accompanied by an adult.

Participate in one of the seasonal beach cleanups and join thousands of other volunteers in keeping Texas beaches clean and pristine.

They say the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago....and the second best time is right now! Trees for Houston accepts volunteers to help plant trees all around the city and the greater Houston area. Trees reduce air pollution, provide oxygen, reduce stress, and more. The more trees planted, the better! Please note that volunteers under 18 should have a parent or guardian present.