Volunteer
Second Story is made up of a team of staff, volunteers, donors, and ambassadors. Every person is an important part of our work, and we are so thankful. There are a myriad of ways you can help fulfill our mission either on your own or as part of a group.
Volunteer Opportunities
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!
After-School Staff Support
Volunteers work closely with our staff and the youth in our programs to help fulfill our mission by tutoring, distributing snacks to young people, and playing board games, computer games, and billiards. Our after-school programs operate Monday – Friday from 2:30 – 6:00pm. We ask that volunteers commit to at least 3 – 4 hour increments. Fluency in Spanish is highly desired.
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.
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.
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.
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 Repair
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.
Learn More
There are many ways you or your organization can help Second Story further its mission to help young people. Visit our Get Involved page to learn how you can help.
To really get an understanding of the need for Second Story’s services and how we serve the community, attend one of our Open Door sessions.
Is a Background Check Required?
Certain volunteer opportunities require that the applicant be fingerprinted, participate in two background checks, and obtain a TB test. We’ll discuss with you whether any of these requirements apply to the specific volunteer opportunity in which you’re interested when we contact you after you submit the application form.
Have Questions?
Questions about volunteering at Second Story? Please ask us!
Community Service Hours
Students and youth looking to meet community service requirements can support us in many helpful ways, and we are able to provide the proper paperwork for reporting community service hours. For privacy concerns, these roles don’t place youth directly with the young clients who use our services. Responsibilities may include helping us organize donations, yard work, maintenance work, or other tasks.
We are also able work with some individuals who need to fulfill court-appointed community service hours.
To inquire about volunteering, contact us.
Sign Up for 2S Task Force
As part of our 2S Task Force, you’ll receive emails when Second Story has an urgent need or program request that requires the community’s help. These kinds of needs include in-kind donations, volunteer assistance, monetary support, or help spreading the work about an issue or event. If you are interested in receiving email updates with our current needs as they arise, sign up for our 2S Task Force email list here. You’ll find out first whenever we have a new or urgent need or request. You can opt out at anytime.
Thank you for your continued support!
“After attending an Open Door session, I worked with staff to find a role that fits my schedule, uses and develops skills I have, and makes a difference.”
- Laurie Plishker, Second Story Volunteer
