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!

Hannah Scott:  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. Children as young as five are welcome to volunteer in the community gardens, and kids age 10 and up can volunteer in the warehouse and at their food fairs. Any kids under 16 have to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone.

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.

Hannah Scott:  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.

Hannah Scott:  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 greater Houston area. Houston is not known for its stellar air quality, but trees reduce air pollution, provide oxygen, reduce stress, and more. The more trees planted, the better! Please note that any volunteers under 18 should have a parent or guardian present when volunteering.

Hannah Scott:  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.

Hannah Scott:  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:  Urban Harvest was founded on the idea that thriving communities have access to healthy, local food -- and with several areas of Houston falling under the "food desert" designation, community gardens are a much-needed resource! Urban Harvest provides education, farmer's markets, and community gardens in neighborhoods across the city. Volunteers are invited to help stuff packets, prepare Grow Kits and to work in the gardens. Kids younger than 13 who want to volunteer can do so as long as they are 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.

Alexandra F.:  Volunteers help host monthly birthday parties at homeless and transitional living facilities at partner agencies around Houston, where all children with a birthday that month are joyfully celebrated along with any children and family members staying at the agency. Families are welcomed and encouraged to volunteer together, setting up, decorating and helping out with party ideas and activities, though please note that each community agency may have unique age or other restrictions party by party. Adults 18 and older will be required to complete a background check.

Hannah Scott:  Texas is a coastal state, which means lots of beaches.....and lots of beaches means lots of required maintenance! Each year Adopt A Beach hosts two volunteer state-wide beach clean-ups, as well as two smaller regional clean-ups, to clear away debris and trash. This is a great opportunity for families or other groups, since even the youngest kiddos can help pick up! Bookmark this meaningful idea while vacationing in South Padre Island with kids, too! Meet up with the local team and spend an afternoon volunteering with your kids.