Volunteer Opportunities for Kids in Metro Detroit

It can be tough to find local volunteer opportunities for kids, so we've compiled a list of places in Metro Detroit that allow families with younger children to participate.

Volunteering at home is a wonderful solution for families who want to make a difference, though there is nothing quite like helping out in your own community.

Has your family tried any kids volunteer opportunities in Metro Detroit? Share your experience below by adding a review or suggesting another favorite organization for the list!


 

    Gleaners

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     (160.0 mi)

    Ages

    Age 10+

    Gleaners' mission is to provide households with access to sufficient, nutritious food and related resources. Gleaners distribution centers process a tremendous volume of donated and purchased food to serve neighbors in need. Volunteer tasks include sorting and packing food, picking orders for shipments, preparing supplies for food drives, and more.


    The Birthday Party Project

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     (164.0 mi)

    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.

    Capuchin Soup Kitchen

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     (165.3 mi)

    Ages

    Age 7+

    The Capuchin Soup Kitchen serves Metro Detroit by providing food, clothing, and human development programs to the people of the community. Volunteers provide the extra pair of hands, the warm smile and caring attitude that make the Capuchin Soup Kitchen what it is. The minimum volunteer age is 12 (7 for the Earthworks program).

    Cass Community Social Services

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     (167.9 mi)

    Ages

    Age 10+

    Cass Community Social Services provides food services, housing, health services and job assistance. They rely on volunteers to help accomplish their mission. People – adults, youth, and children – assist them in a variety of ways. 

    Focus HOPE

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     (168.9 mi)

    Focus HOPE is an organization that focuses on overcoming racism, poverty, and injustice in Southeast Michigan. Families can volunteer by packing food boxes, assisting with homebound food delivery, and assisting senior shoppers.

    Arts and Scraps

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     (169.4 mi)

    Ages

    6 and older

    Kristy Pepping:  Arts and Scraps recycles materials from individuals and other businesses. People can then buy these materials at a discounted cost to create art for other projects. They also hold classes for people in need that want to learn more about the arts. These classes are for all ages. As for volunteering, they need help packing art kits, preparing materials and sorting materials dropped off. Children do need to come with a guardian.

    D-Town Farm

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     (169.7 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  D-Town Farm grows healthy farm to table food for sale. They also give back by partnering with the Detroit Black Community Food Bank and take part in other urban farming projects. On weekends, they hold events where families can help pick, harvest, sort and help out on the farm.

    Greening of Detroit

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     (170.3 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Greening of Detroit has been making Detroit beautiful by planting trees, providing job training and getting kids involved in conservation. They need volunteers for planting trees, cleaning up the area parks, and gardening. Check their online calendar for upcoming events and plantings.

    Humble Design

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     (186.5 mi)

    Kristy Pepping:  Humble Design helps people furnish their homes who are transitioning out of poverty. They get furniture and other home decor through donations, make any needed repairs and then give it to people exiting homeless shelters and into homes of their own. For volunteering, your family can either work in the warehouse to organize the furnishings or help the designers decorate a home and be there for the big reveal when the family moves in.

Primary photo:   Element5 Digital on Unsplash

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