Needs From: Western Washington University

Do you have good driving skills and some time to serve others?  We need you.

Gardenview Village occasionally needs volunteers to transport guests to appointments, the grocery store, and other necessary locations. We would like to have a list of trained and dedicated volunteers with whom we can coordinate scheduling ahead of time to ensure dependable transportation to appointments is available when needed.   

This volunteer opportunity can be scheduled based on your available frequency.  We welcome daily, weekly, or monthly transporters' commitments.  Along with providing transportation to our guests, this experience offers the opportunity to form a positive connection and the potential for relationship building.  

The Gardenview Village van will be available for the transporters to drive, but for insurance purposes, it requires the following to be on file for each driver:

Completed volunteer application
Approved background check (Road2Home will do this)
Driver's Abstract Report (Volunteer requests this and provides a copy to Road2Home.  Road2Home will reimburse volunteers for the $15 fee associated with this report.
Copy of valid driver's license
Completion of Road2Home Volunteer Training 

We're excited to have you join our volunteer team!  To start your journey with Road2Home, click the link below to begin the application process.

Road2Home is actively recruiting for new board members who believe in our mission and want to volunteer with an agency doing first-hand work with our unsheltered community members in Bellingham and Whatcom County. 

We are looking for compassionate and motivated individuals who want to actively serve the organization and help further it's mission.  Applicants must be able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with the board of directors.  Prior board experience is a huge plus!

Individuals interested in taking an active position with the board of directors or who have a specific skillset in fundraising, grant writing, HR, or accounting are highly encouraged to apply. 

We look forward to working with you soon!  To begin the process of becoming a Road2Home board member click here!

This monthly event is an awesome (and easy!) way to support foster parents and caregivers in our community.  Volunteers are needed from 5:40-8:45 pm to provide childcare, snacks and games with kids while their caregivers take a few hours off! 

We are eager to host Family Night Out the first Friday in October and November this fall! 

This is a great volunteer opportunity for teens, students, families or large groups to volunteer together.  Please contact kayla@skookumkids.org with any questions and to sign up! 

Camp Skookum is seeking an experienced and organized cook to prepare meals for approximately 80-90 campers, staff, and volunteers during our camp at The Firs Retreat Center for the dates of Thursday, August 20 through Sunday, August 23.

What is Camp Skookum? It's a weekend long retreat for families impacted by the foster care system, where they get to connect and celebrate being together as a family. Camp Skookum is a place to make memories, find community with other families, and celebrate being together. And it’s completely free for families to attend.

Qualifications:

21 years or older with at least a high school diploma or equivalent

Valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle

Experience preparing meals for large groups

Current Whatcom County Food Handlers card 

Ability to develop positive relationships with volunteers and staff

Ability to work independently and manage food prep efficiently

Effective communication

Able to pass background check

Key Responsibilities

Prepare meals according to agreed-upon menu

Utilize the fully equipped commercial kitchen at The Firs

Ensure compliance with all food safety and sanitation standards as set by the Whatcom County Health Department

Manage food storage, preparation, and cleanup

Maintain a clean and organized kitchen throughout the camp session

Coordinate meal timing with camp staff and program schedules

Leave kitchen facilities in good condition following the conclusion of camp.

Camp Skookum is looking for a team of certified lifeguards to oversee Lake Time on August 21 and 22nd at the Firs Conference and Retreat Center in Bellingham WA.  At Skookum Kids, we are passionate about protecting the connection between children and their families while in the child welfare system, and want to celebrate and support families who are back together after their time apart. Camp Skookum is a place for reunified families to make memories, find community with other families, and celebrate being together. And it’s completely free for families to attend!

Requirements: 

Lake time will be roughly between 1-5pm on Friday the 21st, and Saturday the 22nd. 

If you are interested in supporting Camp Skookum by volunteering as a lifeguard, we'd love to connect with you! 

Volunteer Tourism Ambassadors assist visitors, residents, and community members at our Visitor Information Centers by providing recommendations, insight, local knowledge, and general support. This volunteer role is ideal for individuals who enjoy engaging with the public and who take pride in sharing the best of Whatcom County.

What you will do

Qualifications

Time Commitment

Volunteer Benefits

Are you a responsible driver who wants to help local teens? We need you!

We are launching our first ever teen summer camps for Lydia Place families! This July, our Mental Health Team will be running two camps – an animal camp and a Dungeons and Dragons camp.

Many of the families we work with struggle with social isolation, and summer can be an especially tricky time for teens. The routine of school is gone and it can be extra hard to connect with friends and community. Teen summer camps in Whatcom County are limited and, when combined with other barriers, this experience moves out of reach for many low-income families.

We’ve put together two camps teens are excited to be a part of in a gorgeous location. Whether its spending time with other teens who love animals or love DnD-style live action role playing, our aim is to increase connection with each other, have fun, and to make sure that they know that they deserve incredible experiences like camp – that they are held and loved by larger community. It is free for our families and transportation will be provided...this is where you come in! 

We need someone to pickup and drop off teens from North Whatcom County (Blaine/Birch Bay) to camp (in Whatcom County close to Bellingham) for the week of July 27th. Teens will need a ride to camp, starts at 10am and then back home, ends at 4pm. Rides are needed Monday, July 27th - Thursday, July 30th. We would love to have one driver who can help, but if you can only do a few days, that would be great too.

Process:

If you are interested in learning more about camp, check out this short video: https://youtube.com/shorts/o_-gnwCoBX8?si=GcYBZreEKPKyVfI6

We need volunteer allies!! We currently have a waitlist of participants needing social support and allyship. 

As an ally, you'll provide companionship, connect clients with resources, serve as a liaison with their case manager, and help them achieve their goals. The best part is that you can do all this at a pace that suits you and your partner-participant. Our primary focus is on fostering connection and building a trusting relationship. 

Depending on your preferences and availability, you may be paired with a guest at the Gardenview Village tiny homes or with an individual in the community.

Being an ally is not just a volunteer role; it's an opportunity to make a significant difference in someone's life. Road2Home provides a community of fellow allies to learn from and connect with. We also offer in-depth training for allies that covers trauma-informed care, setting boundaries, strategies to help clients achieve their goals, local resources, and more. This comprehensive support ensures you feel prepared and confident in your role as an ally, ready to make a positive impact.

Being an ally requires a six-month commitment, during which you meet with a client in person at least twice a month and are available for phone calls or texts.

To help ensure a successful Ally experience, you must complete a Road2Home volunteer training class and an Ally orientation before being assigned a program partner. These sessions are designed to introduce our work, enrich your understanding of homelessness in our community, and help ensure a rewarding volunteer experience. You will also have access to our experienced staff trained in trauma-informed principles to guide you. We want your Ally Program experience to be rewarding for you and your partner!

We are thrilled about the possibility of working with you and the positive impact you can make as an ally. Your contribution is highly valued, and we look forward to welcoming you to our team soon!

To begin the process of becoming an Ally, click here!

Do you have a hobby or interest that you look forward to completing?   What better way to enjoy it than by sharing it with others who may find that same enjoyment and perhaps discover a new self-interest or talent?  

Do you knit, crochet, fish, color, draw, paint, teach good nutrition, instruct tai chi, etc?  You get the picture!  You can sign up as a volunteer and share your hobby with a guest(s) at Gardenview Village.  Please let us know what day and time work best for you, as well as the frequency at which you would like to visit. 

Share your hobby and build positive relationships -- What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.   

We have an opening for an art/craft instructor for our Gardenview Village sessions.  If you have basic arts and crafts experience and would like to share the joy of creativity with the folks we serve, please complete the application below, and we will get started.

Click here to complete a volunteer application

We are looking for civic clubs, businesses, churches, or simply groups of friends, neighbors, families, or individuals who will come together and commit to preparing and delivering a healthy meal to Gardenview Village's 30-40 guests. You have the power to decide how frequently you can commit—one time only, weekly, or monthly—whichever best fits your schedule. We especially need meal deliveries towards the end of the month.

Kitchen facilities in Gardenview Village are limited, so food must be prepared offsite and delivered. Road2Home volunteers often foster personal connections with the folks we serve. By providing each Gardenview Village guest with healthy meals, positive interactions, and encouragement, you can make a significant difference in their lives.  

Through Road2Home's work, meaningful relationships are built, and hope for better futures is created.  

To begin the process of becoming a Road2Home volunteer, click here!

Road2Home works with the people who are living unsheltered.  Staff and volunteers help them navigate through a complex system to ultimately obtain permanent housing.  Sometimes progress is hampered by outstanding legal issues associated with historical evictions, past due rents, charges that are outstanding, and other situations.  In situations such as these, someone with knowledge of the law and instruction on how to move forward is necessary.

We are looking for someone with the legal experience and capacity to assist, on a pro bono basis.  Your guidance is needed in the resolution of these issues so we can continue progressing on the road to a permanent home for people in our programs.

If you can help, we would love to have you join us!

Are you handy to have around? Do you love to fix, replace, or repair? Gardenview Village needs you!

Volunteers should be experienced in general maintenance in the area where they specialize. They will be asked to assess a problem and suggest a good solution to remedy a the issue. They will communicate and coordinate with the Gardenview Village staff about the issue/resolution and resources necessary to move forward with repairs.

Do you have three hours weekly to commit to a regular shift at Gardenview Village? While there, you will help our staff take care of the requests and needs of the village's guests.  You may also be asked to help complete daily routine tasks such as watering plants, stocking bathroom and kitchen supplies, pulling weeds, lots of cleaning etc....  Come ready to work and leave ready to rest!  

This position will allow you to meet many wonderful people from our community who also volunteer in different capacities and donors who drop by with in-kind gifts to share with the guests we serve. You will also build meaningful relationships with the folks served in Road2Home's programs and services.

We're looking for people who can commit to one afternoon a week from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.  If you are willing, you could commit to one six-hour afternoon from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.  You tell us the day you will be consistently available, and we will put you in that timeslot on the master schedule.  

Step one is to complete the Road2Home Volunteer Application at this link:  https://www.jotform.com/211485377281157.  We look forward to working with you!

Do you enjoy creating a plan and watching it all come together? The Road2Home Fundraising and Events Committee welcomes your participation.   As a nonprofit organization, we work hard to raise funds to support our programs and services.  Everyone on the committee utilizes their skills, talents, and experience to plan, prepare, promote, organize, and host the fundraising activity.

The committee meets online via Google Meets monthly for 1 -2 hours to discuss new ideas and prepare for upcoming events.  Whether a season event planner or a novice, we welcome you to join us!

We look forward to working with you!  To begin the process of becoming a Road2Home volunteer, click here!

Lions Camp Horizon is a summer camp for teens, adults, and seniors with disabilities! Every day, we have a different group of volunteers help serve our campers and staff breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Each meal has its own volunteer shift. It is a great time to help others and get to know some very fun people!

Please sign up to volunteer using this link: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/503576598052/false#/invitation

Or sign up on this site to receive an email with sign up instructions!

Here's a great way to help your fellow man and earn karma points while you're at it.  The Haskell Lions Eye Clinic provides FREE eye exams and glasses to low-income homeless, immigrant, and elderly residents, using only volunteers and donations. 

Open two afternoons a month, the clinic itself doesn't require much of your time.  Yet there's work behind the scenes that's required to make things run right.  You'd be helping the clinic manager review and input applications, contacting applicants to make appointments, help schedule our volunteers, and other administrative tasks, along with being the manager's right arm on clinic days (1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month).  As a member of the clinic's leadership team, you'd also sit in on our bi-monthly meetings that run 90 minutes. 

Your commitment totals about 15 hours a month, with some flexibility: Work from home and/or the clinic.  Overall, it's about half interacting with people and half paper & computer work.   Most of our volunteers have been at the clinic for many years; it's a fun and friendly place to help out!

Wish-granting volunteers work in teams of two to help plan and fulfill a child’s wish. New volunteers are paired with a mentor volunteer to help guide them through the wish journey. Each wish is as unique as the child who dreams it, so the level of volunteer commitment varies from wish to wish. Training is online and on-demand, and volunteers choose the wishes that best fit into their schedule. Wish-granting opportunities can be in-person, virtual, or hybrid. There is no financial commitment required.

Connect Your Neighbors With Local Volunteering Options  – – Right from Home!

When we know more, we can do more. 

Community Compass is a crowdsourced platform that connects volunteers with their community and each other. We’re building a national directory of nonprofit organizations, mutual aid and grassroots networks, service clubs, and more. Because volunteer groups come in all shapes and sizes, our Community Pages include smaller, less formal organizations alongside established nonprofits.

We’re looking for enthusiastic contributors (like you!) to help us update and enrich Community Pages and Organization Pages on Community Compass. With some research and your curiosity, you can help your neighbors quickly find nearby nonprofits, mutual aid groups, service clubs and more – making it simpler than ever for everyone to make a local impact.

Community Compass contributors have already helped us identify over 3,600 ways to volunteer in more than 380 communities in the US!

What You'll Do:

Be a Contributor: Conduct quick, simple online research to identify active service clubs, mutual aid groups, and upcoming volunteer events in your community.

Be a Fact Checker: Enhance your community's page on Ways to Connect by ensuring the information is current, accurate, and inviting for potential volunteers.

Be an Organizational Profile Builder: Create Community Compass pages for nonprofit organizations

Be a Moderator: Review and approve submissions

Be an Ambassador: Coming soon

Why Volunteer with Community Compass?

Easy and accessible: Volunteer remotely at your convenience.

Immediate community impact: Help your neighbors discover meaningful ways to contribute.

Flexible commitment: Volunteer for as little as 2 hours, or as much as you'd like.

Growth opportunities: Volunteers can explore deeper involvement through our Ambassador program.

Ready to help your community thrive? Join us today and make volunteering easier for everyone.

Join our Food Recovery Driver volunteer pool!  

There are plenty of opportunities available, but our latest shift opening is a clean-up shift at The Freedge (Free Community Fridge)! This opportunity occurs every Monday and Thursday and usually takes 30 minutes or less. Maintaining the cleanliness is essential to providing this free food option to our community. Volunteer once or regularly! 

The details:  We need volunteers to help maintain the cleanliness of The Freedge, located at 2316 Kulshan St. Bellingham, WA. (behind The RE Store).All supplies needed are provided and stored at The Freedge.

Plan to: 

Everyone is welcome!  We provide written instructions for this shift and all others. Please contact us if you have any concerns or accessibility questions. 

Sign up here!

Sustainable Connections' Food Recovery Program reduces food insecurity and addresses climate change by recovering and redistributing nutritious surplus food to neighbors in need. We need volunteers to help pick up food from restaurants and transport the food to hunger relief agencies. Sign up here!

We have a diverse list of food recovery opportunities between Monday and Friday from 8 am - 4 pm. Each shift only takes 30 minutes to an hour and works well for people with busy schedules. 

We currently have a couple of shifts we need help with!

Plan to: 

Everyone is welcome! 

We offer on-site training for your first shift, along with clear, step-by-step instructions for each pickup and drop-off location—so you’ll feel confident every step of the way!

If you’re signing up for your first shift or have any questions, concerns, or accessibility needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to help!

Sign up here!

Bellingham At Home (BAH), a non-profit membership organization, is a virtual Village in Bellingham WA empowering older adults to stay active and engaged while living in their own homes and neighborhoods.  It is a program of the Whatcom Council on Aging.

The Village is powered by volunteers who provide “good neighbor” assistance to older folks in our community. Volunteers provide transportation to medical appointments and other services in Bellingham, take members shopping, provide companionship, complete light home repairs and garden maintenance, and other tasks as needed.  (BAH does NOT provide medical assistance, personal care, nor ongoing cleaning and maintenance tasks.)

If you are searching for opportunities to use your skills to support the Bellingham community and enjoy talking with interesting people who have many life experiences to share, you’d make a great BAH volunteer. Most assistance requests are for 2-hour time slots and you can let us know when you are available.  There is no weekly commitment; flexibility to meet your own schedule. BAH members reward our volunteers with their most grateful appreciation!

Office volunteers staff the volunteer desk in the Bellingham at Home office.

Tasks include:

Qualifications:

Shifts:

We have office shifts available in the mornings and afternoons.

A six-month minimum commitment required.

 We are a group of volunteers who are committed to creating an unforgettable week away for our campers. This requires cooking three meals a day for over 150 campers and counselors, cleaning up after said meals, tidying camp, staffing carnival booths, and helping with arts and crafts projects. Come see the magic of the week and help us make this camp a reality!

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Here is a list of some  more of our needs: 

-Washing dishes

--Cleaning tables, floors, and bathrooms

--Restocking supplies

--Doing laundry

--Picking up toys and trash

--Arts and Crafts. 

The Community Service Center is seeking work-study eligible students to fill two volunteer positions called Community Service Assistants. 

Community Service Assistants (CSAs) are students, ideally in their first or second year at Western and the first in their family to attend a four-year university (i.e. first-generation student), who are dedicated to bettering their community through learning together and applying that learning in a non-profit setting. CSAs do not need to have previous experience with community engagement work but do need to have some experience in basic event planning and/or leadership roles as they will work together to create important events for the Western and Bellingham community including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day and Earth Week. CSAs will meet weekly with the Community Service Center office team, attend weekly professional development sessions, complete tasks during weekly office hours, and complete at least one hour per week of unpaid volunteer work.  They are enrolled as AmeriCorps Volunteers through the Coalition for the Public Good program and complete a total of 300 hours of service.

There are 3 roles that CSA's can fill: Major Events (lead coordinator for MLK Day, Earth Week, and Volunteer Fairs), Peer Educator (writing newsletters and educating the campus community on various topics), and Service Learning (managing engagement with academic areas and clubs). Students will not be hired into one of these roles, but each CSA will decide which one they want to fill, which can then be changed each quarter to allow a holistic experience.

To learn more and apply, visit: Community Service Center

Teaching children and adolescents in the Rising International Bilingual School, Bertoua.

Teaching foreign languages is a program to attract children and youth to informally learn and gain new experiences with the support of local and international volunteers.

Are you interested in teaching English as a foreign language.

Would you like to use your language skills to make children's languages classes a playful yet educational one?

Apply learned teaching principles to real-life situations. As well build confidence in your teaching skills through teaching children aged 3 – 12, as well as adults. Obtain exposure to varied classroom situations and diverse learning and cultural contexts and support communities in either Cameroon, while gaining valuable teaching experience.  

Costs and Accommodation

Because Hope Foundation is a small NGO with limited financial resources, we ask that each volunteer covers their own personal costs during their stay in Cameroon, the flight to Cameroon and the visa. You will be provided with accommodation. We have a safe and comfortable housing or host families. As well three healthy meals a day, pick up and drop off from the airport. With the airport tickets, meals, and place to stay included, it's an estimated $117 per week.

Teaching children (3-15 years) in our primary school “Rising International Bilingual School – RIBS” in Bertoua

Do you have experience in teaching (for example foreign languages, science, history, art, IT) or training (everyday life and health activities)?

Do you want to use your skills to improve education standards?

Are you interested in gaining great cultural insights and awareness as an international source, working among children as a teacher?

In our holiday school, the children from Bertoua get the chance to refresh their knowledge from the school year and learn new things in a fun way. There are many indoor and outdoor activities with the children. If you’re ready to say yes to a youngster's future. This volunteer opportunity will be available June to September in Cameroon.

Costs and Accommodation

Because Hope Foundation is a small NGO with limited financial resources, we ask that each volunteer covers their own personal costs during their stay in Cameroon, the flight to Cameroon and the visa. You will be provided with accommodation. We have a safe and comfortable housing or host families. As well three healthy meals a day, pick up and drop off from the airport. With the airport tickets, meals, and place to stay included, it's an estimated $117 per week.

Join our local construction team for some school construction activities such as building, carpentry, painting, weathering and more.

Are you a hardworking and extremely flexible volunteer who has expertise in building?

Do you want to use your holidays in a meaningful way?

Are you ready to be a team worker with a vision of bringing change and making an impact with your time and labour?

Let’s get our hands dirty by applying here!

Because Hope Foundation is a small NGO with limited financial resources, we ask that each volunteer covers their own personal costs during their stay in Cameroon, the flight to Cameroon and the visa. You will be provided with accommodation. We have a safe and comfortable housing or host families. As well three healthy meals a day, pick up and drop off from the airport. With the airport tickets, meals, and place to stay included, it's an estimated $117 per week.

Are you interested in gaining new skills and improving your leadership?

Would you like to develop your athletic skills as trainer/coach/athlete/football player?

Are physical activities appealing to you?

As a sports instructor and coach for youths, you will volunteer in our sports club, training children and teenagers from 5 to 20 years old. Your goal will be focused on training them to be able to learn to use sports, especially football, to develop life skills such as teamwork, persistence, and organization.

You will understand the community from the inside and create connections with the youth society to create a positive impact on them. Our volunteers do not only conduct training courses but also spend time with the local teams and the trainers. If working among local teams while broadening your horizons makes your heart beat faster, we ’ll be glad to see you in a track suit

Because Hope Foundation is a small NGO with limited financial resources, we ask that each volunteer covers their own personal costs during their stay in Cameroon, the flight to Cameroon and the visa. You will be provided with accommodation. We have a safe and comfortable housing or host families. As well three healthy meals a day, pick up and drop off from the airport. With the airport tickets, meals, and place to stay included, it's an estimated $117 per week.

Are you a licensed health care professional? Join the Red Cross!

Disaster Health Services Responders provide disaster health care by meeting the disaster related health needs of clients and providing support to other volunteers.

Support to the DAT response, shelter operations, emergency aid stations, outreach activities, and casework and recovery planning during a disaster relief operation .

Time Commitment:

Minimum 8-hours per month

Requirements:

When housing is disrupted in communities due to a large disaster it can be tough for many individuals to secure new long term consistent/reliable housing. The Shelter Resident Transition Service Associate assists shelter residents and disaster victims create long term personal plans to overcome obstacles and transition into a stable housing solution. They play an important role in minimizing disaster caused displacement and aid in long term recovery.

Do you have a Flexible schedule that would allow you to deploy for two weeks to support communities impacted by disasters? The Red Cross is looking to train willing individuals over 18 who want to alleviate human suffering by shortening the time of a disaster caused by displacement. All training and Travel expenses are fully covered by the Red Cross. 

To join our team visit www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact your local chapter office at Joinusnw@redcross.org.

When disaster strikes your community, Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers are the first to respond—bringing comfort, care, and critical resources like food and shelter to those in need.

Join this vital team by signing up for on-call shifts and help ensure 24-hour emergency support is always just a phone call away for your neighbors.

Hear firsthand why others have volunteered in this role. Training is free and the experience is priceless.  Get started at www.redcross.org/volunteer We are the American Red Cross. Sleeves up. Hearts open. All in

The Red Cross Logistics Fulfillment Service Associate plays an essential role in disaster response operations by ensuring that congregate shelters receive the necessary supplies. From procuring materials to delivering them efficiently, our logistics team is the backbone of our relief efforts.

Do you have the flexibility to deploy for two weeks to support communities impacted by disaster? If you have a heart for helping and  working behind the scenes to support those displaced by disasters and thrive in dynamic environments, this is the perfect role for you. All training and travel expenses are fully covered by the Red Cross. Join us in making a difference and providing essential resources to those in need.

To join our team, visit: www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact your local chapter at JoinUsNW@redcross.org

After a disaster, a hot meal and a warm smile can be a powerful source of comfort and hope. As a Feeding Service Associate with the Red Cross, you’ll help nourish both body and spirit— whether by serving meals at a shelter or delivering food directly to neighborhoods impacted by disaster. Your presence can be a light in someone’s darkest moment.

Do you have the flexibility to deploy for two weeks to support communities impacted by disaster? The Red Cross is looking to train willing individuals 18 and older to fill a variety of roles during disaster relief operations. All training and travel expenses are fully covered by the Red Cross.

To learn more about how you can make sure that no one goes hungry after a disaster, visit: www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact your local chapter at JoinUsNW@redcross.org

Garden Volunteers help us plant, weed, water, and harvest our small garden plot outside our facility.

Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho is seeking Spanish speaking volunteers to join our Raiz volunteer team. The Planned Parenthood Raíz program is committed to breaking down barriers in accessing health care in the Latinx community. The Raíz program is about more than just health. It’s about justice, knowledge, and the power to control our own bodies and lives. Volunteer opportunities may include event support, health center greeting, donor thank you card writing, and walking in Pride parades.

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-involved/raiz

3 simple steps to becoming a volunteer   

Our team is looking for dedicated volunteers who are:  Represent PPGWNI at community events Set up and/or tear down materials at community events Interact with the community in Washington by informing them of our services offered  

Location and time commitment: Volunteer opportunities vary and may be offered on weekdays and nights or weekends. There is no volunteer hour minimum requirement.

Our services focus on both conflict prevention and conflict intervention and include mediation, training, facilitation, coaching, supervised visitation, and community education for youth, adults, families, organizations, and businesses throughout Whatcom County.

The goal of this VISTA project is to increase low income clients’ access to conflict prevention and intervention services by building and promoting awareness of the organization, helping to secure vital financial resources, and ensuring the efficiency and efficacy of systems used to do so. In building on the work of the previous VISTA position, this role will deepen our outreach to underserved communities in rural areas, non-English speakers, and those who belong to specific demographic or cultural groups. Similarly the Development and Outreach VISTA will help to grow funding for projects and programs that specifically benefit low income individuals and help to increase the accessibility of our programs.

Join us and our friends from the Birchwood Neighborhood Association as we remove invasive species and spread mulch at Bellingham’s newest park.

All ages and abilities welcome. Participants under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Tools, gloves, and instructions are provided. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. 

Additional information will be emailed to registered participants. Register early, space is limited! If you sign up, please show up!

Parking for this work party will be located along Cherrywood Ave.

This event is Parkscriptions Certified!

Important Registration Steps:

After you have completed the required waiver (adult or youth), please be sure to then click "Sign Up" to complete your registration for the event! Completing the waiver does not automatically sign you up.

If you are bringing any additional volunteers or family members, please sign up as a team or have them join the site, sign the waiver, and then sign up individually. Here are some guides:

Responding as a Team | Get Connected Help Center

Signing Waivers | Get Connected Help Center

Questions? Contact pkvolunteers@cob.org or 360-778-7105.

The WWU Community Service Center is looking for a current student, recent graduate, or soon to be graduate to serve as an AmeriCorps volunteer this summer, June 1-September 30. This is not a paid position, but at the completion of 300 hours you will receive a $1565.08 educational award from AmeriCorps. Hours may be completed in person or virtually, but hybrid is ideal and hours are flexible. 

Projects include:

Re-establish a partnership with Village Books and set a schedule of activities led by WWU student volunteers that serve the kids leaving school on early release days

Work with the Bellingham School District volunteer program to fill the needs of school programs for the 2026-2027 year on a regular basis utilizing WWU student volunteers 

If needed, assist WWU Work Study with the reading tutor program in collaboration with the Bellingham School District

Design at least one active or passive activity for Camp VU (September 18 & 19) that fills a community need (and personally execute if possible)

In collaboration with the Black Student Coalition, design and begin logistics for an Alternative Winter and/or Spring Break volunteer activity/trip

Establish an Adopt-A-Highway for WWU/CSC and record what is needed to continue that program indefinitely 

Assist the Wellbeing Collective team to design a Wellbeing Day for September 21

For questions and a more detailed description of the position, please contact Jenn Cook, cookj22@wwu.edu

When disasters strike, it takes coordinated efforts of government agencies working alongside nonprofit organizations to quickly respond and help chart the path forward. Volunteers serving as Government Operations Service Associates serve as direct contact with government partners, often in an Emergency Operations Center or other coordination center, during a Disaster Relief Operation to ensure that Red Cross actions are aligned with the government.

Do you have the flexibility to deploy for two weeks to support communities impacted by disaster? The Red Cross is looking to train willing individuals 18 and older to fill a variety of roles during disaster relief operations. All training and travel expenses are fully covered by the Red Cross.

To join our team, visit: www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact your local chapter at JoinUsNW@redcross.org.

Are you interested in fostering community awareness, planning and executing events, and exploring unique fundraising avenues? Would you like to build skills in community engagement, event planning, and non-profit fundraising? If you answered yes, then this might just be the internship for you! Currently, Blue Skies for Children (BSFC) sponsors over 100 local youths in enrichment programs, covers the cost of Driver's Ed classes for scholarship recipients, and offers other community opportunities funded by grants, donations, and sponsorships.  As a Community Engagement Intern, you'll help drive our mission further with new fundraising initiatives and exciting community events. This is a part-time (10 - 15 hours per week) internship. The length of engagement will last approximately 3 months and has a flexible start time/end time to accommodate school scheduling and other commitments.​

https://www.blueskiesforchildren.org/uploads/7/9/1/4/79143064/internship_2026_-_community_engagement_ongoing_enrollment.pdf

The overwhelming majority of children and families impacted by the foster care system experience poverty. 

Skookum Kids contributes to these children and families having support like access to safe housing, medical attention, nutritious meals, and recreational opportunities, which will help them break out of the cycle of poverty. Every program within Skookum Kids relies heavily on compassionate, competent, and committed volunteers, foster parents, and donors. The AmeriCorps VISTA will build capacity by improving Skookum Kids’ volunteer and foster parent recruitment and retention efforts, cultivating business and individual donors, seeking event donations, and sharing stories of impact.

Help care for a school garden in your neighborhood/area! Attend a volunteer orientation or scheduled volunteer hours and learn what to do, then volunteer on your own and take care of the school garden by watering, weeding, harvesting and beautifying! Volunteers under the age of 13 are very welcome but must bring an older sibling or an adult. Please note that not every garden is wheelchair accessible--but some are!

Please fill out our volunteer form to get started! Once you have filled out the volunteer form, you can navigate to your school's tab on our Sign Up Genius and sign up to volunteer! 

Please note there are different kinds of opportunities. Some schools have a scheduled time when you can garden with other volunteers (Birchwood, Cordata and Roosevelt in Bellingham; Nooksack and Sumas further east) if that's your jam or if you are just learning to garden and would like some guidance. Other schools have more independent volunteer opportunities. There's something for everyone! 

This need is active in the spring, summer and fall, but please feel free to sign up in the winter and we will get in touch and prepare you for spring! Or help us out in cooking classes :) 

We’re looking for volunteers to support our Rock Steady Boxing program, a high-energy, non-contact fitness class designed to improve strength, balance, and confidence for people living with Parkinson’s disease. This is a powerful opportunity to be part of a community that’s fighting back together. 

What you’ll do:

Help monitor workout stations during class
Encourage and support participants throughout activities
Create a welcoming, positive, and inclusive environment

Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30–11:00 am (can be available for one and or the other)

You don’t need boxing experience, just a great attitude and a willingness to support others.

Be part of something meaningful, build connections, and help participants feel stronger every day, inside and out.

Volunteer to become a Roots of Empathy Instructor!

Do you love working with children? Are you a good listener and want to help children have better relationships, friendships, and mental health? Maybe you are an aspiring teacher and would like to gain classroom experience? Or you plan to go into a Mental Health field and are seeking an opportunity to practice your skills?

We are recruiting volunteers to become Roots of Empathy Instructors. As an Instructor, you will help us achieve our mission to "Change the world, child by child.

What We Do:

The Roots of Empathy program is delivered to elementary school children who are coached to recognize and connect with the vulnerability and humanity of a baby who visits their classroom throughout the school year with their parent(s), along with a trained Roots of Empathy Instructor using a specialized curriculum. Throughout the year children learn the skills behind emotional intelligence and how to apply them in order to better understand themselves and their classmates. Participation in a Roots of Empathy program has shown to reduce bullying and increase social skills like empathy, sharing and helping. 

What is involved in becoming a Roots of Empathy Instructor?

Want to make a BIG difference in your community?

Will you have a 2-4 month old by November 2026?

The Roots of Empathy program is delivered to elementary school children who are coached to recognize and connect with the vulnerability and humanity of a baby who visits their classroom throughout the school year with their parent(s), along with a trained Roots of Empathy Instructor using a specialized curriculum. We are looking for families with babies born between May-September 2026 to join us for the school year!

What's Involved?

**April/May Update! Help us finalize logistics for this event, then join the party May 29th for free as a volunteer (minimum day-off commitment of 4 hours). No formal orientation required, but we will provide options for onboarding before the event day. See our Birds of a Feather Bash Event Day Support listing for activity details.**

Help us plan and host our spring fundraising event! This is a shorter term commitment that is flexible based on how you want to participate. Whether you prefer planning details behind the scenes, visiting businesses for donations or welcoming guests on event day, we have lots of ways for you to use your gifts and interests to help us raise funds - and have fun doing it!

Commitment: Event Team is active January - May, with virtual and in-person activities. Team check-ins will help volunteers stay connected and updated throughout planning.

Volunteers for this role must attend a volunteer orientation. If you're interested, visit our Volunteer page and fill out our interest form! www.wildwhatcom.org/volunteers

My name is Jess, and I am a Bellingham resident currently compiling a comprehensive file documenting errors, inconsistencies, and procedural failures in a local housing assistance program with the intention to try to bring awareness to how these programs are being implemented vs how they are intended and give a deeper context of the experiences of a very vulnerable population that has historically not been able to achieve much viable advocacy for themselves.

This project includes:

I am looking for a student volunteer to assist with organizing and structuring this information into a clear, professional case file that could be used for advocacy, policy review, and potential legal action.

This would be a strong fit for students interested in:

The work would involve organizing documentation, refining timelines, and helping present the material in a way that clearly highlights systemic issues and procedural breakdowns. No legal advice is required.

I am happy to meet in person and work collaboratively, and I can be flexible with scheduling.

Sustainable Connections' Food Recovery Program reduces food insecurity and addresses climate change by recovering and redistributing nutritious surplus food to neighbors in need. We need volunteers to help pick up food from restaurants and transport the food to hunger relief agencies. Sign up here!

We have a diverse list of food recovery opportunities between Monday and Friday from 8 am - 4 pm. Each shift only takes 30 minutes to an hour and works well for people with busy schedules. 

We currently have a couple of shifts we need help with!

Plan to: 

Everyone is welcome! 

We offer on-site training for your first shift, along with clear, step-by-step instructions for each pickup and drop-off location—so you’ll feel confident every step of the way!

If you’re signing up for your first shift or have any questions, concerns, or accessibility needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to help!

Sign up here!

Do you love to help people in your community?

Wish-granting volunteers work in teams of two to help plan and fulfill a child’s wish. New volunteers are paired with a mentor volunteer to help guide them through the wish journey. Each wish is as unique as the child who dreams it, so the level of volunteer commitment varies from wish to wish. Training is online and on-demand, and volunteers choose the wishes that best fit into their schedule. Wish-granting opportunities can be in-person, virtual, or hybrid. There is no financial commitment required.

Help prep and serve free, nutritious meals to kids through our Food Truck program, and/or help lead Kids' Cooking Club! Please fill out our Volunteer Form to begin. We particularly need someone on Wednesday afternoons, 3:15-5 pm. 

What sounds good to you? Do you play the piano? Do you like crafts or have a travel experience you’d like to share?  Do you enjoy Bingo? Would you like to adopt a grandparent and visit them each week? The options are endless; we’ll customize a volunteer plan that fits your needs and the needs of our wonderful residents.

Interested in volunteering with LAW Advocates? 

Please visit our website to learn more: Get Involved - Law Advocates - Whatcom County

Support our Food Educators in delivering cooking lessons to kids in Whatcom County! We have cooking clubs after school on Mondays and Fridays, and school day lessons during the school day Tuesday-Thursday in the Bellingham, Meridian, Nooksack Valley and Mount Baker elementary schools!

You will be helping 4th and 5th graders to cook a healthy and delicious meal together. You must sign up to volunteer through your school district and go through a background check before volunteering with kids. 

We are especially in need of help in the county schools. Cooking lessons are fun and hands-on, and the more hands we have, the better! 

Check out our School Day Volunteer Position Description and fill out our volunteer form to get started! 

The purpose of this position is to provide Disaster Mental Health services to people impacted by disasters and Red Cross workers during preparedness, response, and recovery.

Requirements: Hold at minimum a Master’s Degree in one of the mental health professions listed below;

Any U.S. state or territory as a social worker, psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or psychiatrist (any level license/registration, including non-clinical licenses such as Licensed Masters Social Worker or LMSW).

Please click "respond" if you have interest in this opportunity!

Do you have donor stewardship or sales experience? (Virtual volunteer opportunity)

We are the American Red Cross. Sleeves up. Hearts open. All in.

Home fires and other disasters can occur any time, any place. As a Disaster Action Team volunteer, you’ll provide emotional support, financial assistance, and information to help families begin the process of recovery.

We are looking for volunteers to join our team to be on-call purely for translation assistance to ensure we have the workforce able to serve our population. 

After your initial training and orientation, you will join a team of dedicated and passionate volunteers to be on-call when your language skills are needed. With experience and further training you can take on leadership and response coordination roles to have a wider impact. At the same time, you’ll be developing skills that you may choose to apply to larger-scale disaster response efforts with the Red Cross.

Every day, the American Red Cross sees the heartbreak of people trying to cope with more intense storms, heavier rainfall, higher temperatures, stronger hurricanes and more devastating wildfires.

As more people rely on the Red Cross for help, the need for compassionate volunteers has never been greater.

Volunteers help comfort and support people who are forced from their homes due to fires, storms and other emergencies, so they don’t have to face tough times alone. Join us and turn your compassion into action by becoming a volunteer today. We are actively recruiting for these critical volunteer roles:

Shelter Support Team: During large disasters, you can support the day-to-day activities within a shelter which may include working in reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information or other areas within a shelter. Free online training will be provided. If the need arises, volunteers are asked to commit to multiple local shifts of 4-12 hours each. For those able to travel outside of their local area, a commitment of at least 14 consecutive days, working 8- or 12-hour shifts is required.

Disaster Health Services Team: During large disasters, you can use your professional skills as a licensed healthcare provider to deliver hands on care and education to shelter residents. Free online training will be provided and can count towards nursing continuing education units. If the need arises, volunteers are asked to commit to multiple local shifts of 4-12 hours each. For those able to travel outside of their local area, a commitment of at least 10-14 consecutive days, working 8- or 12-hour shifts is required. Qualified licenses include RN, LPN, LVN, EMT, Paramedic, MD, DO, PA, NP, APRN. Only RNs have full scope of practice.

Disaster Action Team: While big hurricanes and wildfires get the most news coverage, smaller disasters are no less devastating to the families affected. Most of the 60,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are smaller disasters like home fires. As a Disaster Action Team volunteer, you can help comfort and support people in your community by meeting any immediate needs such as food, shelter, clothing or supplies and connecting them to long term recovery services. We supply all the training you need.

Make a Real-Time Impact

During Disasters Disaster Action Team (DAT) Duty Officers are the behind-the-scenes heroes who coordinate local emergency responses as they unfold. From the comfort of your home, you’ll ensure that people affected by disasters receive the care and support they need by dispatching trained volunteers to the scene.

What You’ll Do:

Monitor incoming disaster alerts and assess response needs

Dispatch Red Cross volunteers to provide immediate assistance

Communicate clearly and calmly with team members and affected individuals

Use Red Cross systems to track and manage response activities

What You’ll Need:

Comfort talking on the phone with new people

Ability to learn and use computer applications

Strong organizational and multitasking skills

Reliable access to a computer, internet, and phone

Willingness to complete Red Cross training

Why It Matters:

Your coordination ensures that families affected by disasters receive timely help, shelter, and emotional support. You’ll be a vital part of the Red Cross mission—Sleeves up. Hearts open. All in.

Get started: 

www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact your local chapter at JoinUsNW@redcross.org

Disaster Action Teams provide 24-hour emergency response to local disasters, particularly house fires, ensuring that those affected have access to resources for basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing.

Our DAT team is responsible for:

Further requirements:

* Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively in person, on the phone, and by email
* Excellent problem solving
* Ability to be consistently respond immediately to notification calls and dispatch DAT when on call

*Both in person and virtual opportunities available.

When a large-scale disaster impacts a community, multiple agencies and resources are needed to walk alongside them to provide response and recovery support. As a Community Engagement & Partnerships (CEP) Service Associate you’ll connect with local partners to build capacity, coordinate activities, integrate expertise, and ensure that all disaster-affected communities, including traditionally underserved populations, have access to Red Cross services.

Your volunteer role involves implementing the CEP plan, engaging with organizations, and supporting multi-agency collaborative efforts to promote regional engagement and inclusive partnerships.

Do you have the flexibility to deploy for two weeks to support communities impacted by disaster? The Red Cross is looking to train willing individuals 18 and older to fill a variety of roles during disaster relief operations. All training and travel expenses are fully covered by the Red Cross.

If you have the passion to build relationships with community partners, this is the perfect role for you! To join our team, visit: www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact your local chapter at JoinUsNW@redcross.org.

How can you have fun, meet others, enjoy fresh air, and participate hands-on in an important cause — all in a safe manner? Volunteering in one of our outdoor work parties for a few hours to prepare sites and plant trees with us!

Please DO NOT respond via Volunteer Center of Whatcom County - that sign-up will not count. Visit our Work party volunteering webpage for more details and the registration form.

As a sport educator and coach for youths, you will volunteer in football training academy for 16-year-old girls and boys who want to play and learn football. You will train them after work and at the weekend. The main sport will be football, but we are as well open for other sports. The footballers will play competitions, improve their football skills and have lots of fun.

Our volunteers do not only conduct training courses but also spend time with the local teams and the trainers. If walking among local teams and refugees while broadening your horizons makes your heart beat faster, we’ll be glad to see you in a track suit!

Because Hope Foundation is a small NGO with limited financial resources, we ask that each volunteer covers their own personal costs during their stay in Cameroon, the flight to Cameroon and the visa. You will be provided with accommodation. We have a safe and comfortable housing or host families. As well three healthy meals a day, pick up and drop off from the airport. With the airport tickets, meals, and place to stay included, it's an estimated $117 per week.

Everyone gets a Hope Foundation t-shirt to wear!

If you are interested and would like to participate in our

program, you are welcome to apply through our application form below.

Once we receive your application and complete our selection

process, you will get a confirmation letter with assigned posts and

responsibilities by E-Mail.

If you need more information, please feel free to contact us:

HOPE FOUNDATION

Petersburgerstr. 92, 10247 Berlin

office: +49 (0) 30 29 00 71 92

email: office@hope-found.org

website: www.hope-found.org

Teaching children in the Rising International Bilingual School – RIBS in Bertoua

This is an ongoing program created to build children's interest in learning and gaining new experiences with the support of international volunteers.

You will support our local teachers in the school, apply learned teaching principles to real-life situations. As well build confidence in your teaching skills through teaching children aged 3 – 15.

Obtain exposure to varied classroom situations, diverse learning, and cultural contexts. While supporting communities in Cameroon and gaining valuable teaching experience.

Because Hope Foundation is a small NGO with limited financial resources, we ask that each volunteer covers their own personal costs during their stay in Cameroon, the flight to Cameroon and the visa. You will be provided with accommodation. We have a safe and comfortable housing or host families. As well three healthy meals a day, pick up and drop off from the airport. With the airport tickets, meals, and place to stay included, it's an estimated $117 per week.

Everyone gets a Hope Foundation t-shirt to wear!

If you are interested and would like to participate in our

program, you are welcome to apply through our application form below.

Once we receive your application and complete our selection

process, you will get a confirmation letter with assigned posts and

responsibilities by E-Mail.

If you need more information, please feel free to contact us:

HOPE FOUNDATION

Petersburgerstr. 92, 10247 Berlin

office: +49 (0) 30 29 00 71 92

email: office@hope-found.org

website: www.hope-found.org

Looking for volunteer tutors who are interested in being trained to help people: 

Tutor an Adult Learner - Change a Life!

Interested in volunteering your time to support literacy? Become a 1-to-1 tutor for an adult who needs help with reading, writing, math, and/or computer skills.

The Whatcom Literacy Council offers free tutoring services to adult learners who would like to build skills to help them reach their goals as parents, in the workplace, and in the community.  Tutor training provided. No second language or teaching experience is required. Please visit our website to find our application and for more information about how to become a tutor. 

https://www.whatcomliteracy.org/one-to-one-tutor

Where:

in person

When:

At times that fit your schedule

Minimum Commitment:

4 hours per week for 12 months

Contact: 
Ashley Meyer

alp@whatcomliteracy.org

360-306-1612

Qualifications

 Requirements

The Whatcom Literacy Council is a member of ProLiteracy America and a United Way partner agency.  We provide free one-to-one tutoring and small classes. Our tutors can work with learners throughout Whatcom County at a public meeting place and at times that fit our learners' busy schedules. 

Are you interested in the issues surrounding affordable housing? Want to start working towards a solution? The Habitat Store sells donated new and used furniture, appliances, housewares, and building supplies to the public. This is one of the most important sources of funding to help us build! The money we generate from sales helps build homes and run our organization. Right now we have a high need for volunteers in the following areas:

If you have a keen attention to detail, like to work efficiently, and have a passion for recycling, we would love to meet you! Shifts are available Monday-Saturday. Please go to www.hfhwhatcom.org/volunteer to create an account so we can contact you to get you started. 

Questions? Please contact volunteer@hfhwhatcom.org. 

Are you interested in the issues surrounding affordable housing? Want to start working towards a solution? The Habitat Store sells donated new and used furniture, appliances, housewares, and building supplies to the public. This is one of the most important sources of funding to help us build! The money we generate from sales helps build homes and run our organization. There are a variety of ways to help, such as:

If any of these sound interesting you can respond to us here or on our website @ www.hfhwhatcom.org click on volunteer go to our orientation and safety videos, fill out our volunteer application and we will contact you to get you started.  We so appreciate our volunteers and having them join us in building healthy neighborhoods that create equity and prosperity for everyone.

Our volunteers and partner homebuyers do most of the work of building the Habitat homes. We encourage volunteers of all skill levels and those who want to learn skills to come lend a helping hand.  You might like it so much that you’d become a regular!

We welcome individual volunteers as well as businesses, churches, and civic groups. Volunteering on building Habitat homes can be a great team building or fellowship activity.  While the work we do can change day by day here are a few examples of the type of task you might find on the work site:

If any of these sound interesting or you have any questions please respond to us here.

We are looking for graphic/web design help on our website www.childcarespaces.com

Mostly just looking for guidance on the aesthetics of our website. Right now the home page is a big wall of text. Would love more separation and beauty on the site. 

Do you like capturing outdoor joy in photos and/or video? Is creating slideshows or digital scrapbooks your thing? We need volunteers to help us document programs and events in digital formats to share with participants and the public. We aren’t looking for perfection, just enthusiasm! Lots of flexibility based on your availability and interests. We have programs seven days a week throughout the year, including some evenings.

Commitment varies based on your schedule, with a suggested one-year term.

Volunteers for this role must go through a background check and attend a volunteer orientation. If you're interested, visit our Volunteer page and fill out our interest form! www.wildwhatcom.org/volunteers

Help amplify Wild Whatcom’s outreach and communications on social media and at events. Participate remotely, or combine digital and in-person activities, based on availability and preferences. While the main activity is social media sharing, we ask Social Ambassadors to participate in at least two fundraisers (remote/in person) and/or community events (in person) per year - mix and match to suit your schedule and interests.

Commitment: All/mostly remote, 3 virtual check-ins annually, with a suggested one-year term.

Would you consider helping We Care serve over 600 people each month by giving a few hours of your time?  Individuals and small groups can make a huge difference by serving for three hours. Volunteers start with tidying the store and move to hanging clothing. Spanish speakers encouraged to volunteer.  Families are welcome.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Teens must submit a parental consent form.

Visit our website to sign up.  Hours on the sign-up are suggested, but you are invited to come when it's convenient for you and stay as long or as short as you would like.

Come and have a sleepover with the children who are staying overnight at The Landing- an emergency placement house for children first entering foster care.  Overnight shifts are from 9pm-7am or 8pm-8am 7 days a week.

Volunteers are asked to serve for a minimum of once a month. We are open 24/7, Washington State does require a few things to complete before volunteering, so inquire about this opportunity and meet with our Volunteer Coordinator to get started! We look forward to meeting you!

The mission of Skookum Kids is to eliminate the pain points that make foster care so difficult, we do this by involving the whole community in the important work of child welfare.  Skookum Kids is a 501(c)3 non profit based in Bellingham, WA.  

Come and spend time with foster children who are staying at The Landing!

Every shift looks different at The Landing, since we have a high turn over rate of the children who come to stay.  We care for kids by providing them a safe and fun environment, participating in activities like Summit Trampoline Park, Creativitea, the movies, and LOTS of parks! 

Volunteers are asked to serve for a minimum of once a month. We are open 24/7 and have many shifts to suit your availability. Washington State does require a few things to complete before volunteering, so inquire about this opportunity and meet with our Volunteer Coordinator to get started!

The mission of Skookum Kids is to eliminate the pain points that make foster care so difficult, we do this by involving the whole community in the important work of child welfare.  Skookum Kids is a 501(c)3 non profit based in Bellingham, WA.  

Exciting news! Opportunity Council’s Volunteer Chore Program is expanding to include Whidbey Island this spring. We’re connecting amazing volunteers with low-income older adults & people with disabilities who need a helping hand with things like yard care, grocery runs, dog walking, etc. so they can stay independent in their homes.

Sign up here! 

Are you an artist? We love having hand made posters and dancers love to see them. Make something beautiful to share the fun of dancing. See the picture for an example. It was made with real flower petals from a local florist!

Do you dream of dancing every Saturday night during the school year with live music? Fiddle music? Quilts? Stringlights? Pot lucks? Good ol' fun for the mind and body and soul? Imagine Jane Austen meets Irish party dancing. We endeavour to make this traditional movement of arts and culture and engine for good health, belonging, and respectable, affordable, and sustainable living.

We need a volunteer to write grants to fund our programs!

Our programs are all volunteer run with expenses funded via admission fees, but there are so many exciting things we want to do that are only possible with cold hard cash. 

Help us make it happen! 

Did you know grant writing looks good on a resume?

Receive, weigh, sort, package, & load incoming food and goods that have been recovered from community partners & saved from the landfill!  

Receive:  Volunteer drivers deliver recovered food & goods from 9:30 -11:00am

Weigh:  All donations are weighed, to allow us to track what's been recovered

Sort:  Decide what is for Hubs & what gets to go to compost/the pigs!

Package:  Box according to the needs of receiving hubs

Load:  As volunteer drivers arrive, help them load their hub's packaged food and send them on their way to feed our county!

                                                                   Urgently need on call drivers 

Substitute/On call drivers - We are always looking for substitute drivers for any weekday and would add you to the call/text list.  Sometimes we need coverage for planned vacations or last minute. 

We have routes all over Whatcom County  

* we currently do not provide the transportation or able to provide gas as we are a small non-profit*

Edit and update the dance schedule. A modest effort, but this a critical avenue for dancers to stay in the know. A couple times a season, the schedule needs to be updated with new band and caller details and then be sent in for printing and pick up.

Find schedule for dances here: https://bellinghamcountrydance.org/events/

Coming early to set up (6pm – 7pm) -setting up chairs, tables, quilts, lights, fans, opening windows, etc..

Staying after to take down (10 – 10:30pm)

-duties same as above but in reverse

Free entry for helpers!

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Do you love sports? Do you enjoy teaching kids how to play and work together? Well, youth sports is the place for you! The youth in our community need strong role models and leaders to help teach them the fundamentals of sports while incorporating the four Core Values of the YMCA (Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility). What better way to make a difference in a child’s life than to teach them teamwork in a fun, non-competitive environment?

Currently looking for help in the following programs:

Winter Basketball League January 5th - February 19th. 

Commitment includes one 45 min practice and one 45 min game a week.

Times range from 4pm - 7:30pm.

Practices are Mondays or Tuesdays and games are Wednesdays.

WHY GET INVOLVED

From serving as a role model to watching the incredible transformation each season brings, coaching will leave you inspired. 

Every moment you spend volunteering helps uncover the confidence, strength, and limitless potential of kids here in Whatcom County .

As volunteers, this is your chance to reconnect with the sports you loved growing up or learn to play for the first time along with your kids!              

WE PROVIDE EVERYTHING YOU NEED

As a coach, you will:

Receive all the tools and support you need to lead interactive and easy-to-follow lessons with your co-coaches.

Help kids grow their confidence and fall in love with new sports they can participate in for the rest of their life!

Experience the positive impacts yourself!

START YOUR COACHING JOURNEY TODAY

Contact Sports Director, Dan Parine, at Dparine@whatcomymca.org or call 360-685-6050 or fill out a volunteer application here and we will be in touch.

This committee provides guidance, oversight, and support to all major forms of individual and business donor planning, development, management, and reporting. This volunteer opportunity allows you to flex your creative, strategic and relational skills to bring together community-minded people and organizations who support equitable access to nature's benefits!

We believe everyone has the skills to fundraise, and incorporate fundraising training into our annual calendar. No experience necessary, but willingness to actively participate in both planning and implementation a must.  

Commitment: meets monthly with a suggested one-year term.

Our youth programs are looking for volunteers with practical or technical skills to share — from computer basics to creative crafts, building, design, or everyday know-how. Retirees and hobbyists welcome! Your experience can make a lasting impact.

Ways we would love to integrate you into our programs

1. Visit the teen center and share your skill

2. Be apart of a workshop in our lobby

3. Join the after school elementary program and be apart of an enrichment program

Have other ideas? We'd love to hear them!

Did you know that our climbing wall is the tallest in Washington?! Its 62 1/2 feet tall!

We are seeking volunteers to assist with youth and adult programs, open climb times and route setting. Join the comradery and community!

With a goal of increasing program offerings and family climb times, our volunteers are essential!

Belay experience is a bonus but training is provided.

Flexible schedule. 

Do you love helping people and keeping things neat and welcoming? Join our team as a Member Services Volunteer. This is a great way to join our Y community! You’ll play an important part in making sure our Y stays clean, organized, and friendly for everyone who walks through the doors.

What you’ll do:

What we’re looking for:

When a large-scale disaster impacts a community, multiple agencies and resources are needed to walk alongside them to provide response and recovery support. As a Community Engagement & Partnerships (CEP) Service Associate you’ll connect with local partners to build capacity, coordinate activities, integrate expertise, and ensure that all disaster-affected communities, including traditionally underserved populations, have access to Red Cross services.

Your volunteer role involves implementing the CEP plan, engaging with organizations, and supporting multi-agency collaborative efforts to promote regional engagement and inclusive partnerships.

Do you have the flexibility to deploy for two weeks to support communities impacted by disaster? The Red Cross is looking to train willing individuals 18 and older to fill a variety of roles during disaster relief operations. All training and travel expenses are fully covered by the Red Cross.

If you have the passion to build relationships with community partners, this is the perfect role for you! To join our team, visit: www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact your local chapter at JoinUsNW@redcross.org.

Make a Real-Time Impact

During Disasters Disaster Action Team (DAT) Duty Officers are the behind-the-scenes heroes who coordinate local emergency responses as they unfold. From the comfort of your home, you’ll ensure that people affected by disasters receive the care and support they need by dispatching trained volunteers to the scene.

What You’ll Do:

Monitor incoming disaster alerts and assess response needs

Dispatch Red Cross volunteers to provide immediate assistance

Communicate clearly and calmly with team members and affected individuals

Use Red Cross systems to track and manage response activities

What You’ll Need:

Comfort talking on the phone with new people

Ability to learn and use computer applications

Strong organizational and multitasking skills

Reliable access to a computer, internet, and phone

Willingness to complete Red Cross training

Why It Matters:

Your coordination ensures that families affected by disasters receive timely help, shelter, and emotional support. You’ll be a vital part of the Red Cross mission—Sleeves up. Hearts open. All in.

Get started: 

www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact your local chapter at JoinUsNW@redcross.org

When housing is disrupted in communities due to a large disaster it can be tough for many individuals to secure new long term consistent/reliable housing. The Shelter Resident Transition Service Associate assists shelter residents and disaster victims create long term personal plans to overcome obstacles and transition into a stable housing solution. They play an important role in minimizing disaster caused displacement and aid in long term recovery.

Do you have a Flexible schedule that would allow you to deploy for two weeks to support communities impacted by disasters? The Red Cross is looking to train willing individuals over 18 who want to alleviate human suffering by shortening the time of a disaster caused by displacement. All training and Travel expenses are fully covered by the Red Cross. 

To join our team visit www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact your local chapter office at Joinusnw@redcross.org.

When disasters strike, it takes coordinated efforts of government agencies working alongside nonprofit organizations to quickly respond and help chart the path forward. Volunteers serving as Government Operations Service Associates serve as direct contact with government partners, often in an Emergency Operations Center or other coordination center, during a Disaster Relief Operation to ensure that Red Cross actions are aligned with the government.

Do you have the flexibility to deploy for two weeks to support communities impacted by disaster? The Red Cross is looking to train willing individuals 18 and older to fill a variety of roles during disaster relief operations. All training and travel expenses are fully covered by the Red Cross.

To join our team, visit: www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact your local chapter at JoinUsNW@redcross.org.

When disaster strikes your community, Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers are the first to respond—bringing comfort, care, and critical resources like food and shelter to those in need.

Join this vital team by signing up for on-call shifts and help ensure 24-hour emergency support is always just a phone call away for your neighbors.

Hear firsthand why others have volunteered in this role. Training is free and the experience is priceless.

Get started at www.redcross.org/volunteer We are the American Red Cross. Sleeves up. Hearts open. All in.