Volunteering your time to a worthy cause not only makes you feel good but it helps others in need within your community. Children learn by example, so if you’ve been trying to get them to think more philanthropically about those around them, volunteering as a family is a great way to go about that.
To that end, we have compiled this list of family volunteer opportunities in San Antonio.
Bexar County Youth Gardens Program
A program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, this program is designed to provide educators, volunteers, and community leaders with innovative ways to use gardens as outdoor classrooms. The garden is used as a complement to improving S.T.A.A.R. (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) scores through the use of the garden as an adjunct or alternative to the typical classroom setting.
The goal of the Youth Gardens Program is to foster an environment that brings parents, educators, and community members together to educate youth about agricultural commodities while promoting community involvement.
Animal Care Services
If your teens love animals, volunteer your time as a family with the Animal Care Services Department of San Antonio. They are always looking for animal lovers to volunteer their time to bathe, walk, groom, and socialize dogs and cats. Teens ages 14 to 17 have to be accompanied by a parent, while 18 and up can attend solo. All volunteers (both kids and parents) have to attend an orientation, and all onsite volunteers have to complete a background check.
Any Baby Can of San Antonio
Any Baby Can’s Autism Services Program is designed for families raising a child who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, providing parent education and support through services like parent training and education groups. Teen volunteers who are under 17 years of age need a parent’s permission to volunteer, while volunteers 12 to 15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent to volunteer.
San Antonio Food Bank
Get the whole family involved and help serve the community at large. The San Antonio Food Bank is always in need of volunteers to provide food for neighbors in need. There are many volunteer opportunities to sign up for, and all ages and abilities are welcome. Here’s a look at some of the things your family can sign up for:
- Sorting room
- Warehouse
- Curbside and mobile distributions
- Community kitchen
- Garden and farm
Habitat For Humanity of San Antonio
Middle and high schoolers can help out with this noble organization that hosts more than 15,000 volunteers in its home-building program each year. You can build homes, raise funds, feed the volunteers, work in the offices, or work at one of the Home Centers. Volunteers typically work alongside homeowners, helping them on their journey toward homeownership.
To learn how you can help, attend a bi-monthly volunteer orientation virtually or in person, or register with the volunteer coordinator at Volunteer@HabitatSA.org.
Open T.R.A.I.L. Ranch
Open T.R.A.I.L. wouldn’t be able to operate as it does without the help of many compassionate volunteers. You have to be 14 years old or older to volunteer in any of these programs:
- Helping Hand: Provide assistance with projects and daily chores to maintain the center.
- Side Walker: Engage and guide riders during lessons while providing physical and emotional support.
- Horse Handler: Groom, tack, and lead horses during lessons.
Check the site often to view upcoming volunteer opportunities and sign up.
Texas Diaper Bank
Kids nine and older can volunteer at the Texas Diaper Bank in San Antonio. From repackaging diapers and wipes to organizing donations to creating kits for families, you can join more than 5,000 volunteers that help out with this organization each year. Its vision is to eliminate the diaper gap in Texas. The organization supplied more than 2.3 million diapers in 2022, helping more than 213,000 families in need.
San Antonio Zoo
If your kids are animal lovers, they will love volunteering at the San Antonio Zoo. Teens age 14 to 17 can participate in the Wildlife Allies Program to gain practical experience in conservation, animal care, education, and science. Kids ages five and up can participate in Scout Workshops with a guided zoo tour and conservation activities to help them earn scout badges and patches.
We hope you found this list of volunteer opportunities in San Antonio helpful as you bring your family together for a good cause.
Take a Tour of Country Home Learning Center With the Family
Why not take the whole family on a tour of Country Home Learning Center in San Antonio? You can learn all about our enrollment, rates, and programs for your child, whether you have an infant or a preschooler. Contact us today to schedule a tour.