Volunteers Make it all Possible!
Jacob's Chance believes in the power of volunteerism, and that involving volunteers in our programs promotes disability acceptance and a more inclusive community. Young people can begin to volunteer independently at age 12, and new volunteers will be mentored by more experienced volunteers. Volunteers younger than 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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If you're over the age of 18 and new to volunteering with Jacob's Chance, you must have a background check before volunteering. Contact us at programs@jacobschance.org to get started with your background check.
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Current Volunteer
Opportunities
Bowling | 8/5 - 8/26
Baseball | 9/6 - 10/11
Tennis | 9/7 - 10/12
Fall Day Enrichment | 9/8 - 11/14
3G (Guys, Gals, and Games) | 9/10 - 11/12
September Teen Scene | 9/21
A Chance to Shine | 11/23
Upcoming Volunteer
Opportunities
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Flag Football | 10/18 - 11/22
Bowling Clinics
Join us in supporting friends with disabilities during 4 weeks of bowling! Your role is to help the games run smoothly, make sure athletes feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
Dates: Tuesdays - 8/5, 8/12, 8/19, & 8/26
Event Time: 4:30-6:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 4:15-6:30pm
Location: Bowl America Short Pump
(4400 Pouncey Tract Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060)
Volunteer Ages: 12+
Baseball Season
Join us in supporting friends with disabilities on the ballfield for 6 weeks of baseball! Your role is to help the games run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
Dates: Saturdays, September 6th - October 11th
Event Time: 9:30-11:45am
Volunteer Commitment Time: 9:00-11:45am
Location: RF&P Park
(3400 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060)
Volunteer Ages: 12+
Tennis Season
Join us in supporting friends with disabilities on the court for 6 weeks of tennis! Your role is to help the games run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
Dates: Sundays, September 7th - October 12th
Event Time: 4:30-6:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 4:00-6:30pm
Location: Belmont Recreation Center, courts 1,2,3,8
(1600 Hilliard Rd, Richmond, VA 23228)
Volunteer Ages: 12+
Fall Day Enrichment Programs
These 10-week sessions of enrichment programs are for high school graduates through age 40, focused on exploring new interests and topics through hands-on activities and shared experiences with peers.
Your role is to help the program run smoothly, assisting the instructor and our participants as needed, making sure the participants feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
*Program descriptions can be found HERE!*
*Please know that Helping Hands & Wildcard Wednesdays are field trip based enrichment programs and each week will require you to meet at various locations around Richmond and the surrounding counties*
Dates: September 8th - November 14th (10 weeks)
Locations: Program Locations can be found HERE!
Volunteer Ages: 12+
Fall Schedule
Monday
1:30pm-2:30pm | Culinary Arts: Fun in the Kitchen ​
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Tuesday
10:30am-11:30am | Helping Hands
1:30pm-2:30pm | Improv with Bridge 9 Theater
2:45pm-3:45pm | Art from the Heart with Art on Wheels
Wednesday
10:30am-11:30am | Wildcard Wednesdays
3:45pm-4:45pm | Music with Andrew
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Thursday
1:30pm-2:30pm | Culinary Arts: Advanced Recipes & Practical Skills
3G - Guys, Gals, and Games
3G is a weekly social group focused on providing opportunities for socializing, relationship building, and disability acceptance. We come together each week to play card games, board games, build Legos, draw, color, or just hang out!
Volunteers will assist participants throughout the program as needed, providing opportunities for socializing, playing games and making sure they have the BEST time! Be sure to bring your game face!
Dates: Wednesdays, September 10th - November 12th
(10 weeks)
Event Time: 5-6pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 4:45-6:00pm
Location: Westover Hills United Methodist
(1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)​​
Volunteer Ages: 12+
September Teen Scene
Volunteer to support our friends with disabilities at our monthly social event! This September, join us for our first Teen Scene event of the school year! Enjoy spending time with your teen friends while playing putt putt off Patterson!
Your role as a volunteer is to make sure participants feel supported throughout the event, help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction, and participate in activities alongside them. You may oversee a group, or be paired with a participant 1:1.
Date: Sunday, September 21st
Event Time: 4-5:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 3:30-6pm
Location: Patterson Golf Park
(12586 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23238)
Volunteer Ages: 12 through High School
A Chance to Shine
Join us in volunteering for the 3rd annual A Chance to Shine, a talent showcase fundraiser focusing on abilities, not disabilities! The event will showcase a variety of talents, including singing, dancing, magic, stand-up comedy, and so much more!
Event Date: November 23, 2025
Show Time: 3pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: Various (see below)
Location: St. Christopher's School - Ryan Recital Hall
(711 St Christopher's Rd, Richmond, VA 23226)
Dress Rehearsal:
Wednesday, November 19th (5-8pm)
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Dress Rehearsal Location:
St. Christopher's School - Ryan Recital Hall
(711 St Christopher's Rd, Richmond, VA 23226)
*Volunteers encouraged to attend dress rehearsal to assist as needed, and appear as a "test audience" for our performers!*
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN ALL AREAS:
Backstage & holding room support (2:00-6:00pm - including dress rehearsal)
Ushers (2:15 - 6:00pm)
Ticket table (2:00 - 3:30pm)
Raffles (1:00 - 6:00pm)
Decorations/Set up (12:00 - 3:00pm)
Adult Hangout
The Adult Hangout is an adult social group that encourages relationship building, independence, and socialization between high school graduates up to age 40 with intellectual, developmental, and/or physical disabilities. Monthly gatherings are held at various locations around the metro Richmond area. Participation costs are minimal, and financial assistance is always available.​
2025-2026 Teen Board of Directors
Inclusivity | Advocacy | Friendship
Benefits of Membership
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Learn how a nonprofit operates
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Build inclusive friendships
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Gain leadership experience
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Acquire volunteer hours
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The Teen Board is an inclusive group of 18 area high school students that meet once a month to plan events for their peers with disabilities. The events are called The Teen Scene. Teen Board of Directors serve as peer buddies at monthly Teen Scene Events. Members learn the basics of how to run a nonprofit board. One term follows the school calendar, beginning in August and ending the following May. The Teen Board’s focus is inclusivity, advocacy, and friendship.
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Commitment and Expectations
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Represent Jacob’s Chance and advocate for the mission
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Attend and actively participate in 1 board meeting per month from August through May (usually 2nd Sunday from 4-5pm at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Glen Allen, unless otherwise noted)
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Attend and actively participate in 1 social event per month (usually another Sunday from 4-5:30pm)
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Monthly time commitment: 4-5 hours
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No more than 2 unexcused and 3 excused absences for the year
Application for 2025-2026 School Year Closed
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Application Process​
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Fill out an application through Google Forms between April 1st - April 30th
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Applicants will be contacted by Brooke Hsieh (Program Director) to schedule a virtual interview with Program Director and Teen Executive Board Members
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Applicants will notified of acceptances to the Board in May​​​
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Inclusive Club
Space is VERY limited on the Teen Board! Any teen NOT on the Teen Board, but who wishes to remain committed to volunteering for teen events, are invited to join the Inclusive Club. When volunteer needs arise throughout the year, Inclusive Club members will be directly invited to serve as "buddies". Members are always welcome to volunteer for monthly Teen Scene events, as well as other events throughout the year.
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QUESTIONS?
Contact: Brooke Hsieh, Program Director bhsieh@jacobschance.org | 804-658-8613