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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 13, and new volunteers will be mentored by more experienced volunteers. Youth ages 10-12 are welcome to assist when accompanied by a parent who is a registered volunteer.​​

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If you know you’ll miss more than half of the sessions for a weekly program, we kindly ask that you do not sign up to volunteer for that particular program, but instead find another one that works for your schedule!
 

Click HERE for more information on how to get started as a volunteer!

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Click HERE for more information about the Teen Board of Directors!

Basketball Season

Join us in supporting friends with disabilities on the courts for 7 weeks of basketball! Your role is to help the games run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction! You may oversee the team, or be paired with a buddy 1:1.

Optional: Feel free to stay to cheer on our competitive league during their game time 12:00-1:00pm!
 

Dates: Saturdays, January 10th - February 21st (7 weeks)

Volunteer Commitment Time: 9:00-11:45am
Athlete Game Times:
9:30-10:30am (Non-competitive; athletes ages 5-16)
10:45-11:45am (Non-competitive; athletes ages 17-40)
12:00-1:00pm (Competitive; athletes ages 17-40)

Location: St. Christopher's School - Lower Gymnasiums
(699 Pepper Avenue, Richmond, VA 23226)

Volunteer Ages: 13+

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Winter Day Enrichment Programs

These 8-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: January 12th - March 6th (8 weeks)

Locations: Program Locations can be found HERE!

Volunteer Ages: 12+


Winter Schedule

Monday
1:30-2:30pm  |  Culinary Arts: Fun in the Kitchen ​
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Tuesday
10:30-11:30am  |  Helping Hands 
1:30-2:30pm  |  Art from the Heart with Art on Wheels 
2:45-3:45pm  |  Improv with Bridge 9 Theater
                                  
Wednesday
10:30-11:30am | Wildcard Wednesdays
3:45-4:45pm  |  Music with Andrew 
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Thursday
1:30-2:30pm  |  Culinary Arts: Advanced Recipes & Practical Skills
3:00-4:00pm  |  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, January 14th - March 4th (8 weeks)

Event Time: 5:00-6:00pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 4:45-6:15pm

Location: Westover Hills United Methodist
(1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)​​

Volunteer Ages: 16+

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January Teen Scene: Bowling

Join us in supporting your teen friends with disabilities for an afternoon of strikes, spares, and good times! You can also pay to play alongside our participants if you'd like! The cost would be $15.

Date: Sunday, January 18th

Event Time: 4:00-5:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 3:30-5:45pm

Location: Bowl America Short Pump
(4400 Pouncey Tract Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060)

Volunteer Ages: 13 through High School

2025-2026 Teen Board of Directors

Inclusivity  |  Advocacy  |  Friendship

Benefits of Membership

  • Learn how a nonprofit operates

  • Build inclusive friendships

  • Gain leadership experience

  • 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

  • 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)

  • Attend and actively participate in 1 social event per month (usually another Sunday from 4-5:30pm)

  • Monthly time commitment: 4-5 hours

  • 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​

  1. Fill out an application through Google Forms between April 1st - April 30th

  2. Applicants will be contacted by Brooke Hsieh (Program Director) to schedule a virtual interview with Program Director and Teen Executive Board Members

  3. 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.

How To Get Started as a Volunteer

Safety  |  Support  |  Socialization

Ages 13-17​

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1) Register for the program/event you are interested in.

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2) Complete the mandatory virtual General Volunteer Training (valid for 2 years).

*Some programs may require additional trainings!

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3) Once you have completed the General Volunteer Training, you will receive confirmation that you are clear to attend. If you don't receive clearance 2 days before the program/event, you are not approved to attend the program.

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4) Review the information in the program welcome email sent the week before the program/event.​

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5) Show up ready to have fun and make a difference!

If you are 18 or older and new to volunteering with Jacob's Chance, you must have a completed background check before volunteering!

Ages 18+​

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1) Register for the program/event you are interested in.

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2) Two items must be completed before volunteering:

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a) Background check (valid for 2 years). Contact us at programs@jacobschance.org to start the process.

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b) Mandatory virtual General Volunteer Training (valid for 2 years). You can find this in the confirmation email of your registration.

*Some programs may require additional trainings!

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3) Once you have completed the background check and General Volunteer Training, you will receive confirmation that you are clear to attend. If you don't receive clearance 2 days before the program/event, you are not approved to attend the program.

 

4) Review the information in the program welcome email sent the week before the program/event.

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5) Show up ready to have fun and make a difference!

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