CONNECT WITH
US ON SOCIALS!
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!
Current Volunteer
Opportunities
Summer Camps | June-July
Wave Riders Surf Camp | 7/11 & 8/22​
Bowling | 8/6 - 8/27
Annual Summer Dance | August 23rd
Upcoming Volunteer
Opportunities
​TBA
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!
Please remember to register for a program before reaching out about your background check!
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!
Summer Fun for Everyone Summer Camps
Summer Fun for Everyone is a multiple-week series of summer camps offered by Jacob's Chance for campers ages 8-40 with developmental, intellectual, and/or physical disabilities. Through one week of outdoor camp, one week of culinary arts camp, another week of sports camp, and a fourth week of arts camp, campers participate in a variety of enriching activities that are focused on positive self-image, socialization, and wellness. Jacob's Chance utilizes the buddy system to ensure each camper is able to participate to their maximum potential.
We welcome volunteers ages 13+ to work individually or in small groups with campers to provide companionship, provide any assistance they may need, and ensure the campers have successful experiences.
Volunteer for both AM and PM sessions, or choose just one! Volunteers who wish to do both sessions can bring a lunch and stay onsite in between camps. Jacob's Chance ALWAYS welcomes and encourages college-aged and adult volunteers to volunteer for PM sessions especially, so our campers can have peer buddies!
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​Arts Camp
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Date: July 13th-16th (Mon-Thurs)
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Times:
Ages 10-19 | 9:30a-12p - FULL
Volunteer Commitment Time: 8:30am-12:25pm
Ages 20-40 | 1:30p-4p
Volunteer Commitment Time: 1:00pm-4:25pm
Location: St. Joseph's Villa (8000 Brook Road Richmond, VA 23227)
Explore RVA Camp
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Date: July 27th-31st (Mon-Fri) - FULL
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Time:
Ages 10-40 | 10:00a-12:00p
Volunteer Commitment Time: 9:30am-12:20pm
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Locations:
Monday, 7/27: Artist Alley
(1316 Gaskins Rd, Richmond, VA 23238)
Tuesday, 7/28: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
(7870 Villa Park Dr #400, Richmond, VA 23228)
Wednesday, 7/29: Science Museum of Virginia
(2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220)
Thursday, 7/30: The Richmond Railroad Museum
(102 Hull St, Richmond, VA 23224)
Friday, 7/31: Frank J. Thornton YMCA Aquatic Center
(3201 Watts Ln, Richmond, VA 23223)
Wave Riders Surf Camp
Wave Riders Surf Camp with Jacob's Chance offers two opportunities this summer to give youth and adults with developmental, intellectual, physical, and/or complex disabilities the chance to surf with qualified instructors. As a volunteer, you'll spend time with our participants in the water and on the beach!
Meet with WRV surf instructor Brenden Petticrew for a meet and greet and explanation of your role and what the day will look like (more details to follow). During the event, participants will take turns surfing and enjoying a beach party with families and volunteers, complete with pizza and beach games.
Camp 1: Saturday, July 11th from 10:00am-12:00pm
Camp 2: Saturday, August 22nd from 10:00am-12:00pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 9:30am-12:15pm
Location: 57th Street Beachfront - Wyndham Virginia Beach (5700 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451)
Participant Ages: 5-40
Volunteer Ages: 13+​​
Bowling
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: Thursdays, August 6th - August 27th (4 weeks)
Time: 4:00-6:00pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 3:30-6:00pm
Location: Bowl America Short Pump
(4400 Pouncey Tract Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060)
Participant Ages: 5-40
Volunteer Ages: 13+​​
Annual Summer Dance
Join us in supporting friends with disabilities during our annual summer dance! This year's theme is: "Under the Sea". The afternoon will feature music, dancing, activities, light refreshments, and ocean-inspired fun!
Volunteers will assisting with running various stations, or be paired with participants 1:1 to offer support and socialization throughout the event.
Dress in your favorite blues, tropical prints, mermaid shimmer, or sea creature-inspired attire (optional) and get ready to make waves on the dance floor!
Date: Sunday, August 23rd
Time: 3:00-5:00pm
Volunteer Commitment Time:
Buddy - 2:30-5:15pm
Buddy + Set-up Crew - 1:30 - 5:15pm
Location: Belmont Recreation Center (1600 Hilliard Rd, Richmond, VA 23228)
Participant Ages: 13-40
Volunteer Ages: 13+​​
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!
Dates: September 14th - November 16th (10 weeks)
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Monday
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1:30pm-2:30pm | Culinary Arts: Fun in the Kitchen​
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​Tuesday
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10:30am-11:30am | Helping Hands
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1:30pm-2:30pm | Art from the Heart
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2:45pm-3:45pm | Improv with Bridge 9 Theater
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Wednesday
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10:30am-11:30am | Wonders of Wildlife
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3:45pm-4:45pm | Music with Andrew
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​Thursday
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1:30pm-2:30pm | Culinary Arts: Independence in the Kitchen
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​Friday
- ​4:00pm-5:15pm | Open Mic Karaoke (Virtual)
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Ages: Geared towards high school graduates through age 40
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​​Locations:​
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Culinary Arts: Fun in the Kitchen
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ECPI University: Culinary Institute of Virginia (11104 W Broad St, Glen Allen, VA 23060)
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Helping Hands
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Field trip based programs. Meeting location s will vary around the metro-Richmond area. Schedule and locations will be sent the week prior to the start of the program
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Improv with Bridge 9 Theater
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Westover Hills United Methodist (1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)
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Art from the Heart
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Westover Hills United Methodist (1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)
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Music with Andrew
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Westover Hills United Methodist (1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)
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Wonders of Wildlife​
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Field trip based programs. Meeting location s will vary around the metro-Richmond area. Schedule and locations will be sent the week prior to the start of the program
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Culinary Arts: Independence in the Kitchen
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ECPI University: Culinary Institute of Virginia (11104 W Broad St, Glen Allen, VA 23060)
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Open Mic Karaoke
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Virtual
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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: Wednesday's, September 16th - November 18th (10-weeks)
Time: 5:00-6:00pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 4:45-6:15pm
Location: Westover Hills United Methodist (1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)
Participant Ages: 13-40
Volunteer Ages: 16+​​
Adult Hangout
This program is on summer break and will return in the fall.
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.
Make sure to check back here in July for fall opportunities
Teen Scene
This program is on summer break and will return in the fall.
The Teen Scene provides inclusive monthly social events for teens ages 13 through high school. The gatherings are planned by a group of peers that belong to the Teen Board of Directors. Monthly gatherings are held at various locations around the metro Richmond area. Participation costs are minimal and financial assistance is always available.
Make sure to check back here in July for fall opportunities
2026-2027 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
Reach out to us if you are interested in becoming a inclusive club member
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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 Sadie Hodges (Athletic Director) to schedule a virtual interview with Athletic 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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