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
Mile Makers (Run/walk club) | 3/9 - 4/13
Spring Day Enrichment | 3/16 - 5/8
3G (Guys, Gals, and Games) | 3/18 - 5/6
May Teen Scene | 5/3
​Pickleball Season with ASCV | 4/16 - 5/21
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Upcoming Volunteer
Opportunities
Coming Soon!
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!
Sports Camp
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Date: June 15th-18th (Mon-Thurs)
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Times:
Ages 8-19 | 9:30a-12p
Volunteer Commitment Time: 8:30am-12:25pm
Ages 20-40 | 1:30p-4p
Volunteer Commitment Time: 1:00pm-4:25pm
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Locations:
Tuckahoe Middle School (Mon-Wed)
(9000 Three Chopt Rd, Richmond, VA 23229)
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Richmond Volleyball Club Byrdhill (Thurs)
(2921 Byrdhill Rd, Richmond, VA 23228)​
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Culinary Arts Camp
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Date: June 29th-July 2nd (Mon-Thurs)
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Times:
Ages 10-19 | 9:30a-12p
Volunteer Commitment Time: 8:30am-12:25pm
Ages 20-40 | 1:30p-4p
Volunteer Commitment Time: 1:00pm-4:25pm
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Location: Hope Church Lodge
(12445 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23238)
Arts Camp
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Date: July 13th-16th (Mon-Thurs)
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Times:
Ages 10-19 | 9:30a-12p
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)
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Time:
Ages 10-40 | 10:00a-12:00p
Volunteer Commitment Time: 9:30am-12:20pm
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Location: Various
Mile Makers
with Sports Backers
Join us in supporting friends with disabilities during 6 weeks of mile makers - our NEW run/walk club in partnership with Sports Backers! Each week, led by a coach from Sports Backers, brings a new park and new adventures—all leading up to a 1-mile celebration event on April 13th where we will cheer each other across the finish line! We will visit locations such as Deep Run Park, Three Lakes Park, Rockwood Park, and more! We will have a back-up indoor studio location in case of inclement weather.
Your role is to help the program run smoothly, make sure athletes feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
Dates: Mondays, March 9th - April 13th (6 weeks)
Event Time: 5:30-6:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 5:15-6:30pm
Locations:
3/9: Deep Run Park
3/16: Huguenot Park
3/23: Bryan Park
3/30: Rockwood Park
4/6: Three Lakes Park
4/13: Byrd park - VITA Trail
*Locations are subject to change*
*Backup locations due to inclement weather will be in an indoor studio*
Volunteer Ages: 18+
Spring 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 is a field trip based enrichment program and each week will require you to meet at various locations around Richmond and the surrounding counties*
Dates: March 16th - May 8th (8 weeks)
Locations: Program Locations can be found HERE!
Volunteer Ages: 12+
Spring 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 | Friendship Foundations: Let's Get Social!
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, March 18th - May 6th (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+
April Teen Scene:
Pass the Hat Baseball Benefit
April's Teen Scene will being a part of Pass the Hat - Jacob's Chance's annual baseball benefit game!
Pass the Hat began 15 years ago as a single game between Benedictine and St. Christopher’s School varsity baseball teams, raising funds and awareness for Jacob’s Chance and its mission of inclusion. This year, it has grown into a two-game community event featuring four local high school teams, bringing even more people together in support of inclusive opportunities for all.
Volunteers will assist with a variety of tasks, including passing "hats" through the crowd collecting monetary donations, advocating at our awareness table, and providing socialization for Jacob's Chance participants who attend the game.
Date: Saturday, April 25th
Event Time:
Game 1: Benedictine vs. Godwin HS | 4pm
Game 2: St. Christopher's vs. Glen Allen HS | 7pm
Volunteer Commitment Time:
Shift 1: 3-6pm
Shift 2: 6-9pm
Location: The Glen Allen Stadium at RF&P Park
(3400 Mountain Road Glen Allen, VA 23060)
Volunteer Ages: 13 through High School
May Teen Scene:
Field Day
Volunteer to support our friends with disabilities at our monthly social event! This May, join us in celebrating our last Teen Scene event of the school year! Enjoy spending time with friends with an afternoon of games and field day fun in the sun!
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, May 3rd
Participant Time: 4:00-5:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 3:45-5:30pm (plan on staying for a few minutes after the event for a quick buddy huddle)
Location: Crump Park - back part of the park before RF&P Field
(3400 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060)
Volunteer Ages: 13 through High School
April Adult Hangout:
Mini Golf
Come support our adult friends as they enjoy a fun evening of mini golf!
Your role will be to provide companionship and socialization to our friends during the event, and make sure everyone's needs are attended to.
Date: Thursday, April 16th
Event Time: 5:00-7:00pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 4:45-7:15pm
Location: Patterson Golf Park
(12586 Patterson Ave B, Richmond, VA 23238)
Volunteer Ages: High School Graduates and up
Soccer Season
Registration open through March 31st, or until at capacity
Join us in supporting friends with disabilities on the fields for 6 weeks of soccer! Your role is to help the games run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
Optional: Feel free to stay to cheer on our competitive league during their game time 12:00-1:00pm!
Dates: Saturdays, April 4th - May 16th (6 weeks)
Athlete Times:
9:30-10:30am (ages 5-16)
10:45-11:45am (ages 17-40)
Volunteer Commitment Time: 9:00-11:45am
Location: Twin Hickory Park - Multipurpose field
(5011 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059)
​​Volunteer Ages: 13+
Pickleball Season with ASCV
Registration open through April 9th, or until at capacity
Join us in supporting our friends with disabilities on the court for 6 weeks of pickleball in partnership with the ASCV! Your role is to help the games run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
Dates: Thursdays, April 16th - May 21st (6 weeks)
Athlete Times:
5:00-5:55pm (ages 13-19)
6:05-7:00pm (ages 20-40)
Volunteer Commitment Time: 4:30-7:00pm
Location: First Baptist Church
(2709 Monument Ave, Richmond, VA 23220)
​​Volunteer Ages: 13+
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
Application for 2026-2027 School Year NOW OPEN!
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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 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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