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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Click HERE for more information about applying for the 2025-2026 Teen Board of Directors!
Current Volunteer
Opportunities
June Adult Hangout | 6/3
Summer Camps
6/16 - 6/20
6/23 - 6/26
7/7 - 7/10
7/14 - 7/17
Wave Riders Surf Camp | 7/19 & 8/9
Soccer | 7/19 - 8/23
Upcoming Volunteer
Opportunities
Bowling | 8/5 - 8/26
Baseball | 9/6 - 10/11
Tennis | 9/7 - 10/12
Flag Football | 10/18 - 11/22
Summer Fun for Everyone
Summer Camps with Jacob's Chance
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 explore RVA 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 12+ 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!
Explore RVA Camp
Date: June 16th - 20th (Monday-Friday)
Time: 10-12pm (campers of all ages)
Location: Various
(Field trips include River City Inclusive Gym, Art Factory, VA Museum of History & Culture, and more)
Culinary Arts Camp
Date: June 23rd - 26th (Monday-Thursday)
Times:
9:30-12pm (younger campers)
1:30-4pm (adult campers)
Location: Hope Church RVA
(12445 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23238)
Sports Camp
Date: July 7th - 10th (Monday-Thursday)
Times:
9:30-12pm (younger campers)
1:30-4pm (adult campers)
Location: Richmond Volleyball Club Stonebridge
(200 Karl Linn Dr, North Chesterfield, VA 23225)
Arts Camp
Date: July 14th - 17th (Monday-Thursday)
Times:
9:30-12pm (younger campers)
1:30-4pm (adult campers)
Location: Village Green RVA
(1501 S Providence Rd, Richmond, VA 23236)
Adult Hangout
June Adult Hangout - Richmond Metro Zoo
Registration open through June 2nd, or until at capacity
Help our friends with disabilities have the BEST time while visiting Metro Richmond Zoo! We'll be exploring the zoo’s incredible animal exhibits. Don’t forget to bring your own lunch so we can enjoy a picnic together underneath the picnic pavilion!
Your role 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: Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025
Event Time: 11-1:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 10:45am-1:30pm
Location: Metro Richmond Zoo
(8300 Beaver Bridge Rd, Moseley, VA 23120)
Volunteer Ages: High school graduates through age 40
Cost: $20
Wave Riders Surf Camp
Wave Riders Surf Camp with Jacob's Chance offers two opportunities this summer to give youth and young 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!
After surfing is complete we will have our annual pizza and beach party. Please stay and celebrate a great day of surfing!
Dates:
Saturday, July 19th
Saturday, August 9th
Event Time: 11-3pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 10:30-3pm
Location: 57th Street Beachfront - Wyndham Virginia Beach (5700 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451)
Participant Ages: 5-40
Volunteer Ages: 12+​​
Soccer Season
Join us in supporting friends with disabilities on the field for 6 weeks of indoor soccer! Your role is to help the games run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
Dates: Saturdays, July 19th - August 23rd
Event Time: 2-4pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 1:45-4pm
Location: XL Sports World Richmond: Field 2
(2300 Oak Lake Blvd, Midlothian, VA 23112)
Volunteer Ages: 12+
Teen Scene
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. ​
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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