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
Wave Riders Surf Camp | 7/19 & 8/9
Soccer | 7/19 - 8/23
Annual Summer Dance | 8/2
Bowling | 8/5 - 8/26
Pickleball | 8/7 - 8/21
All Abilities Sports Day | 8/24
Fall Day Enrichment | 9/8 - 11/14
3G (Guys, Gals, and Games) | 9/10 - 11/12
Upcoming Volunteer
Opportunities
Baseball | 9/6 - 10/11
Tennis | 9/7 - 10/12
Flag Football | 10/18 - 11/22
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+
Annual Summer Dance
Join us in supporting friends with disabilities during our annual summer dance! This year's theme is: Through the Decades! Wear attire from your favorite decade and groove to music from the 1950s to today. Decade attire is encouraged but not required. No dinner, just light refreshments. Volunteers will be paired with participants 1:1 to offer support and socialization throughout the event!
Date: Saturday, August 2nd
Event Time: 3-5pm
Volunteer Commitment Time:
Buddy: 2:30-5:15pm
Buddy + Set-up Crew: 1:30-5:15pm
Location: Southside Community Center
(6255 Old Warwick Rd, Richmond, VA 23224)
Volunteer Ages: 12+
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+
Pickleball Clinics
Join us for a fun and inclusive Pickleball Clinic in partnership with the ASCV and help our friends with disabilities have THE BEST time playing pickleball! Your role is to help the games run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
Dates: Thursdays - 8/7, 8/14 & 8/21
Event Time: 5:30-6:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 5:15-6:30pm
Location: First Baptist Church
(2709 Monument Ave, Richmond, VA 23220)
Volunteer Ages: 12+
2nd Annual All Abilities Sports Day
Join Friendship Circle of Virginia, Jacob's Chance, and Sportable for an inclusive sporting event designed for individuals of all abilities! Enjoy snacks, crafts, and a sensory area provided by Friendship Circle.
Teen volunteers are needed to be paired with kids and teens with disabilities 1:1
Adult volunteers 18-40 are needed to be paired with young adults and adults with disabilities 1:1
Don't miss this opportunity for fun and community engagement!
Date: Sunday, August 24th
Event Time: 3-5pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 2:30-5pm
Location: James M. Holland Recreation Complex at Beulah
(6901 Hopkins Rd, North Chesterfield, VA 23234)​​
Volunteer Ages: 12+
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+
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
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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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