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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!

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Current Volunteer
Opportunities

Fall Day Enrichment  |  9/14 - 11/16

3G (Guys, Gals, and Games)  |  9/16 - 11/18

Pickleball | 10/23 - 12/4​​​​

Flag Football Season | 10/24 - 12/5

November Adult Hangout | 11/30

Merry Mall | 12/12

Winter Enrichment | 1/11 - 3/5

Winter 3G (Guys, Gals, and Games | 1/13 - 3/3

Open Gym Basketball | 12/2, 12/9, 12/16

Upcoming Volunteer
Opportunities

 

Basketball Season | January 

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!

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Open Gym Basketball

Join us in supporting friends with disabilities on the court for 3 weeks of Open Gym Basketball! Your role is to help drills and games run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!

 

It’s a great chance to get out on the court and have a blast all before our basketball season starts in January, registration for basketball season coming soon.
 

Dates: 

Wednesday, December 2nd

Wednesday, December 9th 

Wednesday, December 16th 


Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 4:45-6:15pm

Location: Flo and Tony Gusman Community Center at the Faison School (1701 Byrd Ave, Richmond, VA 23230)

Participant Ages: 5-40
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!

 

Dates: January 11th - March 5th (8 weeks)

  • Monday

    • 1:30pm-2:30pm  |  Culinary Arts: Fun in the Kitchen​

  • ​Tuesday

    • 10:30am-11:30am  |  Helping Hands

    • 1:30pm-2:30pm  |  Art from the Heart 

    • 2:45pm-3:45pm  |  Improv with Bridge 9 Theater

  • Wednesday

    • 10:30am-12:00pm  |  STEAM

    • 3:45pm-4:45pm  |  Music with Andrew

  • ​Thursday

    • 1:30pm-2:30pm  |  Culinary Arts: Independence in the Kitchen

    • 3:00pm-4:00pm  |  Culinary Arts: Independence in the Kitchen

  • ​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:​

  • Culinary Arts: Fun in the Kitchen 

    • ECPI University: Culinary Institute of Virginia (11104 W Broad St, Glen Allen, VA 23060)

  • Helping Hands

    • 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 

  • Improv with Bridge 9 Theater

    • Westover Hills United Methodist (1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)

  • Art from the Heart 

    • Westover Hills United Methodist (1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)

  • Music with Andrew

    • Westover Hills United Methodist (1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)

  • STEAM​

    • Westover Hills United Methodist (1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)

  • Culinary Arts: Independence in the Kitchen

    • ECPI University: Culinary Institute of Virginia (11104 W Broad St, Glen Allen, VA 23060)

  • Open Mic Karaoke 

    • Virtual 


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Winter 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, January 13th - March 3rd (8-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+​​

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Merry Mall 2026 

Help our participants knock out all of their holiday shopping in one stop! Volunteers can register as an "elf" buddy to help participants shop and enjoy the event, or help run one of our stations! This is how the event will work:
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Date: Saturday, December 12th

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Times:
2:00-4:00pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 1:00-4:45pm

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Location: J.R. Tucker High School (2910 N Parham Rd, Henrico, VA 23294)

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Ages: Shoppers ages 5-40 are welcome, as well as family members of all ages!

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Cost:

$30 per family with 1 participant (Each participant will shop for 5 gifts!)

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 Help Make the
Holidays Merry!

Want to help spread a little extra holiday cheer? Our Merry Mall Amazon Wishlist is filled with items that help bring this special event to life! Every purchase helps us create a memorable holiday experience for our participants, filled with gifts, joy, and a little Christmas magic.

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Shop our wishlist and help make the season merry and bright!

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November Adult Hangout

Registration open through November 26th, or until at capacity
 
Join us for a fun Friendsgiving dinner with our friends! Enjoy delicious food, share some laughs, and spend time connecting through great conversation!
 
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: Monday, November 30th


Time: 6:00-8:00pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 5:30-8:15pm

Location: Hope Church (12445 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23238)

Participant Ages: Out of high school through age 40
Volunteer Ages: Out of high school and up

 

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Flag Football Season

 Join us in supporting friends with disabilities on the field for 6 weeks of flag football! Your role is to help the games run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction! 


Date: Saturdays, October 24rd - December 5th
**We will skip on Saturday, November 28th for the holiday weekend**


Volunteer Commitment Time: 9:00-11:45am

Athlete times: 
9:30-10:30pm (ages  5-16)
10:45-11:45am (ages 17-40)

Location: Twin Hickory Park - Multipurpose field (5011 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059)

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Volunteer Ages: 13+

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Fall Pickleball Season

 Join us in supporting our friends with disabilities on the court for 6 weeks of pickleball in partnership with ASCV! Your role is to help the games run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!


Date: Fridays, October 23rd - December 4th
**We will skip on Friday, November 27th for the holiday weekend**


Volunteer Commitment Time: 4:30-7:00pm

Athlete times: 
5:00-5:55pm (ages 13-19)
6:05-7:00pm (ages 20-40)

Location: Cool Spring Baptist Church (9283 Atlee Station Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23116)

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Volunteer Ages: 13+

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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)

  • Monday

    • 1:30pm-2:30pm  |  Culinary Arts: Fun in the Kitchen​

  • ​Tuesday

    • 10:30am-11:30am  |  Helping Hands

    • 1:30pm-2:30pm  |  Art from the Heart 

    • 2:45pm-3:45pm  |  Improv with Bridge 9 Theater

  • Wednesday

    • 10:30am-11:30am  |  Wonders of Wildlife

    • 3:45pm-4:45pm  |  Music with Andrew

  • ​Thursday

    • 1:30pm-2:30pm  |  Culinary Arts: Independence in the Kitchen

  • ​Friday

    • ​4:00pm-5:15pm  |  Open Mic Karaoke (Virtual) 

​

Ages:  Geared towards high school graduates through age 40 

​

​​Locations:​

  • Culinary Arts: Fun in the Kitchen 

    • ECPI University: Culinary Institute of Virginia (11104 W Broad St, Glen Allen, VA 23060)

  • Helping Hands

    • 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 

  • Improv with Bridge 9 Theater

    • Westover Hills United Methodist (1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)

  • Art from the Heart 

    • Westover Hills United Methodist (1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)

  • Music with Andrew

    • Westover Hills United Methodist (1705 Westover Hills Blvd, Richmond, VA 23225)

  • Wonders of Wildlife​

    • 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 

  • Culinary Arts: Independence in the Kitchen

    • ECPI University: Culinary Institute of Virginia (11104 W Broad St, Glen Allen, VA 23060)

  • Open Mic Karaoke 

    • Virtual 


​

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+​​

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2026-2027 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

Reach out to us if you are interested in becoming a inclusive club member 

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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 Sadie Hodges (Athletic Director) to schedule a virtual interview with Athletic 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.

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