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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

Baseball Season | 9/12 - 10/17

Tennis Season | 9/13 - 10/18​​​​​​​​​​​

Mile Makers | 9/14 - 10/26

Pickleball | 10/23 - 12/4​​​​

Flag Football Season | 10/24 - 12/5

Upcoming Volunteer
Opportunities

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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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) 

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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)

  • 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 


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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+​​

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Baseball Season

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

Dates: Saturdays, September 12th - October 17th (6 weeks)


Times:
9:30-10:30am (ages 5-16)

10:45-11:45am (ages 17-40)


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

Location: Laurel Park Field 1 (10301 Hungary Spring Rd, Richmond, VA 23228)

 

*Rescheduled Pass the Hat Clinic (October 3rd) held at the  Benedictine College Preparatory (12829 River Rd, Richmond, VA 23238)*

Participant Ages: 5-40
Volunteer Ages: 13+​​

Tennis Season

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

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Dates: Sundays, September 13th - October 18th (6 weeks) 


Times:
4:00-4:55pm (ages 10-19)

5:05-6:00pm (ages 20-40)


Volunteer Commitment Time: 3:30-6:00pm

Locations:

September 13th - October 4th (first 4 weeks): Three Chopt Recreation Club (2100 Skipwith Rd, Richmond, VA 23294)

October 11th - October 18th (last 2 weeks): Belmont Recreation Center(1600 Hilliard Rd, Richmond, VA 23228)
 

Participant Ages: 5-40
Volunteer Ages: 13+​​

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Mile Makers
With Sports Backers

Join us in supporting friends with disabilities during 8 weeks of mile makers - our 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 Halloween celebration event on October 30th where we will cheer each other across the finish line! We will visit locations such as Dorey Park, Forest Park, Midlothian Mines, and more! We will have back-up indoor studio location in case of inclement weather.

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Your role is to help the program run smoothly, make sure athletes feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!

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Dates: Mondays, September 14th 0 October 26th (8 weeks) 
**Halloween Fun Run on Monday, October 30th**


Time: 5:30-6:30pm 


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

Locations:
 

  • Poor Farm Park (13400 Liberty School Rd, Ashland, VA 23005)

  • Huguenot Park (10901 Robious Rd, Richmond, VA 23235)

  • Dorey Park (2999 Darbytown Rd, Henrico, VA 23231)

  • Forest Hill Park (4021 Forest Hill Ave, Richmond, VA 23225)

  • Midlothian Mines Park (13301 N Woolridge Rd, Midlothian, VA 23114)

  • Twin Hickory Park (5011 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059)

  • Crump Park (3400 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060)

  • Byrd Park (600 S Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220) - Halloween Fun Run 

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Participant Ages: 13-40
Volunteer Ages: 13+​​

September Teen Scene - Mini Golf

 Volunteer to support our friends with disabilities at our monthly social event! This September, come support our young adult friends as they enjoy a fun afternoon of mini golf!

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, September 27th


Times: 4:00-5:30pm


Volunteer Commitment Time: 3:45-5:30pm

Locations: Patterson Golf Park (12586 Patterson Ave B, Richmond, VA 23238)
 

Participant Ages: 13 through High School
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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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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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  

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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