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
Summer Camps
Spring Day Enrichment Programs
3G - Guys, Gals, and Games
April Teen Scene
May Teen Scene
May Adult Hangout
Volleyball
Pickleball
Annual Tee Off
2025-2026 Teen Board of Directors
Upcoming Volunteer
Opportunities
Soccer
Baseball
Tennis
Flag Football
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)
Spring Day Enrichment Programs
Day enrichment programs provide opportunities for young adults with disabilities out of high school to continue learning and growing through offering enrichment experiences within a variety of topics and subjects. Help us create a supportive space for young adults to explore new interests by providing socialization and assistance where needed!
Dates: 8-week programs begin the week of March 17th and run through the week of May 9th
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Schedule:​​
Monday
3:00pm-4:00pm | Culinary Arts: Fun in the Kitchen
4:30pm-5:30pm | Culinary Arts: Advanced Recipes & Practical Skills ​
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Tuesday
10:00am-11:15am | Helping Hands
1:30pm-2:30pm | Improv with Bridge 9 Theater
2:45pm-3:45pm | Art from the Heart with Art on Wheels
Wednesday
3:45pm-4:45pm | Music with Andrew
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Thursday
1:30pm-2:30pm | Book Buddies with Kasie & Sydney
2:45pm-3:45pm | Art from the Heart with Art on Wheels
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Friday
11:00am-12:00pm | Mindful Moments
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Locations:​
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Culinary Arts with The Breaking Bread Company
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Edible Education (13566 Waterford Pl, Midlothian, VA 23112)
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Helping Hands
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Field trip based program. Meeting locations will vary around the metro-Richmond area. Schedules and locations will be sent the week prior to the start of the program.
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Improv with Bridge 9 Theater
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Village Green RVA (1501 S Providence Rd, Richmond, VA 23236)​
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Art from the Heart with Art on Wheels
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Tuesday & Thursday Classes: Village Green RVA (1501 S Providence Rd, Richmond, VA 23236)​
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Music with Andrew
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Belmont Rec Center (​1600 Hilliard Rd, Richmond, VA 23228)
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Book Buddies with Kasie and Sydney
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Village Green RVA (1501 S Providence Rd, Richmond, VA 23236)​
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Mindful Moments
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Tuckahoe Family YMCA (9211 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23229
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3G - Guys, Gals, & 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 19th - May 7th (8 weeks)
Time: 5-6pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 4:45-6pm
Location: Belmont Rec Center
(1600 Hilliard Rd, Richmond, VA 23228)
Participant Ages: 13-40
Volunteer Ages: 12+
April 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. ​
April Teen Scene - Springtime in the Park!!
Registration open through April 24th, or until at capacity
Volunteer to support our friends with disabilities at our monthly social event! This April, join us in celebrating springtime with an afternoon at the park! Enjoy spring-themed crafts, games, and a kickball game with friends.
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, April 27th
Participant Time: 4-5:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 3:30-5:45pm
Location: Laurel Park
(10301 Hungary Spring Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060)
Volunteer Ages: 12 through high school​​
May 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. ​
May Teen Scene - Field Day at Crump Park!!
Registration open through May 15th, or until at capacity
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 18th
Participant Time: 3:30-5pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 3:00-5:15pm
Location: Crump Park (back part of the park before RF&P Field) 3400 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060
Volunteer Ages: 12 through high school​​
Adult Hangout
The Adult Hangout is a young 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.
May Adult Hangout - Full Pocket Farm!
Registration open through May 26th, or until at capacity
Help our friends with disabilities have the BEST time while visting Full Pocket Farm! We'll be exploring gardens, hanging out with chickens and goats, and jumping into some hands-on activities!
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: Thursday, May 29th
Event Time: 2-3:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 1:45-3:30pm
Location: Full Pocket Farm
(15094 Hawks Climb Ln, Montpelier, VA 23192)
Volunteer Ages: High school graduates through age 40
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!
Date: Tuesdays - 5/6, 5/13, & 5/20
Event Time: 5:30-6:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 5:15-6:30pm
Location: The Springs Recreation Center
(302 Lee Avenue, Henrico, VA 23075)
Participant Ages: 16-40
Volunteer Ages: 12+
3rd Annual Tee Off
Join Jacob's Chance and First Tee for an event featuring a variety of adaptive golf themed games, activities, and a picnic dinner! Participants with disabilities and their families will be introduced to a variety of golf themed stations and activities, including a game of golf baseball!
Volunteers will be paired 1:1 to assist participants throughout the event as needed, providing opportunities for socializing and making sure they have the BEST time!
Expect fun, laughs, and a great night out with new friends!
Thank you so much to our partners at First Tee for hosting this event!
Date: Friday, April 25th
Event Time: 5-7pm
Volunteer Time: 4:15-7pm
Location: Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range
(400 School St, Richmond, VA 23222)
Participant Ages: 5-40
Volunteer Ages: 12+
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 OPEN April 1st - April 30th
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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