Volunteer work is a great way to explore potential interests, be socially involved, give back to the community and contribute to a cause you care about. At the same time, students can build skills necessary for the future and display their continued interest in a field. Houston provides ample volunteer opportunities for all high school students.

FLORA AND FAUNA

• Houston SPCA
  • Established almost 100 years ago, HSPCA is an animal shelter providing medical care, rehoming, foster care and various other services. In 2022 alone, HSPCA got 8,977 animals adopted. Volunteers can help care for animals, serve at community outreach events and plan fundraising events for the shelter.  
  • Minimum volunteer age: 16
  • https://houstonspca.org/get-involved/volunteer/#:~:text=All%20potential%20volunteers%20must%20be,for%20at%20least%206%20months
• Houston Pets Alive 
  • Houston Pets Alive is a no-kill animal rescue that consistently seeks humane treatment. Volunteers will help enrich cats and dogs through playtime and walks and clean up the facility. For students interested in veterinary medicine, volunteers have the opportunity to observe surgeries and help care for the animals. Volunteers can also work remotely by designing flyers, creating spreadsheets and “managing small events.”
  • Minimum volunteer age: 18 alone, 14 with adult
  • https://www.houstonpetsalive.org/volunteer/ 

• Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition
  • The TWRC provides emergency care to wildlife, helping with animal “rehabilitation, release, and education.” Volunteers can help maintain facilities at two different locations, feed animals and provide care and enrichment for the wildlife.
  • Minimum volunteer age: 18
  • Note: Tetanus shot required
  • https://www.twrcwildlifecenter.org/volunteer/become-volunteer/ 
• Friends of Texas Wildlife
  • FTWL helps rehabilitate and rehome wildlife, providing practical care and community education. Volunteers will help manage animal intake and educate Houstonians about Texas wildlife and FTWL’s mission. 
  • Minimum volunteer age: 16
  • https://ftwl.org/ 
• Memorial Park Conservancy
  • This conservancy is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of Memorial Park. Volunteers are essential for the maintenance of the park. One of their programs, Greenhouse Growers, is involved with maintaining the greenhouse and nursery. For youth volunteers (10-17) looking for service hours or a project, volunteering individually or within groups is available.
  • Minimum volunteer age with adult: 10-15 
  • https://www.memorialparkconservancy.org/support/volunteering/
• Hana and Arthur Ginzbarg Nature Discovery Center
  • Teen volunteers play a crucial role in animal care and engage with visitor experience throughout the year or during the summer.
  • Minimum volunteer age: 13
  • https://naturediscoverycenter.org/volunteer/ 
• Galveston Bay Foundation
  • The Galveston Bay Foundation works to preserve Galveston Bay for future generations. When volunteering with them, you gain experience in environmental conservation, valuable field training, team-building and a chance to earn service hours.
  • Minimum volunteer age w/o adult: 18
  • https://galvbay.org/volunteer/ 
• Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
  • The Arboretum staff strives towards their mission of conservation and nature education. Volunteer opportunities involve outdoor and indoor activities while providing individual interest, growth and education.
  • Minimum volunteer age: 16
  • https://houstonarboretum.org/volunteer-opportunities/

ARTS AND LITERACY

• Books Between Kids
  • This nonprofit organization gives gently used books to children, helping increase literacy and creativity. Volunteers are welcome to donate time, money or books. Volunteering on campus, groups can sort and stock books before they are distributed to local communities.  
  • Minimum volunteer age: 8
  • https://www.booksbetweenkids.org/ 
• Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation
  • The Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation “advocates for literacy as a fundamental right.” The foundation works diligently to expand libraries and provide literacy resources to underserved communities. Volunteers mentor at local elementary schools (San Francisco Nativity Academy), organize community reading events and help fundraise for book installations.  
  • No listed minimum volunteer age
  • https://www.bushhoustonliteracy.org/ladiesforliteracy
• Museum of Fine Arts Houston
  • Students interested in the arts can “contribute to [Houston’s] cultural vibrancy.” Volunteers have various opportunities to lead tours, work in the gift shop, greet visitors and lead art projects with children. Additionally, MFAH volunteers get various benefits, including discounts, trips and opportunities to join volunteer boards. 
  • Minimum volunteer age: 13
  • https://www.mfah.org/about/volunteers/ 
• The River at TUTS
  • The River at TUTS provides accessible arts education to individuals with disabilities and their siblings; volunteering includes helping students with music, art, drama and dance classes. Dates range from the Fall and Spring semesters (on Saturdays) to summer camps.
  • Minimum volunteer age w/o adult: 15
  • https://www.tuts.com/support/volunteer 
• Children’s Museum Houston
  • The Children’s Museum offers programs ranging from ages 7-17. The youth leadership program assists with exhibits and programs, and a minimum of 75 volunteer hours to the museum are required, which can be completed during the summer or school year. Adults are asked to complete 30 service hours at the museum annually.
  • Minimum volunteer age: 7
  • https://www.cmhouston.org/community/get-involved 

STEM

• Texas Children’s Hospital
  • Texas Children’s Hospital strives for an enriched and educated space for patients. Volunteers at the Texas Children’s Hospital have many ways to get involved. Volunteers can assist with holding babies, organizing books, tutoring patients, playing music for visitors, shooting media for online platforms and playing video games with patients.  
  • Minimum volunteer age: 15
  • https://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/child-life-department/volunteering-child-life-department 

• MD Anderson Cancer Care Teen Leadership Program
  • MD Anderson’s Cancer Care Teen Leadership Program is a competitive summer program that provides unique access to the healthcare experience. Volunteers in this program will “provide customer service and support to patients and their families in a hospital setting, gain exposure to a variety of healthcare careers, learn effective communication, and improve leadership skills.”
  • Minimum volunteer age: 15-17
  • https://www.mdanderson.org/donors-volunteers/volunteer/teen-volunteer-leadership-program.html 
• The Periwinkle Foundation 
  • The Periwinkle Foundation runs camps and art experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses at the Texas Children’s Hospital. Volunteers can work on-campus and off-campus to lead day camps, showcase student artwork, facilitate fundraising events and more. 
  • Minimum volunteer age: 18
  • https://periwinklefoundation.org/support/volunteer/

PROVIDING RESOURCES

• Houston Children’s Charity
  • The Houston Children’s Charity is dedicated to providing resources and opportunities for “underprivileged, abused and disabled children.” Volunteers help distribute toys, clothes and bedding.
  • Minimum volunteer age: 15
  • https://houstonchildrenscharity.org/volunteer/
• The Forge for Families
  • The Forge for Families is a Christian organization that serves Houstonians living in the Third Ward. They strive to “[seek] the welfare of both individuals and the city itself.” Volunteers at the Forge can lead youth groups, coach sports teams and help after-school tutor programs. Volunteers are encouraged to volunteer individually or in a group. 
  • No listed minimum volunteer age
  • https://www.forgeforfamilies.org/volunteer 
• Star of Hope
  • Star of Hope is a Christian non-profit that helps homeless people through “spiritual growth, education, employment, life management and recovery from substance abuse.” Volunteers help organize donations, construct new facilities and lead community worship. 
  • Minimum volunteer age: 18
  • https://www.sohmission.org/volunteer/becoming-a-volunteer/ 
• Houston Food Bank
  • The Houston Food Bank helps distribute food to over 18 Texas counties suffering from food insecurity. Food Bank volunteers have many options–onsite and offsite, numerous locations, group or individual–to give back to the Houston community. Volunteers can sort food, package delivery boxes and distribute food supplies. 
  • Minimum volunteer age: 16 alone, 6 with adult
  • https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/ways-to-give/give-time/
• Target Hunger
  • Target Hunger fights to combat food insecurity throughout Houston. In 2021, they helped serve almost 17,000 Houstonians. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Target Hunger provided resources to over 100,000 people. Volunteers organize warehouses, maintain community gardens, run food pantries and educate local communities. 
  • Minimum volunteer age: 15
  • https://www.targethunger.org/volunteer 
• Habitat for Humanity
  • Houston Habitat is involved with making decent, affordable shelters for families in Houston. “Whether homebuilding alongside future homeowners, helping with community projects, or assisting staff and customers at a ReStore, your generous investment of time empowers families to achieve strength, stability and self-reliance so they can stand on their own and build bright futures.”
  • Minimum volunteer age: 5 for youth program, 16 to work on building site
  • https://www.houstonhabitat.org/volunteer/every-hand/ 
• Emergency Aid Coalition
  • Emergency Aid Coalition is an interfaith organization that provides food, clothing and other basic needs. They provide a wide range of activities, like helping with the food pantry, working at the clothing center or ‘Boots to Work.’
  • Minimum volunteer age with adult: 16
  • https://eachouston.org/volunteers/ 
• Family Point Resources
  • Volunteers at FPR have the opportunity to coach sports teams, tutor students, organize books and more. Teens can also help to plan FPR and community-wide events. 
  • No listed minimum volunteer age
  • http://www.familypointresources.com/volunteer-index-impact
• The Beacon
  • The Beacon works to change the lives of the homeless in Houston. They accept donations and volunteer work through daily services for the homeless, such as serving meals or doing laundry.
  • Minimum age: 16 alone, 13-15 without adult
  • https://www.beaconhomeless.org/volunteer-with-us 
• Aishel House
  • The Aishel House supports patients and families at the Texas Medical Center, including accommodations, transportation, meals, child care and personal counseling, regardless of religion. Volunteering contributes to creating a comfortable environment for patients. Specific examples include food delivery, child care and being a host/hostess. Group opportunities include meal preparations, gardening and assembling caregiver bags.
  • Minimum age: 13 for the junior volunteer program, 12 without adult
  • https://www.aishelhouse.org/volunteers/volunteer-opportunities/