Summer Youth Volunteer Opportunities

BERKS COUNTY FAIR: Fair Helpers

Volunteers 16 years and up are needed to assist with the set-up the week before the fair and during the event, July 8 – 11. Duties during the fair include assisting at the gates, parking, maintaining appearance of grounds, drink stand and more. For more information about the fair itself please see our website at www.theberkscountyfair.com.

Contact Amber Fessler info@theberkscountyfair.com

READING SCIENCE CENTER: Mural Wall Painting

We have recently been able to expand our exhibit space allowing for more room for the exhibits as well as an exciting new lunch space! But with this new space comes blank walls. Our plan is to paint a large blank wall with a zebra stripe pattern! Someone has already traced the design. We would be asking for a team to use the pattern on the wall as a guide for the paint! Join us on June 24th, from 5 – 7 pm for a fun evening of painting!

Contact Megan-Alyse Bereit meg.bereit@rdgsci.org or 724-672-1607

SAFE BERKS: Walk for No More Volunteers

The WALK FOR NO MORE is Safe Berks annual fundraising and outreach event held at the kickoff of Art on the Avenue on Saturday, June 20st at the Sly Fox Complex in Wyomissing. Volunteers are needed to assist with set up, tear down, and participate in the walk and various activities during the day.

Contact Eniyah Cooper at EniyahC@SafeBerks.org or 610-373-1206 x115

SUPERHEROES FOR AUTISM: July 4th Cheese Steak Fundraiser

Volunteers are need for our July 4th Cheese Steak Fundraiser event at Eagles Peak Campground (397 Eagles Peak Rd, Robesonia, PA 19551). Volunteers will be needed for set up, activities during the event and cleaning up. The hours will vary between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. We will be set up at the pavilion, selling cheesesteaks in the concession stand, in addition to a Chinese raffle, face painting, popcorn machine, cotton candy machine, snow cone, etc. Age requirement is 16 and older or with an adult 18 years or older.

Contact Dee Dee Perez at Superheroes4autism@gmail.com or 610-413-4038

YOUTH VOLUNTEER CORPS OF READING

Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) is more than just a service program – it’s a journey of growth, learning, and making a difference in our community. Designed for youth ages 11-18, YVC provides meaningful service opportunities that not only develop critical job skills but also shape brighter futures. Learn more and sign up here! www.voiceupberks.org/search

– Lighthouse Women and Children’s Center – June 25th 6:30PM-8:00PM

– Free Pantry Bag Fills – June 26th 10:00AM-12:00PM

– No Sew Blankets for Ronald McDonald House – June 29th 5:00PM-7:00PM

– Mary’s Shelter – July 2nd 9:00AM-11:00AM

– Cook & Serve at Opportunity House – July 7th 5:30PM-7:00PM

– Crafts at Country Meadows – July 9th 2:30PM-4:00PM

– Bonding Hearts – July 16th 2:00PM-3:30PM

– Animal Rescue League – July 22nd 9:00AM-12:00PM

– Lines Project Blanket Making – July 30th 5:30PM-7:30PM

– Become Certified in Teen Mental Health First Aid – August 12th 5:00PM-7:00PM

Contact Lindsay at lindsay@voiceupberks.org

HELPING HARVEST FRESH FOOD BANK: Hunger Fighters Needed

Helping Harvest is always looking for new volunteers to join our mission to end hunger. Please log on to our website www.helpingharvest.org to find a list of the volunteer opportunities we offer and to complete a volunteer application. We have volunteer opportunities on a variety of days and times, both out in the community at Mobile Markets, in our Warehouse, and our new Community Kitchen! Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age. Anyone under 16 must volunteer as a team, or accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Ready to serve your community?

Contact Kelsey Pfisterer at kpfisterer@helpingharvest.org or 610-926-5802 X220. Join us and make a difference! 

HOPE RESCUE MISSION AND LIGHTHOUSE: Kitchen Helper

We provide 3 meals a day, 7 days a week and would love your help serving 200 + men, women and children. You may donate a meal, the ingredients, or help our staff prepare food in our kitchen. Volunteers may also help with serving in the food line, busing tables, cleaning or organizing.Volunteers must be 18 or older, unless accompanied by a guardian.

Visit  www.hopeforreading.org/volunteer-opportunities or contact Sheri Golembiewski at volunteer@hopeforreading.org

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE: Food Pantry Volunteers

Volunteers ages 15+ are needed at monthly food pantries run by Jewish Family Service. Must be able to work outside (in any weather) and lift up to 25 lbs. Spanish speakers appreciated but not required. Two pantries are held each month with dates and locations listed below. You may sign up for one or more pantry.

~ Olivet Boys and Girls Club Food Pantry: June 3, July 1, August 5 – 8:30-10:30 am 330 S 19th St. Reading 19606
~ SDA Church Food Pantry: June 9, July 14, Aug 11 – 8:30-10:30 am 2706 Old Pricetown Rd. Temple, 19560

Contact Carole Robinson at caroler@jfreading.org or 610-921-0624 

OPPORTUNITY HOUSE: Prepare and Drop Off a Meal

We serve three meals per day 7 days a week. The need is great, and we can certainly use the help to provide the meals to the clients of Opportunity House. Donating a meal makes a positive and immediate impact for our clients and Berks County.

You can sign up for a meal at www.opphouse.org/volunteer or contact Kris Batista at kbatista@opphouse.org or 484-890-2159 (text/call)

PROVIDING HOPE: Making a Difference

Volunteers 14+ and up may assist at our giveaway every Friday from 3:30 – 5:30 PM at Maple & South Streets in Reading, where we serve grocery items, toiletries, prepared meals, etc. to those less fortunate.

Contact Sandra at Tomahawkjones10@aol.com or 717-572-8105

SAFE BERKS: Calling All Cooks

We are looking for families, organizations, community groups or local churches to either cook OR sponsor dinner from a local restaurant to feed approximately 45 clients in our Safe House. Whether your group can provide dinner monthly or just one time, your help is appreciated.

Contact Erica Caceres at ericac@safeberks.org or 610-373-1206 x 116

OLIVET BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB: Future Ready: Paid Summer Camp Work-Based Learning Experience

This is a summer, work-based learning experience for youth ages 15-18 years old who are seeking to learn, grow, and develop their workplace skills in an environment that is safe, comfortable, and fun. This program is 12-weeks long (May 26th-August 14th) and has a maximum capacity of 12 positions, meaning your full commitment and participation is required.

The first two weeks of the program are mandatory training & professional development opportunities that will give you the crash course to working – even if this is your first ever job, no experience is required to participate! Then, you will officially become a “Jr. Youth Development Professional” (YDP), you will be paired up with a mentor (at one of our six club locations), and you will receive one (1) unpaid week off, of your choosing, during the summer. After the on-site program concludes, our goal is to get you connected to an employment opportunity tailored to your specific career goals! We want to get you Future Ready! Join us this summer.

Contact Brandy Del Gallego at brandy.delgallego@olivetbgc.org or call 484-258-1297

FAMILY PROMISE: Birthday Box Program

At Family Promise we provide shelter and intensive case management services for families with children who have experienced homelessness. We have four homes for families to reside temporarily. We also have three apartments for young adults to live in during their program period. Their shelter time may coincide with a birthday. We would love to have pre-made Birthday Boxes to give them so they can easily celebrate. Ideas for a “box” would include cake mix, candles, decorations, birthday card, balloons, etc. Youth volunteers could come to Family Promise, learn about our program and then engage friends and family to donate items, then assemble these special boxes so that we have them readily available for our guests.

Contact Jill Glose at jglose@familypromiseofberks.org or 610-373-3323, x105

HANNAH’S HOPE: Organizers Needed

We are always looking for volunteers to organize cleaning supplies, donations, toys and craft supplies. If this is you, we would be so grateful for any time you are willing to give us here at Hannah’s Hope! Daily chores are completed, but a regular “deep cleaning” would be a huge help to us.

Contact Mary Marks at mary.marks@hhopeministries.com or 570-687-6123 

LIGHTHOUSE Women & Children’s Center: Children’s Activity Room

We are looking for individuals that are interested in assisting staff with childcare in our children’s activity room and playground on weekdays from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. Volunteers must be 18 years or older, unless accompanied by a parent.

Contact Sheri Golembiewski at volunteer@hopeforreading.org.

ROCK HOLLOW WOOD ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER: Outdoor Youth Summer Camp Volunteer

Spend your summer in the great outdoors at Rock Hollow Woods Environmental Learning Center! Volunteer June 8 – July 31 at this unique 67-acre nonprofit learning center whose mission is to provide children with outdoor opportunities to discover and learn about the natural world and empower them to protect their environment. Volunteers will be assisting teachers and children grades K-7 in their authentic, hands-on experiences in nature. Some of the camps include Outdoor Survival Adventure, Art Exploration through Nature, Wildlife CSI, Archery Adventures, Fairies in the Forest and numerous others. Modeling appropriate behavior is important and a love for nature and children is a plus. Days and times are flexible.

Contact Michelle Zeitz at info@rockhollowwoods.com or call 610-582-0415

HANNAH’S HOPE: Organizers Needed

We are always looking for volunteers to organize cleaning supplies, donations, toys and craft supplies. If this is you, we would be so grateful for any time you are willing to give us here at Hannah’s Hope! Daily chores are completed, but a regular “deep cleaning” would be a huge help to us.

Contact Mary Marks at mary.marks@hhopeministries.com or 570-687-6123

HOPE RESCUE MISSION AND LIGHTHOUSE WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S CENTER: Facilities

Do you like to get your hands dirty? Would you like to be a part of making our 4-story building a place of refuge for our guests?  We often have projects like cleaning, landscaping, weeding our vegetable garden, working in our hydroponic greenhouse, painting, or other maintenance projects. Volunteers must be 18 or older, unless accompanied by a guardian.

Visit  www.hopeforreading.org/volunteer-opportunities or contact Sheri Golembiewski at volunteer@hopeforreading.org.

LGBT CENTER OF GREATER READING: Weekly Teen Group

We provide a safe space for LGBT+ teens to connect with their peers, learn life skills, and connect with their local community! Meetings held every Wednesday beginning June 3rd at 5pm, in partnership with Planned Parenthood’s Spectrum teen program.

Contact Laura Biancone at lbiancone@lgbtcenterofreading.com

BERKS ENCORE

– Techno Tutor – When it comes to the world of digital, there’s so much you already know, and so much the older generation could use help with! Everything from creating a Facebook page to keep in touch with friends, to using a smartphone or iPad for finding recipes. If you’re age 14 or beyond, and you are comfortable in the technology world – YOU can be a great friend and resource to our older adults.

– 1-on-1 Companionship – Come visit our center seniors for a morning or afternoon of fun interaction such as playing chess, building puzzles, reading books, writing letters, playing Bingo or trivia.

– Activity Assistants – Assist the center manager with group activities such as arts and crafts, karaoke, or holiday/weekly events.

– Entertainment & Talent – Brighten the lives of older adults at our centers by sharing your talents through singing, playing musical instruments, sharing your art talents or performing theatrical arts.

– Center Maintenance – We take pride in keeping our centers clean, welcoming, and safe for our seniors to enjoy. We’re looking for volunteers to assist at our Fleetwood Center on a weekly basis with light cleaning to help maintain a healthy and comfortable environment for all participants.

Contact Michelle Goodhart at Mgoodhart@berksencore.org or 610-374-3195 X225