Service Learning Opportunities and Resources for Chief Sealth Students

Service Learning Requirements

• All students must have 60 hours of service learning hours to graduate.
  • 15 hours per year for transfer students
• Submit the Service Learning Form and Reflection to the Counseling Department

Library and Literacy Volunteer Opportunities

Friends of The Seattle Public Library
The Friends have many ways to get involved, including becoming a member, volunteering at our book sorting facility, donating books, and working in the FriendShop at the Central Library. The FriendShop application is for volunteering at the FriendShop gift shop at the Central Library in downtown Seattle. We love volunteers with great customer service skills. Apply to volunteer at Friends of the Seattle Public Library.

Seattle Public Library
Library volunteers help kids and teens with homework, tutor adult English learners, assist librarians. Must be 18 years old and up. Apply to volunteer at Seattle Public Library.

Seattle Public Library – Teen Programs
Our Teen Services librarians offer Service Learning and Learning Buddies tutoring opportunities for high school students to make a positive impact in their communities….Learning Buddies is an education enrichment program for K-5 students for teen tutors to read and play academic games with kids. If you are a high school student who enjoys math, reading and helping kids succeed in school, please consider joining us as a Learning Buddy. Must be at least 14 years of age.

King County Library System
Volunteers can take pride in helping KCLS provide outstanding library services to over one million residents, plus visitors. KCLS is one of the three highest circulating library systems in the country. While working in the KCLS environment, volunteers may learn more about KCLS services, improve their ability to use KCLS resources, learn to represent KCLS to their friends and neighbors, and enjoy a closer interaction with KCLS patrons and materials. Must be at least 14 years of age. Apply to volunteer at King County Library System.

Literacy Source
Volunteers play a huge role in the strength of our organization, helping us to provide every student the instruction and support they need as they work toward literacy, improving language skills, citizenship, better jobs, and better lives. Age requirement varies. Apply to volunteer at Literacy Source.

Reading Partners
Our volunteers become so much more than just reading partners. By sharing their knowledge and experience, they become mentors, friends, and positive role models to the children they work with. Working one-on-one with a student is a fun, effective way to change a life—maybe even your own. Must be at least 14 years of age. Apply to volunteer at Reading Partners.

Team Read
Hundreds of teens from Seattle’s public and private middle and high schools apply and are accepted each year to be reading coaches. Receive hourly pay (minimum wage) ore saving money for college or earning service learning hours. Apply to volunteer at Team Read.

Food or Meal Distribution Volunteer Opportunities

Food Lifeline :   Support Food Lifeline’s efforts to provide food to our communities by helping us distribute emergency food boxes through various locations or by packing food in our warehouse. Many dates and locations are available. Must be 14 years or older. Apply to volunteer at Food Lifeline.   

Teen Feed :   Are you a passionate and talented person who wants to make a difference with your time? Are you willing to be inclusive, compassionate and reliable? Our volunteers are staff. You are the life-blood here at Teen Feed. Individual(s)…are welcome for nightly meals, days of caring and customized internships….The first step to becoming a volunteer at Teen Feed is attending our Teen Feed Volunteer Orientation. Age requirement varies. Apply to volunteer at Teen Feed. 

West Seattle Food Bank :   The West Seattle Food Bank distributes food, pet food and other items to families in need residing in the West Seattle zip codes of 98106, 98116, 98126 and 98136. Families can use the food bank once a week. Age requirement varies. Apply to volunteer at West Seattle Food Bank.  

White Center Food Bank : Without the support of hundreds of volunteer hours here at the food bank, we would not be able to provide so many services to our customers. There are many ways to offer your expertise here at the food bank. Please consider giving some of your time to support the community. Apply to volunteer at White Center Food Bank. 

Senior Center Volunteer Opportunities

South Park Senior Center:   South Park Senior Center, we’re seeking volunteers to assist with our dinner program each Mon/Wed/Fri for 60+ local Seniors each evening. We provide culturally relevant meals and activities for the diverse community we serve. We need your help in the kitchen and dining room for the service of meals for two hours each evening. Shifts are flexible. Apply to volunteer at South Park Senior Center.

Senior Center of West Seattle:   We depend on our volunteers daily and appreciate them dearly. They are the heart and backbone of the Senior Center, and when we’re fully open, it takes over 200 volunteers to run all of our programs, events, and activities. Whether you can commit to ongoing weekly shifts or prefer something more flexible, we will have many opportunities to choose from. Apply to volunteer at Senior Center of West Seattle.

Brookdale Senior Living Center:   Everyone has a different reason for why they volunteer….No matter what your reasons are for volunteering, giving your time and energy to a senior living community is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Our residents have more wisdom and stories to share than you could ever imagine. From airplane engineers and artists to war veterans, you never know who you might meet, or what you might discover, at your local Brookdale community. Call 206-438-3056 (West Seattle location) or apply to volunteer at Brookdale Senior Living Center.

Art, Music, and Theater Volunteer Opportunities

ArtCorps :   Arts Corps is a nationally recognized youth arts education organization that works to address the race and income-based opportunity gap in access to arts education. Through participation in our arts integration, out-of-school arts and teen leadership programs, youth experience the transformative power of creativity and gain a deepened belief in their own capacity to learn, take risks, persist and achieve. Arts Corps relies on our volunteers for their talent, expertise, availability and commitment. Apply to volunteer at ArtCorps.

Seattle Art Museum : SAM involves hundreds of volunteers in dynamic and engaging opportunities at all three museum sites. Our volunteers provide great customer service, support administrative tasks, facilitate art experiences, and more. Prospective volunteers should be passionate about art and enjoy interacting with the public. We have Open Volunteer positions for people able to make at least a six-month commitment to a weekly or every-other-week schedule. We also occasionally offer One Day Volunteer opportunities for people who are not able to make a longer commitment.

The Vera Project:   Choose your own adventure. Volunteer at Vera to choose your own creative adventure and help us build the community that you want to be a part of today! Get involved by running shows, helping out in the silkscreen and recording studios, organizing grassroots social movements, curating gallery exhibitions, launching new programs– anything you want, really. Apply to volunteer at The Vera Project.

Seattle Children’s Theatre:  Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT) is one of the most prominent theatres for young audiences in the United States and the world.  The mission of SCT is to provide children of all ages access to professional theatre, with a focus on new works, and theatre education. Email Seattle Children’s Theatre at volunteering@sct.org

Seattle Repertory Theatre : Each season, Seattle Rep has a multitude of volunteer opportunities ranging from administrative support (assisting with mailings and general office assistance), special event support, and volunteering ushering. Email Seattle Repertory Theatre at volunteers@seattlerep.org

KEXP Radio:  KEXP enriches people’s lives by championing music and discovery.  We offer a range of opportunities for high school students. We have internships, ongoing volunteer positions and a music library page program.  Email KEXP Radio at internships@kexp.org

Seattle International Film Festival: SIFF is Seattle’s leading yar-round film organization that brings the best international and independent film to the Seattle area with the Seattle International Film Festival. Most volunteer opportunities occur during the 25 days of spring festival.  Email volunteers@siff.net

Wing Luke Museum: Wing Luke Museum seeks volunteers to staff events and help behind-the-scenes at the nation’s only Pan-Asian Pacific American Museum. Apply to volunteer at Wing Luke Museum or by sending an email to volunteer@wingluke.org

MoPop: MoPop Offers a variety of volunteer opportunities to high school students. Volunteers help support our interactives, provide information to guests about the museum and the surrounding areas, support our dynamic public events including concerts, film screenings and more.  High School students are also encouraged to apply to be a part of our Youth Advisory Board (YAB) YAB members directly influence teen programming at MoPop and collaborate with local musicians, artist, and community groups.  Email Volunteers@MoPOP.org or apply online at MoPop.

Outdoor and Conservation Volunteer Opportunities

Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association – Volunteer in the Forest :   Volunteering with DNDA’s Nature Programs can be a fun, rewarding experience allowing you to get outside, improve the health of a local natural area, and give back to your community. We believe that volunteers should come ready to engage in new experiences to help build and sustain a dynamic Delridge. Apply to DNDA’s Volunteer in the Forest.

Seattle Parks and Recreation:   Seattle Parks and Recreation has a wide range of teen service-learning and community service opportunities in your neighborhoods. Apply to volunteer at Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Student Conservation Association :   Are you a high school student who is passionate about conservation? Do you like working as part of a team to get things done? Do you just love being outdoors? Join an SCA Crew and plug yourself into SCA’s nationwide network of young conservationists – thousands of students who are as passionate as you are about preserving wildlands, protecting nature in urban areas, and keeping the planet green. SCA offers a range of programs for youth ages 15-19. Whether you want to serve in your local community or explore public lands across the country, SCA has a crew for you! Apply to volunteer at Student Conservation Association.

Tilth Alliance:   Volunteering is a great way to learn and build skills, meet new people, and get involved in Tilth Alliance’s mission. Tilth Alliance works in community with Washington farmers, gardeners and eaters to build a sustainable, healthy and equitable food future. Apply to volunteer at Tilth Alliance.

Wilderness Awareness School: Wilderness Awareness School helps children and adults cultivate healthy relationships with nature, community and self. Volunteers and Interns help us deliver a fun and educational camp experience to children, and promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature, community and self. Apply to volunteer at Wilderness Awareness School.

Organization-specific Volunteer Opportunities

El Centro de La Raza: Our volunteers are the lifeblood of El Centro de la Raza. Many volunteers have previously participated in our programs, but many have also learned about our organization and simply wanted to help. We have volunteer opportunities available for individuals, groups, and English or Spanish speakers who would like to become part of the community of El Centro de la Raza. Apply to volunteer at El Centro de La Raza.

Just Serve : JustServe.org is a website where the volunteer needs of organizations are posted, and volunteers search for opportunities to enhance the quality of life in the community. Just Serve is a free service that links community volunteer needs with volunteers and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation in posting projects or in encouraging volunteers to serve according to our guidelines. Apply to volunteer at Just Serve.

Salvation Army – White Center : When you make a gift—money, time, or energy—to The Salvation Army Seattle White Center, your gift becomes grounded in the reputation, trust and credibility of The Salvation Army—which is well known for its continuing efforts of providing relief to those in need. Must be at least 16 years old. Apply to volunteer at the White Center Salvation Army.

Volunteer Enhancements Projects: A Volunteer Enhancement Project (formerly Self Help Project) is any project to improve our school buildings or grounds. Volunteer Enhancements projects may be initiated and implemented by any individual or group other than Seattle Public Schools’ Facilities, Capital or Technology departments staff. Apply to volunteer at Volunteer Enhancements Projects.

Serenity Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation: We depend on the contributions of volunteers to achieve our mission. Serenity has no paid staff and runs only through the work of volunteers and their invaluable contributions to the welfare of our horses.

Our dedicated volunteers work 365 days a year, helping with:

• Chores around the barn such as mucking out stalls, picking paddocks, and morning and afternoon feeds
• Staffing events and educating the public
• Administrative work, grant writing, advocacy, and fundraising support

Apply to volunteer at Serenity Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation.

The Service Board :   the Service Board (tSB) mentors teens to conquer personal and cultural challenges through outdoor adventure, environmental and social justice education, and public service. tSB would not exist without support from our community. It is important to us that as we ask our youth to commit to service and building community, that adults are modeling this commitment. Apply to volunteer at the Service Board.

United Way : At United Way of King County, we support our neighbors so that all people have access to housing, quality education and financial stability. We believe in collective action and where we put people first—always. Come join us on this journey as we work to build equitable and just communities where all people thrive. Apply to volunteer at United Way.

West Seattle Fauntleroy YMCA :   Are you interested in coaching? Want to help with youth programs for a volunteer opportunity your whole family can participate in? When we all join, we rise together! Scroll to the bottom of the page and then click “See Volunteer Options”. Apply to volunteer at the West Seattle Fauntleroy YMCA.

West Seattle Clothesline :   At our free clothing store, the Clothesline, customers can shop for new and like-new clothing for all ages: infants, children, teens, and adults. Main focus for volunteers would be sorting the clothes. Apply to volunteer at West Seattle Clothesline.

West Seattle Junction:   The West Seattle Junction is a thriving community located in the heart of West Seattle. We are seeking ongoing opportunities for volunteers to spend worthwhile time making the Junction a thriving and exciting place to live. Opportunities range from festival support to Junction ambassadors, to street team, to Junction clean-up. We also have volunteer opportunities during our many community events including Harvest Festival, Spring Clean Up, Hometown Holidays, and Art Walk. Apply to volunteer at the West Seattle Junction.

West Side Baby in White Center :   At West Side Baby, volunteers are at the heart of our organization. We know one of the greatest gifts you can give is your time. Help us fulfill our commitment to keeping local children safe, warm and dry by volunteering at one of our operations centers. Please consider other ways you can support families in our community who may need gently used clothing, baby equipment, and diapers. Apply to volunteer West Side Baby.

Youth Employment Skateboarding Program : Youth Employment Skateboarding is a one-of-a-kind skateboard-centric volunteer program for teens founded in 2011. Their Mission is to provide young people ages 13-18 the opportunity to earn Service Hours, gain work experience, and make a positive impact in their community through skateboarding. Apply to volunteer at Youth Employment Skateboarding Program.

Young Birders :   Become a part of a thriving volunteer program with over 450 volunteers and a wide-ranging number of opportunities. Volunteers are the heart of Seattle Audubon, and have worked tirelessly for birds and nature since our founding in 1916. Call 206-523-8243 x110 or email wendyw@seattleaudubon.org

Early Childhood Education

Team Read: Hundreds of teens from Seattle’s public and private middle and high schools apply and are accepted each year to be reading coaches.  Receive hourly pay (minimum wage) or saving money for college or earning service learning hours. Volunteer with Team Read or email info@teamread.org

The Children’s Museum: We offer opportunities for individuals to interact with guests, support our staff and help create a wonderful experience for our visiting families.  Our volunteer coordination team will work hard to match your skills and talents with our needs and opportunities. Apply to volunteer at The Children’s Museum.

Education

Girls Rock Math: We are providing summer camp counselor opportunities for girls to work in STEAM and obtain service hours by assisting instruction during the camps with elementary and middle school age girls. Apply to volunteer at Girls Rock Math.

Human Service

Southwest Youth & Family Services: We have fun and rewarding volunteering opportunities on both a long-term and short-term basis including: After-school tutoring, Reading buddies, Youth mentoring, Event and marketing assistance, One-time group projects, Workshop facilitation for youth and/or adults (computer skills, cooking and nutrition, arts, exercise, etc.)…and more!

Mary’s Place:  Mary’s Place empowers homeless women, children, and families to reclaim their lives by providing shelter, nourishment, resources, healing and hope in a safe community. Volunteer opportunities available including prepping meals, sorting donations, and leading activities for kids! Apply to volunteer at Mary’s Place.

ReWA (Refugee Women’s Alliance): Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA) is an award-winning, nationally recognized nonprofit that provides holistic services to help refugee and immigrant women and families thrive. Although most of ReWA’s volunteer positions require the volunteer to be 18 or older, we could use some younger volunteers to help with critical administrative support and set up/support at fundraising events. Apply to volunteer at ReWA.

LBGTQIA

Gay City:  Seattle’s LGBTQ Center promotes wellness in LGBTQ communities by providing health services, connecting people to resources, fostering arts, and building community. Gay City provides various volunteer opportunities for youth.  Support with your time and talent by joining the volunteer crew. Apply to volunteer at Gay City