Volunteer Opportunities Throughout the Lowcountry
Blissful Dreams
Blissful Dreams, located in Huger, SC, is an organization that provides an accepting environment that helps to develop friendships, build self-worth and establish purpose in each individual though therapeutic riding. This mission is accomplished through the loving support of volunteers. Volunteers would be required to travel to the farm and help individuals with special needs ride the horses, engage them in conversation, and facilitate friendships amongst all participants and volunteers.
Contact Jamie Kohler
Phone (843) 442-0621
Website
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Become a big brother or big sister of Charleston. You can either volunteer in the community-based program where you are matched with a mentee (1 on 1 3-4 times a month) or in the school based program (1 hour a week). We ask that you commit to a minimum of 1 year when volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters.Volunteers must pass a background check for both the community and school based program. Volunteers in the community-based program must also provide a clean driving record, proof of car insurance, and a valid divers license.
Contact Christina Hoffecker
Phone (843) 266-5256
Website
Bridges of Charleston
Bridges of Charleston offers bereavement care to families in Charleston. Volunteers are needed for two particular programs: Shannon’s Hope, an overnight camp help twice a year, and Rainbows, an 8-week afterschool program addressing child bereavement. Through participation in fun, yet intense, activities, Shannon’s Hope campers are encouraged to speak openly about issues of death and grief. Together they create friendships and support that allow them to identify and express their emotions in a safe, secure environment. Rainbows includes interactive sessions in an 8 week series with games, other activities, and discussion, affirms that feelings of loss and grief are normal and decreases feelings of isolation, focuses on building confidence and self-esteem, improving communication with families and peers, and prevention of destructive behaviors such as gang involvement and substance abuse.
Contact Nicole Cooper
Phone
Email 843-810-5626
Website
Charleston County GAL Program
Volunteers work with children in foster care to help them find safe, permanent, nurturing homes as quickly as possible. As a volunteer you would work as a court appointed advocate for an abused or neglected child. We work one-on-one with children to learn as much as we can about them, and help them find safety and security by providing advocacy and support. Must be willing to commit 4-6 hours per month to your child. To begin volunteering, the volunteer must be 21 or older, complete 30 hours of training, and pass a background check. (Training hours will not count as the 100 volunteer hours required for admittance to the child life program.)
Contact Holly Hansen (Charleston County Coordinator)
Phone (843) 577-6975
Website
Charleston Area Children's Garden Project
The Charleston Area Children's Garden Project works to provide kids with a community-based outdoor learning experience. Most of our gardens are planted in neighborhoods where problems such as crime, poor health, or financial hardship are part of everyday life for many youngsters.
Contact Holly Seigler
Phone (843) 478-3748
Website
Camp Happy Days
Camp Happy Days is a pediatric oncology camp, serving children with cancer and their families. Volunteers can help by becoming a camp counselor for 1 week in the summer. This year, camp runs from June 27-July 4th. Volunteers can also participate in hospital visits through the Check-Up Program as well as Dream Date events, which are special days held throughout the year. All volunteers must complete training and pass a background check.
Contact: Teresa Bishop
Phone (843) 571-4336
Website
Camp Rise Above
Camp Rise Above is a unique non-profit organization that provides fun, life changing camp experiences to children with serious illnesses, life challenges, and disabilities. We
want these children to experience the “magic” of childhood regardless of their medical status. We will focus our work with as many as 20 different camp partner organizations to create customized programs to teach our campers to recognize their innate strengths and talents, overcome obstacles, and build their strength of character and confidence. It will be a time for the kids to escape the medicine, doctors and other hard-to-face daily realities of fighting their diseases.
ContactErin Ulmer
Phone (843)300-9100
Website
Carolina Studios
Carolina Studios is an after school music program, where we teach kids how to use Apple computers to create music. Volunteers would aid students throughout the creative process.
Contact No Specific Contact Person
Phone(843) 795-9751
Website
Communities in Schools
Communities In Schools works within the schools to help at-risk youth stay in school and be successful. You have the opportunity to be a mentor and tutor to children in the Lowcountry. Opportunities are available to work with elementary middle and high school students in multiple downtown Title I schools. Please commit at least 1 hour a week to this organization.
Contact Paige Hatley
Phone (843) 740-6793
Website
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The South Carolina Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation organizes events to raise money for "CF" research. We host many events throughout the year as well as raise awareness in the community. On May 2, 2015, the CF foundation will organize a “Great Strides” walk at the James Island Country Park. Volunteers are needed for this annual event to plan and conduct child friendly games and activities.
ContactEmilyWeichel
Phone(843) 722-6460
Website
Charleston Miracle League
Charleston Miracle League provides children with special needs the opportunity to participate in “America’s Pastime”… Baseball! When you volunteer with the Charleston Miracle League, you help make joyous memories that will last a lifetime - for both our players and for you. As a buddy you are paired up with one of our players and assist that player hit the ball, run the bases, and field as necessary. Many of our player/buddies form lasting friendships!
Contact: Call office or register online
Phone (843)763-2513
Website
Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center- Child Advocate
The child advocate position is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers who enjoy working with children. These volunteers spend time with the children in our waiting area by playing games, making crafts, and reading stories. Child advocates receive training at a special volunteer orientation session held by the DNLCC staff that provides information on child abuse as well as confidentiality issues. Child advocate volunteers need to attend a volunteer orientation session. A background check is also required.
Contact Pandie Nelson
Phone (843) 723-3600
Website
HALOS- Kinship Care Program
Once a month, caregivers of abused and neglected children participate in a support group with other caregivers who welcomed children into their homes. Volunteers will help provide childcare to abused and neglected children during the support group meetings. Two support groups meet monthly, one downtown on Morris Street and the other in North Charleston. HALOS volunteers must be 18 years of age and up. Additionally, all volunteers must pass a background check for a fee of $10.
Contact Tara Durham
Phone (843) 953-9539
Website
MUSC Children’s Hospital
Volunteers in the atrium work one on one with children in the atrium or at bedside providing companionship and play opportunities for our patients, ages 0 to 18. Placements are available 10am-12pm, 2-4pm Monday through Sunday and 5-7:30pm Monday through Friday. For weekly placements, student volunteers must commit to a two-hour weekly shift for a minimum of six months (total fifty hours), all other volunteers must commit to a two-hour weekly shift for one year (total one hundred hours).
Contact Please look at the website to find and complete the volunteer application
Phone (843)792-3120
Website
Pattinson’s D.R.E.A.M Academy
Pattison’s D.R.E.A.M. Academy aims to improve the quality of life for children with multiple disabilities by providing comprehensive education and rehabilitation programs.
We are a TEAM of educated, well trained, problem-solving, passionate children, parents, teachers, therapists, administrators, early interventionists, service coordinators, board members, doctors, nurses, businesses, and community members dedicated to achieving this mission. The school needs after school childcare assistants as well as classroom assistants. Any volunteer opportunity involving contact with the children will require a SLED background check and Darkness to Light training. These things are provided at no charge.
Contact Nikki Dickens
Phone 843-849-6707
Website
Ronald McDonald House Charities
There are a number of ways you can be involved as a volunteer and we hope that you will consider joining us in our effort to make the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston a "Home Away From Home" for families of seriously ill children. Consider the amount of time you wish to give. Whether you wish to work weekly, monthly or yearly, we have various ways in which you can donate your time. Please contact the organization for specific volunteer opportunities.
Contact KimLamasters
Phone (843) 723-7957
Website
WINGS for Kids
WINGS mission is to teach these skills – how to behave well, make good decisions and build healthy relationships - to elementary school age kids. They do this by weaving a comprehensive social and emotional learning curriculum into a fresh and fun after school program.WINGS is happy and honored to utilize a variety of volunteers from high school students to retirees. Our volunteers help out with a number of things including assisting with Academic Center, working one-on-one with a child, or serving dinner at the programs that offer it.
Contact Caroline Savage
Phone (843) 603-1222
Website