Make a difference by volunteering at the YMCA! Share your time and skills as a mentor, coach, event helper, or committee member, and help strengthen your community.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to give back! We also verify hours for students needing credit for NHS, youth groups, and religious programs.
Mandated Volunteering
Mandated volunteering is available at our branches and events. All volunteers must pass a criminal background check to ensure safety. Applicants may apply for court-ordered community service, but some may be ineligible due to criteria such as crimes involving children, assault, or drugs. Decisions are made without regard to gender, race, religion, or other discriminatory factors.
Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering
Youth volunteers must have completed sixth grade to qualify for volunteering at the Y.
There are three different kinds of volunteers:
Event Volunteers: Volunteer at special events held throughout the year at our branches. Volunteers many be needed in concessions, parking, crafts, road guards and more.
Program Volunteers: Assist with programs and specific department within the Y including sports and leagues and Welcome Center.
Board and Committee Members: Must be nominated. Contact your local branch for details.
Volunteer applicants over the age of eighteen must complete Pennsylvania mandated clearances, an online child abuse prevention course, and online registration
Volunteers under 18 must complete our registration process and online child abuse prevention course.
The Y does not offer free memberships to volunteers. However, there are many benefits volunteers receive that may include free event t-shirts and food.
Yes, you can! Some students start as early as they can to get a head start on a large number of assigned hours. We’ve had students complete as many as 150 hours. We also have students that just need 10 hours for a certain class. In any event, the process is still the same. Please allow time for your application to be processed. Plan ahead for the hours you need!
There are certain volunteer assignments that provide training. If the YMCA deems that training is required for a specific assignment, the training will be provided to you.
Professional appearance is essential to a favorable impression for members and staff. Some basic essentials of appropriate dress include the wearing of socks and shoes. Clothing should be neat and clean. Volunteers should avoid wearing tight or short pants, tank tops, halter-tops or any extreme in dress, accessory, fragrances or hair. Clothing with inappropriate slogans are prohibited. You must wear a volunteer shirt assigned to you by the branch volunteer coordinator. Some events assignments may require you to wear additional safety items such as parking vests. Volunteers are encouraged to dress up for fun, themed events.