How to Volunteer
To get started, please follow the link to complete our Volunteer Application Form.
We welcome in-person volunteers who are vaccinated at this time. If you are interested in group volunteering, see the section on volunteer groups below.
If you have any additional questions, please email Emma Foytlin at emmaf@avondalehouse.org.
Next Steps
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Once you've submitted your application, please download, read, and sign the additional forms below. You can submit over email or bring with you when you tour Avondale House or meet with volunteer manager.
- Volunteer manager will be in touch regarding your application
- Tour facility at Avondale House with volunteer coordinator
- Interview with Volunteer manager
- May take place on same day as tour
- Orientation/Training
- Usually on first day of volunteering. Note: volunteering with program participants will require extra training.
Current Opportunities
Adult Day Program opportunities with adult participant interaction (Weekday)
· Arts & Crafts – Lead an arts and crafts workshop in one of our adult day classrooms. Examples include painting, drawing, stenciling, etc.
· Cooking Class – Instruct participants on how to cook and prepare food. Examples include making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, baking cupcakes, cookie decorating, making pizza, etc.
· Fitness Fridays – Lead a fitness activity in our adult day rec room. Examples include dancing, basketball, yoga, etc.
Residential Program opportunities with adult participant interaction (Weeknight/Weekend)
· Community Outing Assistant – Accompany adult residents while they participate in community-based outings. Outings can include going to dinner, visiting a grocery store, bowling, going to church, etc. **Avondale House trained support staff will always be present. **
· Daily Activities – Visit one of our residential homes and assist residents with daily activities. Activities can include cooking, a game night, going on neighborhood walks, karaoke night, etc.
Opportunities with non-participant interaction (Weekday)
· Donation Drives – Avondale House is always in need of household supplies for our residential program. Donations of items and gift cards are always welcomed and appreciated. If interested in coordinating a donation drive, please reach out to emmaf@avondalehouse.org.
· Landscaping & Gardening – The Avondale House O'Meara campus and our four group homes frequently need landscaping and gardening maintenance. Come help us maintain our flower beds, shrubs, trees, and plants.
General Opportunities
- Community-based Outings Assistant – Assist adult program participants with community based outings during the weekday, evening, or weekend.
- Administrative – Assist our departments with shredding, data-input, filing, scanning, sorting, event prep, or classroom prep.
- Photographer – We need an experienced photographer to take high quality photos of our programs. This may include classroom photos, residential photos, adult day program outings, and school events.
- Videographer – We need an experienced videographer who can capture our students and program participants in their day-to-day - in the classroom, on field trips, or in our residences - as well as edit and produce the videos. The videos may be anything from smaller social media vignettes to larger portrait videos.
- Event Volunteers – Support for specific events throughout the year:
- Annual Events - Help us at annual fundraising events such our Embracing Autism Evening (April) and Bingo Bash (September) events by helping with setup, working the event, and breaking down.
- Chevron Houston Marathon race weekend - January 18 and 19, 2025
- The Embracing Autism Evening, Hear our Voices - Friday, April 11, 2025
- Bingo Bash - Thursday, September 25, 2025
- Bike to the Beach - Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Day School Events - also has school events such as field days, carnival, and holiday parties. This is a great way to gain experience with our students and for them to get to know you.
- Halloween Party - October 2024
- Holiday Party - December 2024
- Annual Events - Help us at annual fundraising events such our Embracing Autism Evening (April) and Bingo Bash (September) events by helping with setup, working the event, and breaking down.
- Landscaping – The Avondale House O'Meara campus and our residences frequently need landscaping and gardening maintenance. Come help us maintain our flower beds, shrubs, trees, and plants! This is a great opportunity for school service hours or groups!
- Craft Days – Design and lead a craft in our classrooms. Will require coordinating with our volunteer coordinator, who can suggest appropriate projects.
- Vocational & Hobby Specific –
- Cooking – design and prepare a meal with our students or adult program participants.
- Nursing – shadow our program nurse, who works with both children and adults.
- Fitness instructor/Coach – design and lead a recreation session for our students
- Family opportunities: Adopt a Resident - provide presents to residents that aren't going home for the holidays this year
Volunteer Groups
- Volunteer Days
- Holiday Crafts
- School groups
If your group is interested in volunteering with us, please begin the process by filling out the form below with as much information as possible. Our volunteer coordinator will then be in touch to find out more and to schedule a tour.
Restrictions to Note
- Age restriction: while we do accept volunteers ages 16 and up, we cannot allow anyone under 18 in the classroom with students or adults without an adult accompanying them.
- If you are interested in an internship, please fill out the volunteer form above and indicate in the form the type of internship.
- For a list of needs and supplies, please see our Donate page for our Amazon Wishlists.
Avondale House Staff
Staff and employees of Avondale House, if you need a volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Request Form.
If you have an item to add to an Amazon Wishlist, please email Emma at emmaf@avondalehouse.org.