Child Life volunteers help with recreational activities and play opportunities in group and one-on-one situations by providing a comfortable, accepting and non-threatening environment under the direction of a Child Life Specialist.
Child Life volunteers also assist the specialists with keeping toys clean, shelves stocked and organized, preparing for activities and events and much more.
Shifts are available in inpatient and outpatient settings. Inpatient encounters tend to involve more one-on-one interactions and outpatient encounters predominantly involve interactions with groups.
Requirements
Three to four hours per shift each week at a regularly scheduled time between 9 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Must enjoy children and be sensitive to their needs, be physically able to pick up a child if needed.
Teen Room Requirements
In addition to the above requirements, must be age 26 or older and be willing to adjust to the needs and interests of teenagers.
Other volunteer opportunities
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Bakery Volunteer Opportunities
Bakery volunteers assist lunch customers by answering questions about bakery items and lending a helping hand to the bakers when needed.
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Beverage Cart Volunteer Opportunities
Beverage Cart volunteers deliver beverages to all inpatient areas and the medicine rooms in the evening, after the cafeteria closes at St. Jude.
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Blood Donor Center Volunteer Opportunities
Blood Donor Center Volunteers are responsible for helping staff and donors of the center by unloading kits, organizing and distributing videos, giving out beverages to donors, and assisting with special projects as needed.
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Doggy Daze Volunteer Opportunities
(Dogs and volunteer must be pre-approved by Child Life staff before applying to volunteer) Doggy Daze volunteers help relieve stress by providing a break between treatments for patients to get a unique experience with a man’s best friend.
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Eucharistic Lay Minister Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are needed to assist the Department of Chaplain Services in providing sacramental needs to Catholic patients and families at St. Jude. (Please note: To serve as an ELM volunteer, one must provide a copy of the Extraordinary Minster of the Eucharist license signed by the Bishop and must complete the Ministry of the Sick training program from the Catholic Diocese.)
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Garden Volunteer Opportunities
Garden volunteers assist in the planning, construction, planting, mulching, weeding, watering and harvesting of vegetables used in the Kay Kafe.
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Happy Cart Volunteer Opportunities
Happy Cart volunteers provide crafts, activities and distractions to the patients of St. Jude via a cart.
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Helping Hands Volunteer Opportunities
Helping Hands go wherever they are needed in the hospital and offer the valuable service of sitting with children whose parents need a break. (Please note: Must be 26 or older to serve in this role.)
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Imagine Room Volunteer Opportunities
The Imagine Room features a large interactive video screen that covers one wall and curves into the ceiling. In addition to playing games with the inpatients, a team of volunteers will lead arts and crafts, play movies, and assist patients in reaching friends and family through a webcam.
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Individual Opportunities
Volunteers at St. Jude provide support to patients and their families year-round. Learn what opportunities are available and how you volunteer at the hospital.
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Kay Kafe Companions Volunteer Opportunities
Kay Kafe Companions assist families by helping them through the Kay Kafe, acting as a host/greeter.
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Ready Runner Volunteer Opportunities
Ready Runner volunteers assist staff and families by being a family assistant, general lobby helper, and wagon/wheelchair rounder.
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Rehabilitation Services Volunteer Opportunities
Rehabilitation Services volunteers serve a vital role by assisting staff during treatment sessions, such as playing with siblings while patients receive therapy.
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Simulation Center Volunteer Actor
The Simulation Center is a simulated clinical environment designed for training all healthcare providers.