Support & Fundraising
Careers Contact Us
Español
Refer a Patient

Transform your time into impact: Become a Helping Hands volunteer

Be a part of the next chapter of growth at St. Jude and apply to become a Helping Hands volunteer. Put on the purple apron and join a caring community making a meaningful difference every day.

Apply to be a Helping Hands Volunteer

On this page:  Role  |  Volunteer Expectations  |  Hear From Our Volunteers  |  FAQs

As St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital prepares to open a new clinical space, Helping Hands volunteers are needed to support families in our outpatient play spaces. If you enjoy creating moments of joy and building connections with patients and families, this volunteer opportunity may be a great fit.

 
 
 
Loading
 
 

Role

Families from all over the world come to St. Jude to receive life-changing treatment. Helping Hands volunteers play an important role in creating welcoming, supportive environments for patients and families when they need it the most.

Volunteers help keep play spaces inviting, organize supplies and prepare activities that offer thoughtful support to families and clinical teams. This role also includes providing respite care, such as sitting with patients while their caregivers meet with care teams or playing games with children while parents support siblings during procedures.

Through these meaningful interactions, Helping Hands volunteers help children feel like kids, give caregivers valuable support and make each family's experience a little brighter.

 

Volunteer Expectations

To help create a consistent, supportive experience for patients, families and clinical teams, Helping Hands volunteers are asked to meet the following expectations:

Commitment

  • Volunteers commit to one scheduled shift per week, typically three hours per shift
  • A minimum commitment of eight consecutive months is required from the time volunteering begins
  • Help create a consistent experience for patients and families through reliable attendance

Screening & Health Requirements

All required health screenings and vaccinations may be completed at St. Jude at no cost to applicants.

  • Successfully complete a criminal background check
  • Meet required health and vaccination guidelines, including:
    • Annual flu vaccine (September–April)
    • MMR, Varicella (chickenpox), Tdap
    • Tuberculosis (TB) screening and clearance

Before You Apply

Before applying, please keep the following in mind:

  • This role involves light physical activity, including walking, standing, bending and light lifting during a typical three-hour shift.
  • Volunteers should be comfortable being around children receiving treatment for serious illnesses.
  • Consistency, professionalism and dependability are essential to the volunteer experience.
  • Flexibility is important, as volunteer responsibilities may vary based on the needs of patients, families and care teams.
  • Volunteering is a service opportunity and is not intended as a pathway to employment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
  • Before beginning volunteer shifts, participants must complete orientation, medical clearances and training, which may require multiple visits to the St. Jude campus.

Apply to be a Helping Hands volunteer

 
 

Hear From Our Volunteers

 
 

Frequently asked questions

  1. Yes. Free, secure parking is available for all volunteers. Daytime volunteers park in a St. Jude lot and are transported to the hospital entrance by shuttle, making arrival convenient and accessible.

  2. Individual volunteers must be at least 18 years old and not enrolled in high school.

  3. There can be a significant amount of training needed to become a St. Jude hospital volunteer. Because of this, we ask that all volunteers make at least an eight-month commitment, which includes three or more two-hour to four-hour shifts each month.

    • Flu vaccination during flu season (September-April) and annually
    • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
    • Varicella (chicken pox)
    • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
    • Tuberculosis (TB) screening and clearance

  5. Yes. You must live within 50 miles of the hospital in order to volunteer. Our fundraising organization, ALSAC, has opportunities for people outside of the Memphis metropolitan area.

  6. Because of the time commitment required, we encourage you to apply for onsite volunteer opportunities at St. Jude once you have a better idea of your work schedule and availability. However, there are other ways to help while you find a permanent schedule. Discover more ways to get involved.

  7. We look forward to welcoming you into the St. Jude volunteer family. However, all volunteers at St. Jude must have a permanent address within 50 miles of the hospital. Learn how you can get involved with St. Jude in your current community.

  8. No. We do not require a donation or fee to be a St. Jude hospital volunteer. Many of our volunteers are also donors to the hospital’s lifesaving mission, but it is not a requirement.

  9. No. This application is only for the Helping Hands volunteer role supporting outpatient play spaces. Explore other individual volunteer opportunities offered at St. Jude.

  10. You can call us at 901-595-3327 or email volunteers@stjude.org.

 
 

Close
Close