Best Volunteer Opportunities For Kids In Miami
Help kids steer clear of negative influences by surrounding them with altruism at some of the best area organizations. These groups welcome children, not just teens and adults, and encourage them to learn to give back by doing everything from walking pets to learning the ins and outs of running a museum.
Miami-Dade Animal Services
7401 N.W. 74th St.
Miami, FL 33166
(305) 884-1102
www.miamidade.gov
Price: $33.25 per person for a background check
Hours: Mon to Fri – 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Minimum Age to Volunteer: 15 and older with a parent
This one is for the pet lovers of Miami with a variety of volunteer opportunities from cat socializers to pet detectives who help reunite families with lost pets. The requirements are simple. Would-be volunteers must attend an orientation, pay $33.25 for a background check, speak English and adhere to the dress code of khakis and the provided volunteer T-shirt. Families may help with mobile adoption efforts, foster dogs themselves or volunteer their time helping out adoption personnel.
Camillus House
726 NE 1st Ave.
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 374-1065 ext. 438
www.camillus.org
Hours: Mon to Fri – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Minimum Age to Volunteer: 14 to distribute food; younger children may help prepare food
Parent supervision required for all children
Camillus House serves the homeless community, and its volunteers help prepare and distribute food. Volunteers 14-years old and older may come with a parent to help distribute food. Children younger than 14 may participate in the new Guardian Angels Program with parental supervision by making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and creating homemade greeting cards for Camillus House clients. It's great a way for the whole family to give back and do something good for their less-fortunate neighbors.
Miami Children's Hospital
3100 SW 62nd Ave.
Miami, FL 33155
(305) 662-8225
www.mch.com
Price: cost of uniform
Hours: Mon to Thurs – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fri – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Minimum Age to Volunteer: 14
If your child has an interest in the medical profession or just wants to find a way to help out less fortunate children, then this is the perfect opportunity for him or her. Volunteers ages 14 to 15 provide office support for the staff at the Miami Children's Hospital, and volunteers 16 years old and older provide office support with limited interaction with the patients. Potential volunteers must first apply, buy a uniform and attend an orientation. Opportunities are offered in August, December and May.
Dolphin Foundation
3101 Indian Creek Dr.
Miami Beach, FL 33141
www.volunteermatch.org
Hours: Mon to Fri – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Save the dolphins and the manatees by clearing debris in Miami Beach canals. There is no minimum age requirement, so kids of all ages may participate with parental supervision. The only requirement for this year-round opportunity is that you commit to at least three hours of service. High school students are eligible for a college credit for participating.
Miami Children's Museum
980 Macarthur Causeway
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 373-5437
www.miamichildrensmuseum.org
Hours: Mon to Sun – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Minimum Age to Volunteer: 12
Kids 12 years old and older have the choice to be in the forefront at the Miami Children's Museum, reading to kids and providing office assistance. This program gets a high volume of applicants, so it only accepts volunteers at certain times throughout the year. All applicants must be willing to devote six weeks to volunteering.
Related: Inspired Teen Helps Others One Bracelet at a Time
Niema Hulin was born in Newark, NJ but raised in Lexington, South Carolina for the bulk of her formative years. In 2002, she moved to Miami after graduating from the University of Florida. Since then, Niema has worked in film, television and commercials as a Production Assistant and Production Coordinator. Some of her films have included Bad Boys II and I Am Number IV. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
