Volunteer opportunities are great for community service credits, job applications, resumes, and to overall just feel like a better person. There are so many options for volunteering all around Washington State. Down below are a few volunteer opportunities in our state.

1. Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Redmond, WA:  Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center helps people with disabilities through horseback riding and hippotherapy (therapy involving horses for physical and mental health). This opportunity has different types of volunteering available for you to choose from. Program volunteers are more involved with assisting the riders and the patients. This volunteer work would include supporting the riders while on the horse, putting horses away after class has ended, and leading the horse. They should commit to 1 regular 2 hour shift for no shorter than a 6-month period of time. Barn team volunteers are more involved with assisting the horses and tending to them. This type of volunteer work would include duties such as feeding, cleaning stalls, and other barn chores. The time commitment would be at least 1 shift on any day during Monday-Saturday from 11-1:30 PM or 3:30-5:30 PM. The requirements are to be at least 14 years of age and be willing to undergo a background check.

2.  Habitat for Humanity Youth Engagement Program in King County, WA: The Youth Engagement Program is a way for teenagers and families to get involved in their communities. Depending on your age, you can do many different things to help out. Family volunteer opportunities for 14 years old and up include helping out at Habitat stores doing chores such as displaying and pricing items, unpacking donations, organizing, and cleaning up the store. There are 3 different store locations and you can choose to volunteer for a half-day shift or a full-day shift on any day from Tuesday- Saturday. Another family volunteer opportunity for ages 16 and up is to work on Habitat for Humanity’s construction sites. The shift is about 7 hours long on the following days : Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Lunch is not provided, but safety materials, tools, and training are provided. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone aged over 21.

3. Homeward Pet in Woodinville, WA: Homeward Pet Adoption Center is a great volunteer opportunity for people who enjoy helping animals. You can volunteer to be a dog-care, cat-care, receptionist, facility, or foster volunteer. Each different opportunity has different required training and you must fill out a volunteer application to see if you are qualified to volunteer. If you are 16/17 years of age, you need to be signed up by a parent. Volunteers can have no shorter than a 3 month commitment to volunteering and if you volunteer to be a foster home, then the commitment is bumped up to 1 year. If you are choosing this volunteer experience for community service hours, your hours will not be signed off until your required commitment hours are finished.