Volunteers Make it all Possible!
Jacob's Chance believes in the power of volunteerism, and that involving volunteers in our programs promotes disability acceptance and a more inclusive community. Young people can begin to volunteer independently at age 12, and new volunteers will be mentored by more experienced volunteers. Volunteers younger than 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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If you're over the age of 18 and new to volunteering with Jacob's Chance, you must have a background check before volunteering. Contact us at programs@jacobschance.org to get started with your background check.
Current Volunteer
Opportunities
Merry Mall
Winter Day Enrichment Programs
3G - Guys, Gals, and Games
Fall Pickleball Season
Fall Flag Football Season
Open Gym Basketball
December Teen Scene​
November Adult Hangout
Winter Basketball Season
Merry Mall
Help our participants knock out all of their holiday shopping in one stop! Volunteers can register as an "elf" buddy to help participants shop and enjoy the event, or volunteer to run one of our stations!
This is how the event will work:
1) Volunteers dressed as elves will escort shoppers through Santa's workshop and help them select a gift for each of the loved ones on their list! Other volunteers will be at various stations assisting the event! Station assignments will be sent as we get closer to the event!
2) The gifts they choose will be collected and delivered to the gift wrapping station.
3) While the gifts are being wrapped, elf buddies will guide participants through the event with a visit to the Reindeer cafe for pizza and other tasty treats, help them complete a Christmas craft, and sing along as you both listen to festive music! We might even get a visit from a few special guests!
Date: Saturday, December 7th
Event Time: 3-5pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 2-5pm
Location: J.R. Tucker High School (2910 N Parham Rd, Henrico, VA 23294)
Participant Ages: 5-40
Volunteer Ages: 12+
Winter Day Enrichment Programs
Day enrichment programs provide opportunities for young adults with disabilities out of high school to continue learning and growing through offering enrichment experiences within a variety of topics and subjects. Help us create a supportive space for young adults to explore new interests by providing socialization and assistance where needed!
Dates: 8-week programs begin the week of January 13th and run through the week of March 3rd
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Schedule:​​
Monday
3:00pm-4:00pm | Culinary Arts: Fun in the Kitchen
4:30pm-5:30pm | Culinary Arts: Advanced Recipes & Practical Skills ​
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Tuesday
10:00am-11:15am | Helping Hands
1:30pm-2:30pm | Improv with Bridge 9 Theater
2:45pm-4:00pm | Art from the Heart with Art on Wheels
Wednesday
3:45pm-4:45pm | Music with Andrew
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Thursday
1:30pm-2:30pm | Book Buddies with Kasie
2:45pm-4:00pm | Art from the Heart with Art on Wheels
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Friday
10:00am-11:00am | STEAM with Carol
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Locations:​
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Culinary Arts with The Breaking Bread Company
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Edible Education (13566 Waterford Pl, Midlothian, VA 23112)
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Helping Hands
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Field trip based program. Meeting locations will vary around the metro-Richmond area. Schedules and locations will be sent the week prior to the start of the program.
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Improv with Bridge 9 Theater
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Village Green RVA (1501 S Providence Rd, Richmond, VA 23236)​
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Art from the Heart with Art on Wheels
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Tuesday & Thursday Classes: Village Green RVA (1501 S Providence Rd, Richmond, VA 23236)​
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Music with Andrew
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Belmont Rec Center (​1600 Hilliard Rd, Richmond, VA 23228)
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Book Buddies with Kasie
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Village Green RVA (1501 S Providence Rd, Richmond, VA 23236)​
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STEAM with Carol​
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Tuckahoe Family YMCA (9211 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23229
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3G - Guys, Gals, & Games
3G is a weekly social group focused on providing opportunities for socializing, relationship building, and disability acceptance. We come together each week to play card games, board games, build Legos, draw, color, or just hang out!
Volunteers will assist participants throughout the program as needed, providing opportunities for socializing, playing games, and making sure they have the BEST time! Be sure to bring your game face!
Dates: Wednesdays, January 15th - March 5th (8 weeks)
Time: 5-6pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 4:45-6pm
Location: Belmont Rec Center
(1600 Hilliard Rd, Richmond, VA 23228)
Participant Ages: 13-40
Volunteer Ages: 12+
Fall Pickleball Season w/ ASCV
Join us in volunteering for our 5-week fall pickleball season and support players with disabilities! Your role is to help the games run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
Dates: Tuesdays, 11/12 - 12/17 (5-weeks)
*Excluding Tuesday, 11/26 due to Thanksgiving*
Athlete Time Slots:
5:00-6:00pm (ages 12-19)
6:00-7:00pm (ages 20-40)
Volunteer Time Slots:
4:45-7:00pm (BOTH SESSIONS)
4:45-6:00pm (ages 12-19)
5:45-7:00pm (ages 20-40)
Location: Cool Springs Baptist Church
(9283 Atlee Station Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23116)
Fall Flag Football Season
Join us for our Fall Flag Football Season. We will be offering a session for younger athletes (ages 5-19) and older athletes (20-40).
Your role is to help the games & drills run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
Dates: Saturday, October 26th - December 7th (6-weeks)
*Excluding 11/30 due to Thanksgiving*
Athlete Time Slots:
9:30-10:30 am (ages 5-19)
10:45-11:45 am (ages 20-40)
Volunteer Time Slots:
9:15-11:45 am (entire time) OR
9:15-10:30 am (ages 5-19) OR
10:30-11:45 am (ages 20-40)
Location: Collegiate School Main Campus (103 N Mooreland Rd, Richmond, VA 23229)
*10/26 only will be at Collegiate School Robins Campus (400 Blair Rd, Richmond, VA 23238)*
Open Gym Basketball
Join us for weeknight open gym basketball! Your role is to help the event run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
Hanover Dates: Thursday 12/5 & Friday 12/6
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Cool Springs Recreation Center (9283 Atlee Station Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23116)
Chesterfield Dates: Tuesday 12/10 & Thursday 12/12
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Beulah Recreation Center (6901 Hopkins Rd, North Chesterfield, VA 23234)
Henrico Dates: Tuesday 12/17 & Thursday 12/19
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Henrico Sports & Events Center (1 All Star Boulevard, Glen Allen, VA 23059)
Participant Ages: 5-40
Volunteer Ages: 12+​​
Winter Basketball Season
Join us in supporting friends with disabilities on the courts for 7 weeks of basketball! Your role is to help the games run smoothly, make sure players feel supported, and help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction!
Interested in the competitive league? Friends in this time slot can expect a faster-paced game than our typical non-competitive sports, including score keepers and stricter game play.
Dates: Saturday, January 11th - February 22nd (7 weeks)
Athlete Time Slots:
9:30-10:30am (athletes ages 5-19)
10:45-11:45am (athletes ages 20-40) *competitive league*
12-1pm (athletes ages 20-40)
Volunteer Time Slots:
9:15-10:30am (athletes ages 5-19)
10:30-11:45am (athletes ages 16-40 - competitive)
11:45-1pm (athletes ages 20-40)
Location: Collegiate School Main Campus (103 N Mooreland Rd, Richmond, VA 23229)
December Teen Scene
The Teen Scene provides inclusive monthly social events for teens ages 13 through high school. The gatherings are planned by a group of peers that belong to the Teen Board of Directors. Monthly gatherings are held at various locations around the metro Richmond area. Participation costs are minimal and financial assistance is always available. ​
December Teen Scene - Winter Holiday Party!
Help our friends with disabilities have THE BEST time at our winter holiday party! Join your teen friends for an afternoon of holiday crafts, snacks, cookie decorating, karaoke, and other winter fun. Wear your holiday PJs or other favorite holiday attire, and celebrate the season with new and old friends!
Your role as a volunteer is to make sure participants feel supported throughout the event, help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction, and participate in activities alongside them! You may oversee a group, or be paired with a participant 1:1.
Date: Sunday, December 15th
Event Time: 4-5:30pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 3:40-5:45pm
Location: Church of the Epiphany
(8000 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23228)
Volunteer Ages: 12 through high school​​
November Adult Hangout
The Adult Hangout is a young adult social group that encourages relationship building, independence, and socialization between high school graduates up to age 40 with intellectual, developmental, and/or physical disabilities. Monthly gatherings are held at various locations around the metro Richmond area.
November Adult Hangout - Friendsgiving with the Adult Hangout and Teen Scene!
Help our friends with disabilities have THE BEST time at our Friendsgiving potluck meal! For this month's event, we will be collaborating with the teen social group, The Teen Scene. Celebrate the season of gratitude by sharing a potluck meal with your Jacob's Chance friends. Join us for food, crafts, and friendship, and get excited for an Adult Hangout and Teen Scene mashup! Your role is to make sure participants feel supported throughout the event, help facilitate conversations and fun social interaction, and participate in activities alongside them! You may oversee a group, or be paired with a participant 1:1.
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Date: Sunday, November 17th
Event Time: 3:30-5pm
Volunteer Commitment Time: 3:15-5:30pm
Location: St. Michael Catholic Church - Lake House (4491 Springfield Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060)
Volunteer Ages: High school grads and up​​​
