Greensgrow may just have a place for you. | Photo by Bryn Ashburn
Looking to do some good to help your community?
By Jacqueline Klecak and Michael Iannucci
Philadelphia is a city that offers many places to volunteer, all very different. You’re sure to find some that fit your schedule and align with your personal reason for wanting to give back to your community.
Bartram’s Garden
54 St. and Lindbergh Blvd.
Volunteer at the oldest surviving botanical garden in North America. Bartram’s Garden is looking for people to volunteer in the Green Room and Garden Shop. If you’re free on the weekends, bring your gloves and join the monthly Second Saturdays public volunteer events from March to October, 9 a.m. to noon. Projects are available for all levels of expertise. Check the events calendar for special volunteer opportunities, including their annual MLK Day of Service or email jmansfield@bartramsgarden.org for more information. Plus, volunteers who give 10 hours of their time over a year receive a complimentary Gardener Membership, which provides free admission to member-only events, discounts to retail items and workshops, and unlimited access to the Green Room.
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Wyck
6026 Germantown Ave.
Do you have a free summer and love working with kids? Have a teen that’s interested in gardening and the outdoors? This historical site is looking for Leaders-in-Training volunteers to help out at the summer camp programs. Candidates must be at least 14-years-old and have experience or interest in one of the following topics: teaching, Philadelphia/Germantown history, gardening, agriculture and/or horticulture. LITs must volunteer at least 1 week sometime between June to August. Those interested contact info@wyck.org for more information.
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Greensgrow Farms
2501 E. Cumberland St.
At Greensgrow Farms, there are volunteer opportunities for just about everyone. Whether you’re looking to work directly with a farmer, in a nursery, in a kitchen or at a farmstand, Greensgrow may just have a place for you. Volunteers are also needed for special events such as the farm’s spring clean up day and their Whole Hog Fundraiser. Hours and schedule depends on the type of volunteer work, so fill out an application or email volunteer@greensgrow.org and find your role today. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)
P.O. Box 419, Millheim, Pa. | 1208 Horseshoe Pike, Downingtown, Pa.
The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture frequently seeks volunteers for a variety of work. This could be single-event help, office work or even assistance with ongoing special projects. Hours and schedule depend on the specific volunteer job. Sign up here or contact info@pasafarming.org for more information. Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
The Spring Gardens
1848 North St.
Whether you have a specific skill to offer of just want to lend a hand, the Spring Gardens is looking for your help with both events and garden maintenance. Desired work includes help with events, planting and maintaining public spaces, composting, fence painting, construction, watering and much more. While hours and scheduling for things like events vary, Saturday mornings are consistent workdays. To find out how to volunteer, contact volunteering@thespringgardens.org. Twitter | Facebook
Photo courtesy Mill Creek Farm
Mill Creek Farm
Brown St. & N. 49th St.
Looking to get outside and get your hands dirty? Join the Mill Creek Farm crew for volunteer work including harvesting, planting, weeding and other projects. Volunteers who are able to do either a full day or half day a week are welcome. The farm is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays and volunteering can be done throughout the week. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. Contact millcreekfarmphilly@gmail.com to find out how to get involved or fill out this volunteer form. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
The Food Trust
1 Penn Center, Suite 900 | 1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Have a passion for healthy food? Volunteer with The Food Trust whether you want to volunteer just once, commit to working weekly at a farmers’ market or work in an office- all time is welcomed and appreciated. Volunteers generally commit to a wide variety of hours, but time during the evenings and weekends are greatly desired in the spring and summer. Click here to sign up. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
South Philly Food Co-op
PO Box 31506
The South Philly Food Co-op needs volunteers for their many events. Opportunities include lending an extra hand at events like a soup swap or volunteering a special skill such as accounting, social media, writing, research and more. Check out the events calendar, fill out the Volunteer Interest Survey or get in touch with volunteer@southphillyfoodcoop.org to find out more about upcoming opportunities.
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Photo by Darryl Moran
TreePhilly
1 Parkway Building, 10th Floor, 1515 Arch St.
TreePhilly is looking for volunteers to help with their upcoming citywide yard tree giveaway events. Volunteers can help with manning the registration table, distributing mulch to new tree owners, helping load trees into vehicles and teaching people how to plant and care for their new trees. The giveaway event schedule will be announced in March. To find out more about volunteering with TreePhilly, send an email to treephilly@phila.gov. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Friends of the Free Philadelphia Library
1901 Vine St.
Volunteer with Friends of the Free Philadelphia Library to help support and organize an important community staple: the library. Volunteer groups work with library staff members to increase their library’s resources, raise money to pay for programming for children and adults, work on library gardens, run bus trips, host classes and much more. For more information, click here.
Wissahickon East Project
14th District, District Headquarters, Haines St. and Germantown Ave.
Help support Wissahickon East Project’s work to stop illegal waste dumping and reclaim the Cresheim Woods for the community. Volunteers will be able to help with things like fundraising, website design, community organizing, street and park clean-ups and much more. Email info@wissahickoneast.org today for more information on volunteering.
Philadelphia Parks and Recreation
Volunteer with one of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation’s Friends groups to help keep a neighborhood park healthy and clean. Friends groups serve as a voice for their respective communities and their volunteer activities include park cleanup days, fundraising, programming organization, park improvements advocacy and much more. Volunteer work is also available at recreation centers in assisting with afterschool programs and sports. To find out how and when you can get involved, click here.
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Photo by Debbie Beer
Natural Lands Trust
1031 Palmers Mill Rd., Media, Pa.
Spend some quality outdoors time and make new friends in the process with Natural Lands Trust’s volunteer work. There are opportunities available for either a few hours of hands-on work at a time during a Volunteer Service Work Party or a long-term commitment through the Trust’s Force of Nature Volunteer Program, where volunteers will learn land management, habitat restoration, plant species, and wildlife identification topics over a five class, several month span. Applications for the 2015-2016 class of Force of Nature volunteers will be accepted this spring. Click here for more information.
Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative
Suite P-117A, 3451 Walnut St.
If you have a passion for food education and physical fitness awareness, Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative may be the place for you. Volunteer work with the organization could include assisting the cooking crew some evenings, Saturday farm work and special event marketing. To find out more information, fill out a signup form or contact info@urbannutrition.org.
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Photo courtesy Jewish Farm School
Jewish Farm School
5020 Cedar Ave.
Volunteer at the Jewish Farm School’s Philly Farm Crew this spring and spend some time bonding with nature by working in the dirt. Volunteers will help with a variety of hands-on work in vacant farm lots, gardens and food providers around Philadelphia. To find out about upcoming volunteer days, fill out the volunteer interest form with your availability or contact info@jewishfarmschool.org.
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PowerCorpsPHL
Over the next three years, PowerCorpsPHL will plant 3,000 trees and revitalize 3,000 acres of public land. As such, the organization always welcomes volunteers to lend a hand with their technically trained work crews during a number of public events. The work and schedule vary, so contact PowerCorpsPHL@phila.gov for more information.
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The Bethesda Project
1630 South St, Philadelphia PA
Join the Bethesda Project in its quest to care for homeless men and women in Philadelphia. The Bethesda Project serves 2,500 homeless and formerly homeless men and women each year. The Bethesda Project uses a ‘housing first’ approach and thus relies on volunteers to transform its several center city housing locations into homes. You can learn more about volunteering for the Bethesda Project by reading this guide. To volunteer as an individual, apply here. To volunteer as a group, apply here. For more information, call (215) 985-1600.
Lemon Hill Neighbors
Looking to do some good? Lend some of your time to Lemon Hill Neighbors during one of their annual events like Philly Spring Clean-up or Love Your Park Week. Volunteer work is also needed for the upkeep of Girard Dream Garden Community Garden. Whether it’s lending some gardening supplies, an extra hand or gardening expertise, all help is welcome. If interested, fill out a contact form with your information.
Farm 51
51 St. and Chester St.
Come lend a hand at Farm 51 and its small-scale educational urban farm and market in Southwest Philly. Help out with gardening or the animals, which include chickens, turkeys and rabbits. Volunteers are also needed at the food stand, which is open 4:30 to 7 p.m. from May to September. To get involved, email farm51philly@gmail.com.
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Friends of the Cresheim Trail
PO Box 18911, Philadelphia, Pa.
Looking to spend some more time in nature? Friends of the Cresheim Trail is focused on building a multi-use trail in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties, but they need help doing so. Join them for one of their volunteer workdays on the third Saturday of every month, or for their Third Annual Cresheim Trail Walk on Saturday, March 15. Email cresheimtrail@gmail.com for more information.
Park Friends Network
The Parks Friends Network is made up of 115 neighborhood-based volunteer groups that help maintain Philadelphia’s parks. Volunteers organize clean-ups, plan community events and help raise funds for park improvements. Volunteer on your own, bring a friend or organize a group. Click here for more information.
Photo courtesy Schuylkill Center
Schuylkill Center
8480 Hagy’s Mill Rd.
There are many volunteer opportunities available at the Schuylkill Center. Gardener volunteers are needed in the nursery to pot plants during the week from March to September. The Senior Environment Corps, for citizens over the age of 55, monitor local streams and meet on the third Thursday of each month. Restoration volunteer days are held on the first Monday, from 9-11 a.m., and third Saturday, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., every month where volunteers help maintain trails. Other opportunities include working with the wildlife clinic, toad detour and public relations. For more information, click here.
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Plant One Million
Want to be a part of the tree restoration movement? Help Plant One Million reach their goal of restoring Philadelphia’s tree canopy. For those who live in New Jersey, Delaware or Pennsylvania, there are also partner organizations including the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Delaware Center for Horticulture and the New Jersey Tree Foundation that need help at volunteering events. They are about halfway to their goal with a little under 500,000 trees already planted, but need your help to keep it going. Keep track of the trees you plant in any of the 13 participating areas, including Philadelphia, and earn rewards. Don’t forget to tend your tree after you plant it. Twitter| Facebook
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Like animals? Botany? Rearch? Artifacts? The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University offers many volunteer opportunities. Volunteers can help do things like educate guests about natural science topics or assist scientists in preserving specimens. Some volunteer opportunities, such as research assistant positions, are limited and only given to people with a background in science. Volunteer benefits include free admission to the museum, passes for family and friends, an invitation to the volunteer recognition dinner, and discounts in the gift store and cafe.
Vetri Community Partnership
1113 Admiral Peary Way, Quarters N
The Vetri Community Partnership believes: a healthy body + a healthy mind = healthy living. Help them fulfill their mission through their many volunteer opportunities.Volunteers for Eatiquette lunch program assist in things like meal preparation and are needed Monday through Friday between 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Culinary classroom volunteers assist the instructor in preparing recipes and are needed Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. My Daughter’s Kitchen (MDK) volunteers work with students during an eight-week session at a school to prepare recipes. MDK volunteers meet one day a week from 3 to 5p.m. with students. Starting in April, VCP will also be accepting volunteers for their Great Chefs event. Sign up today!
Photo courtesy Riverbend
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
1950 Spring Mill Road, Gladwyne, Pa.
Riverbend Environmental Education Center relies on volunteers to manage their 30-acre site and teach children about creating a healthier planet. Several hundred people volunteer each year for special events, individual opportunities and a teen volunteer program. In addition to general property maintenance, volunteers have assisted with an extensive woodland restoration project, which has included planting nearly 3,000 trees and shrubs over the past seven years. Volunteers also assist with summer camp programs and administrative work. Click here for more information.
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Ahimsa House
5007 Cedar Ave.
The Ahimsa House, a group of volunteers, operates through practicing nonviolence and generosity. Help out their cause by leading one of their many workshops, teaching a yoga class or just doing some community outreach. New members are always welcome, so click here to fill out a volunteer form or for more information about how you can get involved.
Radnor Conservancy
PO Box 48 Wayne, Pa.
Help Radnor Conservancy protect open space and natural assets in Radnor Township. Volunteers are needed for community outreach, fundraising and social media. Click here more information on how you can engage and educate the citizens of Radnor in sustainable environmental practices.
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia
4355 Orchard St., Suite 2R
Community gardening, stormwater management or energy efficiency interest you? Rebuilding Together Philadelphia’s purpose is to bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners. Get placed in a volunteer group based on your specific skill set by choosing from a list of volunteer pools currently available. To sign up, click here.
Briar Bush Nature Center
1212 Edge Hill Rd. Abington, Pa.
Help Briar Bush Nature Center provide environmental education to visitors. Volunteers are needed for forest stewardship, animal care, manning tables in the community and helping with the butterfly house. Other opportunities include storytelling at seasonal fairs and guiding hikes. Click here for more information.
Thanks so much for including so many great organizations! It's great to know someone sees what we are doing!
I wanted to add Urbanstead to the list, a new urban farm in Francisville that is working with the community to grow food with youth:
http://www.urbanstead.org/
The Spring Gardens has worked with Lisa and the Urbanstead youth and she hosted the Green vs. Gray Temple University class last week for their service learning component and they had lots of fun!
-Allison
Very interesting and informative article. Would love to read more though.
What a great list! SERVEPhiladelphia.com (volunteer.phila.gov) is also a central hub featuring hundreds of volunteer opportunities throughout the Philadelphia region.
SCORE Philadelphia is a non-profit organization that fosters small business development through mentoring and low-cost workshops. We’re always looking for volunteers to serve as mentors, speakers, etc. for our clients. If you or someone you know is looking to help start-ups, entrepreneurs, and small business owners start and grow their businesses, visit our website at http://www.philadelphia.score.org for more information or contact Shauna L. Howard at shauna.howard@scorevolunteer.org
Wanted to add UNICEF USA: https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/getting-involved-unicef-philadelphia/32407