Volunteer Opportunities for Teens
We know that many students want to give back to their community and that many schools require volunteer hours to graduate. So we have put together a variety of ways you can apply to earn hours–from being part of our youth leadership team to helping at programs when you have extra time. Choose what fits your schedule and interests. You’ll earn volunteer hours, build your resume, and earn letters of recommendation, too.
AFTER SCHOOL HOMEWORK HELPERS
GRADES 10-12 Want to help elementary students with homework and earn volunteer hours for NHS or graduation? We are looking for a team of students to help beginning in October. After we see how many teens are interested, we will set up a schedule where you will sign up for time blocks that fit your schedule from 4:30-6:30pm. If there are enough students who are interested, we will offer this at all YDL locations. Click the button to share your interest and availability and we’ll be in touch soon.
SIGN UP TO HELP
TEEN ADVISORY GROUP
GRADES 8-12 TAG’s mission is to inspire creative youth-driven opportunities for Ypsilanti Area teens by building meaningful connections at the library and in the broader community. We focus on developing teen leadership skills using the Youth Driven Spaces model. Advisory members design and lead teen events, write grants, brainstorm the needs of Ypsi teens and how the library can help meet the needs, make presentations to other youth organizations, and more.
APPLY FOR TAG
LIBRARY EVENT VOLUNTEER
GRADES 7-12 Sign up to be on the event volunteer list. Once you’re on the list, you’ll get an email notification whenever we need an extra hand at a library event for kids or teens. Respond or not depending on your availability.
POP UP SERVICE EVENTS
GRADES 7-12 The Teen Advisory Group recognizes the need for youth to earn hours volunteering in the community and plans 2-3 programs each season where teens can learn something new, engage in a hands-on project to earn volunteer credit, and help a community organization. Examples include making dog toys and rabbit enrichment treats for animal shelters and making cards to be delivered with Meals on Wheels holiday meals.
Fall 2024
- September 24, 4:30pm Take a walk with a Washtenaw County Parks naturalist and learn how to identify and remove invasive species.
- October 22, 5:30pm Learn how to communicate with animals and how you can volunteer at the Humane Society of Huron Valley.
FIND OPPORTUNITIES ON THE EVENTS CALENDAR
CREATE YOUR OWN PROJECT
GRADES 10-12 Are you interested in leading a club or meetup such as a regular monthly or weekly K-Pop conversation group or Dungeons and Dragons gaming afternoon? Maybe you want to share a skill with other kids or teens at a one time drawing program, or host a fandom or mystery party.
Tell us your idea and how it promotes use of the library and our resources. If it fits with our mission, event schedule, and budget, we’ll be in touch to schedule a presentation for TAG members to hear more.
SUMMER YOUTH VOLUNTEER CORPS
GRADES 7-12 Every summer we need extra hands to serve lunch, help at kids’ STEAM programs, work in the garden, sign people up for the Summer Challenge, and more. Attendance at a one hour training and regular attendance is expected.
Check back in April 2025 to help next year. Volunteer positions run from mid-June through mid-August. Email [email protected] with questions.
TEEN LIBRARIAN ASSISTANT
GRADES 9-12 Are you interested in seeing the behind the scenes work that happens in the Youth Department? Librarian Assistants get to earn volunteer hours while they learn how we prep for library events, promote programs and books, and keep materials straightened so everyone can find what they’re looking for. We have a limited number of openings to help for one hour each week or every other week on a regular schedule. If there are openings, we’ll let you know and schedule a meeting. There are currently no openings, but applications are kept on file and we’ll email the waiting list when there is an open slot we need to fill.
