Needs From: Head of the Lakes United Way

Spend your summer making a real difference (and having a lot of fun doing it)! As a volunteer in our school-age child care program, you’ll team up with an awesome, energetic group of K–5 students. Whether you’re helping with activities, jumping into games and clubs, or lending a hand with academics, you’ll be an extra role model and a big part of what makes each day exciting.
If you enjoy working with kids, getting a little silly, and being part of a supportive team, this is the perfect opportunity to shine. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old—bring your energy, creativity, and enthusiasm!
Locations: Lester Park, Lowell, and Laura MacArthur
Days & Times: Volunteer opportunities available Monday-Friday from June 15-August 21. The program runs from 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and we’ll take volunteers anytime.

Volunteers will be paired with Y staff to bring activity stations to life, helping guide games, spark curiosity, and keep energy levels high throughout the day. Activities include fire building, team building, fishing, lakefront activities, archery, and more. Staff lead each station, so you’ll always have support while you help keep kids engaged and having fun. Expect plenty of laughs, a little organized chaos, and the chance to make a positive impact simply by being present, encouraging, and ready to jump in. If you enjoy working with kids outdoors and don’t mind a bit of adventure, this is a day well spent.
When: May 27 from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Where: YMCA Camp Miller, Sturgeon Lake, MN Camp Miller is located about 45 minutes south of Duluth.
Click here to sign up for a volunteer spot.

Looking to roll up your sleeves and make a real impact behind the scenes? Join our volunteer crew and help keep the Woodland Community Center clean, fun, and welcoming for everyone! You’ll freshen up the locker room, mats, toys, and kitchen, tackle light paint touch-ups, organize storage areas, and keep carpets looking great. It’s simple, hands-on, satisfying work where your efforts really shine!
When: Thursday June 4 from 4-7:00 p.m.
Where: Woodland Community Center
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.

We’re looking for volunteers to join our Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC), where infants, toddlers, and preschoolers learn and grow through play year-round. Volunteers help support that learning by engaging with children—playing, talking, reading stories, and assisting during activities like mealtimes. By joining in, you’ll help spark curiosity, build connections, and encourage early learning in a fun, hands-on environment.
If you enjoy working with young children ages 0–5 and like being part of playful, meaningful moments, we’d love to have you! Minimum age to volunteer is 13.
Location/Program Sites: Essentia Wellness Center (Hermantown)
Days & Times: Volunteer shifts are available between 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

The Lake Superior YMCA is partnering with Laundry Love to support people experiencing homelessness or who are low income by helping provide access to free laundry services. Volunteers assist with check-in, directing guests to machines, starting loads, and offering friendly support while guests do their own laundry. This is a simple way to help meet a basic human need and build community.
When: 2nd Tuesday of the Month from 8:45-11:30 a.m.
Where: Maytag Laundromat | 820 E 4th Street
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot. Note: This volunteer opportunity is managed by Laundry Love (the Y is just helping to recruit volunteers).

Kid’s Club is a supervised play space for children ages 4 months to 9 years, and we’re looking for fun, caring volunteers to help keep it safe and full of smiles. Volunteers may read stories, hold and comfort babies, help with art projects, and join in games and activities with young children. This is a great role for someone who enjoys being playful, creative, and hands-on with kids. Minimum age to volunteer is 13.
Program Sites: Downtown Duluth YMCA and the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center (Hermantown)
Days & Times: Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday between 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Learn .  Grow.  Thrive.
Volunteer to read to kids in our preschool childcare center.  Books will be available for you to read or feel free to bring one of your own!  Minimum age to volunteer is 13.

When: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9:30-10:00 a.m.

Where: YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center | Community Room
Click here to reserve a spot.

ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER DESCRIPTION
LAKE SUPERIOR YMCA
Responsible to: Branch Executive Director
Term: 3 years and may be re-elected for 1 successive term.

SUMMARY
The Branch Advisory Council is a group of volunteer leaders who work in partnership with the Branch Executive Director to support the branch’s mission through volunteerism and fundraising. Council members champion the annual campaign, assist with fundraising efforts, volunteer at branch and community events, and help recruit and engage new volunteers, all while advancing YMCA values and strengthening community connections.

DUTIES
1. Actively support the achievement of branch goals.
2. Participate in committees and task forces as needed.
3. Within Association guidelines, support fundraising efforts required for financial stability and growth of the Branch and Association.
4. Assists with recruiting volunteers with clearly defined responsibilities related to Branch annual goal achievement.
5. Prepare and collaborate in meaningful committee meetings.
6. Positively promotes the mission and purpose of the YMCA in the community.

REQUIREMENTS
• Attend at least 70% of Advisory Council and committee meetings.
• Make a personal gift of significant consideration to annual and other fundraising campaigns.
• Attend special events.
• Participate on at least one standing committee, as applicable.
• Participate in annual, capital, and other fundraising campaigns.
• Actively recruit new volunteers to support annual and other fundraising campaigns.

If you know what great customer service looks and feels like, this is the volunteer opportunity for you!  Greeters are responsible for providing a high level of customer service.  Responsibilities include greeting members, checking them into the Y, handing out towels and equipment.  Minimum age to volunteer is 18.  Must have some computer skills and able to provide excellent customer service. 
Location/Program Sites: Downtown YMCA  
Days & Times: Flexible

In consultation with the Marketing Team, you would be designing and producing posters and flyers announcing the YMCA’s programs and services. This involves developing design concepts, selecting appropriate graphics, typestyles, papers and colors and creating designs using a variety of computer programs. A great way to build your portfolio!

With 150,000 square feet between the Downtown Y and the Y in Hermantown, we have a lot of space to take care of! If you like to pop in a podcast and get down to work, this is the gig for you. You can make a big difference at the Y with assisting us with random projects. Duties may include things like wiping dust from surfaces, laminating materials, office work projects and organizing storage spaces. Minimum age to volunteer is 15.
Location/Program Sites: Downtown Duluth YMCA and the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center (Hermantown)
Days & Times: This opportunity has flexible hours and can be done whenever the Y is open.

Food for good!  The Duluth Y is assisting with community food distribution through Family Meal Kits.  Each meal kit includes two healthy recipes and all the ingredients needed for a family of 4 to make 2 complete meals.  We need help packing, distributing food and breaking down boxes.  We can take a max of 2 volunteers for this opportunity each week.  There isn’t a minimum age to volunteer but youth under age 12 must have an adult present.

Meal Packing & Distribution:

When: Thursdays between 3:00-4:30pm

Where: The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown

Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.

Help us capture images of our services, programs and events. Photos will be displayed on our website and in other electronic and print communications, such as brochures, social media, newsletters, etc. You should have a knowledge and interest in photography and experience as a photographer (either as a professional, hobbyist or amateur).

We’re looking for volunteers who enjoy tinkering with things and working on maintenance projects. Come with experience or an interest in learning from our Maintenance Team. Volunteers have an opportunity to work with everything from landscaping and painting to building maintenance. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to learn life-long skills like how to use tools, grounds work and maintaining equipment. Minimum age to volunteer is 15.
Available Program Sites: Duluth, Superior, Hermantown
Days & Times: This opportunity has flexible hours and can be done whenever we have someone available on our maintenance team.

The DECC is partnering with the YMCA and other non-profits on a volunteer opportunity in exchange for a monetary donation to the non-profit of their choosing. Opportunities include assisting staff in concessions, ushering, ticket taking, helping at the bars, greeting guests, etc. Shifts are typically 4-6 hours long and events range from hockey games, concerts, comedy shows, etc. Grab a friend and create a lasting experience for a great cause! The monetary donation the Y receives will go directly towards the Y’s Annual Support Campaign.
Click on this link to see the upcoming events!

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”  -Joseph Addison

A great opportunity for a student org who isn’t able to volunteer in person but would still like to contribute!  We have a children’s book shelf at the Y that can never have enough books.  We collect gently used books for kids ages infant-teen.  Book Drives can be held any time of year and are an easy way to give back while making a huge difference in a child’s life.