Needs From: Head of the Lakes United Way

We’re looking for volunteers to help run activity stations, engage with kids & families, making sure they stay safe but also have tons of fun when they are at the Y! Activities include things like board games, yard games in the gym, art projects and more! Family Nights happen the 1st Friday of every month from 3:30-7 p.m. Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.
o Friday October 3 (Downtown YMCA)
o Friday November 7 (Hermantown YMCA)
o Friday December 5 (Downtown YMCA)

Fun Days are for kids ages 5-12 during school breaks. We’re looking for volunteers who enjoy hanging out with kids and like keeping them engaged in things like conquering gym games, unleashing creativity through arts & crafts and exploring the great outdoors! Minimum age to volunteer is 16. Volunteer shifts are available between 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
o Friday October 17 (Downtown YMCA)
o December 29-31 (The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown)
o Friday January 2 (Downtown and Hermantown)
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to work closely with a diverse group of students in our school-age child care program. Volunteers serve as role models and extra support for the students and staff working on academics and engagement in program activities and clubs. Ages of youth served: grades K-5. Minimum age to volunteer is 15. The school year program runs September through early June.
Specific Programs: KEY Zone (working with youth in grades K-5 in Duluth Public Schools), Eagle’s Nest (working with youth in grades K-6 in the Edison Charter Schools) and our free Drop-In After School program at the Harbor Highlands Community Center.
Commitment: Minimum of 20 hours total or once a week for a semester, to create more stability for youth in program (or something close to this).
Days & Times: Volunteer opportunities available Monday-Friday between 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

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 spot.

Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, selling concessions, assisting staff with activities like dodgeball, bingo, etc., along with clean-up.  A great volunteer would be someone who really enjoys interacting with tweens and teens.  Teen nights at the Y are for youth ages 10-17 and happen the last Friday of each month from 5:30-8:30 p.m.  Minimum age to volunteer is 18.

When: Sept 26 | Oct 24 | Nov 21 | Dec 19

Location: The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown

Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.

Do you love an office work environment? We have a gig for you! Assist with one of the most essential departments at the Y: Central Services! We’re looking for a volunteers to help with a variety of projects including marketing, graphic design, correspondence, databases and organization. A good fit for this position would be a volunteer with a positive attitude who has great organizational skills, is welcoming and kind.
Location/Program Sites: Downtown Duluth (though some of the work can be done from home as well!)
Commitment: Once per week for a minimum of one hour (but welcome to stay longer)!
Qualifications: Ability to use Word and Microsoft Excel. Excellent typing skills & keen attention to detail and punctuation.

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! 

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.

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.
Location/Program Sites: Downtown YMCA and the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center
Days & Times: This opportunity has flexible hours and can be done whenever we have someone available on our maintenance team.

With 150,000 square feet between the Downtown Y and the Y in Hermantown, we have a lot of space to take care of!
Projects include things like cleaning, organizing spaces, painting and light maintenance. No prior experience necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to get your hands dirty! There is no minimum age to volunteer, however, we ask that youth under 13 have adult supervision.
Click here to view projects, dates, times and to sign-up!

Rock Steady Boxing offers boxing-inspired fitness classes for people with Parkinson’s disease. The goal is to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s. Volunteers are needed to help assist the boxers in wrapping hands, putting on boxing gloves, assisting boxers in getting up and down off the floor, explaining modifications and keeping morale of classes positive. No experience necessary. We’re looking for people who are compassionate and engaged. Minimum age to volunteer is 16.
Location/Program Sites: Downtown YMCA
Days & Times: Wednesdays and/or Fridays from 9:45-11:15 a.m.

We’re looking for volunteers to assist in our Early Childhood Development Center (otherwise known as the ECDC).  The ECDC serves infants, toddlers and pre-school age children year-round.  Volunteering with the ECDC involves caring for and encouraging play with infants and young children.  Children begin their lives by playing.  From their play activities, they learn about the world around them and the skills they need to grow.  Volunteers support and extend play through conversations and guiding interactions between children.  Volunteers can also help with various activities from reading a book to a child to assisting with food during mealtimes.  Minimum age to volunteer is 16.  Must be interested in and enjoy working with children ages zero to five years.
Commitment: Minimum of 20 hours total or once a week for six weeks to create more stability for youth in program (or something close to this).
Location/Program Sites: The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown
Days & Times: Volunteer shifts are available between 9am-5pm Monday through Friday

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!

Volunteer with Laundry Love Program!

Imagine how hard it is for people who are experiencing homelessness, to wash clothes & bedding.  As a special project, the Duluth YMCA is partnering with the Laundry Love program to help recruit volunteers.  Laundry Love is a national organization dedicated to providing laundry services to people with no and low income.  Laundry Love

volunteers assist with check-in, help people find open machines, plug quarters & visit with customers.  The customers do their own laundry.  This opportunity is more than just providing a place to help people clean clothes, but an opportunity to build and celebrate community.  There is no minimum age to volunteer, however, we ask that youth under 15 have an adult present.

When: 2nd Tuesday of the Month from 8:15-11:30 a.m.

Where: Spin City Laundry | 232 N Central Ave

Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.

“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.   

Kid’s Club is a supervised play area for kids ages four months to nine years.  Volunteers are needed to make sure kids are having fun and staying safe.  Duties can include things like reading books to kids, holding babies, helping with art projects & doing activities with young children.  A great opportunity for someone who really loves getting down on the floor and playing with kids!  This position requires individuals to be outgoing, energetic and willing to engage kids ages four months to nine years.  Minimum age to volunteer is 13 years.
Program Sites: Downtown YMCA and the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center
Days & Times: Hours available Monday-Friday 9am-1pm or Monday-Thursday from 4-7pm
Commitment: Minimum of once per week for 10 weeks or a total of 20 hours to create more stability for youth in the program (or something close to this).

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: Volunteers are mainly needed on evenings and weekends (especially Tuesday and Thursday evenings).