Volunteering - VCU Children's Medical Center - Virginia Commonwealth University Health System

Volunteers Make a Difference!

Our volunteers are an integral part of the healing process for our pediatric patients. As a volunteer, you come with your own skills, interests, and motivations. The Volunteer Services staff will help you decide what volunteer position will be the best fit for you.

The following areas utilize volunteers:

in-patient pediatrics / child life
pediatric emergency department
pediatric out-patient clinics

How do I volunteer?
All volunteer inquiries must be directed to the Volunteer Services Office at (804) 828-0922. When calling please specify in which of the above areas you would like to volunteer.

*Please note: acceptance criteria differs for each area. We are unable to place all volunteers in their area of first choice.
VCU Medical Center Volunteer Services website

There are four types of volunteers.

General volunteers
Special event volunteers
Dogs on Call teams
Donors

General Volunteers

General volunteers may be needed for any of the following activities:

maintain the playrooms and toys
provide patients and siblings with play activities
offer parents/care givers necessary breaks by staying with children
assist in the Arthur Ashe Reading Room
assist in the playroom
simply helping to decrease the stress inherent in the hospital setting by being a friendly face and supportive listener
provide companionship for infants, children and teens
assist with donations
assist in the clinic setting
run errands

General Volunteer Requirements
Volunteers must be 18-years-old. College students must commit for two semesters and adult volunteers must commit for one year. Interviews are required and acceptance is not guaranteed. Volunteers must be able to devote two to three hours once a week during the hours of 9am-5pm, Monday thru Friday. Evening and weekend volunteers are needed on the in-patient units, however volunteers must begin with a regular week day schedule and may then transition to evenings or weekends. Orientation and training are provided.

Inquiries for general volunteers should be directed to:
Heather Kinney, CCLS
Senior Child Life Specialist
Phone: 804-828-3415
Email: hkinney@mcvh-vcu.edu

Special Event Volunteers

There are three types of special events.

craft activities
parties
family meals

Special Event Requirements
Special event volunteers must be at least 17-years-old. Due to space and patient needs, no more than six volunteers are permitted at a special event. Materials needed for your special event must be provided by your group. Due to our diverse patient population, religious material of any kind is not permitted.

*Please note: not all event requests can be scheduled.
**ALL special events must be registered with the Child Life Department.

Inquiries for special events should be directed to:
The Child Life Department
Phone: 804-828-3415