Volunteers

Make a Difference... Volunteer!

Friends Connect Foundation facilitates casual socials where teens, both with and without special needs, can connect and spend time together!

We focus on creating friendships for children in middle school and high school, so we ask that our volunteers are at least 12 years old.

No experience or special skills are required for general volunteer positions! Volunteer training is held at every program’s events.

Our programs make a real difference in the lives of our volunteers which is why many join us on a regular basis

The Volunteer Experience Includes...

  • Friends Connect Foundation Team T-Shirt
  • Service Hours Report
  • Snacks and Beverages
  • New Friends
  • New Skills
  • Awesome Memories !

FAQ Flyer

Program Positions

Explore the positions listed below for information on the different ways that you can be a part of our events!!

General Volunteer Positions

New Friends, Community Service Certificates, Awesome Memories!

Buddies

Get paired with a participant with special needs to be their host, guide and friend while helping them engage in fitness, self-expression, social, music or community service activities.

Event Support

Help with writing name tags, handing out event materials, preparing the activity spaces, directing buddy pairs to their groups, event surveillance, clean-up, etc.

Virtual Role: Volunteer from Home

Volunteer from the comfort of your own home! This role is very flexible and great for people with busy schedules. There is no minimum time commitment, so you can help with as many or as little projects as you’d like! All volunteers will receive community service certificates. You will be able to choose from a list of easy tasks such as sending emails, making calls, planning events and ordering supplies. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old for this role.

Photographer / Videographer

Help us capture the special moments between our special needs participants and their volunteer buddies at our events!

Featured Volunteer Group

Featured Volunteer Groups are  a group of 10+ individuals who volunteer while representing their club/sports team/business etc. You can bring promotional materials to the event, are encouraged to wear your uniform (if you have one) and will be given special community service certificates! Your group will also be featured in our Annual Report (distributed annually to over 400 families), social media shoutouts and a special logo feature on our website.

Our volunteer base ranges from 11 years old to 80+, and come from careers as teachers to students, and everything in between.

Volunteers must be at least 11 years old. Any volunteer younger than 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Leadership Positions

Team Leaders

Our Team Leaders are the staff on-site at each event who lead and organize volunteers, participants and event activities. Tasks include signing in volunteers, signing in participants, giving a volunteer training speech, pairing participants with volunteer buddies, assigning volunteers to different roles, and more. Orientation is held prior to program start dates.

Activity Instructors

We look for special needs certified instructors to lead groups in completing modified versions of a main activity. Instructor orientation is held prior to the program’s launch date.

Teen Ambassador

Our Teen Ambassadors are a very special group of middle school, high school and college students who make a valuable contribution to FCF in every area of the foundation! As a Teen Ambassador, you will have the opportunity to participate in various events and leadership activities while learning about professionalism, event planning, presenting, marketing, fundraising and working with the special needs population.

Leadership positions require individuals to be at least 16 years old.

Board of Directors Position Openings

Please send resumes in confidence to [email protected]

Board of Directors

A team of professionals with expertise in areas such as finance, law, medicine, education, research, marketing or grant-writing.

Click Here to Learn More About our Current Board of Directors

Advisory Board

Help plan and execute Friends Connect Foundation fundraising, community outreach and friendship event initiatives! Previous experience is not required.

Click Here to Learn More About our Current Advisory Board Members

Board positions require individuals to be at least 18 years old.

Administrative/Special Skills Positions

Please send resumes in confidence to [email protected]

Job Listings and Internships

Check out our Indeed page for an updated list of available positions

Program Evaluators

We recruit volunteers, parents, health professionals, educators, and instructors with special needs certifications to voluntarily evaluate our programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an age limit?

Our volunteer base ranges from 11 years old (when accompanied by a parent) to 80+, and come from careers as teachers to students, and everything in between.

Volunteers must be at least 11 years old; any volunteer younger than 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Leadership positions require individuals to be at least 16 years old. Board positions require individuals to be at least 18 years old.

How do I sign up?

Please register as a volunteer in our database and click the appropriate response to the Yes/No buttons next to each event in the “Volunteering?” column.

Can I get service hours? How do I get the report?

Volunteers will find their attendance history when they view their volunteer profile in the database. First select the user you want service hours for by clicking “Edit/View Details”. Then, scroll to the attendance history. Next, select Volunteer Hour PDF.

Can I still volunteer if I have little to no experience with special needs children?

YES, you can! Like many of our volunteers, it will be their first time working with special needs children as well. However, not to worry! Returning volunteers, staff and Team Leaders will prepare you and make you feel welcome from the moment you check in. At every event, we have a have a group overview, training and discussion about the day. We will also introduce you to volunteers who have been with us before so they can help answer any questions that you may have!

I don’t live in New Jersey, can I still volunteer?

Our programs are presently hosted at various locations in New Jersey, but we welcome participants and volunteers that live out-of-state to join us! We also have virtual volunteer options as well (email [email protected] for more information).

Can I invite a friend to volunteer with me?

Of course! Please be sure to have all accompaniments register as a new volunteer in our registration database.

What should I bring/wear?

Dress appropriately for what the weather forecast predicts for the day of the event. However, no specific attire is needed unless otherwise stated under the event description. For spring or summer outdoor events, be sure to bring water, snacks and sunscreen!

Is food included?

We do our best to find food sponsors for each event, but please check the event description and plan accordingly.

I have another question not listed above!

Contact Us! We’re happy to help 🙂

If a volunteer ever feels uncomfortable or unsafe, they are informed during volunteer training to tell an event staff member or instructor. The individual is welcome to be reassigned to a new participant for the remainder of the program.

STAY INFORMED

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