By Jan Engoren and Yours Truly

Volunteer Miami, opportunities abound. We’ve come up with an expanded and updated list in eight categories of organizations that would welcome our help, whether it’s a one off thing or an ongoing commitment. This includes children and families, housing, business, museums, environment, animals, literary and nature. Besides doing good, volunteering can also give us opportunities to make new friends and make our community a better place to live.  Here are  local organizations for you to consider, what they’re about, and ways you can help. It’s an update of a previous post with new additions,  some of which you readers recommended when this was first published (thank you!). And now there’s one which I’m volunteering for.

Volunteer Miami: New Additions

LEAP (Ladies Empowerment & Action Program)

Empower women. Transform lives. Be part of their second chance. Since 2009, LEAP has helped formerly incarcerated women put prison in their past and rebuild their futures through education, entrepreneurship, and community support. LEAP believes in the power of second chances and the people – like you – who make them possible. Volunteers provide encouragement, skills, and meaningful connection. There are many ways to get involved, both inside and outside of prison. Volunteer at their nonprofit Dragonfly Thrift Boutique or mentor women as they reenter the community. Other opportunities include:   Serve as a mentor or mock interviewer for LEAP participants; Lead or support reentry workshops (cooking, financial literacy, travel assistance, wellness, etc.); Provide professional services (graphic design, photography, grant writing, etc.); Assist with events, community outreach, or administrative tasks. Visit www.leapforladies.org and click “Volunteer.” You can also email: info@leapforladies.org or call (786) 534-4178. LEAP’s Reentry Hub is located at 5815 SW 68th Street, South Miami, Florida 33143.

 

 

Exchange for Change

Exchange for Change is a South Florida nonprofit that addresses two critical needs in our community: providing education to incarcerated individuals and promoting understanding of incarcerated people among those outside of prison.

They provide a path to better communication and connection for people who have been incarcerated and lessen the barriers that often isolate them from the broader community. By offering opportunities to build skills and engage in creative discourse, they foster leadership, self-esteem, and self-efficacy, enabling their students to prepare for successful reintegration into society.

Volunteers welcome for teaching courses to a population hungry for knowledge? Or, if you have an area of expertise that you’d like to share, Reach out to them.  They will work to create a curriculum that fits your skill set.  They can also connect you with their students through the  Prison Visits for Change program or end-of-semester literary performances.

Visit Exchange for Change

Camillus House

 

Since its founding in 1960, Camillus House has grown into one of the largest providers of homeless housing and services in the community, offering a comprehensive “system of care” for persons who are poor and homeless. Camillus House offers a wide range of on-going and project-related assignments. Some volunteers help every week, others assist only with special projects or events. Volunteer opportunities exist for most every interest and schedule. Volunteer opportunities include but aren’t limited to: • Help prepare and/or serve food. • Host a food or fundraising drive. • Help organize a special event. • Teach a skill (yoga, cooking, financial literacy, etc.). • Help in the garden or warehouse. To learn more, visit http://www.camillus.org/ways-to-help volunteers@camillus.org | 305.374.1065 1603 NW 7th Ave, Miami, FL 33136

 

Kristi House

 

Kristi House is dedicated to treating and preventing child sexual abuse, trafficking and other childhood trauma, working closely with community partners, parents and providers. It is the only Children’s Advocacy Center in Miami-Dade County, Children visiting the center range in age from 3-18, Volunteers range in age from 18-80+. Volunteers help as waiting room ambassadors playing and engaging with them while their parents or family members are attending appointments. For more information go to www.kristihouse.org/volunteer.

 

American Red Cross

90% of the work force of American Red Cross are volunteers, so lots of help is needed in areas including: blood donor ambassador, bloos transportation specialist, disaster action team, and shelter volunteer. For more information go to www.redcross.org.

 

Other organizations needing help are senior centers.  Consider contacting them in your community such as the Miami Gardens senior center and North Miami Foundation for Senior Citizens..

 

Volunteer Miami: CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Miami (BBBSM)

 

Become a Big Brother or Big Sister and become a forever best friend.

Since 1958, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami (BBBSM) has been championing hope, transformation and social good and defending the potential of children.  They work to develop future leaders, strengthens families and build community.

Many of our youth need YOU to reach and defend their potential.

 

The program is fun for everyone. Choose an activity that you both like to do together.  Activities are meant to be free or low-cost. The best activities are ones where the Big, (the mentor) can teach the Little, life skills.

 

Examples of activities include:  Fishing, hiking, visiting a museum or zoo, learning to cook or bake, writing a poem or story, learning to play checkers or chess, etc.

 

Volunteers go through a screening process to create safe, meaningful and lasting relationships. The application and enrollment process takes 4-6 weeks. Bigs are matched with Littles based on preferences and mutual interests. Once matched, trained specialists provide with ongoing support.

 

Visit https://bbbsmiami.org to start your application process.  BBBSM is located in the Carnival Center for Excellence at 550 NW 42nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33126.  Tel:  (305) 644-0066.

 

Children’s Home Society of Florida  

Did you know nearly 75% of children enter the foster care system because of neglect, which can stem from fixable family issues like poverty, addiction and domestic violence?

Donate your time with Children’s Home Society of Florida to end the need for foster care as we know it by working with children and families before crises occur.

This way, more families can remain safe, strong and together and the children in our communities will have more chances to thrive.

Typical volunteer opportunities include; creating hygiene kits for kids ages 5-17; creating new baby bins for families with new babies and creating affirmation jars for children, teens and new moms.

Please contact Maria Santos, Community Engagement Specialist in Miami.  Visit https://chsfl.org.  Tel:  (305) 766-9437 or email:  maria.santos@chsfl.org.

Ronald McDonald House (RMHC)

 

Helping sick kids has been their mission since 1974.  Currently, The Ronald McDonald House is accepting volunteers for a number of their opportunities including:

In House Volunteers, Hosting an activity, participating in a Wishlist Drive, assemble Care Kits, collect Pop Tabs from drink cans and earn Community Service Hours and volunteer with the Meals from the Heart Program (formerly Adopt-A-Meal), where volunteers prepare and serve meals for the families staying at RMHC.

Double your impact and see if your company offers volunteer grant or time match programs which provide monetary grants to organizations where employees regularly volunteer.

 

Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida is located on the grounds of Jackson Memorial Medical Center, 1145 NW 14th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33136.  For questions on volunteering contact Veronica Forte at miamiadopt@rmhcsouthflorida.org.  Tel:  (305) 324-5683.  Visit https://rmhcsouthflorida.org.

 

 

Florida Guardian Ad Litem 

 

Advocate for a child’s best interest with the court.  Judges need people to give them information and a view of a case from the child’s perspective, independent of the demands of the child protection system, its funding stream, resource challenges and overwhelming caseloads. Children need advocates who prioritize the child’s safety and well-being – people who put the child’s best interests first.

 

The guardian ad litem will meet and interview the parents, interview the child/children and any other relevant individuals, such as teachers.  He/she will request the court to order medical exams, etc., if needed, including from mental health professionals, obtain expert examinations and provide an oral or written recommendation in the best interest of the child, to the court.  Court visits may be required as part of the advocacy process.

 

The State of Florida Guardian ad Litem Program is a network of professional staff and community advocates, partnering to provide a strong voice in court and positive systemic change on behalf of Florida’s abused and neglected children.

 

They are located at 1500 NW 12 Avenue, Suite 1117, Miami, Florida  33136.  Tel: (850) 922-7213 or (866) 341-1GAL or contact the Voices for Children Foundation, Inc. Email:  KBlack@BeAVoice.org.

Voices for Children is currently looking for looking for volunteers to assist with keeping their comfort closet organized (unpacking boxes, sorting donations, stocking shelves, etc.), helping at events and supporting the organization where needed.

Sign up on their website:  Volunteer with Voices For Children

Volunteer GAL | Florida child abuse attorney | Non-profit lawyers | Pro bono attorney Florida | (guardianadlitem.org)  guardianadlitem.org

 

 Chapman Partnership

 

The Chapman Partnership provides comprehensive programs and services in collaboration with others that empower residents to overcome homelessness and achieve and maintain long-term self-sufficiency.  Opportunities to volunteer include preparing, serving and or sponsoring meals, working with children and families in enrichment activities such as reading or helping with homework or working with the maintenance department to paint, landscape and clean.

 

Chapman Partnership is located at 1550 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida 33136.  Tel: (305) 416-7107.  Visit https://chapmanpartnership.org.

 

 

Feeding South Florida

 

In the state of Florida, 2,567,300 people face hunger – and of them, 723,540 are children, according to statistics provided by Feeding America, the parent organization of Feeding South Florida.

 

In 2020, Feeding South Florida distributed over 176 million pounds of food (146 million meals) to over 1.4 million individuals. Volunteers are always needed to help inspect, sort, build, and repack food, so that it is ready for distribution.

 

In Pembroke Park, recurring volunteer shifts are Tuesday – Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Feeding South Florida is located at 2501 SW 32 Terrace, Pembroke Park, Florida 33023.  Tel:  (954) 518.1818.  Visit https://feedingsouthflorida.org.

 

Salvation Army

 

Whether providing shelter, helping educate, combatting human trafficking, offering senior services or combatting addiction, the Salvation Army, a Christian-based organization, offers help and services to everyone in need.

 

Opportunities include working with the food pantry to assist with sorting, bagging and distributing groceries, becoming a bell-ringer to collect donations to help struggling families and individuals or work with food trucks to assist in picking up pantry items, or joining the Emergency Disaster Services team as a Canteen volunteer, someone who rides with the emergency vehicle to serve food and beverage to survivors and service workers.  Additional opportunities include volunteering to pick-up and deliver donated items for the Salvation Army’s Christmas programs.

 

 

The Salvation Army has numerous locations in and around Miami.   Tel:  (305) 637-6700 or visit:  Miami – The Salvation Army Florida

 

 Lasagne Love 

 

Make a killer lasagne or want to learn?  If you love to cook and want to support local families, consider becoming a lasagna chef. Volunteer positions are endless.

Lasagna Love is an international movement with thousands of people cooking and delivering meals to families. Their mission is to help address the rise in food insecurity and provide a simple act of love and kindness.

Lasagna Love matches neighbors who can provide a meal with a neighbor who needs a little help. You can decide how often you participate and how far you can drive. The Lasagna Love Team will match you with a neighbor in need and provide training and support.  Each volunteer prepares and delivers the meal they make and are able to offer any meal they and their match agree on as long as one of those options is lasagna.

 

Never made a lasagna?  Lasagne Love has many YouTube videos with instructions and recipes.  Join their Facebook group for all things lasagna.

 

If you are looking for a flexible volunteer opportunity, a way to hone your cooking skills or a way for your family to volunteer together, this is a great opportunity to spread some love, lasagna and kindness.

 

lasagnalove.org

lasagnalove.org/volunteer

United Way

 

Since 1924, the United Way has worked together with their network of donors, volunteers, and partners, to generate and amplify resources, and advocate for policies that improve the quality of life for those in need.  Through research and planning, community engagement, investments in programs and initiatives, public policy advocacy and public awareness activities, the United Way creates real and measurable changes in education, health and financial stability.

Volunteer from home, help a child learn to read or become a disaster relief volunteer.

Serve meals, help with coastal cleanups, get involved with parent-to-parent bereavement support or volunteer at a food pantry.

 

Visit https://portal.unitedwaymiami.org/Volunteer to create an account and browse current volunteer opportunities.  Tel: (305) 646.7000.

 

 

Volunteer Miami:  HOUSING SERVICES

Miami Rescue Mission

 

Since 1922 the Miami Rescue Mission | Broward Outreach Centers, The Caring Place, has served the homeless and needy of South Florida.

 

Volunteers are a vital part of providing all types of services including, serving meals, helping with food and clothing drives, tutoring, working in the office, assisting with special projects and working in the thrift store.

 

Last year more than 1,000 volunteers provided over 10,000 volunteer hours.

The Miami Rescue Mission is located at 2020 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 33127.  Tel:  (305) 571-2211.  Visit  www.miamirescuemission.com.

 

Lotus House

 

With a mission to improve the lives of women, youth and children experiencing homelessness, Lotus House provides sanctuary, support, education, tools and resources that empower them to improve the quality of their lives.

Volunteers are always needed to provide assistance for daily operations and program support services.

Opportunities are divided into categories, depending upon COVID-19 vaccination status.

If you are vaccinated and can provide proof, opportunities exist for administration, culinary services, assisting with arts & crafts, gardening or working with children in afterschool projects.  Hosting activities such as yoga, dance, arts & crafts, Jewelry making, etc., or working in the thrift shop.

If you cannot show proof of vaccination status, opportunities include distribution of food and/or hygiene products or assisting the operations team with landscaping and cleaning.

Lotus House Women’s Shelter is located at 217 NW 15th Street, Overtown, Miami, Florida 33136.  Tel:  (305) 438-0556.  Visit https://lotushouse.org/volunteer.

 

Volunteer Miami: BUSINESS

 

SCORE

 

Looking to share your business acumen?  SCORE is looking for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to serve in a variety of roles — from knowledgeable business mentors to local community advocates.

Become a business mentor, a subject matter expert or work in marketing support or community outreach.

To become a SCORE volunteer, you will need to complete a volunteer application. Your application will be sent to the local SCORE chapter for review. SCORE will contact you for an appointment to interview you to understand your experience, background, and interest.

Visit miamidadescore.org.  Tel:   (786) 425-9119.  To find a mentor signup on their website visit www.score.org.,

Volunteer Miami: MUSEUMS

 

Frost Science Museum

 

Ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work?  Frost Science Museum offers a wide range of options for pursuing areas of personal interest and expertise. Whether you want to share the science behind the exhibitions with guests, prep food for the birds and fish, or help maintain the plants, Frost Science provides the training and support.

Frost Science has a wide range of opportunities.  Enrich your own life and share the power of science with others.

Examples of volunteer opportunities include aquarist and aviculturist, habitat restoration or camp assistants.

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum is located at1101 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33132  Tel:  (305) 434-9600.  Visit Volunteer – Frost Science.

VOLUNTEER MIAMI, MORE

Volunteer Miami: ENVIRONMENT

 

Sierra Club

 

Enjoy the outdoors?  With a mission to protect and enjoy the natural environment, the Sierra Club, a grassroots conservation organization, offers many ways for volunteers to get involved.

Volunteers are needed for different committees, including The Education and Community Outreach Committee and the Inspiring Connections Outdoors Committee.

The Outreach group attends other non-profit events to meet people, entertain their kids, introduce them to the Sierra Club, and give them some information on the environment and local issues. Email Kathy Teas at MKTeas@bellsouth.net

The Inspiring Connections Outdoors needs help maintaining equipment and volunteers to help repair sleeping bags, paddles, coolers, etc. Be a welcome home helper at the end of a trip, or, just pitch in one time to help fix gear.  Email Karen Kerr to volunteer at KarenKerr@gmail.com.

Are you an aspiring writer?  The Miami Group is always looking for environmental writers to write about current local, regional or global environmental issues for their website and newsletter. To volunteer, email the Newsletter Editor at  Sashasampaio@gmail.com.

If you are interested in becoming a trip leader email: Mark.walters@florida.sierraclub.org.

 

Additional opportunities available as well.

Get Involved | Sierra Club

 

Volunteer Miami: ANIMALS

The Humane Society of Greater Miami

Calling all animal lovers!  Since 1936, The Humane Society of Greater Miami has been working to provide shelter, food, and love to pets and homeless animals no matter how long it takes to find their forever home. Volunteer by walking pets, providing professional services, or donating used items, including vehicles.

As a non-profit organization, the Humane Society relies on the community to help fulfill their mission of finding a loving home for the dogs and cats in their care and promoting responsible pet ownership and spay/neuter programs.

Volunteer opportunities include: dog walking and socializing, cat socializing, toy sorting and distributing, grooming, off-site adoption events and local fundraisers.

To volunteer, you must attend an orientation presentation and a shelter training. Once completed, you will be able to sign up to the shift of your choice.

For questions about the program and requirements, please call (305) 749-1843 or email volunteer@humanesocietymiami.org.  Visit The Humane Society of Greater Miami.

 

Volunteer Miami: LITERACY

Uplift Literacy

 

Share your love of reading with others.  Help children reach their full potential through reading.  Volunteers change lives by equipping children from underserved communities with the necessary lifelong literacy skills to thrive.

 

Help eliminate the reading gap and strengthen lives through the power of literacy.  Both in-person and online volunteer options are available.  Uplift Literacy provides all training and materials to become a reading coach.

Note:volunteers must commit to one hour per week.

 

Currently, Uplift Literacy is recruiting tutor volunteers for the 2025-2026 school year. Email:  info@upliftliteracy.org or Tel:  (305) 981-6234.

Volunteer | Uplift Literacy

 

Miami Dade Public Library System

Volunteer with Project L.E.A.D.

Help adults learn to read and change their lives. Become a Project L.E.A.D. (Literacy for Every Adult in Dade) tutor. The program assists English speaking adults with low literacy skills by providing free, one on one, confidential tutoring to help them improve their reading and writing skills. Tutor training is provided.

To apply, contact the branch you’re interested in and schedule an appointment to meet with the volunteer coordinator or branch manager.

Other volunteer opportunities at your local library include shelving and organizing books and magazines, assisting in the library office, sorting donated materials and assisting with preparing arts and crafts materials for children’s programming.

Or, volunteer with the Friends of the Miami‑Dade Public Library.  Each year they host an annual book sale at the Main Library to raise money for programming and other library enhancements. Volunteers are needed to sort materials in preparation for the book sale and to help during the four-day event.

To get started, visit Volunteer – Miami-Dade Public Library System (mdpls.org)

 

Volunteer Miami: NATURE

 

Fairchild Tropical Gardens

If you love gardens and nature, what better place to spend your time doing good than Fairchild Tropical Gardens?  Volunteers are required to commit to 3-4 hours per week for a minimum of three months.

Spaces in which to volunteer include the Wings of the Tropics, where you educate guests about the garden’s butterflies, gardening activities such as weeding, pruning, planting and invasive plant removal, working with the tram tours for visitor services, assisting with their Nature Connects exhibit or working in phone campaigns for the membership department,

Short-term opportunities are available for those that would like to do a one-day volunteer activity.

Volunteer Information events are held throughout the year. Following the application and interview process, volunteers are selected for programs based on their experience, skills and availability.

 

Fairchild Botanical Gardens are located at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami, Florida 33156.  Tel:  (305) 667-1651.  Volunteering – Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (fairchildgarden.org) or Contact: volunteer@fairchildgarden.org to register

 

Vizcaya

 

Become a greeter or guide and serve as an ambassador to Vizcaya, promoting awareness of its Museum and Gardens.

Greeters welcome visitors, answer questions, explain how they can spend their time during their visit and orient them as they begin an audio tour and suggest ways to help preserve Vizcaya’s collections.

The Greeter program offers the opportunities to pursue additional training to transition to an Active Vizcaya Volunteer Guide.  Guides support and advance Vizcaya Museum and Gardens’ mission, core values and educational philosophy by conducting tours and interacting with the public.

Other volunteer opportunities include gardening and native habitat preservation, emailing or calling prospects, updating the database, or checking in visitors and answering membership inquiries at the Vizcaya Village Farmers Market.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens are located at 3251 South Miami Ave.
Miami Fl. 33129.  Tel:  (305) 250.9133.  To apply, visit Volunteer – Vizcaya.

Readers, any others to add to Volunteer Miami?

 

On another note, looking for a place to make your contributions by donating furniture, clothes and other? Click here for an earlier post.