Volunteer With Purpose
What if you could be the support a foster child never had?
Your time, skills, and compassion can create steady support for children, teens, and young adults navigating the challenges of foster care and the transition to independence.
Be the caring connection that helps a young person move forward with confidence.
A Stronger Support System Starts With You
The Light House Denver exists to ease the trauma of foster care by surrounding children, teens, and young adults with practical resources, trusted relationships, and opportunities to thrive. Many young people in foster care face frequent transitions, disrupted connections, and uncertainty about what comes next—especially as they approach adulthood. Our volunteers help make support feel personal, consistent, and possible.
From encouraging teens in life-skills workshops to sharing professional expertise, supporting mentors, organizing supplies, and lending a hand at community events, volunteers extend the reach of our mission. Together, we help young people ages 16 to 21 build confidence in everyday skills, form meaningful connections, and prepare for independent futures with dignity and hope.
Find the Right Way to Make a Difference
Program Support
Assist with activities, encouragement, logistics, and welcoming spaces that help children and teens feel seen, safe, and supported.
Life Skills & Mentorship
Share practical knowledge and compassionate guidance through workshops and mentorship opportunities for teens preparing for adulthood.
Events & Organizational Help
Strengthen our community through event support, donation drives, administrative assistance, outreach, and behind-the-scenes projects.
Your Volunteer Journey
Share Your Interest
Complete a brief volunteer interest form and tell us how you would like to support young people in our community.
Screening & Training
Meet with our team, complete required screening, and if training is involved, next steps will be disclosed.
Make a Lasting Difference
Get matched with a meaningful opportunity, receive ongoing support, and stay connected as you serve.
Ways to Get Involved
Volunteer Where Your Impact Matters Most
Mentor Young Adults
Build encouraging, consistent relationships with teens and young adults ages 16 to 21 as they prepare for independence.
Lead Life Skills Workshops
Share practical knowledge in workshops on budgeting, job readiness, healthy relationships, cooking, housing, and more.
Workshop Support
Help create welcoming, well-organized learning spaces by assisting facilitators, preparing materials, and encouraging participants.
Event Volunteers
Support community events, celebrations, fundraisers, and outreach activities that bring resources and connection to young people.
Administrative Support
Strengthen our day-to-day work with help in scheduling, data entry, communications, donor stewardship, and office organization.
Resource & Donation Support
Help sort, organize, and distribute essential items that make young people feel seen, supported, and prepared for next steps.
Community Outreach
Represent The Light House Denver at local events, share our mission, and help connect more caring neighbors to the work.
Expert Speakers
Offer your professional talents in areas such as marketing, design, technology, finance, photography, or program development to teach our teens about life and give them the much needed knowledge to be on their own.
Board Member
Make decisions that align with our mission and help the organization to move forward. Be present at fundraisers attend meetings, represent The Light House to the communities, and decide how are programming should be affecting foster children and their families.
Intern
As an intern, you’ll help with program support, events, outreach, and admin. Work alongside staff who care about support foster children, and build skills that stand out on a résumé. We offer flexible scheduling, mentorship, and a chance to see how a nonprofit runs from the inside.
Crafting Volunteer
Crafting volunteers make handmade gifts for children and families at community resource fairs. Each gift is designed around mental health, such as calming sensory items, encouragement cards, feelings journals, or coping-skill kits.
The gifts give families something to take home that starts a conversation about emotional well-being and reminds them that support is available. Volunteers don’t need to be expert crafters. The team welcomes anyone who enjoys making things and wants to help kids and families feel cared for.
Social Media/Event Photographer
Create specialized content for our social media. Help attract families for our programs as well as help donors see what we do. Help with event marketing and creative designs.
Also event photographers will get great content to use for our social media from our fundraisers and Awareness events. Work alongside social media and marketing to be able to show our impact in the community.
The Difference We Make Together
“Volunteering as a mentor has shown me how powerful it is to simply be present, listen without judgment, and celebrate every milestone.”
— Volunteer Mentor
“Our volunteers bring warmth and reliability to every program. Their time helps us create spaces where foster children, teens, and families can learn, connect, and feel valued.”
— President of The Light House
“Having a safe place to express my emotions and meet others like me was a great experience.”
— Emotional Regulation Student
age 14
Volunteer FAQs
Click on the question to get your answer.
How much time do I need to commit?
Opportunities range from one-time event shifts to ongoing roles. Most regular volunteers give 2–4 hours per month, and mentors typically connect with a young person one a week.
Who can volunteer, and do I need prior experience?
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. No previous foster care, mentoring, or teaching experience is required—we welcome caring, dependable people from every background.
Are background checks and training required?
Yes. Volunteers complete a background check and orientation before serving with the children. There are no background checks for other positions. We provide role-specific training so you feel prepared to support teens and children with care, respect, and appropriate boundaries. Learning about trauma is also an extra training that can be provided as well.
What does mentoring involve?
Mentors offer consistent encouragement, practical guidance, and a trusted adult connection for teens building life skills. You will receive clear expectations, resources, and ongoing support from our team.
When are volunteer shifts available?
Schedules include weekday evenings, select weekends, workshop dates, and seasonal events. We will help you find an opportunity that fits your availability and interests.
Do you keep track of volunteer hours?
Yes, we do keep track of volunteer hours. We also have a way for you to log in yourself and not only see your hours to print on your own, but you can sign up for opportunities as well.
The Difference Volunteers Make
Every hour, conversation, and workshop helps young people build stability, confidence, and practical tools for their next chapter.
Gifts need to be made each year for children in foster care.
Life Skill Workshops for 2027
Resource fairs for 2027
Hours per month makes an impact
“A consistent, caring adult can help a young person affected by foster care recognize their strengths, build confidence, and take courageous steps toward independence.”
— The Light House Denver
Find Your Meaningful Way to Volunteer
Tell us about your interests, skills, availability, and the volunteer opportunities that inspire you. We’ll help identify a next step that fits your strengths and supports teens and young adults in our community.
