At Generation SERVE, we believe youth learn best by doing, especially when they’re serving alongside a parent or caregiver. Our Family Volunteering program creates meaningful opportunities for families to make a difference together, modeling compassion and civic responsibility through hands-on action. Volunteering not only benefits the community, but also supports the well-being of each volunteer. Studies show that giving back is good for your health, and our families often share how volunteering has helped their children grow in confidence, empathy, and awareness of the world around them. Generation SERVE’s Family Volunteering program makes up the majority of the activities offered on our calendar each month. These opportunities are designed specifically for families to serve together and require at least one adult and one child from the same household to participate. When signing up, parents should review the activity requirements carefully to ensure all volunteers meet the listed age guidelines and any other participation criteria. It’s also important to confirm that there are enough open spots available for the number of family members you plan to bring. To meet the diverse needs of our nonprofit partners and our volunteer families, Family Volunteering activities are offered in three flexible formats: in-person, virtual, and SERVE at Home.
In-person Family Volunteering activities offer families the chance to SERVE together, side-by-side, at local nonprofit partner sites or in Generation SERVE’s programming space. Each activity is led by a trained Generation SERVE Activity Leader who supports volunteers on-site and helps guide the experience.
You can explore our monthly calendar to find opportunities that match your family’s ages, interests, and availability. Before RSVPing, double-check that each participant meets the age and participation requirements listed for the activity. Once you RSVP, be sure to check your inbox for a confirmation email, which includes important details like parking information, directions, and any additional waivers required by our partners.
See Our Calendar
SERVE at Home activities offer families a flexible way to give back to suit your family’s busy schedule, from the comfort of your home. As part of our Family Volunteering Program, these activities still require at least one adult and one child from the same household to participate together. In this format, the adult acts as the Activity Leader, using the instructions provided in the calendar listing to guide their family through the service project, ensuring that listed requirements and submission deadlines are met. Some of these activities may require your family to provide the materials needed, so read carefully when selecting an activity.
After RSVPing on our calendar, families complete the activity on their own and document their experience with photos. Using the form linked in the RSVP confirmation email, families help us certify that the service was completed using these photographs. Most SERVE at Home activities appear on the calendar toward the end of the month and can be completed anytime earlier in the same month—unless a specific deadline is noted in the activity description. Families have up to 7 days after the listed activity date to submit the form to receive service hours credit, so we encourage families to plan accordingly and set themselves up for success.
If you’re new to the SERVE at Home format, please review the full guidelines and FAQs at the link below before RSVPing to ensure a smooth experience.
See Our Calendar
Our virtual offerings offer a hybrid experience for our volunteers: the ability to access service opportunities from the comfort of your home along with the support of a Generation SERVE Activity Leader to guide the activity itself. These activities are held via Zoom at the time and date listed on the calendar.
If materials are needed for the activity, a list is provided in the activity description so you can be prepared at the scheduled activity time. Once the Zoom starts, an Activity Leader will take attendance and introduce the activity. As part of our Family Volunteering Program, virtual activities also require at least one adult and one child from the same household to participate together.
To find available virtual opportunities, click the button below and use the Format filter on the left hand side of the calendar to select “virtual” to find any available spots.
Learn More
Volunteering is a good thing for all families to do. It’s important to help others live a better life.
[After volunteering together], we now have conversations regularly about helping those in need. He includes being a volunteer when he describes himself in school projects. Volunteering is now a part of who he is.
