Volunteering Designed for Ages 3-5

Building compassion and community connections through early childhood service experiences.

What is the Little Helpers Program?

Our Little Helpers Program introduces families with young children to volunteering while making new friends in the community! The curriculum was created by Carol McHorse, a certified teacher with an early childhood education specialization, and all of our facilitators are certified teachers. Each session includes a story and an age-appropriate service activity for families to do together as well as time to play and get to know each other.

Who is the Little Helpers Program For?

This program is exclusively for 3- to 5-year olds who have not yet entered Kindergarten. The program fee for our sessions is $150 per child. We offer fee assistance to families with a demonstrated financial need.

Stay in The Loop About Upcoming Sessions for Children Ages 3-5

Little Helpers Learn & Play sessions are offered in the fall, spring, and summer—and they fill up fast! We announce upcoming session details and registration dates through our email updates, newsletters, and social media channels. Each session explores a variety of engaging themes, such as animal care, gardening, helping neighbors, protecting the environment, and connecting with seniors. Registration typically opens several weeks before each session begins.

How to Keep the Momentum Going

Have a Little Helper and looking for more ways to stay involved between sessions? Starting service early helps children build a strong foundation of empathy, responsibility, and community connection—values that inspire a lifetime of volunteerism and giving back. Our monthly Activity Calendar includes a variety of opportunities for children as young as three to volunteer alongside a parent or caregiver. To find age appropriate opportunities, use the Age Range filter on the left hand side of the calendar by selecting “All Ages” or “3-5” to narrow your search of available activities.

How to Get Involved

Begin your Little Helper’s journey by submitting an interest form for information on upcoming sessions when they are available. You can expect an enriching experience where your preschooler will develop empathy through age-appropriate service activities. Each child needs one adult participant, and spaces fill quickly with just 10 spots per session.

Summer 2025 Registration is now closed for Session One and Two.

Little Helpers Interest Form.

Hear From Generation SERVE Youth & Families

Volunteering is a good thing for all families to do. It’s important to help others live a better life.

-11 year old Generation SERVE volunteer

[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.

-Volunteer Parent

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our Little Helpers program to help you prepare for a meaningful experience.

No, all participants must have paid and registered for the program. We try to foster group bonding and build a comfortable atmosphere for the preschoolers in our program, and bringing an unknown person changes that dynamic.

If your child's friend is interested in participating and meets the age criteria (3 to 5 years old and not yet in kindergarten), please have their family register them through our registration page.
Absolutely! Families are welcome to enroll in future sessions of Little Helpers if your child is still in the 3- to 5-year-old age group and has not yet entered kindergarten. Some activities may be repeated, but no two sessions are identical. Your family will have a different experience every time with different kids participating, different activities and (in some cases) a different facilitator.
After completing Little Helpers, families can explore any of our all ages Family Volunteering opportunities on our calendar and continue to progress to others based on the designated age range of each activity as your children grow.

Your family is also welcome to participate in another Little Helpers session if your child is still in the 3- to 5-year-old age group and has not yet entered kindergarten.

After each Little Helpers session, we also provide participating families with ideas to continue serving on your own, which are suitable for children as young as three.