New Volunteer & Internship Opportunities

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FREQUENTLY TO SEE NEW POSTINGS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERING, SERVICE LEARNING, AND LEARNING ABOUT NEW INTERNSHIP SITES.

To learn about Delaware Human Service programs, go to the Delaware Human Services Directory, that is now online.

Support young children and their parents: The Early Learning Center, located on the campus of the University of Delaware, provides infant, toddler, preschool and kindergarten care to a diverse population of approximately 180 children, specifically targeting children with risk factors including poverty (40% Purchase of Care), foster care (10%) and disabilities (20%). The ELC is also very interested in providing outreach and services to families of children served. The ELC also has an after-school program serves elementary age children. Recently opened is an ELC located in Wilmington that provides additional opportunities to work with children and families. The ELC in Newark is located at 489 Wyoming Road. For information about the many different opportunities to volunteer and/or to complete an internship, please contact Peg Bradley, Director, at 831-6205 (pbradley@udel.edu). Also, visit their website at: http://www.elc.udel.edu

Help homeless families. Emmaus House is a shelter for families who need temporary housing. They are homeless due to a variety of circumstances. The goal of Emmaus House is to support families so that they can achieve permanent housing. Emmaus House is located within walking distance of the University of Delaware. Volunteers and interns are very welcome. They can staff the house overnight, provide child care, assist with parenting groups, help with mailings, and/or conduct fund raising events and food drives. For information, please contact Mary Ellen Green at info@homewardbound-de.org. You can also check out their website at: http://www.homewardbound-de.org/help.html

Help organize and participate in a training session to help professionals know how to help children who have been victims of violence and/or abuse and neglect. The Division of Family Services in the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families in Delaware conducts workshops in the Spring and in the Fall that you can help deliver. A student can help with organizing these events, learn more about family violence and the many professionals (lawyers, police officers, social workers, etc) who are involved in helping children. This could be a semester long experience or extended over several semesters. Students can volunteer and/or take an Independent Study or Supervised Field Experience (HDFS 367). You can contact Dr. Donald Unger (unger@udel.edu) (831-6852) and/or for further information

Linda M. Shannon, MSW
Program Manager - Intake & Investigation
Division of Family Services
1825 Faulkland Road
Wilmington, DE 19805
Linda.Shannon@state.de.us
Phone: 302-633-2663

Learn more about the Child Welfare System. The mission of the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) is to safeguard the welfare of Delaware's children through educational advocacy, system reform, public awareness, training, and legal representation of children as set forth in 29 De. C., Ch. 90A.

The Office of the Child Advocate is a small office that operates statewide through a coordinated effort of 5 in-house attorneys working with more than 400 local, volunteer attorneys to represent the best interests of children.  For students interested in learning more about the Child Welfare System this is an excellent opportunity to get first-hand experience.  During an internship with OCA you can expect to interact with various members of the legal profession, social work profession, medical personnel, the general public, and various political figures as you navigate the Child Welfare System.

Some of the duties you would be expected to perform are (but are not limited to):

  • Reviewing medical, psychological and criminal records and creating timelines;
  • Talking to prospective clients and doing intakes;
  • Attending court hearings;
  • Attending Child Protection Accountability Commission Meetings;
  • Attending various Child Welfare System subcommittee meetings;
  • Researching hot topics;
  • Creating briefs, motions and other legal documents for court;
  • Filing documents with the Court; and
  • Assisting with day-to-day activities

OCA accepts interns year round upon receipt of a letter of interest and resume, as well as an in-person interview.  Our hours of operation are generally 8:30-4:30, Monday through Friday, and we are more than willing to work with students' hectic school and work schedules.

For additional information on this internship opportunity, contact Allison McDowell, 302-255-1730 or Allison.McDowell@state.de.us

EASTER SEALS has many opportunities for volunteers-

  • NEW CASTLE SATURDAY RESPITE PROGRAM is currently seeking volunteers. Respite is a term used to describe a service that enables care givers to get a break from routine care provision while their loved ones go somewhere safe and enjoyable.  Volunteers are needed to join the team of respite care givers to ensure that every participant has a fun and safe experience.  Sessions run from 10:00-2:00 at 61 Corporate Circle, New Castle, DE.  Activites could include crafts, walks, sports and games, computer activites, exercise and therapeutic pet visits. First time respite volunteers will attend a brief orientation prior to the program starting at 9:30 am.  Contact Holly Titus, Volunteer Coordinator htitus@esdel.org to receive more information.  Session dates:  10/24, 11/28, 12/19, 1/23, 2/27, 3/27, 4/24, 5/22, 6/26.
  • CAMP FAIRLEE MANOR VOLUNTEER SUMMER CAMP COUNSELOR ASSISTANT OPPORTUNITIES:  Volunteer counselors support week long camping sessions, Sunday - Friday.  Room and board provided while at the camp.
  • MONDAY PONY INTERACTION PROGRAM with Personal Ponies. Volunteers handle the ponies and are matched with an adult participants.  Volunteers help participants interact with the ponies and to socialize. Volunteers will work with the new assistive devices that Personal Ponies will have on display. You do not need have any significant previous experience with horses/ponies.  However, you should be prepared to have a very interactive experience holding the 500 lb. ponies and helping to guide the ponies for our participants.  Our visit will likely include walking around and through the stable areas and the courtyard area, brushing, feeding and watering the ponies, in addition to visiting and getting acquainted and just having some peaceful quite time with the ponies and with our participants. 

For more information on program, please go to http://de.easterseals.com  and then click Volunteering for  more information or contact, Holly E. Titus, MS, Volunteer Coordinator, 302.221.2037 (direct), htitus@esdel.org. 

GET EXPERIENCE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING. Help provide support and activities with children at the Hockessin Athletic Center in their daycare center. Contact Greg Mauer at 239-668 (ext. 116). See: http://www.hachealthclub.com/trainerfinder/websites/60052/kidsprograms/k_childcare.html

Work with youth in after school programs. The Boy Scouts of America is looking for part time paid Activities Specilaists to work with areas schools and centers (e.g. Stubbs, East Side Charter, Ministry of Caring) in Wilmington, The hours are flexible, including afternoon and evening hours. Training is available. Contact Mr. Cleveland Lynch, Jr. at the Del-Mar-Va Council 622-3300 , ext 122 (www.delmarvacouncil.org) for further information. You can also contact Dr. Unger (unger@udel.edu), 831-6852 for additional information.

For more opportunities, check out our Internship and Volunteer Opportunities page.