Volunteer

The Cabbage Patch has dozens of volunteer opportunities. Volunteering can take many forms, whether it’s tutoring with our Homework Helpers program or helping a child improve reading skills, mentoring one of our College Scholars, coaching a basketball team, leading a Bible study or an art class, teaching dance, music, cooking, photography or a sports activity, speaking at a Patch Parents meeting or much more. 

Building relationships with the children is at the core of the mission of The Cabbage Patch, so the greatest need and preference is for volunteers - individuals or groups - who can commit to an activity over an extended period. Typically, this translates into a program cycle, which can range from 4-16 weeks.

There are also periodic needs for volunteers to assist with special events and short-term projects, including yard work and housekeeping.

Here are some ideas and tips on volunteering at The Cabbage Patch:

Greatest Volunteer Needs in Programs

Long-term:
In The Cabbage Patch programming model, development of positive relationships through discussion and role modeling shares equal importance with youth learning new skills and improving abilities. One example of a long-term commitment is someone agreeing to be a sports coach. This would require about 4 hours per week for up to 16 weeks, conducting practices, clinics and competition. We have long-term needs in our Education department, our Recreation/Youth Development department and our Counseling/Family Services department.

Short-term:
Throughout the year, there are opportunities for volunteers to perform short-term services such as collection of back-to-school supplies, planning and conducting holiday parties, speaking to a club of our parents, planning monthly birthday parties for the youth and more.

Groups:
We have found that members of volunteer groups appreciate their experiences best when they meet with our Director of Programs to brainstorm how they can best serve our participants and agency. Contact Rod Napier, Director of Programs, at (502) 753-4447 to get your group involved.

All volunteers are required to complete a volunteer application and attend a training session. Additionally, since volunteers will be working with children or work in close proximity to areas accessed by children, we require a criminal records check for our volunteers to ensure the safety of the children.

For more information about volunteering, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (502) 753-4457.

Basic Steps to Becoming a Program Volunteer:
How to Become a Volunteer in the Programs Area

  1. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Pam Satterly, at (502) 753-4457 to make an appointment for a personal interview.
  2. Complete a volunteer application, receive an agency orientation and participate in a tour of our facility. Determine your interest, availability and the type of commitment you can make. 
  3. Because volunteers are working with or in close proximity to children, applicants must wait until a successful criminal records check is completed (usually within 5 working days).
  4. Through a meeting with the volunteer coordinator and the appropriate department manager, determine your first assignment, starting date and time.
  5. Enjoy the experience, knowing you are helping change the life of a child.
"I have been a volunteer at The Cabbage Patch since I was in the ninth grade at Collegiate School. Over the years I have served as a camp counselor, helped in the front game room and served on the board of directors. I have seen firsthand the value of volunteer efforts."

-Katherine M. Davis, former board member