Empower Change: Volunteer at AcademySTAY

At AcademySTAY, we believe every volunteer brings us one step closer to transforming the lives of transitional-aged foster youth.

Welcome to AcademySTAY’s Volunteer Hub!
Are you ready to make a real impact in your community? At AcademySTAY, we empower transitional-aged foster youth by providing safe housing, educational resources, and opportunities for personal growth. When you volunteer with us, you’re not only sharing your time—you’re igniting change and offering hope.

How Your Volunteering Makes an Impact

Every hour you contribute helps change lives. As a volunteer, you’ll:

Support Transformative Programs: Directly assist in programs that empower foster youth to pursue education and career opportunities.
Build a Brighter Future: Help break the cycle of adversity by providing mentorship, guidance, and practical skills.
Inspire Hope: Your involvement sends a powerful message that our community cares and stands together in times of need.

Imagine the difference you can make—one life at a time.

Benefits & Features for Our Volunteers

Grow and Learn: Gain new skills and expand your network. Our volunteer roles are designed to boost both personal and professional development.

Make a Tangible Impact: Experience the rewarding feeling of directly contributing to the success of young adults overcoming life’s challenges.

Flexible Opportunities: Whether you have a few hours a week or more, we offer various roles tailored to fit your schedule and interests.

Be Part of a Collaborative Community: Join a diverse team of passionate volunteers, dedicated staff, and community partners all working together to create positive change.

At AcademySTAY, we believe in nurturing strengths and empowering you to shine.

Volunteer Roles & Opportunities

We offer a range of volunteer positions to suit your interests and skills, including:

Teaching Life Skills Classes: Lead workshops on healthy relationships, job interview prep, financial literacy, or cooking basics. Our students are eager to learn from trusted adults who can share real-world skills they'll need for independence. Whether you're a professional chef or just passionate about teaching, we'll provide the framework, you bring the expertise.
Organizing our Clothes Closet: Help maintain our on-site clothing resource where students can "shop" for professional attire, seasonal clothing, and everyday essentials. This behind-the-scenes role includes sorting donations, organizing by size, and creating an inviting space that helps our residents build confidence through clothing choices.
Gardening: Join our garden volunteers to create a peaceful outdoor space where students can connect, unwind, and grow fresh herbs and vegetables. From spring planting days to ongoing maintenance, gardening offers therapeutic benefits while teaching sustainable living skills to our young adults.
Cooking: Share your culinary skills by teaching cooking classes or helping with meal prep workshops. Many of our students are learning to cook for the first time, and your guidance helps them develop both practical skills and confidence in creating nutritious, budget-friendly meals.
Transporting: Provide reliable transportation for students getting to job interviews, medical appointments, or educational opportunities. This flexible volunteer role helps remove a major barrier to independence while offering meaningful one-on-one connection time with our young adults.
Mentorship and Tutoring: Guide youth through educational challenges and career planning while providing consistent support and encouragement. Our mentors become trusted adults who believe in our students' potential and help them navigate everything from college applications to workplace expectations.
Community Outreach: Assist in organizing events and workshops that promote skill-building and personal development. Help us connect with community partners, coordinate resource fairs, or support special events like our annual prom that create lasting memories and community connections.
Administrative Support: Help streamline operations and support our dedicated staff behind the scenes. From data entry to event coordination, your organizational skills free up our case managers to focus directly on student support and program delivery.

Getting started is easy! Simply complete our online volunteer application on this page, attend a brief training session, and you’ll be on your way to making a meaningful difference.

Anonymous AcademySTAY Volunteer

"I have been volunteering at AcademySTAY for about a month. I was attracted to their mission of helping young adult students who are leaving a foster care home. This is a difficult time in any young person’s life when they are moving toward self sufficiency and adulthood. It is a time when they need continued nurturing from adults. At this point in my life, after raising my own children, I find that I have more patience and more ability to listen without judgment . I have provided a Thursday Game meal and driven a student to college classes several times. Since this is a brand new organization I look forward to finding new ways to help in their mission."

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Contact us anytime—we’re here to help you get started.

Your journey to making a real impact starts here. Fill out the form below to join the AcademySTAY volunteer community and help empower transitional-aged foster youth to build brighter futures.

If you’re curious or need more information, feel free to reach out to giving@academystay.org.