Volunteer Opportunities
The following organizations have volunteer opportunities for you.
Take a look and get involved today!**
Please contact organization directly.
The Detroit Grand Prix Association 
Where: Downtown Detroit
When: May 31st to June 2nd
Doing What: Help make the yearly race happen by being the smiling face that everyone remembers! The Detroit Grand Prix Association (DGPA) is the official volunteer organization of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. Volunteer roles range from directing foot and car traffic to administrative work and everything in between. There are even on-track duties available for the thrill seekers. Please refer to the role descriptions below to see where you fit in.
Email: VolManager@DetroitGP.com
Phone: 313-748-1801
Website: https://detroitgp.com/volunteer/
Motor City Scholars
Our mission: expand educational opportunities for Metro Detroit youth with a focus on high school students aspiring to post-secondary education. We provide mentoring and enrichment activities to students so they are better prepared to pursue college or other paths.
We are currently focused on providing small-group SAT coaching in reading/writing and math. This past year, we supported 18 students and are very excited to expand our program to support 30 students come this fall. We are looking for people passionate about making a difference in their community to help our cause.
You will be helping motivated Detroit-area high school juniors with SAT prep in either reading/writing or math. The commitment is one Saturday morning a month from October 2019 through March 2020. The sessions take place at the RenCen in downtown Detroit. We provide onboarding, parking validation and breakfast on program Saturdays.
If you want to learn more, here's a link to our website: http://motorcityscholars.org/
Project Healthy Community
Project Healthy Community is a non-profit organization working in NW Detroit to help create a more healthy and vital community through educational, and food and nutrition programs. We are based out of the Northwest Activities Center at 18100 Meyers Rd, Detroit and many of our programs take place in or nearby the center.
Mobile Pantry - Fourth Thursday of the Month from 7:30AM-11AM
PHC runs a food distribution the fourth Thursday of every month. During warmer months, the distribution takes place at the Northwest Activities Center. When colder weather comes, the pantry is moved to an indoor location. Volunteers package and distribute healthy food to over 400 families that attend each month. Distribution typically is outside, therefore volunteers are asked to dress for the weather. The mobile pantry also includes educational sessions on a variety of health topics.
After School Program - Mon, Tues, Thurs 3:30PM-6PM
Project Healthy Community runs an after school program which focuses on building literacy skills of kindergarten through 2nd graders at Schulze Academy (10700 Santa Maria St, Detroit). Help facilitate enrichment activities and tutor students. Those volunteers who can regularly attend the After School Program are preferred.
Fundamentals of Understanding Nutrition Pantry - Fridays 10am-12:30pm
The F.U.N. Pantry teaches first grade students at Schulze Academy about nutrition, food safety and preparation, and where their food comes from through lessons about balanced diets, recipes, and PHC's urban garden. Students get to take food home by shopping in the classroom's choice pantry. Volunteers help facilitate lessons and activities. Volunteers who can regularly attend the four sessions for each class are preferred, three different classes participate in the program. Program cycles for 2017-2018 are as follows: Cycle 1 - 10/6, 10/20, 11/3, 11/17. Cycle 2 - 1/19, 2/2, 2/16, 3/2. Cycle 3 - 3/16, 3/23, 4/13, 4/20.
Urban Garden - Open volunteer hours Mon/Thurs 9-11AM Located at the Northwest Activities Center, PHC's Urban Garden serves both to provide food for the surrounding community and to educate community members about the benefits of gardening and healthy eating. Volunteers help weed, plant, and harvest a variety of crops. Produce harvested in the garden is given out at PHC's Monthly Mobile Pantry and to other local institutions.
Contact aryeh@projecthealthycommunity.org for more information about any of our programs. www.projecthealthycommunity.org
Plymoth-Canton Community Schools
Where: Plymoth-Canton Community Schools
Doing What?: Help At-Risk students in Plymouth-Canton Community Schools through the following programs. (ELEMENTARY BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONIST FOR EMOTIONALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS require a minimum commitment of 30 hours. Times and programs will be mutually agreed upon by both parties.)
When: See below
Time: See below
ELEMENTARY TUTORING PROGRAMS require a commitment of 30 hours. Program cycles are 10 weeks; programs are 3 hours/week and have the following choices:
- 4:10pm-5:40 on T and Th, Oct. 20-Jan 14
- 4:10pm-5:40 on T and Th, Jan. 26-April 15
- 4:10pm-5:40 on M and W, Oct. 19-Jan 13
- 4:10pm-5:40 on M and W, Jan. 25-April 14
MIDDLE SCHOOL TUTORING PROGRAMS require a commitment of of 30 hours. Program cycles are 20 weeks and are 1.5 hours/week and have the following choices:
- 3:20pm 4:50 on M and W, Nov. 2-April 18
- 3:20pm 4:50 on M and W, Nov. 4-April 20
HIGH SCHOOL TUTORING PROGRAMS require a commitment of of 30 hours. Program cycles are 10 weeks and are 3 hours/week and have the following choices:
- 9:00 am-noon on Saturdays, Oct. 24-Jan. 23
- 9:00 am-noon on Saturdays, Jan. 30-April 16
Contact: Please complete the application found here and email it to beth.savalox@pccsk12.com by Friday, Oct. 2
Art Road
Where: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays
When: Mondays and Wednesdays at Charles Wright (7mile and Telegraph), Tuesdays at Spain Elementary (Beaubien & Mack), and Fridays at Edison Elementary (Grand River & Southfield).
Doing What?: Art Road would love to have you volunteer with us. We're very flexible, you can come for one class, a couple classes, or all day as your schedules permit (those who volunteer all day get lunch provided by us!). We encourage volunteers to bring family and friends with them to help in art class, enjoy the experience and help spread awareness that Art Road is bringing art class back to schools in Detroit!
Contact: Stephen Hofgartner shofgartner@provide.net
(734) 536-6256 www.artroadnonprofit.org
Rosa Parks Youth Program
After School Tutor
When: Mondays-Thursdays
Time: 4:00 pm 6:00 pm
Location: Capuchin Soup Kitchen (4390 Conner, Detroit)
Doing What?: The Rosa Parks Youth Program is a non-profit organization on Detroit's east side that offers tutoring and art therapy to students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. We are looking for tutors to help with homework, encourage reading, and develop writing skills with our younger students (K-4th grade). We have 60 students enrolled in the program, so you will be seeing the same students each week. We ask that you commit to at least one day a week so that you can build a strong rapport with the students. For more information visit our website or contact us!
http://www.cskdetroit.org/programs/childrens_program/
Contact: Courtney Gupta cgupta@cskdetroit.org 313-822-8606 x. 224 or Davon Mann dmann@cskdetroit.org x.220
Harris Literacy Program Tutoring
The Harris Literacy Program is an educational enhancement program established at WSU through the generosity of Mr. Mort Harris. The program focuses on advancing the literacy levels of adults functioning between a 4th and 8th grade equivalency. With the underlying goal of workforce development, we help members of the Detroit community reach their academic goals and make steps toward greater self-sufficiency. We do this by offering on-site reading and math instruction supported by in-class tutoring. Currently, our classes are offered at 3 locations in Detroit, Monday through Thursday for about 3 hours each day/evening. (times vary by location) We provide the instructional necessities for every Harris Scholar, including the teaching staff, supplies, content/materials as well as the costs for pre/post test. Tutors will receive a brief orientation and overview and will be responsible for reporting to the assigned location each week to support instruction.
When: Various Times, Monday - Thursday
Time: Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday at Focus Hope; Monday and Tuesday or Wednesday and Thursday at Southwest Detroit Harris Lab; Wednesday or Thursday at Matrix Human Services
Doing What? Supporting adult basic education by providing tutoring in reading and or math.
Contact: Naimah Wade, naimah.wade@wayne.edu, 313.577.0171.
Detroit Institute of Arts
The Detroit Institute of Arts is recruiting volunteers who will be trained to provide learner-centered tours to museum visitors and take art talks into the community. Training will take place at the DIA twice monthly on Saturdays from September 2015 to May 2016. Upon completion, volunteers will fill critical evening and weekend programming needs at the DIA and in the community. To apply, visit http://www.dia.org/get-involved/volunteer-overview.aspx and click on the "Interpretive Programs Volunteers" section. The application deadline is July 15, 2015.
826michigan
Creative Writing Workshop Volunteer
When: Mondays-Fridays (and some Saturdays)
Time: Mornings or afternoons (typically a 2 hour session)
Location: K-12 schools in Detroit
Doing What?: 826michigan is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students (ages 6 to 18) with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. Volunteer tutors will work with students on creative writing exercises, one-on-one or in small groups, facilitating the writing process and assisting students in becoming creative and confident writers.
Contact Tom@826michigan.org or visit www.826michigan.org/volunteer for more information
McGlinnen Elementary
After-school tutoring
When: Tuesday afternoons
Time: 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Doing what? Help with homework, offer math skill-building games, and help students with reading.
Contact: Julie Borkin if interested at julieborkin@gmail.com
VIP Mentoring
Community-Based and Location-Specific Mentors
VIP Mentoring is a non-profit organization that has been serving the young people of Metro Detroit for thirty five years. The program matches caring adults with children ages 7-17 whose difficult circumstances seriously compromise their opportunities to succeed.
When: Sunday-Saturday
Time: Various times
Doing what: Volunteers in our location-specific program will become involved in a year-long mentoring relationship with a young person who needs your support and guidance. You and your mentee will meet at their school for one hour every week, during the regular school day. You both will engage in meaningful and fun activities that are designed to help the youngster improve their self-esteem, learn how to prepare for college, and gain exposure to different careers.
Volunteers in our community-based program will become involved in a year-long mentoring relationship with a young person that lives in the Metro Detroit area and who needs your support and guidance. You and your mentee will meet for a few hours each week for fun outings and activities. You'll also have the opportunity to participate in planned group outings throughout the year, including various sporting and cultural events, and other fun activities.
Contact: Pamela Smith staff@vipmentoring.org 313-964-1110 or visit www.vipmentoring.org for more information.
**Volunteering at these organizations is at your own risk. Wayne State University, including its Irvin D. Reid Honors College, nor its officers, agents or employees, will not be liable for any injuries, losses, or damages which may occur during or as a result of your volunteering at these organizations.