volunteers
Junior volunteers are making a difference early in life

Texas Children's Hospital has a vibrant year-round volunteer program for teens. Junior volunteers, ages 15 to 18, commit to volunteer four hours each month during the school year. During the summer, they may change their volunteer schedule to reflect their summer availability.

The Volunteer Services staff, along with the 900+ members of The Auxiliary to Texas Children's Hospital, strive to create a warm, friendly and welcoming environment for teen volunteers. They help junior volunteers choose placements to their liking and are extremely helpful with any questions or concerns.

Junior Council
Junior volunteers with at least 75 hours of service are eligible to serve on the Junior Council which meets regularly to plan and present various patient activities throughout the year. Junior council members are selected for their leadership potential. Positions on the council require an extra time commitment.

Summer Junior Program
A summer program is also available for junior volunteers. Students interested in volunteering only during the summer months should contact the Volunteer Services office by the end of the preceding February. Prospective volunteers then complete the three steps listed above

Approximately 250 teens from more than 50 area high schools volunteer each summer and more than half enjoy it so much that they continue to volunteer during the school year too. Texas Children's Hospital has an active summer junior volunteer program with orientations held in February and March. Interested teens must contact Volunteer Services by the end of February.

Assignments for Junior volunteers
Each volunteer's placement is determined by personal interview. Assignments are made on the basis of the volunteer's maturity, experience and interests, as well as the needs of the Hospital. Placements may include working directly with children or assisting in support departments such as medical records, accounting and admissions, doing basic office or clerical tasks.

Placements with patient contact include visiting hospitalized children in their rooms to deliver sno-cones, library books or arts and crafts. Hosting a playroom gives junior volunteers, working in pairs, a chance to play with small groups of children, using craft supplies.

For volunteers who want to develop business skills, there are placements such as the Information Desk, where they can answer questions, greet guests and direct them through the hospital's four-building campus. Or they may choose to volunteer in one of the toy & gift shops, where they can help visitors choose gifts and learn to create merchandise displays.

Commitment
Summer junior volunteers commit a minimum of 3 hours per week for 8 weeks during June to mid-August. Teens who volunteer during the school year are asked to give 4 hours a month. Dependability is extremely important since junior volunteers are assigned to a specific area on a specific day and time. Patients, families and staff members depend on volunteers to be there to carry out that assignment, and a volunteer commitment  should not be made lightly. When an absence is unavoidable, the departmental supervisor must be notified. Junior volunteers must be able to accept supervision and follow the policies and procedures of Texas Children's Hospital.

Expenses for junior volunteers

Volunteering at Texas Children's can provide invaluable insight and experience for teens interested in a career in health care. In addition to the benefits offered all volunteers, junior volunteers may receive a reference letter once they have met the minimum volunteer requirements.

For more information about the Junior Volunteer Program at Texas Children's Hospital, call the Volunteer Services office at 832-824-2257.

Learn more about the services volunteers provide to patients at Texas Children's.