10 Popular Volunteer Opportunities For High School Students In New Jersey
New Jersey offers a variety of volunteering opportunities for high school students. You just need to know where to look. Over time, we hope that NJHSVolunteers.com will be a one-stop hub for any and all volunteer opportunities so that you can quickly evaluate how to best donate your time and efforts to help the common good in your local area across New Jersey.
Many students and parents ask, “What are the popular options for volunteering as a high school student,” especially as the spring semester is coming to a close soon and summer planning is beginning for many students.
There are many opportunities that can be found across different categories of organizations, including education, healthcare, environment, and social services.
Here is a list of places I was able to research this week where NJ high school students can volunteer:
- Community FoodBank of New Jersey: Help sort and pack food for distribution to local communities in need. Website: https://cfbnj.org/volunteer/
- Habitat for Humanity: Assist in building and repairing homes for families in need. Website: https://njhsvolunteers.com/listing/greater-newark-habitat-for-humanity/
- American Red Cross: Offer your support in disaster response, blood drives, and community outreach programs. Website: https://njhsvolunteers.com/listing/american-red-cross-red-cross-youth/
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Mentor and engage with children through various activities and programs. Website: https://www.bgca.org/get-involved/find-a-club
- Animal shelters and rescue organizations: Assist in taking care of animals, cleaning facilities, and raising awareness about pet adoption. Examples: Liberty Humane Society (https://www.libertyhumane.org/), St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center (https://www.sthuberts.org/)
- Local hospitals and healthcare facilities: Support patients and healthcare professionals through various roles, such as patient care, clerical tasks, and information desks. Examples: RWJBarnabas Health (https://www.rwjbh.org/volunteer/), Hackensack Meridian Health (https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/)
- Environmental and conservation organizations: Participate in local cleanups, tree planting, or environmental education. Examples: New Jersey Audubon (https://njaudubon.org/volunteer/), New Jersey Conservation Foundation (https://www.njconservation.org/volunteer/)
- Local libraries: Assist in shelving books, organizing events, and running youth programs. Example: New Jersey Library Association (https://www.njla.org/index.php?searchword=volunteer&ordering=&searchphrase=all&option=com_search)
- Senior centers and nursing homes: Spend time with senior citizens, assist with recreational activities, or provide companionship. Example: CareOne (https://www.care-one.com/locations/?address=&services=&state=NJ&co-distance=)
- HomeFront: Support families experiencing homelessness or financial hardship through tutoring, meal preparation, or childcare. Website: https://www.homefrontnj.org/
Before you decide to volunteer, make sure to check the age requirements, because some organizations may have specific rules for high school students.
It’s also a good idea to contact the organization directly to ask about current volunteer openings vs the summer jobs available and to see if any training or orientation is required.
