Volunteering
The Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center provides meaningful volunteer opportunities through our youth and family programs and services. We are always interested in recruiting new volunteers. Sharing your time, talent and compassion is one of the greatest gifts you can give our community.
All opportunities help in furthering the mission of the Family Support Center: mentoring children, strengthening families, and helping islanders.
Mentoring
The Family Resource Center provides mentoring programs for various age groups: one-on-one matches and group mentoring for children, SJI youth mentoring for tweens, and first-generation mentoring for teens and young adults who are the first in their families to attend college or vocational school. These programs aim to promote resiliency, relationship-building, and provide academic support.
Island Neighbors
Island Neighbors – Independent Living Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to support seniors who are living independently. There are a range of needs. Volunteers can focus on what most interests them such as helping seniors with errands, grocery shopping, going for walks and outings, light home organizing, locating free or low-cost furniture, and light home safety installation or repairs.
*Long-term volunteers are extremely helpful but anyone who can commit to at least three months is welcome. Seasonal residents are welcome to help out when they are on-island.
Island Neighbors – Slow Paced Walking Volunteer
We are also looking for volunteers to walk with us one a week at Linde Park on Tuesdays at 10:30 am at our slow-pace walking group for seniors with limited mobility.
The volunteer commitment is one hour a week.
Island Neighbors – Firewood Program Volunteer
Help keep island seniors warm this winter by volunteering with the Island Neighbors Firewood Program. Volunteers are needed to process, stack, split, and (for those with chainsaw experience) buck firewood during Sunday work parties in the fall. Additional volunteers are needed throughout the winter and early spring to help deliver firewood to seniors. Whether you can lend a hand for the fall season or commit to ongoing deliveries, your time will make a meaningful difference in helping neighbors stay safe and warm.
YAAS!
Help create a more inclusive San Juan Island by supporting YAAS!, a program for young adults (17+) living with disabilities. YAAS! provides opportunities for connection, community involvement, and skill-building through weekly gatherings and monthly outings. Volunteers help foster a welcoming environment where participants can build confidence, independence, social connections, and advocacy skills. Whether you’re interested in mentoring, assisting with activities, or supporting community events, your involvement can make a meaningful difference in the lives of local young adults.
Interested in joining or volunteering? Contact us at (360) 378-5246 or email evynh@jlsfrc.org to learn more.
San Juan Island Child Care Co-op
Do you love spending time with little ones? The San Juan Island Childcare Cooperative is looking for volunteers who enjoy playing and exploring with children ages 3 months to 4 years. Our volunteers help support play-based learning, outdoor time, and snack — all the good stuff.
We welcome volunteers who can commit to a regular schedule (weekly or monthly) and those who prefer a more flexible, as-needed role — we’ll call you when we need an extra pair of hands.
If you have a soft spot for sweet kiddos and want to be part of a warm, community-rooted childcare program, we’d love to hear from you. Contact Abby at abbyh@jlsfrc.org to learn more.
Sage Cafe
Sage Connections is a new weekly drop-in program for seniors, along with their care providers if needed, designed to help them stay socially connected and support their cognitive health in a welcoming and inclusive environment. The program will be meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month beginning June 24th and we are looking for some volunteers! If you enjoy helping seniors stay active, engaging in meaningful conversations, and learning new things, we’d love to hear from you. Musical talents, like singing or playing an instrument, are a great bonus. Volunteer hours will be Wednesdays from 9:30 to 12:30, and you can join in once a month or more often. It’s a fun, rewarding way to make a difference.
Please reach out to Cindy Baker, Sage Connections Coordinator, at sagecafesji@gmail.com or (678) 447-5254.
Contact Us
Do you have further questions?
Call (360) 378-5246
Do you have further questions
Call (360) 378-5246