Help Make a Difference! Volunteer with Us
We are so appreciative of the thousands of hours volunteers contribute annually to CH/LSS. Volunteers provide integral support across all aspects of our work, from events to support services to record digitization. Learn about current opportunities below.
Help us get to know more about your skills, interests, and background. Please fill out our Volunteer Information Form and send it to [email protected].
Volunteer Opportunities
Are you looking for a meaningful way to connect with your team and give back to the community? Gather friends, co-workers, or family members for a group volunteer experience with CH/LSS!
We will provide an overview presentation about Foster Care and Adoption, an office tour, and space to complete a meaningful project that directly benefits those we serve. Options include making tie-blankets, donation sorting, or creating hygiene kits. These are simple, yet impactful ways to support children and families in our community.
Details:
- This volunteer opportunity is intended for groups of up to 20 individuals, ages 16 and older.
- Timing is flexible! Generally, two hours during the business day, Monday-Friday.
- Location: Children’s Home Main Office, 1605 Eustis Street, St. Paul, MN 55108.
- Contact Program Coordinator, Sam Rex, at [email protected] or 651.255.2212 to inquire.
If your group falls outside these parameters, please contact us at [email protected]. We may be able to accommodate on a case-by-case basis.
Are you good at organizing? We are in need of volunteers to help with sorting, organizing, and managing our in-kind donations through our Community Closet.
Your efforts will directly impact our ability to efficiently distribute in-kind items to those we serve. Items may include holiday gifts for youth in foster care, licensing kits for relative caregivers, and more.
Details:
- This volunteer opportunity is for individuals or small groups of 2-3, ages 18 and over.
- Timing is flexible! Generally business hours, Monday-Friday.
- Location: Children’s Home Main Office, 1605 Eustis Street, Saint Paul, MN 55108.
- Contact Program Coordinator, Sam Rex, at [email protected] or 651.255.2212 to inquire.
Are you looking to gain experience in translation? We are need of volunteers to assist with Korean-to-English written translations. Your efforts will directly impact the needs of Korean adoptees!
- This opportunity is open to individuals who are 18 and older. Volunteers must be able to complete a test translation.
- Timing is flexible! You can work on your own time. One to two translations will be needed per month.
- Location: You may work remotely at your desired location. Communications will be conducted via email.
- Contact Program Coordinator, Sam Rex at [email protected] or 651.255.2212 to inquire.
Do you have the gift of photography? Can you help capture moments and share the stories of CH/LSS and the people we serve? Become a CH/LSS volunteer photographer!
Volunteer photographers will assist in capturing moments at a variety of events including Back to School Bash, family and community events. You will play a vital role in documenting our work and engaging our community.
Details:
- This opportunity is for photographers who are 18 years and older who are proficient in basic photography techniques, able to utilize their own equipment, and provide digital images.
- Dates vary. Please connect with us if interested and we will let you know about upcoming events.
- Location: Children’s Home Main Office, 1605 Eustis Street, Saint Paul, MN 55108 or event location.
- Contact Program Coordinator, Sam Rex, at [email protected] or 651.255.2212 to inquire.
Do you enjoy working children? Become a CH/LSS Saturday Children’s Support Group volunteer! Make a difference in the lives of adoptive families and their children, ages 5-13.
Volunteers will assist in facilitating our Saturday Education and Support Groups. You will assist staff in leading engaging sessions including stories, crafts, games, songs, and snacks. You will directly provide support to adoptees, domestically and internationally.
Details:
- This volunteer opportunity is for individuals who are 18 and older, with some knowledge and/or experience in working with children. An ideal volunteer will be able to jump in and help where you see a need. Familiarity with adoption is a plus.
- Volunteers are needed the third Saturday of each month, September through May (excluding December), from 10:30 a.m.–Noon.
- Location: Children’s Home Main office, 1608 Eustis St., St. Paul, MN 55108.
- Contact Program Coordinator, Sam Rex at [email protected] or 651.255.2212 to inquire.
Are you detail-oriented? Do you want to make a meaningful impact by helping us organize and digitize important documents? Become a CH/LSS scanning volunteer!
Volunteers will assist with scanning and digitizing paper adoption records. Your efforts will provide a valuable service to the entire adoption team, adoptive families, adoptees, and birth families. Training will be provided in how to use the office scanners and any other technology that may be needed.
Details:
- This opportunity is for individuals who are 18 and older.
- Timing is flexible! We can work around your schedule and availabilty within standard business hours, Monday-Friday, from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Location: Children’s Home Main Office, 1605 Eustis St., St. Paul, MN 55108.
- Contact Program Coordinator, Sam Rex at [email protected] or 651.255.2212 to inquire.
Do you enjoy working teenagers? Become a CH/LSS Youth Retreat volunteer! Make a difference in the lives of children aged 13-17.
We are seeking male-identifying and/or non-binary volunteers to chaperone a weekend-long retreat for youth aged 13-17 currently in foster care or who have been adopted through foster care.
Volunteers will spend a Friday through Sunday in October 2024 with youth at Lutheran Social Service’s Camp Knutson. Volunteers will provide oversight of and support to youth throughout the weekend, participate in fun activities, and chaperone cabins. A mandatory pre-event training will occur live via Zoom and will be recorded to provide some additional context and education about what to expect.
Details:
- This opportunity is open to individuals, age 18+, who can pass a mandatory background check. LSS is especially seeking individuals who have experience working with or caring for foster/adoptive youth, and who enjoy spending time with teenagers.
- The retreat will take place on a Friday through Sunday in October 2024 (specific dates TBD).
- The retreat will take place at Lutheran Social Service’s Camp Knutson.
- To learn more or sign up, please contact Program Coordinator, Sam Rex, at [email protected] or 651.255.2212.
Internship Opportunities
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of families impacted by adoption? If so, Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (CH/LSS) invites you to apply for our internship within the domestic foster care and program. We foster an ALIVE Workplace culture (Supportive, Positive, and Fun), and believe in offering careers that challenge and reward our employees. Training will be provided to ensure you have the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in your role.
The Domestic Foster Care and Adoption program at CH/LSS seeks permanency for children and youth, assess, educates, and assists families in the foster care and adoption process, and supports children and families in placement.
As an intern, you will have the opportunity to contribute to our domestic foster care and adoption team in a hybrid manner. Throughout your internship, you will shadow and assist with various tasks, including:
- Facilitating adoption study interviews.
- Preparing adoption studies.
- Participating in case consults with the foster care and adoption team.
- Facilitating match meetings between families and county workers responsible for the placement of children.
- Providing post-placement support and visitation.
- Managing client files and database records.
Supervision will be conducted by a supervisor approved through the Minnesota Board of Social Work, if applicable.
For more information, please contact our Program Coordinator, Sam Rex, at [email protected] or 651.255.2212. We look forward to hearing from you!