The benefits of volunteerism for adults are well-documented, but kids get a lot out of giving, too. Getting children involved in their communities at a young age helps foster empathy and a better understanding of the world at large. Although many opportunities are geared toward volunteers 18 and up, plenty of local organizations offer options for youngsters. Here are a few ways for youth and teens to help people, animals and the environment. (See our Guide to Giving 2025 for many more ideas for volunteers of all ages, including service learning opportunities for students.)
Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Founded by volunteers in 1944, AWLA has lots of ways for youngsters to get involved. Children and young teens can get involved through Paws & Read, a program that invites kids to read to adoptable cats and small animals. The Kids C.A.R.E. Club, designed for animal lovers ages 4-10, teaches kids how to positively impact pets and wildlife through crafts and hands-on activities. Kiddos ages 10-13 can join the Animal Allies Club to learn how they can make a difference for animals in the community, and teens (13-17) can be part of the Junior Fosters program in which they earn community service hours by fostering a small companion animal with the help of an adult. The Teen Volunteer Program (16-17) provides service hours through hands-on animal care experience. 2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington
Arlington Food Assistance Center
AFAC has been providing free groceries to neighbors in need for more than 35 years, but the current level of need is higher than ever: Demand has increased 85% in the past five years. Interested in helping out? The minimum age to sort groceries at the warehouse is 12, but youngsters can also participate in grocery store food drives, pick fruit and veggies on a gleaning trip, and host their own food drives or fundraisers. Children younger than 14 must volunteer with a parent or guardian. Teens younger than 18 must have a guardian fill out a Minor Hold Harmless form. Volunteers can sign up for access to the online volunteer calendar to see where they can help. Opportunities include bagging, sorting, food distribution and helping at AFAC food drives. Additionally, AFAC has a summer teen program for rising ninth–12th graders who are 14-17. 2708 S. Nelson St., Arlington
Center for Youth and Family Advocacy
With a mission of transforming systems and empowering children and youth to create and achieve success, this nonprofit’s  Youth Advisory Board helps shape CYFA programming and initiatives. That includes Promoting Empathy through Equitable Resolution (PEER), a youth-led diversion program for kids ages 10-17 who have engaged in behavior that would amount to a misdemeanor or nonviolent felony. 2111 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
The Clothesline for Arlington Kids
High school students can help sort and organize clothing for this organization that collects and distributes new and gently used garments for school-age kids. (Ninth and 10th graders must be accompanied by a parent.) As Arlington’s first free clothing store for children, The Clothesline invites qualifying students in kindergarten-12th grade to “shop” the store and select a full wardrobe of clothing twice a year. Other opportunities to help include special projects, such as assembling “period packs” of feminine products for female clients, and organizing clothing drives. 2704 N. Pershing Drive, Arlington
Doorways
Doorways was founded in 1978 as a safe haven for families in crisis. The organization provides shelter, with a mission of helping people find a way out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault. All in-person volunteer activities have a minimum age of 18, but there are other ways young ones can get involved. Twice a year, Doorways invites volunteers to sponsor a child—providing back-to-school supplies at the start of the school year, and then making wishes come true for kids in need during the winter holidays. Check the website for when sponsorship forms become available.
Food for Others
Since 1995, FFO has been tackling food insecurity in Northern Virginia, including Arlington County. The nonprofit gets much of its food through donations, relying on volunteers to pick up unsold food from grocery stores and bring it to the warehouse for temporary storage and distribution. In fiscal year 2024, FFO served more than 64,200 individuals and distributed more than 100,000 Power Packs (weekend meal packs, discreetly distributed at schools to kids who need them). The minimum age for volunteering in the warehouse is 12, and kids ages 12-16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Other ways to help include gleaning produce at Hollins Farm between July and October, and assembling power packs. Check the volunteer catalog for upcoming opportunities. 2938 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax
Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation
The photos on this rescue organization’s website are enough to get volunteers clawing to help. Which is good, because Lost Dog places more than 2,000 animals each year, largely through adoption events at local PetSmart and PetCo stores. Since its 2001 founding, the nonprofit has saved more than 45,000 animals. Teens 14 and older can handle dogs at an adoption event or care for cats and kittens at the foundation’s Cat Condo at the Seven Corners PetSmart—if they’re accompanied by an adult. Kids and teens can also organize pet supplies drives to collect pet food, paper towels, old bath towels and treats, or make DIY snuffle mats for dogs. Young volunteers may accompany an adult on a Dogventure, a trip to the great outdoors or even the nearest coffee shop with one of Lost Dog & Cat’s adoptable dogs. 6801 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church
McLean Trees Foundation
Got a budding horticulturist? This organization invites volunteers 13 and older to care for and plant trees most weeks of the year, generally on Saturday mornings for 2-3 hours. Tasks include watering, weeding, pruning and removing invasive growth. Check the calendar for upcoming opportunities.
Northern Virginia Family Service
NVFS connects volunteers with family-oriented organizations that need help. All volunteer opportunities are available here. Kids as young as 12 are welcome to volunteer as ambassadors at the Clock Tower Thrift Shop (2860 Annandale Road, Falls Church), although those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tasks include sorting donations, tagging items for sale, accepting and processing donations, and greeting customers. Volunteers 16 and older can lend a hand at the SERVE Campus (10056 Dean Drive, Manassas), preparing food packages and helping clients in the self-serve shopping area, or serve as Head Start classroom volunteers, helping teachers with preschoolers at the Head Start Center (2920 S. Glebe Road, Arlington).
PathForward
Dedicated to empowering people experiencing homelessness “to build a foundation of lasting stability from the ground up,” PathForward provides critical services to unhoused individuals in Arlington. Volunteers are needed for both remote and on-site assistance, but the latter is for adults only. Youngsters can help by making bed bundles, bagged meals, welcome home baskets, hygiene kits and seasonal safety kits. Homeless Service Center, 2020 14th St., N., Arlington; Residential Program Center, 1554 Columbia Pike, Arlington
R.E.A.D.
R.E.A.D. (whose name stands for Read Early and Daily) was created to address reading inequities and promote literacy by sharing books with young readers. The Arlington nonprofit welcomes volunteers with a valid driver’s license to deliver books to local families. Volunteers may also help distribute baby book bags to Spanish-speaking expectant parents at the VHC Health Outpatient Clinic. Staff are happy to work with families to create parent-child volunteering experiences.
Share of McLean
Operating out of McLean Baptist Church, this organization has several rooms designated to meeting different community needs. Volunteers 16 and older can use a SignUp Genius to find an slot at the Food & Clothing Pantry. Members of same age group can help pick up and deliver furniture on Saturdays through the nonprofit’s furniture program. 1367 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
VHC Health
The Arlington hospital welcomes volunteers 16 or older to donate at least four hours a week for six weeks. Teen volunteers can provide assistance in direct patient care settings such as the Women & Infant Health Center, and in outpatient services, such as the pharmacy and clinic, and rehabilitation. Check out all the requirements on the volunteer page. 1701 N. George Mason Drive, Arlington
Volunteer Arlington
This umbrella organization connects individuals, groups, nonprofits and businesses to a treasure trove of volunteer opportunities in our area. For instance, people of any age can make bagged lunches at home and deliver them to New Hope Housing’s Residential Program Center, participate in a clean-up with the Potomac Conservancy, or assist in the food pantry at True Ground Housing Partners’ People’s Pantry. Teens 16 and older can support Travelers Aid at Reagan National Airport, helping passengers with travel and tourism questions, or they can serve as a resident engagement volunteer at Goodwin Living, which provides housing and care for seniors.