Community Resources - Volunteering
Help for consumers who want to volunteer as a pathway to training and future employment, to contribute to their community or be part of a social network.
Do you need a more local service? Get help locating a community resource near you.
Arizona AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps*VISTA & Senior Corps Programs
AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps*VISTA and Senior Corps are programs of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. These national service programs strongly encourage qualified individuals with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds to apply. In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans.
AmeriCorps provides services to meet education, environmental, health, economic and other pressing needs in communities across Arizona. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals are provided and activities are conducted in fully accessible settings. New positions open up each year. Volunteers get training in job-related skills, social skills and life skills and learn teamwork, communication, responsibility and other essential skills that will help for the rest of their life. AmeriCorps members do real jobs. For instance, members:
- Coordinate computer-centers,
- Help families complete applications for low cost health insurance
- Help with forest restoration and trail maintenance
- Register people for library cards
- Recruit and train community volunteers to tutor and read to both children and adults
- Build houses
Arizona is also home to numerous AmeriCorps*VISTA and Senior Corps programs. For more information on those programs, please call the Corporation for National and Community Service State Office at (602) 514-7224 or visit them at AmeriCorps*VISTA Arizona.
Arizona Bridge to Independent Living
The Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL) trains and deploys volunteers to provide peer support, advocacy, and participate in other activities to benefit the community. These volunteers are generally people with disabilities who have successfully achieved independent living in their own life and are willing to assist others to achieve their independent living and employment goals.
Arizona Bridge to Independent Living
5025 E. Washington St., Ste. 200
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: (602) 256-2245
Toll-Free:(800) 280-2245
Fax: (602) 254-6407
TTY: (602) 296-0591
Family, Friend & Relative Network
Often, we find volunteering opportunities through the people we know. Family, friends and relatives may have volunteering ideas or be able to support you in your current volunteer position when you have questions or need some help.
Youth Service America
Youth Service America is a global .org that improves communities by increasing the number and diversity of youth, ages 5-25, serving in substantive roles.
Volunteer Centers
Most counties in Arizona have volunteer centers. While they are not necessarily set up to serve individuals who have developmental disabilities, they will be familiar with typical volunteering opportunities. Following are Arizona's volunteer centers:
HandsOn Greater Phoenix
5151 N. 19th Ave, Ste 200
Phoenix, AZ 85015
Phone: (602) 973-2212
Fax: (602) 973-9233
Email: [email protected]
The Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona
924 North Alvernon Way
Tucson AZ 85711
Phone: (520) 881-3300
Fax: (520) 881-3366
Contact United Way of Tucson
United Way of Yuma County
180 West 1st Street, Suite B
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 783-0515
Fax: (928) 782-5463
Volunteer Match
Volunteer Match is an online volunteer matching system. Volunteer Match is not specifically set up to serve individuals who have developmental disabilities.
5610 S. Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85040
Answering Service: (602) 234-2721
Fax: (602) 234-5959
Need help? Contact the Division of Developmental Disabilities online or give us a call at (602) 542-0419 or toll free at (866) 229-5553.