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Looking to get involved? Welcome to the only comprehensive listing of volunteer opportunities in the Rainier Valley! Designed to link neighbors with local volunteer opportunities, this is the place to start if you’ve got some time and a desire to help improve your community.

Arts in Motion, Columbia City
Volunteers support AIM in developing leadership skills, discipline, and self-expression in our youth. Each young musician, performer, and artist that is supported, encouraged, and respected for their efforts in the arts has a positive influence on an entire community. Opportunities are many and varied, including small tasks and big projects, one-time events and regular on-going activities. More.

Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Rainier Valley
Everyone remembers someone special – a neighbor, professor, relative or friend – who broadened our horizons and brought a little magic into our lives. Sharing every day experiences with a child is the premise on which Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is based. We have several program options that fit your schedule and interests. More.

Brighton Senior Housing, Brighton
The Brighton provides opportunities for communities and individuals to get involved. Projects can include gardening, painting, office work, marketing and event support. We also provide Service Learning opportunities for high school and college students. More.

Katharine’s Place Apartments, Rainier Valley
KPA provides 25 units of low-income family housing in Rainier Valley. Our families arrive at Katharine’s Place from a variety of different circumstances and cultures. In addition to providing a place to live, our program also works with these families to develop stability and self-sufficiency. This includes building and maintaining a positive multicultural community, which we do through providing nourishing programs and activities for our families to participate in. Contact us at 206-722-0717 for volunteer opportunities. Special projects/events:

• Volunteer to assist in facilitating on-site programs and special events for Katharine’s Place families to participate in
• Tutors to volunteer in a new program, 4–7 pm weeknights

Mount Baker Community Club, Mt. Baker
Mount Baker Community Club (MBCC) relies on the active involvement of its members to accomplish many undertakings. Please consider joining us by volunteering for one of the open positions, or just offer your support and assistance to any of the board members or activities and become a part of our community’s future. More.

Othello Park Alliance, Othello
OPA works to assure that Othello Park’s beauty and open space is retained, enhanced, and integrated into the multi-cultural, pedestrian friendly Othello town center and residential community.

Rainier Beach Community Empowerment Coalition, Rainier Beach
RBCEC builds community capacity to successfully address critical issues and enhance quality of life. Special projects/events:

• Action Area Steward – Can be a generalist and attend each of the Action Team Meetings held the third Thursday of each month, or a specialist and connect with a specific action area (transportation,environment, education, public safety, economic development and family life). More.

Rainier Chamber of Commerce, Hillman City
The Rainier Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of the businesses in Seattle’s Rainier Valley neighborhoods by providing marketing and networking opportunities for businesses, serving as a government liaison and supporting the community-at-large.

Rainier Valley Food Bank, Genesee
You can help eliminate hunger in Rainier Valley by working directly with our clients, volunteers and staff. RVFB distributes more than 100,000 pounds of healthy and nutritious food to approximately 10,000 people each month. We rely heavily on our volunteers to accomplish this goal in a respectful and dignified manner for our clients. Contact the Community Engagement Coordinator at 206-723-4105 or kanchana@rvfb.org

Rainier Valley Post, Rainier Valley
Help Southeast Seattle’s only independent daily source for news, information, events, discussion, opinion and community building provide authentic, comprehensive coverage of the Rainier Valley community. Volunteer opportunities include Assistant Editor, Calendar Editor, Volunteer Coordinator, Writers/Reporters, Promotions Coordinator, Twitter Pro, etc. Contact editor@rainiervalleypost.com.

Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club, Rainier Vista
Imagine a safe place for children and teenagers.  A place offering more than walls, floors and roofs and windows. A place with technology labs, athletic fields, art and study rooms, teen cafe, and walls of windows and glass, which with the presence and guidance of caring adults, show a future where the possibilities are endless. A Positive Place for Kids…

Reading With Mentors, New Holly
Reading with Mentors helps interest children in the joy of reading through one-on-one attention, listening to them read, talking about words, and modeling tone and pronunciation. The ideal mentor should be a voracious reader who is confidently able to assert why reading matters; an observant person who enjoys enhancing the lives of children; someone who takes volunteering commitments very seriously, but can also use humor as a tool; a mature problem-solver who considers setbacks to be a personal challenge, rather than a reason to quit. Reading With Mentors is a program of Atlantic Street Center. With the fall session starting Wed., Sept. 15, the program seeks two to four new mentors who are able to make a minimum four-month commitment. More.

Ribbon of Parks Association, Othello, New Holly
ROPA has been formed to create a continuity of green space within the neighborhood, including Van Asselt, John C. Little and Othello Park as well as walking paths, wayfinding, and connections between them. We are working on a DON Small and Simple Grant Application to pave and put park benches on footpaths alongside the Chief Sealth Trail, and need commitments from folks on the number of hours they might be willing to work graveling paths, which will be healthy physical labor in a beautiful setting. Contact Mona Lee at mona_lee@comcast.net.

Seattle Tilth, Mt. Baker, Rainier Beach
Build professional and personal skills, fulfill school internship credit, or just get more involved with the organic gardening movement with Seattle Tilth. Volunteer opportunities include Garden Volunteers, Harvest Fair Leads, City Chicken Coop Tour Volunteers, Handyperson Crew, etc. Contact Liza Burke at lizaburke@seattletilth.org. Special projects/events:

• Rainier Beach Learning Garden – All work parties are from 10am-2pm at the Rainier Beach Learning Garden. We welcome all community members as well as current Seattle Tilth volunteers. More.

Technology Access Foundation, Genesee
Your time and commitment can change a child’s future. TAF’s mission is to prepare underserved children of color for higher education and professional success by providing a rigorous and relevant K-12 curriculum. Special projects/events:

• We are currently accepting applications for classroom assistants for our TechStart afterschool program. Volunteers support the teacher by answering questions, keeping students on task and determining which students need extra support in the areas of Science, Technology, math and reading. TechStart is a free after-school academic enrichment program that uses technology to improve math, science and language literacy for students in grades K-9. TechStart students use technology tools in project-based learning experiences. While working on their projects, students gain valuable computer knowledge and communication skills, as well as other essential life skills such as time management, teamwork, fulfilling goals, and presenting information to audiences. This opportunity is great experience for those seeking a career in teaching. Also this position is ideal for volunteers who enjoy working with younger children, are passionate about technology, and are looking to be part of a dynamic and diverse learning community.

Youth Tutoring Program, NewHolly, Rainier Vista
After-school & evening educational enrichment program for at-risk elementary, middle & high school students who live in low- & mixed-income housing communities in Seattle. We need patient, caring & reliable volunteers to help kids achieve. Volunteers tutor for 1-2 hours, 1 evening per week (afternoon & weeknights).

United Way of King County, Rainier Valley
is currently recruiting volunteers to read aloud to young children (ages 3-5), one or two at a time (not group reading), at preschools, Head Start classrooms, and child care centers throughout King County. All opportunities are between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday only.

Urban Wilderness Project, Rainier Valley
The Urban Wilderness Project works to restore and encourage positive communities by providing culturally and environmentally based service learning projects rooted in social justice. Special projects/events:

• Blue Corps about protecting the water in your body and the waters that surrounds us.  If you are interested in the the arts, social and environmental justice get involved by writing and performing your poems and and stories, creating portable mural, watching films and going on field trips to waters around Puget Sound. Earn Service learning hours by performing and/ or displaying your art that teaches others how to protect themselves and their water. Join R U An Endangered Species? Human Estuaries™ Campaign! For Youth ages 13-19 and adult volunteers. Call 206-464-8364

Is your organization in need of volunteers? If you’ve got a project or organization that benefits the southeast Seattle community and needs volunteer help, this is the place to post it. Email editor@rainiervalleypost.com with contact info & a brief description.