Volunteer Opportunities

Cuyahoga County Public Library – Warrensville Heights Branch

• 1‑2‑3 READ: Assist K‑3 students with reading on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 - 6:45 p.m.
• Student Success Center: Tutor students in grades K–8 Monday - Thursday, 4:15 - 6:45 p.m.
• Also participate in mobile food pantries or support Friends of the Library events

Greater Cleveland Volunteers

• Monthly Food Distributions: Help sort, pack, and distribute fresh food in Warrensville Heights (second Thursday of the month, 1:30–3:30 p.m.) — no ongoing commitment
• Ongoing Opportunities: Tutoring, ushering, event volunteer, data entry, legal clinic support for local nonprofits – flexible hours

Adaptive Sports Ohio (Warrensville Heights Satellite Office)

• Volunteer for event days or join committees to support athletes with disabilities in recreational sports.

Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

• A short drive away (~10 mi): Volunteer in environmental stewardship, trail maintenance, education events, wildlife monitoring—open to ages 13+

Teens With Purpose

• These nonprofit supports teen girls through mentorship, event staffing, admin support, grant writing, therapy/counseling, catering, and recruiting from within the community

Greater Cleveland Volunteers (Euclid Ave)

• Serves as a central hub, matching volunteers (age 18+) to tutoring, hunger relief, event staffing, receptionist roles, and festival help—such as the BorderLight Theatre Festival, CLE Irish Festival, and AARP Experience Corps.

City of Cleveland volunteer programs

• City Dogs Cleveland: dog walking, fostering, adoption support
• Airport Ambassadors: greeting and assisting traveler
• Recreation center volunteers: coaching, arts, nutrition
• Court Watch: supporting the justice system by observing hearings

Greater Cleveland Food Bank

• Relies heavily on volunteers for food sorting and distribution

Minds Matter Cleveland

• Matches college grads with high school students for mentoring, tutoring, writing coaching, and leadership roles. Great for longer-term engagement (e.g., weekly mentoring).

Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank

• Hosts regular volunteer shifts packing and sorting books for underserved kids across the region.

MedWish International

• Repurpose medical supplies for humanitarian aid

Animal care and shelters

• City Dogs Cleveland or Cleveland Animal Care and Control

Parma Animal Shelter

• Work with dogs and cats, assist with cleaning, dog walking, and fundraising events.
• Weekly two-hour shifts, must be 18+.

UH Parma Medical Center (University Hospitals)

• Serve as a patient ambassador, help in gift shop, rehab unit, messenger team, or comfort visits. Must be 16+, health screening required.

Pay It Forward Cafe by Community Ambassadors

• Serve free meals to local community members every second Saturday of the month.
• Held at Ridgewood United Methodist Church in Parma.

Stearns Homestead / Parma Area Historical Society

• Volunteer with animals, gardens, or help guide tours and operate the country store. Flexible scheduling, especially weekends.

Charles Cyrenians

• Prepare sandwiches for local shelters every other Wednesday and assist in outreach drives.
• Located at St. Charles Borromeo Parish.

Parma Hunger Center at Parma Lutheran Church

• Assist with food distribution to Parma residents on Tuesdays (2 - 4 p.m.) and Fridays (10 .am. - noon).
• Volunteer info available via parish office or community forums.

The Gathering Place – Westlake

• Support cancer patients and families through greeting guests, clerical tasks, gardening, resale warehouse help, or special events. Training and HIPAA required.

Westshore Lions Club

• Participate in community projects like eyeglass/hearing aid collection, event staffing, and cleanups. Open to adults and students.

Westlake Porter Public Library

• Volunteer to support inclusive programs like the Next Chapter Book Club or help in children’s and teen services. Ages 14+.

Westlake Meals on Wheels

• Help prepare, bake, or deliver meals to seniors and homebound residents. Great for individuals or small teams.

Compeer Program – Far West Center (Westlake)

• Provide friendship and support to adults with mental illness. Requires about 4 hours/month, with a one-year commitment.

City of Westlake Community Services Department

• Help with food pantry, event support, office work, and more. Ideal for residents looking to give back locally.

American Red Cross
Assist as a donor ambassador or on a disaster preparedness and response team

Goodwill
Goodwill provides free career counseling, skills training, and résumé prep services that help unlock opportunities for job seekers

Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP)
Provides services for adults with disabilities

Serve Ohio
Creates solutions for Ohio through AmeriCorps and volunteer engagement

Towards Employment
Help ex-offenders obtain employment

Wounded Warrior Project
Serves veterans who have incurred an injury co-incident to their military service on or after
Sept. 11, 2001

Cleveland Metroparks
Offers diverse opportunities for volunteers at various locations throughout the Park District and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Conducts trail maintenance and habitat restoration

The American Cancer Society
Dedicated to eradicating cancer in its many forms and helping sufferers and survivors in their journey to healing

The American Heart Association
Mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke

The Centers
Provides quality medical, dental and behavioral health care to thousands in need

Alzheimer's Association, Cleveland Area Chapter
Dedicated to eradicating Alzheimer's disease and educating the public about its symptoms, causes and treatment

Harbor Light Hospice
Seeks caring individuals to share love of written word with patients. 

Hospice of the Western Reserve
Dedicated to end-of-life care

Virtual Cards for St. Jude Patients

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Supports survivors of sexual violence, promotes healing and preventing, and creates social change

Journey Center for Safety and Healing
Empowers individuals, educates the community and advocates for justice to end domestic violence and child abuse

The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland
Pursues change to advance the respect, dignity and human rights of the LGBT community

Playhouse Square

The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Orchestra