The Value of Children's

The volunteer commitment is for one year or for two consecutive summers at a minimum of 8 weeks each summer. The minimum requirement for volunteering is a four-hour time block in one day.  All volunteers must be age16 or older.

• Only weekday/daytime shifts are available to High School students.  High School students must complete their shift by 5:30 p.m. 
• Volunteers who do summers only must do two (2) consecutive summers keeping to a set schedule.  A summer consists of 8 hours once a week during the daytime, weekday (not nights or weekends) and a minimum of 8 weeks each summer.

The winter program is all set.  Thank you to all who applied!  All summer 2012 applications must be in by April 1, 2012.  We do not have any evening or weekend volunteer opportunities available.

Note:  The Waltham Campus is all set for volunteers at this time.  The next Waltham openings will most probably be for spring or summer 2012.  Look for postings at this location when volunteer slots become available.

How to begin

• Contact the Volunteer Services Department at 617-355-7885 and ask for an application packet.
• Complete and return the application together with your two reference sheets.
• Set up an interview with volunteer staff.

Once you are accepted

• Volunteers must have a criminal background check before starting.  Processing time for this is two to four weeks after acceptance into the program.
• Orient and attend a two-hour training session.
•  Complete the following health screening:
  • Two Tuberculosis tests, provided by the hospital free of charge.
  • Proof of two measles, mumps and rubella vaccines or titre or the hospital will provide free of charge.
  • Proof of Chickenpox by two doses of chickenpox/varicella vaccine, medical documentation of disease or titre or the hospital will provide free of charge.
  • Abide by the Influenza policy regarding seasonal vaccine needs.

If you need additional information about our program, please call 617-355-7885, or email the Volunteer Department. If you are interested in securing an application to volunteer, please email us your name and address.

Who we are

The Volunteer Services Department at Children's Hospital Boston is a diverse, trained group of more than 700 individuals who selflessly devote thousands of hours each year to support the hospital staff and patients.

Whether playing with children during waiting times, helping families find their way in the halls or answering phones, the volunteers at Children's make a difference providing a special human connection that often eases the stress for patients and families going through difficult times.

Volunteer opportunities at Boston

Volunteers are allowed to play with children or to complete non-medical tasks.  Patient privacy and confidentiality are respected, and individual illnesses are not discussed.

In patient care areas

• Escort patients and families during discharge
• Play with children and siblings at bedsides or in play areas and provide support for their families
• Provide clerical support in reception areas

In offices and departments

• Answer telephones
• Provide word processing
• Assemble kits and packets
• File, copy and collate
• Complete data entry

In Main Lobby or throughout the hospital

• Greet and talk to families and patients
• Provide directions to families and visitors, answer questions
• Escort families and patients to Operating Room from Admitting
• Escort patients and famillies during discharge

Ambulatory Care Areas

• Play with patients and siblings in clinic waiting areas
• Play with children during parent/patient support groups
• Provide clerical support in reception areas

Emergency Department

• Play with patients and siblings in Emergency Department waiting areas
• Read to children in treatment rooms

Pawprints Dog Visitation Program (Boston Campus only)

• Pawprints is Children's therapy dog visitation program. The goal of Pawprints is to provide hospitalized children and their families with a healthy diversion from the usual hospital routine and an opportunity for social interaction. Learn more about Pawprints.

Special Projects

• Create afghans, quilts and blankets of all sizes for patients of all ages.  During fall and winter months, create mittens and scarves for all ages to be distributed in ambulatory programs.  We are not in need of hats at this time as we are fortunate to have many groups making hats.
• Organize picture book drives for Reach Out and Read Program and the Emergency Department
• Organize magazine drives for clinic waiting areas, Admitting and the Emergency Department

Volunteer opportunities @CHB at Lexington

Weekdays, daytime only

If you are interested in the Lexington Campus, please email the Volunteer Department Boston Campus or call 617-355-7885.

In admitting area

Helping the admission process, interacting with patients and families, and playing with the youngsters while they wait. The need is for daytime, weekday volunteers.

Volunteer opportunities @Martha Eliot Health Center
at Jamaica Plain

Weekdays, daytime only

If you are interested in the Martha Eliot Center, please email the Volunteer Department in Boston or call 617-355-7885.

• Play with children in the waiting areas, Spanish fluency very helpful
• Provide clerical support at reception desks

Volunteer opportunities @Boston Children's North at Peabody

Hours:  Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00 pm

If you are interested in Peabody, please email the Volunteer Department in Boston or call 617-355-7885

• Create and conduct short term activities in two busy multi-specialty ambulatory clinics.
• Act as liaison with patients and staff to help ensure efficient registration process.

Volunteer opportunities @CHB at Waltham

Weekdays, daytime only

If you are interested in the Waltham Campus, please email the Volunteer Department Boston Campus or call 617-355-7885.

In Main Information/Reception Area

Meet and greet patients and families, escort families to their destination if needed, provide directions and basic information, sort the mail and answer general questions.

In Ambulatory Specialty Clinic Area

• Create and coordinate short term activities to occupy patients and siblings. May float to other ambulatory clinics or information desk, if needed.
• A minimum of one four hour shift once a week during the weekday is required.