Service Learning Opportunities
Service Learning Opportunities
Service Learning Requirements Service learning is giving time, without pay. One of the graduation requirements for Seattle Public Schools is 60 hours of Service Learning for all students. Ballard HS also offers an Above and Beyond Award at graduation for students who complete 240 hours or more.
Service learning allows students to learn and to apply academic, social and personal skills through activities and is important in helping build a resume for college, learn leadership, apply for jobs or other opportunities including scholarships. Students make a difference and address authentic community needs. As part of service learning, students are asked to reflect and report on their experiences.
New! Opportunity!
Somos Mujeres Latinas May 17 & 18
Looking for student volunteers! Focusing on the leadership and mentoring of Latina women. Help set up and closure of symposium with approximately 300 women participating. Dates: Friday, May 17 (5 p.m. – 8 p.m.) and Saturday May 18 from 8 – 6 p.m. (4 hour shifts). Learn more on our SMLWA website.
Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band Events
The Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band needs you! Seattle’s own non-marching march band plays the greatest hits of band music, rousing classics by John Philip Sousa, Henry Fillmore and more. They are looking to beef up their double reeds, flutes/piccolos, saxes, and horns. Other instruments welcome, too.
The band is active March through December. Practices are from 7:30 – 9 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at the Wallingford Good Shepherd Center. Upcoming performances include 11 a.m. Sunday, May 26 at 11 a.m. at the Folklife Festival (Seattle Center); and at the Ballard Locks on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. and even more fun area events. Practices and performances count toward your Service Hours. For more information, contact BHS band parent and volunteer Julia Gibson at jgibson@nwlink.com
Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA) Opportunities
The Phinney Neighborhood Association has few opportunities coming up in April and May that might be great for Volunteer Service Hours for students!
- Spring Cleaning at the Phinney Center on Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Phinney Center: 6532 Phinney Ave N, 98103. Spring cleaning the gardens and grounds: weeding, pruning, spreading mulch, etc. Learn more & sign up for April 20.
- PNA Spring Fundraiser at the Phinney Center on Saturday, April 27 (some work parties prior) Shifts from 9 a.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Sunday at Phinney Center: 6532 Phinney Ave N, 98103. Spring cleaning the gardens and grounds: weeding, pruning, spreading mulch, etc. Learn more & sign up for April 27.
- Spring Cleaning with the PNA Village on Saturday, May 11 (sign up by Wed, May 8). Spring Cleaning on May 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Seniors’ homes in NW Seattle. Spring cleaning the gardens and grounds: weeding, pruning, spreading mulch, etc. Learn more & sign up for May 11.
Wilderness Inner-city Leadership Development youth program (WILD)
Our goal at WILD is to engage students in learning about their culture, connecting with their community, developing skills in leadership, cultivating a deep commitment to environmental justice, and exploring and growing their passions. Our program serves all students, with a focus on 14 – 18 year-olds from Asian and Pacific Islander backgrounds. We are located in the Chinatown International District (CID) and are part of the InterIm Community Development Association (CDA). I would love to share more about our program and see how we can get students from your school involved.
We offer an outdoor leadership-oriented program, with opportunities for youth to connect with elders in the CID through cooking and gardening, learn about social and environmental justice, work on career and higher education development, learn about the natural environment, and go on engaging field trips to learn skills like rock climbing, backpacking, and snowshoeing. The program runs twice a week after school. We allow rolling admission and are currently in our winter quarter, which runs from 1/3 – 4/5, and will be followed by spring and summer quarters. The students have the option of earning a stipend of $100 per quarter for participation or gaining Service Hours. This is a great way for students to build resumes and connect to communities. You can learn more on our WILD website.
Eat Happy Now Volunteer Opportunities
Eat Happy is a new King County-based organization that aims to decrease hunger in our community by bridging the gap between local grocery stores and restaurants and people who are experiencing food insecurity. We collaborate with local establishments, pick up their excess food free of charge, and deliver directly to shelters, food banks, and community centers. Volunteers who are willing to use their vehicle to pick up and deliver food on a job-by-job basis. Each week, bi-weekly or monthly select any single task (approximately 60-120 minutes each) that works for your schedule.
Our streamlined app makes it easy to know where to go, when to pick up, and who to deliver to. Not only will volunteers make a direct impact on people experiencing food insecurity, but they will help keep food waste out of landfills, and learn valuable skills like coordination and communication with working in their community. Questions: Refer to the Eat Happy Now website or email volunteers@eathappynow.org
Discovery Park Habitat Restoration Dates Vary
The UW Capstone team are working on a project out in Discovery Park that is actively restoring the native habitat for the local wildlife. We are in the Ecological restoration program at the University which is under the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences.
We need students would like to come out to the site and get some fieldwork experience and learn about ecology and restoration work. We have work parties twice a week, on Friday and Sunday mornings, but would be happy to coordinate another time that would work for students to come out to the site. My team and I would love to work with the students to help spark interest in the growing field of environmental science, please let us know if you are interested. Sign up and information is available on the group’s website.
Little League Teen Umpires Needed Paid or SL Hours
Make the Call!
Thinking about a part time job this spring? Ballard Little League is seeking teen umpires for spring baseball and softball games. No experience necessary, they will train! Pay is $25-$38 a game (or service hours). All equipment provided. Come help provide our younger players a “real game day” experience by umping games between March-June. It’s a fun atmosphere and a way to give back to Little League. Teen will be paired with an adult volunteer umpire for most games.
Sign up on the Ballard Little League website or for more information, email info@ballardlittleleague.com
SPS Self Help Projects Environmental Stewardship
This year the district’s Self Help Projects team is looking for some Environmental Stewardship support at SPS properties and hoping to support High School students in obtaining their Service Learning hours in the process.
Make a difference and earn SL hours! There are some opportunities scattered throughout our city. Join us at an invasive plant removal work party on ay or all of the following dates: April 20 from 10 – 2 p.m. at 6208 60th ave NE., May 18 from 10 – 4 p.m. at 11051 34th Ave NW. Volunteers can participate in as many as they wish. All tools are provided. Sign Up Today! Thank you!
UW Botanic Gardens Junior Naturalist Volunteers
The UW Botanic Gardens applications for the Junior Naturalist program are now open!
Junior Naturalists are teens volunteering with the Arboretum Summer Camp for a two-week session. They are looking for individuals who are enthusiastic about working with kids, playing outside, and gaining leadership skills. Students can earn up to 70 service hours, and will receive a letter of recommendation upon successful completion of the program. Please pick up an application in the BHS Counseling Center or contact UW Botanic Gardens at uwbgeduc@uw.edu if you have any questions or would like a link to an application.
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Volunteers Needed
We are extremely excited about the start of a new school year and the endless opportunities that await your students.
We hope volunteering is an option they consider. Volunteering provides students with a tangible way to make a positive impact on their community. It also provides students with an opportunity to explore a career path or potential college major. We have many medical professionals at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health that started here as a high school volunteer. They need help with: Wayfinding/Greeting, Special Projects, Patient Care Activities and Lab Support Services. Please visit our Virginia Mason website for more information and details.
Ballard HS Library Service Learning Opportunities During the School Year
Students have earned Community Service Learning hours for:
- Shelving books, processing books, week books, fixing shelves, help clean the library, make book displays
- Computer maintenance
- Reading to 2nd grade students for Reading Buddies
- Creating online tutorials
- Making scrolling PowerPoint
- MakerSpace crafts, projects for lunchtime, organizing MakerSpace
- Create book posters on Adobespark
- Create Rubik’s Cube murals
- Read first chapters aloud for Youtube channel and Schoology theme Picture Books
- Become a Library Leader
- Create Book Collections with Ms. Chambers
Reach out to Ms Chambers at tschambers@seattleschools.org for specific details. Visit the BHS Service Learning page for school information and forms.
Fun With PALS
PALS Programs creates inclusive camp experiences for individuals with and without Down syndrome. Our volunteer- led programs change attitudes, transform lives, and inspire a world of belonging. Apply to participate today by visiting our PALS Program website or email support@palsprograms.org for more information. PALS Programs feature a 1:1 pairing model that partners individuals with Down syndrome with a peer (ages 15+) who does not have Down syndrome to experience a fun-filled, transformative week together. PALS is looking for volunteers now to help run its summer program. PALS could be a fun and meaningful way for students to earn up to 100 service hours.
Ballard Food Bank Needs Volunteers
The Ballard Food Bank needs volunteers for various duties at the bank itself and for helping out with deliveries. Volunteers are the heart of Ballard Food Bank Every month more than 135 volunteers donate hours of service. They sort food, stock shelves, and help clients shop.
The first step to becoming a Ballard Food Bank volunteer is to complete our volunteer application. At the same time, familiarize yourself with our volunteer operating policies which explain qualifications, safety and behavioral standards. You will be notified once your volunteer application has been approved. You will receive an email inviting you to volunteer orientation! Visit our Ballard Food Bank volunteer page for more information and resources.
United Indians of All Tribes
Website: unitedindians.org We welcome all volunteers, even if this is their first time participating in the Native community! Becoming a volunteer is as simple as filling out our application and signing up for an opportunity. Some of our most anticipated opportunities are our annual events:
- Seafair Indian Days Powwow, Indigenous People’s Day, Native Life in the City Gala, Native Art Market
The best way to stay up to date on these opportunities, as well as other important news, is by signing up for our volunteer email list!
Other places to find Service Learning Opportunities
- Camp Fire– Teen Leadership Program
- City of Seattle – Volunteering and Participating
- EarthCorps
- EventBright – Volunteer events
- Phinney Neighborhood Association
- Seattle Tilth – Garden Volunteer Opportunities
- Seattle Aquarium – School Year & Summer
- The Service Board
- Student Conservation Association
- Teens in Public Service
- United Way of King County
- The Vera Project
- Seattle Parks & Recreation – Service Learning and Community Service for Teens
- Volunteer Match Seattle (Need To Create An Account)
Reminders
Students should only participate in an opportunity they feel is safe to them. BHS only shares these postings and does not endorse any of these businesses.
Can’t Find What You Are Looking For?
Email me with tips on information you would like located here or better ways to support your searches on the Ballard HS website. Diane Taylor, BHS Website Editor at dmtaylor@seattleschools.org Thank you!