At the Y, we are pleased to offer one-time opportunities for individuals or groups to do volunteer work together. Whether you are an individual or a group of co-workers, friends or service club, we have something for you!
To sign-up for one of our one-time events click on the links to sign-up in the descriptions or email gmiller@duluthymca.org or call 218.722.4745 x159.
This is a very fun event where you get to dress up (as elaborately or simple as you want), talk with kids and families about the Y, and hand out candy. We are looking for both morning and afternoon volunteers. There is no minimum age to volunteer, however, we ask that youth under 15 have an adult present.
Date: Saturday October 11th
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.
Ursa Minor Brewing has teamed up with the YMCA for an extra spooky DiffeRUNce 5K on October 26th. We’re looking for volunteers to serve as crossing guards at intersections so runners can get through safely. This is a Halloween themed event and volunteers are encouraged and welcome to dress up! We can take up to 8 volunteers for this event.
Who can volunteer? Really anyone! This is an easy event for youth groups or families to do together. Note: Youth under age 13 must have an adult present.
When: October 25 from 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Where: Ursa Minor (2415 W Superior Street)
Click here to volunteer with the Ursa Minor Race!
PNO is a program where parents can drop their kids off at the Y and we provide an evening of activities, dinner, games, swimming and movies while the parents get the night to themselves. PNO is open to kids ages 5 -12 years. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, take-down, swimming, activities such as reading stories, craft projects and playing with kids. We can take up to two volunteers for each of these events. Minimum age to volt is 15. The program runs from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.
o Friday September 26 (Downtown YMCA)
o Friday October 24 (Hermantown YMCA)
o Friday November 21 (Downtown YMCA
o Friday December 19 (Hermantown YMCA)
Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, selling concessions, assisting staff with activities like dodgeball, bingo, etc., along with clean-up. A great volunteer would be someone who really enjoys interacting with tweens and teens. Teen nights at the Y are for youth ages 10-17 and happen the last Friday of each month from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Minimum age to volunteer is 18.
When: Sept 26 | Oct 24 | Nov 21 | Dec 19
Location: The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.
Fun Days are for kids ages 5-12 during school breaks. We’re looking for volunteers who enjoy hanging out with kids and like keeping them engaged in things like conquering gym games, unleashing creativity through arts & crafts and exploring the great outdoors! Minimum age to volunteer is 16. Volunteer shifts are available between 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
o Friday October 17 (Downtown YMCA)
o December 29-31 (The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown)
o Friday January 2 (Downtown and Hermantown)
o Location: The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.
We’re looking for volunteers to help run activity stations, engage with kids & families, making sure they stay safe but also have tons of fun when they are at the Y! Activities include things like board games, yard games in the gym, art projects and more! Family Nights happen the 1st Friday of every month from 3:30-7 p.m. Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.
o Friday October 3 (Downtown YMCA)
o Friday November 7 (Hermantown YMCA)
o Friday December 5 (Downtown YMCA)
Food for good! The Duluth Y is assisting with community food distribution through Family Meal Kits. Each meal kit includes two healthy recipes and all the
ingredients needed for a family of 4 to make 2 complete meals. We need help packing, distributing food and breaking down boxes. We can take a max of 2 volunteers for this opportunity each week. There isn’t a minimum age to volunteer but youth under age 12 must have an adult present.
Meal Packing & Distribution:
When: Thursdays between 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Where: The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown
Click here to sign up for a spot for September-December.
Learn . Grow. Thrive.
Volunteer to read to kids in our preschool childcare center. Books will be available for you to read or feel free to bring one of your own!
When: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9:30-10:00 a.m.
Where: YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center | Community Room
Click here to reserve a spot.
Imagine how hard it is for people who are experiencing homelessness, to wash clothes & bedding. As a special project, the Duluth YMCA is partnering with the Laundry Love program to help recruit volunteers. Laundry Love is a national organization dedicated to providing laundry services to people with no and low income. Laundry Love volunteers assist with check-in, help people find open machines, plug quarters & visit with customers. The customers do their own laundry. This opportunity is more than just providing a place to help people clean clothes, but an opportunity to build and celebrate community. There is no minimum age to volunteer, however, we ask that youth under 15 have an adult present.
When: 2nd Tuesday of the Month from 8:15-11:30 a.m.
Where: Spin City Laundry | 232 N Central Ave
Click here to sign-up for a volunteer spot.
Check out this fun opportunity with DECC Events!
The DECC is partnering with the YMCA and other non-profits on a volunteer opportunity in exchange for a monetary donation to the non-profit of their choosing. Opportunities include assisting staff in concessions, ushering, ticket taking, helping at the bars, greeting guests, etc. Shifts are typically 4-6 hours long and events range from hockey games, concerts, comedy shows, etc. Grab a friend and create a lasting experience for a great cause! The monetary donation the Y receives will go directly towards the Y’s Annual Support Campaign.
Click on this link to see the upcoming events!
We’re looking for people who want to join our Volunteer Corps! This is for people who want to volunteer but might not want or be able to make a regular commitment to the Y. It’s as easy as joining the service club and then we’ll call upon you when an opportunity arises and you can say “count me in” or “no thanks!”
Do you love an office work environment? We have a gig for you! Assist with one of the most essential departments at the Y: Central Services! We’re looking for a volunteers to help with a variety of projects including marketing, graphic design, correspondence, databases and organization. A good fit for this position would be a volunteer with a positive attitude who has great organizational skills, is welcoming and kind.
Location/Program Sites: Downtown Duluth (though most Graphic Design work can be done from home)
Commitment: Once per week for a minimum of one hour (but welcome to stay longer)!
Qualifications: Ability to use Word and Microsoft Excel. Excellent typing skills & keen attention to detail and punctuation.
Rock Steady Boxing offers boxing-inspired fitness classes for people with Parkinson’s disease. The goal is to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s. Volunteers are needed to help assist the boxers in wrapping hands, putting on boxing gloves, assisting boxers in getting up and down off the floor, explaining modifications and keeping morale of classes positive. No experience necessary. We’re looking for people who are compassionate and engaged. Minimum age to volunteer is 16.
Location/Program Sites: Downtown YMCA
Days & Times: Wednesdays and/or Fridays from 9:45-11:15 a.m.
If you know what great customer service looks and feels like, this is the volunteer opportunity for you! Greeters are responsible for providing a high level of customer service. Responsibilities include greeting members, checking them into the Y, handing out towels and equipment. Minimum age to volunteer is 18. Must have some computer skills and able to provide excellent customer service.
Location/Program Sites: Downtown YMCA
Days & Times: Volunteers are mainly needed on evenings and weekends (especially Tuesday and Thursday evenings).
Volunteers will have the opportunity to work closely with a diverse group of students in our school-age child care program. Volunteers serve as role models and extra support for the students and staff working on academics and engagement in program activities and clubs. Ages of youth served: grades K-5. Minimum age to volunteer is 15. The school year program runs September through early June.
Specific Programs: KEY Zone (working with youth in grades K-5 in Duluth Public Schools), Eagle’s Nest (working with youth in grades K-6 in the Edison Charter Schools) and our free Drop-In After School program at the Harbor Highlands Community Center.
Commitment: Minimum of 20 hours total or once a week for a semester, to create more stability for youth in program (or something close to this).
Days & Times: Volunteer opportunities available Monday-Friday between 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
We’re looking for volunteers to assist in our Early Childhood Development Center (otherwise known as the ECDC). The ECDC serves infants, toddlers and pre-school age children year-round. Volunteering with the ECDC involves caring for and encouraging play with infants and young children. Children begin their lives by playing. From their play activities, they learn about the world around them and the skills they need to grow. Volunteers support and extend play through conversations and guiding interactions between children. Volunteers can also help with various activities from reading a book to a child to assisting with food during mealtimes. Minimum age to volunteer is 16. Must be interested in and enjoy working with children ages zero to five years.
Commitment: Minimum of 20 hours total or once a week to create more stability for youth in program (or something close to this).
Location/Program Sites: The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown
Days & Times: Volunteer shifts are available between 9am-5pm Monday through Friday
Kid’s Club is a supervised play area for kids ages four months to nine years. Volunteers are needed to make sure kids are having fun and staying safe. Duties can include things like reading books to kids, holding babies, helping with art projects & doing activities with young children. A great opportunity for someone who really loves getting down on the floor and playing with kids! This position requires individuals to be outgoing, energetic and willing to engage kids ages four months to nine years. Minimum age to volunteer is 13 years.
Program Sites: Downtown YMCA and the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center
Days & Times: Hours available Monday-Friday from 9am-1pm and Monday-Thursday from 4:30-6:30pm
Commitment: Minimum of once per week for 10 weeks or a total of 20 hours to create more stability for youth in the program (or something close to this).
Calling all Registered Nurses, Medical Doctors, Physician Assistants or anyone who is a Licensed Prescriber!
Camp Miller relies on medical workers to provide basic health care on-site during the summer camp season. Benefits include:
• Room and Board: As Camp medical staff, you will lodge in a private room in one of our cabins.
• Camper Discount: For your week of service, you will be able to register two children of your choosing, at no cost. Note: If you don't have a child to send to camp, you are welcome to send a child of your choosing to camp on your behalf.
• Access to Camp Facilities & Equipment: While serving as medical staff, all camp equipment and activities, including kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, archery, mountain bikes, trails, docks & lake swimming, are at your disposal. During off-hours, you can participate in the full summer camp experience or relax in a sky lounge chair and read!
Click here to view the full position description.
We’re looking for volunteers who enjoy tinkering with things and working on maintenance projects. Come with experience or an interest in learning from our Maintenance Team. Volunteers have an opportunity to work with everything from landscaping and painting to building maintenance. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to learn life-long skills like how to use tools, grounds work and maintaining equipment. Minimum age to volunteer is 15.
Location/Program Sites: Downtown YMCA and the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center
Days & Times: This opportunity has flexible hours and can be done whenever we have someone available on our maintenance team.
If you like to pop in a podcast and get down to work, this is the gig for you! You can make a big difference at the Y. You will help our staff interact with members and provide a safe and clean facility for all. Duties may include things like wiping dust from surfaces, folding towels and organizing storage spaces. Minimum age to volunteer is 12.
Location/Program Sites: Downtown YMCA or the Y at the Essentia Wellness Center
Days & Times: This opportunity has flexible hours and can be done whenever the Y is open.
If you like working outside, this is the gig for you! Summer help includes: watering, raking, weeding, mowing, trimming, pruning and picking up garbage. Winter help includes snow removal of course! Shoveling, plowing, etc. Minimum age to volunteer is 18.
Location/Program Sites: The YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown
Days & Times: This opportunity has flexible hours and can be done whenever the Y is open.
Assist the Head Coach with practices and team dynamics which include:
Volunteers must be 16 or older and have knowledge of competitive swim strokes. We ask that volunteers commit to a specific weekday & session time during the season.
Program Sites: Downtown YMCA and the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown
Dates: October through February.
Days & Times:
Click here to apply for any of our longer-term volunteer opportunities or you are welcome to download the PDF version here.
Did you know some companies match your volunteer hours with financial donations to the nonprofit you support? Check with your employer to see if they offer a volunteer hour matching program—it's a great way to amplify the difference you can make at the Duluth Area Family YMCA!