Anchorage has been blessed over the years to have hundreds of Individuals and Groups come to share their skills, abilities and talents to impact the lives of our children and youth.

Individuals wishing to volunteer with Anchorage on a regular basis and who will have contact with clients are required to go through a three step process prior to acceptance and placement in a program:

Complete a Volunteer Application Packet
Schedule an Interview with the Development Coordinator
Pass a child abuse, criminal background and local law check prior to providing direct services to children and youth

Once these steps are taken, the Development Coordinator and the volunteer determine a good task match for the individual volunteer. Each volunteer receives a handbook containing Anchorage's volunteer practices and procedures. Anchorage asks that individual volunteers invest at least 4 hours per month to the volunteer program.

While each program/department has specific needs for volunteers there tends to be some basic trends in needs from program to program, including mentoring, playing games, participating in activities, tutoring or reading with children, life skills training, and conducting Bible studies. Other activities that do not involve direct services to clients but are very helpful to the functioning of the programs include: answering phones, working on mail outs, helping with fundraising events, yard clean up and specialized projects.
Anchorage is thrilled to have the opportunity to host a wide variety of groups who help us in tremendous ways. From church groups, who conduct backyard Bible clubs and choir presentations in the summer, to military and civic groups, such as the U.S. Naval Diving Salvage & Training Center and Tyndall Air Force Base, painting, building construction projects, providing manpower at special events and hosting activities for our youth; groups of most any size can be put to good use.

With three residential programs serving up to 44 youth at three different sites at any given time, there is always opportunity for interaction with some of our children and youth. We welcome Christian-based activities, though it is Anchorage policy that participation of our clients in religious activities is completely voluntary.

Anchorage keeps a running list of potential projects in which your program may want to participate. Some of the most frequent and needed activities include: musical presentations, Bible studies, recreational/fun days, crafts and hobbies, cookouts, and seasonal parties. Some of the most frequent and needed projects include: yard work, painting - interior and exterior, and basic carpentry.

If you would like to visit and get involved in making a difference at Anchorage Children's Home, please contact Heather Rider