Mentoring a child supports our residents by continuing to develop appropriate relationships with adults and keeping the youth connected to the community to which they will return. Mentors are matched one-on-one with a child, ages 9-14, from our Residential Treatment Program. We are also looking for mentors for our Independent Living Program for 18-21 year olds. After developing a caring and therapeutic relationship with a child on campus, mentors are encouraged to take the child off-campus during visits. Activities could include, but are not limited to: going to restaurants; attending sporting events; visiting libraries, parks, and museums; shopping trips; and visits to your home for special events and holidays. Special permission may be required for certain activites/events.

Mentors must be at least 20 years old and have a valid driver's license with proof of auto insurance.

Mentoring a child is one of the largest roles a volunteer at DCCH can fulfill. It is a big commitment, but it comes with the biggest reward: providing a child a supportive relationship they can look to for advice and encouragement during one of the toughest times of their life.

• Front Desk/Receptionist
• 2-4 hours per week
• Mondays or Wednesdays

Duties include but are not limited to: Answering phones; greeting and signing in visitors; sorting mail. Must have a pleasant phone voice, a "can do" attitude, and abide by the confidentiality guidelines of DCCH.

• Assist children with routines
• Regularly scheduled, at least one day per week (minimum)
• Available times: Weekdays, 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm; Weekends, Anytime

Duties include: Assisting the residential staff during regularly scheduled activities, including tutoring, arts and crafts, teaching daily living skills, and leading indoor/outdoor recreational activities. Interested volunteers should feel comfortable with initiating, suggesting, and leading activities for their assigned youth. Approved volunteers will never be expected to directly supervise residents outside the presense of DCCH personnel. Must be at least 18 years of age, and have the maturity to accept residents' challenging behaviors. Must commit to a regular, consistent schedule at least once per week with a minimum commitment of at least six months.

• 1x per month
• 2nd Tuesday of each month
• 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Duties include: Providing child care during the Foster Care Program's Support Group. Volunteers will be accompanied by DCCH personnel.

• Days: Weekdays
• Times: Between 8:30 am and 3:00 pm

Duties include: Tutoring individuals; reading with students; assisting at the library; assisting with technology, offering music or art lessons; and/or documenting monthly records.

Duties include but are not limited to: Handling and caring for horses; organizing stable area, tack room, and barn; cleaning stall, grounds, and paddock (mucking); maintaining tack and other equipment. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. Must attend Equine Program and Safety Procedures training.

Approved volunteers will also choose to participate in at least one of the three opportunities:

Horse Feeding

• Able to handle horses
• 1 day per week (minimum)
• Mornings
• Able to lift up to 40 lbs. (water buckets and hay bales)

Horse Training

• Able to handle horses
• 1 day per week (minimum)

Must be able to: Utilize basic horsemanship; follow directions; work independently and as a team; groom, saddle, and bridle horses; halter and lead horses into and out of pastures; lead horses, including backing and stopping; and react appropriately if a horse gets spooked. Must have experience riding and lunging horses.

IMPORTANT: Working with horses one-on-one presents an additional risk. By agreeing to train horses at DCCH, one is agreeing to follow all safety precautions and training procedures as instructed by DCCH personnel.

Horse Sessions

• Able to handle horses
• 1 day per week (minimum)
• Mondays and/or Fridays
• 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Must be able to: Utilize basic horsemanship; follow directions; work independently and as a team; groom, saddle, and bridle horses; halter and lead horses into and out of pastures; lead horses including backing and stopping; react appropriately if a horse gets spooked; and assist children during lessons. Must have experience riding and lunging horses, as well as a desire to interact with both children and horses.

• Days: Various
• Times: Various

Duties include: Mowing, weeding, housekeeping, and professional quality painting.

If you're looking for a great way to get involved, yet you are worried about the time commitment of other opportunities, this is the group for you! HALO (Helping All the Little Ones) has been caring for the children at DCCH over 20 years! Game Night, cookouts, bowling, pool parties, and roller skating are just a few of the monthly activities this group enjoys doing with the kids. Invest a little time, make a BIG impact! Join HALO today!

Duties include: Planning monthly activities for the children in our Residential Treatment Program; purchasing supplies; assisting with the events/activities; participating in fundraising efforts.

Planning meetings are held every third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm. Activities/events may be held on-grounds or in the community. Attendance is expected for meetings and outings/activities are optional, but encouraged.

This group of up-and-coming professionals plan many activites to help raise awareness of the children in DCCH’s care. Events include:

• Annual Kickball Tournament
• Children's Christmas Concert
• Bus Trip to Keenland
• Networking Events
• Rhinegeist Charitable Suds
• Wreaths & Wine
• Ski Trip to Perfect North

Duties include: Planning activities for the children in our Residential Treatment Program; purchasing supplies; assisting with the events/activities; participating in fundraising efforts.

Planning meetings are held every third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Activities/events may be held on-grounds or in the community. Attendance is expected for meetings and outings/activities are optional, but encouraged.

Want to sponsor a YP event or two? Learn more about the opportunities here!