Voluntourism in Philadelphia
Experience Philadelphia’s people and culture on a deeper level.
Enrich your group’s memories of Philadelphia by participating in a community service project during your stay. Each year, more “voluntourists” are indulging their senses of exploration and passion for service, venturing off their hotel maps and into fulfilling opportunities to help maintain the natural splendor of the region; preserve historic landmarks for future generations and champion the city’s artistic voices. Rejuvenate your attendees and help them reconnect while they connect with the dynamic individuals who call Philadelphia home.We invite you to consider these exciting activities for your group; arrive as our guests and leave as our friends. More information can be found in our brochure on Voluntourism in Philadelphia.
The City of Philadelphia's Office of Civic Engagement & Volunteer Service is one of the first of its kind in the nation!
Mayor Nutter opened the Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service to oversee the development and implementation of his strategic plan for service. Learn more at volunteer.phila.gov or watch the kick off video from Mayor Nutter.
Annual Events:
Global Youth Service Day
April 20-22, 2012
Make an impact today with the leaders of tomorrow. Past projects have included rehabbing homes into energy-efficient buildings and distributing flyers calling attention to the issue of domestic violence.
www.gysd.org
LOVE Your Park Day
April 2012
Whether you’re a green thumb or all thumbs, join hundreds of volunteers in planting trees and beautifying Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park- which covers a whopping 9,200 acres citywide!
www.philacares.com/love.htm
Spiral Q Puppet Theater Peoplehood Parade & Pageant
October 2011
Discover the city’s DIY, grassroots energy as you help make giant puppets in the studio. Serve as parade marshals and enjoy vivid storytelling and performances led by our neighbors, children, block captains, co-workers and friends.
www.spiralg.org/peoplehood.html
Philadelphia Marathon
November 2011
Cheer for more than 20,000 runners as you staff a hydration stations, or give congratulatory high-fives along with medals and blankets at the finish line.
www.philadelphiamarathon.com
6abc IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thanksgiving Day 2011
Get the best view for this 90-year-old holiday tradition (and 15 seconds of tv fame) as a balloon handler for well-loved cartoon characters along the 1.8 mile route through Center City.
http://dig.abclocal.go.com/wpvi/html.wpviThanksGivingParade.html
MLK Day of Service: Day of Reflection, Lifetime of Action
MLK Day
Be among 70,000+ volunteers showing the content of their character at one of 1100 projects around the region and make Dr. King proud.
www.mlkdayofservice.org
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Arden Theater Company
Meet Philadelphians who share your passion for the stage as you take tickets, greet and seat guests, plus offer show programs to patrons. Enjoy a free performance as your reward.
www.ardentheater.org
Bartram Gardens
March-October
Every second Saturday, volunteers can help care for the historic river trail and landscaped gardens inspired by the Quaker farmer John Bartram’s encounter with a single daisy in the same field more than 250 years ago.
www.bartramsgarden.org
Cradles to Crayons
Stuff backpacks and organize donated toys in the giving Factory to make a difference in the lives of local children.
http://www.gpcares.com/volunteer.htm
Food Tasting Prep Urban Nutrition Initiative
Wash, cut, and prepare food samples for this educational nutrition program that hosts monthly tastings for area K-12 students.
http://www.gpcares.com/volunteer.htm
Greater Philadelphia Cares Project
Make a difference in the region by partnering with schools, social service agencies, environmental groups, and non-profit organizations and help make a difference.
www.philacares.com
Johnson House
Lend a behind-the-scences hand with Juneteenth Family Celebration or the Jazz in the Garden presentations hosted at this family home which served as an Underground Railroad station. March-July, volunteers can help restore the historical gardens.
http://johnsonhouse.org
Mural Arts Program
Channel your inner Picasso at a Community Paint Day and further the visual storytelling mission of the largest public art initiative in the country.
http://muralarts.org
Neighborhood Bike Works
Don’t worry about your level of bicycling knowledge, just roll with the whimsical fun of valet bike parking and bicycle safety check events designed to nurture self-confidence in young people.
http://www.gpcares.com/volunteer.htm
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Meet master gardeners, learn tips and get ideas for your own lawn while volunteering with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. As the hosts of the Philadelphia International Flower Show and 400+ community gardeners, PHS can design age-appropriate, partnership projects for groups which also meet current public landscaping needs.
Contact: Joe Soprani
215-988-8809
jsoprani@pennhort.org
www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org
Philadelphia Zoo
Help beautify America’s first zoo while learning how the Philadelphia Zoo supports conservation projects around the world. Both first-time and experienced gardeners will have the chance to nurture the 42-acre Victorian garden. Throughout the year, additional opportunities to assist the Hospitality Team with special events may be available. For volunteers ages 14 and over.
Contact: Volunteer Office
215-243-5200
email: volunteer@phillyzoo.org
www.phillyzoo.org
SHARE
Encourage others to volunteer by filling monthly grocery orders at the SHARE (Self Help and Resource Exchange) warehouse, where households can purchase a discounted grocery package in exchange for two hours of community service.
http://www.gpcares.com/volunteer.htm
The Village of Arts and Humanities
Leave your mark by lending your talents to the multiple gardening and performing arts projects simmering at this mosaic-encrusted, transformative North Philadelphia space originally named Ile Ife, Yoruba for “House of Love.”
www.villagearts.org
