Volunteer Opportunities

  The PALS Pal Program is a mentorship program which pairs a volunteer with families and/or individuals of all ages. The goal of this program is to provide a positive influence in the lives of adults and children who may otherwise not have one. Volunteers are asked to spend a minimum of 3 hours with their "Little Pal" per month. Volunteers who interact with children must pass a criminal background check.

  The Grand PALS Program offers children in our community the opportunity to engage with an older, wiser generation of loving adults. Volunteers can teach skills classes (baking, woodworking, painting, etc.), engage with children one-on-one, or be pen pals with a child. Ideal volunteers for this program are ages 55+. Volunteers who interact with children must pass a criminal background check.

   Children in foster care benefit greatly from routines and predictability, which means our foster parents need reliable, in-home childcare when they take a well-deserved break every now and then. We ask that these adult volunteers commit to at least 1 or 2 days of childcare per month for at least 6 months with a foster family. This allows the foster family's biological and foster children to become familiar and comfortable with you as an alternative caregiver (i.e. super fun babysitter!).  Dates and times for childcare will be negotiated between volunteers and their adopted foster family. Volunteers who interact with children must pass a criminal background check.

   The PALS Closet is available for all foster families and any other families in need in Custer County. PALS Family, Inc. accepts new and gently used shoes, clothing, beds, bedding, baby swings, luggage, car seats, etc. for the closet. These youth and/or adult volunteers will visit the closet monthly to make sure it stays organized, switch out clothing seasonally, and assist PALS staff in coordinating donation and shopping appointments as the need arises. 

   Sometimes children in foster care need to be hospitalized for various reasons and lengths of time. These youth and/or adult volunteers offer relief and support to foster families as they are caring for a child who has been hospitalized. This can include bringing them meals or care packages in the hospital or sitting with the child while the foster family goes to work or leaves to freshen up.

   When a foster family welcomes a new foster child into their home, life gets chaotic. During this time, foster families benefit greatly from a few home-cooked meals that are either already made or just need to be heated in the oven. These youth and/or adult volunteers bring take-out or a homemade meal to a foster family in the first few days after they receive a new placement.

   PALS Family, Inc. has monthly foster parent support group meetings, as well as regular classes and events for the community. These adult volunteers babysit children for 1-2 hours in the PALS Playroom, while the children's parents attend groups, classes, and events. Volunteers who interact with children must pass a criminal background check. 

   PALS Family, Inc. hosts a variety of community events throughout the year. These youth and/or adult volunteers help with things such as set up before the event, parking, ticket sales, seating, take down after the event, and anything else that makes an event run smoothly.