Gillis | for children and families since 1870

Volunteer Activities

Gillis needs volunteers who are willing to give of themselves and their time on a regular basis. It is important that our students develop relationships with adults they know will be there every week. Please consider volunteering for one of the on-going opportunities below.

Ongoing Volunteer Activities

Maintenance and Campus Beautification

Every child enjoys having a place that is homey and well maintained. A freshly painted front door, flowers and bushes welcome them to Gillis. Our historic campus needs constant care to make it welcoming for the children.

Homework Zone

As a Gillis tutor, you will play a vital role in nurturing students at the Gillis Special Education School. Tutors provide the necessary tools that will open doors to reading comprehension, increased confidence and improved writing skills. In addition to offering academic support, volunteers are friends and role models to the students, helping them to become life-long learners. (September - May).

Reading Heroes

Give children the joy of reading by reading aloud to a small group of children between the ages of 5-18 at the Gillis Special Education School. This reading opportunity is a way to help children sample the world around them while adopting positive reading habits, skills and attitudes. (September - May).

Classroom/School Assistant

Be a classroom aide. Read stories, participate in activities, and assist teachers as requested. (September - May).

Cake Bakers

Every child deserves a special day, and the boys at Gillis count on the support of volunteers to remember them on their birthday by purchasing or baking a cake.

Office Support

Volunteers support various departments with mailings, data entry, filing, photocopying, faxing, answering phones and other tasks as needed.

Special Events

Volunteers participate in the creation and implementation of successful fundraising events to further Gillis' mission of assisting children and families.

Group Volunteer Opportunities

Is your group interested in participating in a volunteer activity for Gillis? Whether your group would like to assist at one of our special events or programs, participate in a "work day" on campus, conduct an event for the children we serve, sponsor a donation collection or fundraise in support of Gillis programs, we will be happy to welcome you!

Volunteer opportunities have included helping out with an installation of a new playground, planning parties for clients, building cottage benches, and assisting staff with agency fundraisers. Group service projects have included yard clean-up, painting rooms, library book drive, planting flowers, building shelves, organizing clothing donations, cataloging library books, and collecting food, school supplies, and other needed items.
The opportunities are endless!

To volunteer, or for more information, contact Saundra Johnson, Volunteer/Development Manager, at 816.508.3533 or saundra.johnson@gillis.org. You can also use the Contact Us! form.

Stories

RIT has been working with Gillis since July 2005. They come to campus the first Sunday or every month and do activities with the boys which provide fitness, fun and nutritional education.

Read full story

Gillis News

As part of their community service hours at Rockhurst High School, two young men volunteered at Gillis, working with the residential students. One day they looked around and realized that the common areas were not what they, as “typical” teenagers, would like to look at every day. So, they undertook a cottage renovation project. READ MORE

Gillis is part of Cornerstones of Care, a partnership of agencies providing therapeutic treatment services for children and families.