Individual Volunteer Opportunities - Join the Ryther family by volunteering your time, energy and compassion. Volunteers are a critical part of our organization and there are many ways to get involved. If you are interested in becoming a Ryther Volunteer check out our volunteer opportunities below.

Note: All volunteers working with children must be at least 21 years old and complete a criminal history background check.

Best Buddy - Nothing is more powerful in the life of a child than forming a positive, healthy relationship with a caring adult. If you are interested in establishing a healthy and positive one-on-one relationship with a child learning to cope with a history of abuse and trauma, then consider becoming a Best Buddy. Best Buddies have the fun and rewarding task of acting as a role-model, teacher and, most importantly, friend to a child. This opportunity is available in both our residential cottages and in our Therapeutic Foster Care homes. Best Buddies must commit to once a week or every other week, scheduled visits with their buddy for a minimum of six months.

Cottage Volunteer - Provide added support by leading activities, such as art projects, reading circles or games during evenings and weekends. Cottage Volunteers provide additional adult attention and enhance the everyday lives of our children. Volunteers must commit to scheduled visits once a week or every other week for a minimum of 6 months.

Ryther Child Center League - The Ryther League is an auxiliary volunteer group comprised of approximately 18 groups throughout the Puget Sound region. For 74 years, League members have supported the children and programs at Ryther through fundraising, volunteer work and financial donations to the Center. The League is a separate 501(c)(3) organization, run by a volunteer Board of Directors.

Members come from all walks of life - businesspeople, teachers, stay-at-home parents, students, civic leaders and more. Some have been involved with the League for many years; others are just starting out, forming their own units with friends, family or co-workers.

The benefits of membership are many. Members form close and often long-term bonds with the others in their unit. League members learn about the challenges facing our community's children and take a leadership role in providing solutions. Most of all, League members enjoy providing those "touches of home" that Ryther's kids have often missed like home-baked cookies, customized birthday cakes, handmade quilts and more. For more information on membership please contact Robin Bennett 206-517-0215. Visit the League’s website to learn more at www.rytherleague.org.

Enrichment Volunteer - Do you love art, music, dance or sports? If so, this position is flexible and can be crafted to fit your personal interests and schedule. We have a high need for creative volunteers to help our children learn about these activities. We can also use volunteers who like to exercise, garden, sew, do yoga, cook, or do just about any other activity. This opportunity is available in both our Residential Treatment program and our Chemical Dependency Program for teen boys.

Classroom Aide - Volunteer in our on-campus public school for children ages 6-12. Volunteer Classroom Aides assist our teachers in planned activities and lessons and provided extra attention to groups of children or individuals. Classroom Aides will fill out a separate application for Seattle Public School, available at Ryther.

Administrative/Special Projects Assistant - This position is great for people who enjoy helping behind the scenes or would like to have a more flexible volunteer schedule. Tasks may include assisting either our office staff with clerical duties or our cottage staff with special projects.

Holiday Gifts Program - If you are interested in helping to create holiday memories for Ryther's clients, consider helping in the following ways:

• Get together with a group of co-workers or friends to fulfill our children’s holiday wishes. Contact Clay Thompson, (206)-517-0286 for a wish list.
• Are you a whiz at organization? Help receive and organize holiday donations to Ryther during the month of December. Hours and times are flexible.
• Have some time at the end of December? Help us receive gift donations and thank our wonderful donors.

Volunteer Groups - Build team spirit while strengthening the community! Nothing promotes team building like volunteering together. Ryther depends on the many generous groups of volunteers to keep our campus a safe and pleasant living space for our children. Spend a day working together at Ryther's 10-acre campus, learn about our programs, and enhance the lives of the children and youth who live here. We can accommodate both large and small volunteer groups.

Ongoing Special Needs:

After School Tutors - Ryther is always in need of volunteers to help children with their homework during the after school hours of 3:30 – 5:30. Volunteer tutors offer focused, individual attention and assistance to children while working on homework.

Volunteer Hair Stylists - Ryther has 47 children and teenagers in residency and they are always in need of professional volunteers who can travel to our campus and provide haircuts. Donating haircuts would not only conserve funds for more critical needs but will also help build self esteem and confidence.

Cultural Enrichment Volunteer - The children at Ryther come to us from a variety of different backgrounds, races, ethnicities and religions and enjoy learning about all kinds of traditions and cultures. Ryther invites volunteers to share their culture’s food, music and traditions with our children and teens.

To learn more about volunteering opportunities at Ryther Child Center please contact Beth Wren by email at bethw@ryther.org, or telephone at (206) 517 - 0214. You may also
download a volunteer application.