Volunteer Opportunities
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Volunteer Opportunities at Matrix Human Services
Group team building, individual event volunteering, and making a real impact for Detroit families
Matrix is dedicated to educating children, uplifting families, and rebuilding neighborhoods in Detroit. We provide services to people of all age groups throughout Detroit and the need for those services is always greater than what we are able to provide. Volunteers help us extend our reach, to support more families in a variety of ways.
As a volunteer group or individual, you can choose from a variety of activities ranging from reading to pre-school children enrolled in our Head Start programs, supporting youth in our after-school and summer camp programs, delivering healthy fresh food to families to helping us maintain the grounds and facilities at our 30 locations throughout Detroit. The activities are safe, well organized, and designed to provide a mutually beneficial experience for the families we serve and your employees. We can accommodate small to medium-sized groups of volunteers for a one-time project like supporting special events or single or rotating groups for regularly scheduled activities. Learn more about any volunteer opportunity or service project below to suit your specific needs and skill set!
View Our Volunteer Packages Below
Featured Opportunities
Youth Services Partner
Individuals or Groups Up to 5 Volunteers // 2 to 3 hours a week // During of After School Year
Option 1: Our youth need to know there are adults outside of their family that care, and with so many ways to get involved, it is fun to see kids find something they are passionate about! Partner with our Youth Services team to assist youth 10-17 with after-school academic support, substance abuse prevention, conflict resolution, cultural activities, computer classes, and recreational activities. Opportunities are also available for individual counseling, career counseling, and college preparation. Plan on joining us after school from 4 pm to 6 pm during the school year.
Option 2: During the summertime when kids are out of school, it’s important to keep them engaged with fun activities and learning experiences. Our Youth Assistance Program hosts a Summer Camp at the Matrix Center (13560 E. McNichols Detroit MI 48205) for kids ages 10 through 17 starting June 20 and running through August 17. Kids enjoy educational and recreational activities, arts & crafts, breakfast and lunch and field trips. Volunteers are needed to assist our Youth Services Staff with activities Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to 2:00pm
Social Mobility Partner
Individuals or Groups Up to 5 Volunteers // 4 hours a week // Ongoing
Providing a helping hand-up is even more rewarding and beneficial than a hand-out. Our Social Mobility Centers are designed to support families and rebuild neighborhoods by offering a strong hand up through education, financial empowerment, and workforce development. Volunteer with our center staff to support our programs that promote education, financial empowerment, and job readiness.
Distribute Food
Up to 10 Volunteers // 3 hours // 2 Tuesdays a Month
Option 1: Hosted year-round every other Tuesday, volunteers pack and deliver fresh food to families enrolled in our Prescription for Health program, including our new Healthy Senior Living Program. Homebound seniors are given fresh fruits, vegetables, and perishables as a healthy food “prescription”. Volunteers are needed the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.
Option 2: Our Food Tuesday program with Forgotten Harvest has been providing food to the community the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Located at The Matrix Center on Detroit’s Eastside (13560 E. McNichols rd.), hundreds of families and individuals form a line of cars and drive through our parking lot as volunteers place donated food in their vehicle for them. Volunteers are needed to help with distribution.
Holidays and Festivities
Harvest Fest
Up to 40 Volunteers // 4 to 6 hours // Near Halloween
Bring Halloween to life and watch kids show off their costumes at Harvest fest! Held every year near Halloween, children and their parents in the community enjoy a safe place to celebrate at our community center located on Detroit’s Eastside (13560 E. McNichols rd) called The Matrix Center. Several hundred children and parents enjoy Trick-or-Treating throughout the hallways while receiving candy from Matrix staff and volunteers, as well as a hot meal in our newly renovated basement. Our gym is converted into a play area, sometimes including a bounce house and music where kids can dance and show off their costumes.
Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve food, pass out candy, install decorations, and clean-up afterward.
Trunk-or-Treat
Groups of 5 // About 4 hours // Near Halloween
Another celebration of Halloween for our Head Start families but this one is outdoors! Located at a local police precinct, Matrix staff, volunteers, and families decorate their car trunk or pick-up truck with any theme they like while children trick-or-treat through the parking lot receiving candy and admiring the displays. Adults may also dress in costume while they hand out candy. Music is played through the parking lot and often food including popcorn and pizza is provided as well. This is another fun way to provide families with a safe Halloween experience!
Volunteers are needed to dress up, decorate a vehicle, and hand out goodies.
Angel Tree
Up to 40 Volunteers // 4 to 6 hours // December
The holidays can be a joyous, wonderful time when we get to see friends and family, but for those who are struggling, it can be stressful just to provide food through the winter, let alone travel or give gifts. Many families are forced to go without during the holiday season, but our annual Angel Tree event provides an answer for these families. Held at The Matrix Center on Detroit’s Eastside (13560 E. McNichols rd.), families gather to receive a warm meal, gifts for everyone, pictures with Santa, as well as arts & crafts for kids. Families are “adopted” ahead of the event by our generous supporters, who then provide age-specific gifts for families.
Volunteers are needed to assist in the kitchen, serve food, organize and distribute gifts and activities, and clean up afterward.
MATRIX ADMINISTRATIVE AND MAIN PROGRAM LOCATIONS
MATRIX HEAD START CLASSROOMS
EARLY HEAD START (EHS/CCP) CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIPS
SOCIAL MOBILITY, BASIC NEEDS EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION
Community Health Services
COMMUNITY YOUTH SERVICES + AT-RISK YOUTH INTERVENTION
