St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Welcome!

Volunteering at St. Louis Children's Hospital is a very rewarding experience. Our volunteers have many opportunities to interact with our patients, often through one-on-one visits; playing games, reading books, through arts and crafts or by providing a listening ear.

Volunteers help support the patients, families, and staff at St. Louis Children's Hospital. We have many great opportunities to help in our hospital.

Individuals with great customer service skills may choose to assist in the Small World Gift Shop, at the Information Desk or in the Family Resource Center. Some volunteers choose to assist in our Ronald McDonald Family Room and Sibling Playroom. Others are on our patientfloors visiting the patients and in our Child Life Services area helping the staff provide a break for the child.

The volunteers have very limited interaction with the medical staff and volunteering is not designed to give a "hands on" experience in the medical field.

"Even though we are just volunteers and not doctors, we can help to make a difference in every child's life, and that is the most valuable thing." ~ Casey Growcock, SLCH Emergency Unit Volunteer

• Volunteers must be age 16 and older.
• Volunteers commit a minimum of 50 hours of service.
• Students are asked to volunteer for a minimum of two semesters.
• Adults are asked to volunteer for one year.
• Volunteers contribute one shift each week.
• Depending on the area of service, a shift can be two or three hours.
• A majority of our volunteer opportunities are from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Friday. There are a limited selection of evening and weekend opportunities available.

Volunteer Commitment
We ask for a minimum commitment of 50 hours of service from our volunteers. Students normally reach 50 hours in two semesters.

We are always glad to take students who need to do service hours for graduation credit. If you will volunteer during school hours, please contact our office to check if we have availibility before submitting an application.

Students who need to do service for National Honor Society, or hours for class credit or graduation credit that need to be done on non-school time do not need to contact us for availabiltiy.

Please note: Volunteer Services will not release a written record or sign student forms until the 50 hour commitment has been achieved, even if fewer hours are required for school graduation credit, class credit. After volunteers have reached the 50 hour commitment, we will be able to release a record of hours or sign student forms.

Individuals interested in a practicum, internship, or shadowing should contact a specific department directly for available opportunities.

Volunteer Guidelines
Summer Volunteering

Applications MUST be in our office no later than May 15 to be considered for the summer program. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance via letter.

Summer volunteers must be at least 16 years of age to be eligible to volunteer during the summer months, and willing to commit to a minimum of three to four hours per week for a minimum of nine weeks. Applicants who can not commit to nine weeks WILL NOT be considered.

Summer volunteers are required to meet a minimum commitment of 30 hours. Volunteer Services will not release a written record or sign student forms until the 30 hour commitment has been achieved.

Benefits of Volunteering

You will:

• Make a difference in a child’s life.
• Become part of a world-class team at a nationally ranked pediatric hospital.
• Gain helpful experience in a variety of different fields.
• Enjoy free parking.
• Receive a discount in our cafeteria.

Questions? Contact us at:

Phone: 314.454.6145
Email: slchvolunteer@bjc.org

Our address is:

St. Louis Children's Hospital
Volunteer Office 3N-24
One Children's Place
St. Louis, Missouri 63110 USA

• Volunteer Application
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Email Us