Service learning
All Westlake High School students must acquire 20 service learning hours by May of their senior year to meet the district's graduation requirements. Volunteering provides an opportunity to change lives - including your own.
Students must complete five hours each year (20 total by graduation).
Service Learning Opportunities
Westlake City Schools makes no recommendations nor has any preference for any name on this list. Please know that you will need to contact and confirm if these people are still offering opportunites. This is just a possible source for Service Learning. This list is not meant as an all-inclusive list, nor does it signify the endorsement of the Westlake City Schools.
Wigs For Kids, located right here in Westlake at 24231 Center Ridge Road, is seeking volunteers!
The Wigs For Kids office hours are Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and are always open to teen volunteers. Weekend volunteer hours are also available. Those interested volunteering can call their office at 440-438-3053 or visit their webpage to learn more about their volunteer opportunities.
Did you know?
- Wigs for Kids provides hair replacements completely FREE of charge to each of our recipients.
- Over 2 million children in the United States are affected by hair loss.
- 10,000 pediatric burn injuries occur annually in the US.
- 1.1 million children in the US are affected by alopecia.
- It takes 20-30 ponytails to make one Hair Replacement System.
Connecting For Kids (CFK): A local, nonprofit organization that helps families who have concerns about their child.
Volunteer opportunities are often available throughout the school year. If you would like to volunteer for CFK, visit their webpage: https://connectingforkids.org/volunteer
If you would like more information about Connecting For Kids, please email them at: info@connectingforkids.org or call 440-570-5908
The Connecting For Kids Website can also provide you with more information about their organization, what they do, and upcoming events needing volunteers.
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Youth Challenge Volunteers
Youth Challenge in an organization whose mission is bringing together young people with physical disabilities and teen volunteers who inspire each other through adapted sports, recreation and social growth activities. Please visit their website to learn more and to find out how to volunteer.
Volunteers must fulfill requirements specified by Youth Challenge:
- Be age 12 or older
- Be trained to work with and to meet the needs of children with physical disabilities. Training sessions are held prior to each program season.
- Attend a program as a volunteer shadow.
- Know the volunteer responsibilities.
- Be able to provide your own transportation to and from programs.
- Complete the required forms prior to participation in activities.
Hermes Cleveland Running Events offer volunteer opportunities - click here
If you would like to help out at any of the Hermes Cleveland northeast Ohio race events, please contact Hermes Cleveland by emailing Adam at apetrovic@hermescleveland.com or by calling (216) 623-9933. All volunteers are rewarded with a donation, t-shirts, refreshments, and appreciation.
Senior Citizens may need help with leaf and snow removal
Many of our local senior citizens are not able to shovel snow from their doorsteps and driveways. Consider offering your help to any of your senior neighbors to earn service hours. A kind gesture like this is greatly appreciated by your fellow Westlake Citizens!
O'Neill Healthcare on Bradley Rd. in Bay Village
Meaningful service learning opportunities may be available at O'Neil Healthcare.
Please email Tracy Biller at O'Neill Healthcare if you would like to be a volunteer.
Devon Oaks Assisted Living
Devon Oaks is an assisted living community in Westlake located at 2345 Crocker Road. They have teen volunteer opportunities available for those who may have an interest in working in the healthcare field and/or enjoy interacting with seniors.
Please contact Devon Oaks at 440-250-2300 if you are interesting in volunteering with them. Or, email Kimberly R. Hernandez, Human Resources Director, or call her at: 216-325-1253
HandsOnNortheast Ohio
Teen volunteer opportunities available! This organization offers many service learning opportunities and events for youth and families. Visit their website for more information about Youth Friendly Projects .
You can do a search for volunteer opportunities available near Westlake and sign up online. Some examples of volunteer tasks available include packing food bags for the needy, meal serving and preparation, and helping people with disabilities.
Lutheran Home at Concord Reserve
This Senior Life Community is located in Westlake next door to LBMS. They have a wide variety of service opportunities available for teenagers. To volunteer or to learn more information, contact the Director of Life Enrichment/Volunteer Coordinator at 440-871-0090 ext. 2184
Westlake Historical Society at the Clague Road Museum
The Westlake Historical Society hosts several community events throughout the year. Responsible volunteers are needed to help with a variety of tasks such as set up an take down of event materials.
The address of the museum is 1371 Clague Rd. Visit their webpage to learn more about their organization and other volunteer opportunities.
Contact them at: 216-848-0680 if you are willing to volunteer.
Fight Like a Girl Club located right here in Westlake!
This is a local non-profit organization that helps women and their families cope with cancer. Areas they may need youth volunteers include data entry and packing/shipping clothing articles. See their website for more information.
Fall Opportunities Available at The Holden Arboretum
Click this LINK for a Student Volunteer Application and more information about Events being held at The Holden Arboretum in need of student volunteers
Great Lakes Caring
Earn volunteer hours through this organization that has opportunities for teens ages 14 and up. Call them at 888-260-9835 OR click on the link to fill out an online application. Summer opportunities are available.
Gardening Opportunity - Here at Westlake High School!
Earn service hours by helping maintain the pollinator garden here at WHS. Physical labor and some lifting are required in order to participate. You must see Ms. Barth in the science department for more details.
Love-A-Stray
If you like working with animals this organization has various volunteer opportunities available throughout the year. There is a contact form provided on their webpage so you may them for a list of current opportunities they have available.
North Union Farmers Market at Crocker Park
North Union Farmers Market, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, champions the local foods of Northeast Ohio and promotes their environmental, economic and health benefits by connecting certified producers with consumers through a network of markets.
They have various student volunteer opportunities on Saturday mornings at Crocker Park. They include weekly market set up, providing customer service for SNAP customers and special events. Contact info@northunionfarmersmarket.org or call 216.751.7656 to schedule a volunteer opportunity or for more information.
Lake Erie Nature and Science Center
Volunteers may be needed throughout the school year with various community activities.
For further information, call 440-871-2900 or email carolelynns@lensc.org
Westlake Rehab and Nursing Center located at 4000 Crocker Rd
There are a variety of volunteer tasks available to teenagers at the Westlake Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. If you have a special skill or talent, residents would love to learn about it! Also, residents would love to learn about technology such as smartphones, laptops, or tablets. They would enjoy learning how to use Google, Skype, online games, or read information online. Bring your device with you and teach the residents about all of these fun technology advancements! Cards and board games such as Monopoly, chess, or checkers are availble so you could spend time playing these with the residents. This is a great opportunity to help bring a smile to others!
If interested, please call Barb Hopkins, Activity Director at (440)892-2100 Extension: 3020
Westlake High School Athletics
If you enjoy sports, consider stopping by the WHS Athletic office to see where/when they may need student volunteers.
Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo
This would be a great place for teens who love animals to volunteer in the summer! You must attend an orientation session with a parent to find out about great service opportunities available at the zoo. Visit their website for more orientation session dates and contact information.
Hospice of Western Reserve
The Hospice of Western Reserve has great volunteering experiences for teens. Junior High and High School students interested in helping people need to complete a 4-hour education session and some self-study paperwork. A teen youth volunteer application is available here.
If interested, contact Dionne Sims for more information about teen volunteering at 216-383-5745 or dsims@hospicewr.org
Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter
If you love animals, there is a located in Valley View, Ohio. For information on becoming a youth volunteer, visit their website at:
https://cuyahogadogs.com/en-US/Home.aspx. You will find information and an application to complete if you would like to earn service hours.
Holden Arboretum
The Holden Arboretum has various student volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Visit their website for upcoming events where teens age 14+ can earn service hours. Some events include the annual Plant Sale in May, Goblins in the Garden at Holden Arboretum or the Egg Hunt, Summer Exhibit, Boo-tanical Bash or Glow at Cleveland Botanical Garden. Contact the volunteer office at volunteer@holdenarb.org or call 440.602.8003 to be added to their mailing list for information about upcoming activities.
Horse Lovers Wanted at Pony Tales Farm!
Pony Tales Farms is home to several rescue ponies and is dedicated to bringing ponies and children together through camps, seminars and festivals. They offer many different programs throughout the year for children as young as age two to age twelve in addition to programs for children with special needs. Owners Lorainne and Bill are looking for volunteers for stable and horse care, camp and party helpers, plus assistance with 4H and Scouting programs. If interested in learning more, please contact Lorainne at 440-891-9992.
Frostville Museum, 24101 Cedar Point Road, North Olmsted, Ohio
When: Every Saturday from 10-1
Where: Kitchen of the red barn at Frostville Museum
Kitchen help including dish washing, putting orders together, getting drinks for customers. See Debbie Porter at the red barn at Frostville Museum. Frostville Museum is a small village located in the metroparks which is North Olmsted's Historical Society. If interested, please contact Ms. Worthington at worthingtonl@wlake.org.