New Volunteers

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Connecticut Children's.

As a volunteer, you become an ambassador of empathy and compassion making vital contributions to patients, families and the greater community in support of the hospital's mission.

Our volunteer program offers a variety of opportunities for service. Please complete an application from our available opportunities on the right. We look forward to learning more about you.

Emergency Department

We serve communities by providing crucial services to diverse populations. Our mission is to improve quality of life, opportunities for progress and ability to live productively.

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Family Partners

Family Partners help us focus on what matters most. A family partner is someone who:

  • Believes in our mission that kids deserve the best
  • Wants to help improve the quality of our care and services for all kids and their families
  • Helps us plan changes that will improve the ways we take care of kids

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Clerical

The Clerical Volunteer program offers volunteers the chance to gain experience in an office setting.

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Pet Therapy

It takes a special combination of dog, person, and commitment to qualify as a therapy dog team.

Dog owners who volunteer for this type of service are generous and compassionate people who enjoy sharing their special dogs with others, and have the time to visit regularly.

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Chaplain

The Chaplain Services Volunteer will provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, family members and staff.

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Gift Shop

The Gift Shop offers volunteers a chance to gain knowledge in the field of retail, while serving others in a hospital based setting.

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Welcome to the Department of Volunteer Services

Thank you for your interest in shadowing or volunteering with us. We are taking proactive measures to protect our patients, visitors, and healthcare workers by expanding visitor restrictions and policies at out facilities. While we understand that visitor restrictions are inconvenient, they provide an additional layer of protection for everyone.

Thank you for deciding to volunteer with us. You are joining a dedicated team that provides the highest quality care. Through the generous gift of your time, skills and personal interests, you supplement the work of staff and providers in offering many special services that are important to our patients, families, visitors and the staff.

Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, care for your community and meet new people and you will soon see, the greatest reward for volunteering is that special feeling that comes when you give of yourself for the betterment of others. We welcome you as a member of our family and thank you for choosing us as your place to volunteer and share your time.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Icon /imageicon/question How do I become a volunteer?
    We encourage you to explore the numerous volunteer opportunities on our website. Once you have identified the program(s) you are interested in volunteering for, please complete and submit an online application. Please note: Many of our programs have limited openings, so we cannot assure a placement for everyone who expresses interest. We thank you in advance for taking the time to best express your interest in volunteering and what motivates you at this time in your life, and will notify you within three weeks whether you can proceed with the application process.
  • Icon /imageicon/stopwatch Is there a time commitment to volunteer?
    While programs vary, volunteers are typically asked to make a minimum six month commitment to volunteer for a minimum of 100 hours. Unfortunately, we cannot provide short-term volunteer assignments given the time and cost associated with volunteer clearance.
  • Icon /imageicon/hourglass How long does the clearance process take?
    The good news is that this answer mostly depends on you, and how quickly you're able to complete each step in the process. Generally speaking, we find that clearance can take about six weeks (particularly given the health requirements). Applicants who follow each step carefully can help expedite their own process. People who already have placements tend to be cleared more quickly as other programs have application cycles and require in-person interviews and training.
  • Icon /imageicon/calendar3 Is there a minimum age requirement?
    Applicants need to be at least 15 years of age to volunteer, however, due to school schedules, there are a very limited number of hospital or research volunteer placements. If you already have been able to arrange your own placement, then this department will be able to help onboard you. Please check back for summer programming in February as a limited number of additional openings may become available.
  • Icon /imageicon/Flag_US Can I volunteer if I am not a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder?
    If you are not a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder, then we need you to first be cleared through the International Personnel department. You can begin the online application, but you will be directed to International Personnel to complete this step.
  • Icon /imageicon/deadline Do you have summer volunteer programs?
    We are pleased to be able to welcome students from colleges and universities to volunteer over the summer. These placements require a more condensed time commitment (100 hours over 10-12 weeks).
  • Icon /imageicon/app3 What is the application process for returning volunteers?
    If you have volunteered with us in the past year (or ever before), then please indicate that on your application. Depending on how long you have been away, we possibly can waive some of your requirements. It's also good for volunteers to be able to keep one file - often over multiple years and with different assignments - for your records.