Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are a special group of people. They offer their time, talents, and warm heart. These individuals expect nothing in return other than knowing they improved the life of another human being through compassionate support, care and giving.

CareFirst welcomes volunteers of all ages and capacities. Whatever your abilities may be, we can match you to a volunteer opportunity in our mission to serve. No experience is required, just an interest in helping. We provide all the training that is needed in whatever role you choose. 

Patient Support Volunteering – The category of volunteers provides emotional support and companionship to hospice patients and their families in a variety of different ways. Whether it be in-person or virtually, volunteers can choose one area where they would like to focus their volunteer efforts and to provide multiple types of support if they choose. These patient care volunteer roles include:

• In Home Companionship – Visits are made to the patient’s location (e.g., extended care facility, nursing or private home) to spend time interacting with the patient.
• In Home Respite Care – Visits are made to the patient’s location and the objective is to give their caregiver a much-needed break.
• Weekly Check-In Callers – Check-in volunteers contact the patients and the caregivers of those who are on hospice services every Thursday to ensure they have the supplies and support they need prior to the weekend. These phone calls are a quality initiative meant to anticipate needs, resolve issues, and to minimize emergency situations with proper planning.
• Legacy Project – Visits are made to the patient’s location and time is spent interacting with the patient or family to capture memories in a variety of ways.
• Pick Up/Delivery Assistance – Assist with getting needed medical supplies or equipment to our patients and their caregivers.
• Companion Caller – Provide friendly and warm phone conversation and connection with CareFirst patients and/or caregivers. This program is especially geared to those who may be lonely or isolated and would benefit from some much-needed companionship.
• Pen Pals – Brighten a CareFirst patient’s day by writing weekly cards or letters letting them know you and CareFirst are thinking of them.
• Vigil Volunteers – Believing that no one should die alone, these special volunteers provide a presence and comfort to dying patients who have no family available for support during the final hours of life.
• Specialized Services – Many patients would benefit from specialized services (e.g., massage, Reiki, haircutting, mani pedi nail care, music therapy, pet or art therapy, aromatherapy and so much more) but are not able to leave their location.
• Bereavement Callers – Patient Support volunteering doesn’t stop at the death of a patient. CareFirst Grief Services staff and bereavement volunteers follow the patient’s loved ones for 13 months after the death, offering support. These specialized volunteers make condolence calls five-seven days after a loss and provide phone outreach to caregivers every three, six, nine and twelve months.

NEW! Pet Peace of Mind® Volunteer – CareFirst is pleased to announce a new program aimed at helping our hospice and palliative care patients look after their pets. Pet Peace of Mind® (PPOM), which recognizes and actively supports the unique bond between patients going through life’s transitions and their pets, launches in September 2022. This program aligns with the CareFirst mission of affirming life through extraordinary, compassionate support and care for you and your pets.

PPOM allows patients to complete their life transitions without worrying about their pet’s needs. The initiative provides volunteer pet care services for patients who are unable to care for their pets while on hospice. Services include dog walking, pet waste cleanup, transporting the pet to veterinary or grooming appointments, pet boarding/fostering, and more.

The volunteer roles (job descriptions linked inline) that we are recruiting for are as follows:

• PPOM Lead Volunteers – assist with program coordination, community connections, volunteer recruitment, etc.
• PPOM Animal Care Volunteers – assist with walking, transportation to appointments, waste cleanup, etc.

Administrative Volunteer – Some volunteers are more comfortable exercising their office skills than providing patient support. Administrative support volunteers regularly assist with a variety of different in office tasks such as filing, assembling patient information packets, copying manuals and handouts, helping with major mailings, assisting with reception, preparing for events and more.

Event Helpers – CareFirst hosts various fundraising events throughout the year. Volunteers are needed to make these events possible both in the preparation phase and on the day of the event. Various shifts and jobs are available depending on the event taking place. Some volunteers assist with one event every year while others help with multiple events throughout the year. The choice is yours!