Volunteering at Connecticut Children's
Connecticut Children’s relies on more than 300 volunteers. As valuable members of our team, volunteers receive training and other benefits to make the experience as rewarding as possible, for them and for our patients and families.
Volunteer responsibilities may include leading arts and crafts or play activities, reading stories to children, assisting office staff with clerical tasks, providing hospitality services at the main entrance of the medical center, or staffing the gift shop. Many of our programs are available to teen volunteers who can use the opportunity to build skills and responsibility.
Connecticut Children's Foundation also accepts volunteers for their philanthropic events. Learn more about volunteering for the foundation.
Apply to Volunteer With Us
Thank you for your interest in helping us care for kids and their families! Because we receive an overwhelming volume of applications, we cannot accept application packets that are dropped off at the medical center.
For more information, please email volunteerservices [at] connecticutchildrens.org (Volunteer Services.)
Volunteer Opportunities
Although our volunteer needs are always changing, Connecticut Children’s can never have too many volunteers in our program. A variety of opportunities are available to fit personal schedules and individual preferences.
Volunteers must be 15 years of age and older
Weekday placements available. 9:30 am – 12:30 pm or 12:30 – 3:30 pm only
Supports the Volunteer staff with office duties including but not limited to filing, phone calls, database entry, and additional clerical tasks.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old
Weekdays, 1:30 - 4:30pm
On weekday afternoons, ArtReach volunteers help lead patients, siblings and families in creating art or craft projects in one of Connecticut Children’s inpatient playrooms. For patients who are unable to come to the playroom, ArtReach volunteers deliver a package of materials to their room so they can participate on their own schedule.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old
Weekdays, evenings and weekends
Child Life volunteers provide play activities to children of all ages that might include cuddling, arts and crafts, games, or reading. They also make rounds on patient floors to distribute items from our entertainment cart. When children are unable to physically go to a playroom or activity center, volunteers provide activities at the patient’s bedside.
Volunteers must be at least 15 years old
Weekdays, 9:30 am-12:30 pm or 12:30 - 3:30pm
Volunteers are placed in offices throughout the medical center and provide support to the staff by running errands, photocopying information, filing, assembling mailings, and more.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old
Weekdays, evenings and weekends
Volunteers provide clerical assistance to the office staff in the Emergency Department. Duties may include photocopying, filing, delivering materials to the mailroom or other clinical areas in the hospital, and reading a story or playing a game with children receiving care in the department.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old
Weekdays, 10:00 am-1 pm or 1-4 pm
Volunteers interact with patients and their families, as well as Medical Center staff, in the Gift Shop. Offering a variety of toys, balloons, snacks, gifts and logo items, the store provides an important piece in helping to brighten a child’s day.
Volunteers must be 21 years of age and older
Weekday, evening and weekend placements available.
Provides affection, love, and warmth to patients and families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Assist staff with daily tasks as needed.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old
Weekdays only
Connecticut Children’s uses trained volunteers and their own adult dogs to visit with consenting patients on patient care units and waiting areas. All dogs accepted into the Pet Therapy program must have current certification in a program specifically geared towards therapy dogs. Additionally, dogs must be at least 2 years old and weigh more than 25 pounds.
Volunteers must be 15 years of age and older
Each month the hospital facilitates various support groups for parents of both current and prior patients. In an effort to encourage attendance, along with making things a bit easier for our families, we offer a variety of volunteer assisted activities to keep the children occupied and engaged.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old
Weekdays, 7-11 am or 11 am-3 pm
Volunteers facilitate a supportive, empathetic environment to the families of children undergoing surgery. They must be extremely mature and able to provide support to family members who are experiencing stress. These volunteers serve as a liaison between parents and the medical staff.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old
Weekends and some weekdays
A number of our fundraising events need volunteer assistance from day-of coordination to logistics. We have such a wide variety of events – there is sure to be something that interests you! The Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation works alongside our friends in the community for a number of remarkable events, all with one goal in mind – to raise funds for the children who visit Connecticut Children’s Medical Center each and every day. If you see something that interests you, your family, or are looking to engage co-workers, group opportunities are always available!
Volunteer for an event »
Volunteer at a Fundraising Event
Volunteering your time at events is a very fulfilling and inspirational experience. Foundation volunteers assist the Philanthropic Events team as they host a suite of events that raise funds to fuel scientific discoveries—improving treatment options and providing hope to patients and families, like you.
Volunteer Benefits
The volunteer experience at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center is rewarding for our generous volunteers and for the patients and families who benefit from our team’s quality care. In appreciation of their service, Connecticut Children’s volunteers enjoy:
• A meal pass that’s valid on days when they volunteer three hours or more
• Free parking onsite or at a nearby lot with shuttle service
• Access to our Fitness Center, located at the main campus (volunteers must be at least 18-years-old)
• Access to Hartford Hospital’s Medical Science Library and Robinson Library