Our members, program participants and neighbors all want the same thing: a safe, connected community where everyone can thrive. Volunteers at the Y make a personal commitment to this vision by welcoming people of all backgrounds and dimensions of diversity, developing relationships with people different than themselves and using an asset-based approach to address community challenges.

Volunteers help the Y innovate and evolve to provide relevant responses to our communities’ changing needs. They strengthen our leadership by serving on our boards; they build our capacity by leading our annual and capital campaigns; and they transform lives each day by serving as youth coaches, mentors, class instructors and servant leaders in our Y facilities and out in the community.

To impact society in the way we aspire requires the full inclusion and engagement of all people who wish to join us. By strengthening volunteerism Movement-wide, we envision the following outcomes:

• We transform the way people see themselves in their communities and in the world
• More people understand who we are and what we do as an organization
• The Y is differentiated from health and wellness facilities
• Our Movement grows stronger as more people choose to join us as members, volunteers, and staff
• Program innovation and agile responsiveness to our changing communities becomes our norm
• We amplify our impact in communities and deepen our commitment to the nation

Yes! The Greater Wichita YMCA offers a range of opportunities that require different skills. We will help you find one that fits your skills and interests and, if needed we will provide training.

A minimum age of 16 years is preferred. Exceptions may be made for special events or administrative tasks

The Greater Wichita YMCA is responsible for protecting the children and other vulnerable people we serve. For this reason, we are required to perform a background check before volunteering in certain roles. Other than that, you don't need any particular skills or background to help the people in your community! Just let us know what you are interested in, and we'll try to match you to a volunteer opportunity that suits your needs.

You can choose how much time you would like to give as a YMCA volunteer. Whether you want to help out occasionally or on an ongoing basis; we will work together to find a role that meets your availability and schedule.

Yes! By volunteering at the YMCA you will gain volunteer time toward the hours you are required to complete for school. You will also gain valuable experience.

By volunteering with the Greater Wichita YMCA, you can request a letter of reference. This letter is a valuable part of employment applications or resumes. In addition to providing you with work experience, volunteering can help position you for a new job within the community.

No, you do not need to be a YMCA member to volunteer in a YMCA. Arrangements will be made to grant you access to areas that you will be volunteering.

Once you have submitted your application, it generally takes 3-5 days to for processing. If more than a week has lapsed, please contact Lori Spencer at 316.776.8821. After an interview with a YMCA staff member (Via: face to face or phone), you will be placed in a department and then contacted by a staff member for training, information, and to discuss a schedule.

If you need to break your commitment, please just let the staff know. The Greater Wichita YMCA has many different volunteer roles, so if you are not enjoying what you are doing now, we encourage you to speak with your YMCA employee point-of-contact about other opportunities at the Greater Wichita YMCA.

Questions can be directed to Lori Spencer, Volunteerism Director, at 316.776.8821 or email lori.spencer@ymcawichita.org.