Wawa Volunteer Services
Our applications to volunteer with the Traditional Volunteer and College & Graduate Volunteer Programs are currently closed. Please complete an Interest Form to express interest in being added to our waitlist. We will contact you once these applications are open!
- The College & Graduate Volunteer Program is designed for college, graduate, medical or any other students who are following a semester schedule and are able to commit to serving one 4-hour weekly shift each semester for one school year. The program launches in September and continues through the Fall and Spring semesters.
- The Traditional Volunteer Program: Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and commit to serving a minimum of one 4-hour weekly shift for 12 consecutive months.
2023 Summer Volunteer Program: Our 2023 Summer Volunteer Program application is now live! Please see below for more information about this program and how to apply. Spots are limited, and applications are open for a limited time.
- The CHOP 2023 Summer Volunteer program is a 10-week program for high school and college students ages 16 and over.
- Program Dates and Location: June 20, 2023 - August 25, 2023 - CHOP’s Main Hospital in Philadelphia
- Time Commitment: Students will volunteer once per week for a 3-hour shift (with the option to volunteer for two 3-hour weekly shifts if interested).
- Requirements: All volunteers are required to complete a series of background checks and a medical screening.
- Application: Please click here to learn more, and apply for this opportunity
- Questions: For questions about this opportunity, contact volunteers@chop.edu
It takes a team to heal a child, and hospital volunteers are an essential part of that effort. Whether playing with children during waiting times, greeting visitors or helping families find their way through the halls, the volunteers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) make a difference providing a special human connection that often eases the stress for patients and families going through difficult times.
CHOP assigns volunteer positions based on the current needs of the hospital along with the volunteer’s availability, interests and skill sets. Due to the high interest in CHOP’s volunteer programs, we strive to select compassionate, enthusiastic individuals who are committed to making a difference.
CHOP employees and contractors: If you're a current CHOP employee or contractor who's interested in volunteering, email us at Volunteers@CHOP.edu.
Volunteer Requirements
A submitted application does not guarantee an interview or acceptance into the program.
Required Immunizations
CHOP Volunteer Services will provide applicants with instructions and cover costs associated with compliance, when completed through our vendor, Sterling.
For the safety of our patients, we require all volunteers meet the health requirements listed below. We offer no exemptions.
- COVID-19 vaccination
- Flu vaccination during flu season (September-April)
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis)
- TB screening
Required Clearances
To be considered for the volunteer program applicants will need to complete the Pennsylvania required background clearances for volunteering with children. These clearances include, but not limited to: PA Child Abuse, PA Criminal, and FBI fingerprinting. These steps will be completed after acceptance into our program.
Volunteer Opportunities
We have an array of volunteer opportunities available to support patients, families, visitors, and staff throughout the CHOP network.
Patient and Family Experience
Hospitality
Navigating the large hospital environment can be very stressful for families and visitors. Support patients, family members, and visitors through providing a warm, welcoming environment, assistance with wayfinding, and support with gathering wheelchairs.
Ronald McDonald House
Support patients, family members, and visitors through providing a warm, welcoming environment, hospitality services in the Ronald McDonald Room located in the hospital.
Reach Out and Read (Select network locations)
Some CHOP Primary Care Centers have Reach Out and Read (ROR), a national pediatric early literacy program. Inside exam rooms during well visits, primary care physicians and nurse practitioners incorporate Reach Out and Read’s evidence-based model by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud, early relational health and language development and giving brand-new, culturally, linguistically, and age-appropriate books to patients, ages newborn through 5 years. In the waiting room, volunteers are needed to set up, staff and break down a book table and offer families the choice of a gently used children’s book to take home as they leave the building. Reach Out and Read volunteers are required to commit to a minimum of 1 hour (not 3 hours) every week or every other week.
Patient Care
Nursing and Child Life
This role assists the Nursing and Child Life staff in attending to the non-medical needs of children and families. Primary responsibilities would include delivering supplies, engaging in play opportunities with patients, holding babies, and other tasks contributing to the comfort and care of patients and families.
Occupational and Physical Therapy (Select network locations)
Assist Occupational or Physical Therapy staff in attending to the non-medical needs of children and families. Primary responsibilities contribute to the comfort and care of patients and families in an outpatient setting and include greeting patients, families and staff, assisting with cleaning mats and toys, and other tasks identified by staff.
Pet Therapy
For adults interested in volunteering with their registered canine, visit the Gerald B. Shreiber Pet Therapy Program for information. Please note, pet therapy volunteers must be available once per month.
Wawa Cart
The Wawa Coffee & Care Cart has traveled over 1 million miles, resulting in millions of smiles over the last 20 years! Volunteers brighten the day of families by offering a friendly face; cups of coffee, tea and hot chocolate; and a variety of cold Wawa juices and teas.
Other ways to support CHOP
Interested in knowing all the ways you could support CHOP? Learn about how you can make a difference in our care for patients and their families:
Contact
Contact us: 215-590-1093 and volunteers@chop.edu.