VolunTEEN Program

Our VolunTEENs are a very special group of high school students who make a valuable contribution to our House in every area as well as gain a unique volunteer experience. An elite group of exceptional teens will be selected for each session to join this program. Motivated, independent, and responsible high school students are invited to apply.

All VolunTEENs will work in pairs around the common areas of our House, completing light housekeeping chores and assisting guest families when needed. At no time will teens be unaccompanied or enter a guest family’s private room. Interaction with any children in our House will also be limited to common areas with parental supervision. “Babysitting” is prohibited.

All applicants must be a current high school student entering grades 9-12. Interested teens must be able to commit to volunteer a minimum of one (1) 2-hour shift a week for the duration of the program, missing no more than three (3) shifts. Shifts are from 10 AM-Noon, 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM Monday through Sunday.

Upon successful completion of the program session, letters of recommendation will be awarded, as well as verification of completed volunteer hours. Interested high school students must submit an application and two written references from non-family members. Participants will be selected based on his/her qualifications and personal interview.

Actual dates for each session will vary, but will generally cover the following months:

Fall 2011: September 26 – December 19, 2011
Winter 2012: February – April
Summer 2012: June, July, August

We are accepting winter 2012 applications now. Applications are due by Friday, January 6, 2012.

Download the VolunTEEN Application

Questions? Contact:

Elise Hyder
Director of Volunteers
513-636-5586
ehyder@rmhouse.org

A VolunTEEN in Action

While many high school students spend their summers sleeping till noon and baking at the pool, Austin Brown is gaining invaluable real-world experience by helping guest families in every nook of our House.

One day, Austin might help prepare dinner for our 78 guest families. The next, he’s working at the reception desk and washing windows. And because he’s involved in a variety of activities in our House, he sees firsthand what matters most to families. It’s the little things, he says, like the time he tracked down a toothbrush for a guest father.

Austin, a senior at Oak Hills, is part of our VolunTEEN program, created last year to give the area’s brightest teens an opportunity to boost their experience for future careers. It’s a unique opportunity because it allows teenagers to volunteer and dabble in different areas of our House, rather than just one.