Heidi Beck, holding patient Jenna Taliaferro, says a child’s smile is “worth a million dollars.” Heidi has logged more than 10,000 hours as a volunteer at Children’s during her 20 years of service.
VOLUNTEER
Each year more than 1,000 volunteers help Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland fulfill its unique mission: to care for children regardless of their family's ability to pay. Volunteers have been the backbone of Children's since the day we opened our doors over 90 years ago.
Volunteers do many things, from working in the Gift Shop, to the Emergency Room, to helping out in a Children's research institute laboratory.
Our service-based program helps meet the needs of patients, families and staff. It's not a job-training program or an internship, nor does it provide medical shadowing. We do not accept court-ordered placements.
Volunteers must be 16 or older, in good general and mental health, have no criminal record, and be able to make a long-term commitment, including a weekly, scheduled shift. A minimum of one shift per week for at least six months of continuous service and a total minimum commitment of 100 hours is expected.
Prospective volunteers complete an application form and health clearance, pass a background check, and attend a new volunteer orientation. Volunteers also interview individually to determine a service schedule, and in many cases attend additional training classes.
Please review the program information, including First Steps and Areas Where Volunteers Serve. Volunteering at Children’s is fun, it’s rewarding, and it’s a way to make a difference in someone’s life every single day.
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