Family Support Services (FSS) has benefited from the support of many talented volunteers since its inception in 1976. We partner with community, school, university, and corporate organizations, as well as individuals, to develop meaningful internships, work-study opportunities, and in-kind gift programs for families who need extra resources.

FSS volunteers may contribute in many meaningful ways. We have student internship programs, we have worked with long-term community service volunteers working on a regular week-day schedule, and we have benefited from short-term, project specific, fundraising, or in-kind gift drives.

Student Interns – Family Support Services works with various schools, colleges, and universities in providing supervised graduate and undergraduate student internships, most frequently in social work, nursing, parenting education, early childhood education and special education. For more information please send an e-mail to the Executive Director at info@FSSinc.org.

Long-term Volunteer Commitments – FSS’s center-based children’s programs welcome volunteers who are able to make a regular and sustained commitment to working with young children on-site. For more information please email the executive director at info@FSSinc.org.

Volunteer Projects - Each year Thanksgiving and holiday volunteers have collected thousands of meals and gifts which are delivered to families enrolled in FSS programs. FSS also collects in-kind gifts of toys, infant-supplies, books, clothing, or equipment for distribution to families who need them. Our technology fund has been the grateful recipient of computers from individuals and corporations, and our administrative offices and sites have benefited from donated furnishings and other key equipment. Our Fairmount and Family School sites have been brightened by murals created by schools and individual artists.

Volunteer groups can contribute to holiday food and children’s gift or clothing drives, sponsor an event, and participate in fundraising. If you are interested in developing a volunteer project please email the Development office at Development@FSSinc.org.

The FSS service curriculum offers opportunities for school and college students to perform community service, and do internships, project work, and job shadowing. Programs vary in complexity, depending on the school’s objective. Students have previously done birthday gift, toy, clothing and food drives as well as service projects (painting, uniform collection) for Martin Luther King Day. Collected items are distributed to children and families by FSS social workers, or made use of in designated program sites. Volunteer interns have worked in classrooms, assisted teachers, or provided nursing assistance. For more information, please click here to download a volunteer information packet or email FSS at Development@FSSinc.org.

List of Volunteer Positions

All volunteers must have FBI and Child Abuse clearances, a recent TB test, and a health appraisal signed by a physician.

Chef Educator for Lunch Program at Family School
3 hours a day, four days/week Mondays – Thursdays

This position can be taken by a collaborative team, or divided between two volunteers willing to prepare and share nutritious meals on alternative days. Volunteer(s) will be working at a unique parenting education program and will collaborate with a team of parenting education specialists to improve parenting skills among families at risk for child neglect and abuse. All families enrolled in the Family School program attend with their infant, toddler and preschool children.

Volunteer must have knowledge of nutrition, and cooking; must also be comfortable in an urban setting with a commitment to enhancing the capacity of families to parent and nurture their children.

For more information contact Randy Perrin, Human Resources Manager at 610-352-7610.

Administrative Support to Director of Fairmount Early Intervention Center
Hours are flexible – help is needed four days per week

This position is designed for a volunteer interested in making a regular commitment on a specific day each week. It can be divided between several volunteers willing to cover one day/week or filled by someone willing to make a more significant time commitment. The volunteer will be working at a preschool-like special education center for three-five year old children with developmental delays, and reporting to the center’s Director.

Volunteer must be 21 years or older.

For more information contact Randy Perrin, Human Resources Manager at 610-352-7610.

Administrative Support to Director of Early Intervention Program
Hours are flexible – help is needed for shredding documents and other general office tasks for 2-3 hours per week.

Volunteer will be working to support a program that provides therapy to birth to five year old children with 25% or greater developmental delays.

Volunteer must be 21 years or older.

For more information contact Randy Perrin, Human Resources Manager at 610-352-7610.

Occupational Therapy Observation at the Penn Early Childhood Program
Hours are flexible – help is needed 6 hours per week.

Volunteer should be interested in a career in early intervention services industry. He/she will be working to support a program that provides therapy to birth to five year old children with 25% or greater developmental delays. College students and graduate students seeking academic work study credits towards a degree are welcome to apply for this volunteer position.

Volunteer must be 21 years or older.

For more information contact Randy Perrin, Human Resources Manager at 610-352-7610.

Classroom aide for Infant Toddler or Preschool Program at Family School
5 hours a day, four days/week 9:30-2:30 Mondays – Thursdays. Minimum volunteer commitment one day per week.

This position can be taken divided among four volunteers willing to report to the classrooms on alternative days. Volunteer(s) will be working with infant, toddler and preschool children at a unique parenting education program. The position involves collaboration with a team of parenting education specialists to improve parenting skills among families at risk for child neglect and abuse.

Volunteer must be a college graduate or enrolled at College/University and working towards a degree. Knowledge of early childhood education and experience with children is preferred.

For more information contact Randy Perrin, Human Resources Manager at 610-352-7610.

Substitute Teacher for FSS Extended Day Program located in Haverford and Radnor School districts
On Call for a variety of shifts (shifts are 1.5 hours to 3 hours long) at child care centers between 7:30 am- 6 pm Ideal for a retired teacher seeking to reconnect with elementary students.

Volunteer(s) will be working with Kindergarten – grade 5 children at a non-profit educational before and after school program.

Volunteer must be 21 years or older, a college graduate with an education degree.

Substitute Teacher’s aid for FSS Extended Day Program located in Haverford and Radnor School districts
On Call for a variety of shifts (shifts are 1.5 hours to 3 hours long) at child care centers between 7:30 am- 6 pm.

Student volunteers (18 years or older) should be enrolled at a College/University with good academic standing and working towards a degree in education. Experience with children is preferred.

For more information contact Randy Perrin, Human Resources Manager at 610-352-7610.