Childcare & Youth Support
Kids light up around you. You don't talk down to them. You play with them like it matters — because it does. You remember what it was like to be young and confused and full of energy that nobody knew what to do with. Parents trust you. Kids trust you. That trust is not small. It takes a village, and you're part of the village.
If Any of This Sounds Like You...
Read through these. If you're nodding your head, you're in the right place.
Common questions
The questions volunteers ask most often.
What does childcare and youth support volunteering involve?
Helping at family-friendly community events, supporting after-school programs we partner with, mentoring young people through structured programs, teaching specific skills (reading, arts, sports) to kids who could use the time. Most of our youth work runs through established South Florida partner programs.
Do I need a background check to work with kids?
Yes — and we walk you through it. Any role with direct, ongoing contact with minors requires a background check, and the partner organizations we work with run those. We help you complete the process at no cost to you.
What if I just want to help at family events without ongoing youth contact?
That's a separate, lighter-touch role and doesn't require the same vetting. Plenty of volunteers help at family game days, holiday events, and community gatherings without taking on a mentoring role. Both paths are valuable.
Do I need experience or credentials to volunteer with Lifes a Gambol?
No. We don't ask for resumes, certifications, or background checks for most roles. The only thing we care about is whether you actually want to show up and help. If a particular activity later requires a credential (working directly with kids, for example), we'll let you know and walk you through it together.
How much time do I need to commit?
Whatever you can give. Some volunteers help once a year at a single event. Others are around every week. There's no minimum, no quota, no contract. When you sign up, you tell us your real availability — weekends, evenings, one-time only, remote, whatever — and we match opportunities accordingly. Pledging your name doesn't lock you into anything.
Is this a paid role or volunteer?
Volunteer. Lifes a Gambol is community-driven, and 10% of every dollar that comes in via the brand goes to S.O.G. Helping out is unpaid — but real meals, real friends, and a real sense that you helped someone are all part of the deal.
What happens after I submit the form?
A real human reviews your pledge — usually within a day or two — and reaches out by email or text to say hello, learn a bit more about what you'd want to help with, and let you know about upcoming opportunities that fit. No spam, no automated drip campaigns. We're a small community, and we treat every pledge like it matters, because it does.
Pledge Your Gifts ☘
No contract. No commitment. Just tell us who you are and what you love doing.