Become a Volunteer!

The Volunteer Handbook is online here: Volunteer Handbook.

Browse it for more information about our program, services, and volunteer opportunities.

Ready to volunteer? We’d love to have you join us! Volunteer Hub is your one-stop place to explore volunteer opportunities and sign up for shifts.

Please refer to the Volunteer Handbook for everything you need to know before getting started.

Once you’ve reviewed the handbook, create your Volunteer Hub account and start exploring opportunities today.

Thank you for your interest in an on-site group volunteer opportunity!

Please note the following:

• Most group opportunities occur at our FREE from Hunger Center in Sterling. We also offer some opportunities at our Embry Rucker Community Shelter in Reston. Both locations can typically accommodate up to 5 volunteers per group. Refer to VolunteerHub for more information.

• Please note that larger group volunteer opportunities are generally reserved for annual partners and the maximum number of volunteers we can accommodate is 50, which is reserved for higher-level annual partners.

• Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age to assist at our FREE from Hunger Center and 18 years of age to help at the shelter.

Please submit an On-site Group Volunteer Opportunities Request Form, and a member of our Development Team will review your request and be in touch.

For other ways to help as a group, please review our off-site volunteer opportunities list.

Please contact volunteer@cornerstonesva.org for guidelines and scheduling of off-site volunteer opportunities. Kindly note that all drop-offs must be scheduled in advance. This helps us manage incoming donations efficiently and ensure appropriate coverage throughout the week, allowing us to serve as many clients as possible.

If you are looking for a volunteer activity that can be done at home, school, or as an off-site group opportunity at a location of your choice, please consider one of our five (5) off-site volunteer opportunities.

• Make Snack Packs

• Make Bagged Meals

• Catering for the Embry Rucker Community Shelter

• Build a Kit (Hygiene, Seasonal, Welcome Home)

• Host a Drive

Most of the activities listed above count toward volunteer hours.  Many of these activities are also great options for volunteers under the age of 14, which is the minimum age required to volunteer on-site with Cornerstones. To learn more, visit our Off-site Volunteer Opportunities document.

Please note that you or your group will be responsible for the purchase of supplies and creation of whichever off-site volunteer option you choose.

Teens often need to fulfill a community service requirement for school. Please note the following regarding our volunteer program:

• Our minimum age to volunteer for most on-site positions is 18.

• There are a few opportunities for those 16 years of age or older.

• On occasion (infrequently), we have opportunities for those as young as 14. Volunteers between 14 and 15 years of age must volunteer with a parent or guardian, and we ask that both the teen and parent or guardian create separate accounts in VolunteerHub at the same time. The parent or guardian is a volunteer and must actively participate in the volunteer activity with the teen who is under 16 years of age.

The teen can also volunteer off-site by working on a project from our list of off-site activities. There is no age restriction for off-site opportunities; however, the teen must be approved in advance by contacting Volunteer and Community Engagement staff at volunteer@cornerstonesva.org before working on a project from the list. Once approved and at the project’s completion, staff will sign off on the teen’s hours.

If you are interested in completing an internship, externship, practicum, or experiential learning program with Cornerstones, please email our Human Resources Department at HR@cornerstonesva.org with the following details:

• Your area of study and academic program requirements (including number of hours and timeframe).

• The type of experience you are seeking (internship, externship, practicum, or experiential learning).

• Any preferences you have for program placement (e.g., Embry Rucker Community Shelter, youth programs, etc.).

• Once the Human Resources Department has received your information, the team will review your request and follow up with you.

We do NOT accept court-ordered (or attorney-advised) community service volunteers.