LoveWay needs 60+ volunteers by January 3. Can you help?
An urgent need.
Our participants with disabilities count on volunteers to get the most out of their experience. Class volunteers provide physical, emotional, mental and/or cognitive support and assist instructors by working with participants before, during and after sessions.
Daytime, evening & weekend slots available.
Weekly one-hour time commitment through January and February.
No experience necessary; all training provided.
Substitute positions also available for volunteers who can't commit to weekly schedule.
Volunteers play an essential role in LoveWay's mission and help inspire change and encourage growth within our participants.
Who can volunteer?
Volunteers must meet certain safety requirements in order to assist in classes or with our horses. Additional requirements may apply, but at a minimum volunteers must:
Be at least 16 years of age
Be able to lift a variable amount of weight
Be able to see and hear clearly
Be able to follow directions and stay on task
Be able to walk or jog on uneven ground
COMPASSION & CONNECTION
Students come to LoveWay to bond with horses and learn horsemanship and/or riding skills but they also form relationships with the volunteers who bless them with their time and support.
How to volunteer at LoveWay
1. Fill out application
To get started, complete an online application so we can learn more about you and your skills and interests. You will also need to provide information for a background check, which is mandatory for all volunteers working directly with students.
2. Complete training
Don’t have experience working with horses or individuals with special needs? That’s OK! The LoveWay staff provide training during certain times of the year to help individuals decide if volunteering in classes would be an appropriate fit and if not, what other opportunity would!
3. Make a difference
The relationships you form at LoveWay will help inspire growth within our students. Thank you for blessing us with your time!
Equine Assisted Services
As a volunteer in these classes, you would be helping our instructors as we partner with our horses to provide participants an educational and beneficial experience; learning about horsemanship and relatable responsibilities along with riding skills.
Class volunteers are usually paired with the same participant and horse throughout the session to offer the chance to form bonds amongst one another, including the horse, which has proven to be beneficial for all!
What is the time commitment required?
If helping in classes, we ask our class volunteers to help in the class(es) they sign up for every week for the entire session, which runs for eight weeks. We have daytime, evening and Saturday classes during each session so volunteers can choose the available class(es) that would work best with their schedule.
What if I can’t commit to volunteering every week or my schedule is inconsistent?
If you only plan on missing a week or two during the session, we encourage you to continue to apply as a volunteer. We’ll mark your absence on our calendar and make other arrangements for that week.
If you still aren’t sure if you can commit to a full session, we still have a place for you at LoveWay! We are always looking for substitute volunteers to fill in when needed during classes – which happens often. You can also check out the other volunteer opportunities, like grounds and maintenance or special events, for other ways to help.
What if an emergency comes up?
We understand this happens! In that case, we ask that you call our Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible so that we can try to find a substitute for you.