Take the Time, Make a Difference. Volunteer Today! Take the Time, Make a Difference. Volunteer Today!

Take the Time, Make a Difference.
Volunteer Today!

Volunteer with the YMCA

 
When you are involved with the YMCA of Greater Boston, you help bring about lasting personal and social change. Whether you want to nurture the potential of children, improve your family’s health, or give back to your neighbors, your involvement with the Y, a charitable organization, will positively impact your community.

  • Gain new skills
  • Make new friends
  • Improve our mental and physical health
  • Strengthen communities

 
See All Volunteer Opportunities

Corporate Opportunites

Join forces with your colleagues to make a difference!

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Aquatics

Volunteer and help ensure everyone can enjoy safe and fun water activities.

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Special Events

Volunteer for our special events and help create positive change.

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Health & Wellness

Volunteer for our wellness events and help spread the message of healthy living.

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Center Support & Administrative Help

Behind every success story, there's administrative support!

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Youth Sports

Join our team of volunteers for youth sports programs and be a mentor, coach, and role model for young athletes.

See More

Frequently Asked Questions

The YMCA of Greater Boston offers many different types of volunteer roles. Volunteers could:

  • Lead a program or class such as a youth soccer coach or a yoga instructor
  • Help pack food at our Food Distribution warehouse
  • Read to our children in our Early Education Programs
  • Read or lead an activity in our After School Programs
  • Help with a Special Event such as Healthy Kids’ Day or one of our Together We Move 5K Races
  • Serve on one of our Board of Advisors at a local Center or on the General Board

Among other opportunities!

Depending on the volunteer opportunity, there are different criteria that the volunteer must meet. All volunteers must sign a YMCA Waiver, present a photo ID at the time of volunteering to be run through HALL PASS, our background-check software; Some volunteers will be required to submit CORI/SORI background paperwork if they are volunteering on an ongoing project (more than one day) or are going to be directly involved with our youth and most vulnerable participants. This takes time to process, so plan accordingly.

At this time we do not offer court mandated community service at the YCMA of Greater Boston.

You can visit our VolunteerMatters project catalog which lists all of our current open volunteer opportunities.

Depending on the opportunity, there may be an age limit and/or previous experience required.

Volunteers in Action!


GROUP FITNESS CLASSES

Group Exercise

Explore all the fitness classes and reserve a space by logging into Motionvibe. Get your blood pumping with classes like HIIT and Zumba or tap into your mindfulness with yoga, Barre or Pilates.

WATER FITNESS

Water Fitness classes are an excellent choice to give your heart and muscles a great workout. The Y offers a range of Water Fitness classes, find the perfect one for you by logging into Motionvibe!

Programs
Locations
Adult Beginner
5-10 weeks

Swimmers focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Wang
Adult Intermediate
5-10 weeks

Swimmers learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance. Rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action are introduced.

Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Wang
Basketball Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks

This class teaches youth the fundamentals of basketball including ball control, dribbling, passing, and shooting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Oak Square
Thomas M. Menino
Wang
Gymnastics
5-10 weeks

Learn basic gymnastics skills like forward rolls, handstands and cartwheels. Flexibility and proper stretching techniques will be taught.

Oak Square
Parent/Child Stage A and B: Water Discovery and Exploration
5-10 weeks

In Stage A, the parent/guardian is introduced to working with their infant or toddler in the aquatic environment. In Stage B, the parent/guardian works with their child to learn the fundamentals of safety and swimming skills.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Pickleball

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong and is also fun, social, and friendly.

Parkway Community
Preschool Basketball
5-10 weeks

This class helps children develop fundamental skills and incorporates teamwork through instructional play.

Dorchester
North Suburban
Waltham
Preschool Soccer
5-10 weeks

This class will teach the fundamentals of soccer. Classes will focus on improving the players’ ball control skills, learning game rules and teamwork, and then playing a game.

North Suburban
Preschool Stage 1: Water Acclimation
5-10 weeks

In Stage 1, the parent/guardian works with their child to develop comfort with the following swim skills: underwater exploration, floating and learning to safely exit the pool.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Preschool Stage 2: Water Movement
5-10 weeks

In Stage 2, the child works to develop the following swim skills: body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Preschool Stage 3: Water Stamina
5-10 weeks

In Stage 3, the child will work to develop the stamina needed to swim 25 yards unassisted, and introduces the following new skills: rhythmic breathing, and integrated arm and leg actions.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Preschool Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
5-10 weeks

In Stage 4, students work on developing swim stroke techniques for the front and back crawl and introduced to the breaststroke and butterfly kick.

Burbank
Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Private Swim Lessons
5-10 weeks

Private swim lessons for youth and adults are scheduled at the convenience of the individual, the instructor and pool availability.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Private Swim Lessons
5-10 weeks

Private swim lessons for youth and adults are scheduled at the convenience of the individual, the instructor and pool availability.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Soccer Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks

This class teaches youth the fundamentals of soccer including ball control skill, passing, and shooting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
East Boston
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Waltham
Sports Sampler
5-10 weeks

Introduces youth to sports at the Y while fostering the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and good sportsmanship. This engaging program focuses on the skills and drills essential to learning the fundamentals of a variety of sports including basketball, baseball/t-ball, floor hockey, and soccer while having fun.

Burbank
Charlestown
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Waltham
Wang
T-Ball Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks

This class teaches youth the fundamentals of T-Ball including fielding, throwing, swing form and hitting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Burbank
Charles River
Parkway Community
Tumbling Tots
5-10 weeks

Develop climbing, balance, and agility and coordination class in this physical play class.

Oak Square
Youth Stage 1: Water Acclimation
5-10 weeks

In Stage 1, the parent/guardian works with their child to develop comfort with the following swim skills: underwater exploration, floating and learning to safely exit the pool.

Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Parkway Community
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Youth Stage 2: Water Movement
5-10 weeks

In Stage 2, the child work to develop the following swim skills: body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 3: Water Stamina
5-10 weeks

In Stage 3, the child will work to develop the stamina needed to swim 25 yards unassisted, and introduces the following new skills: rhythmic breathing, and integrated arm and leg actions.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
5-10 weeks

In Stage 4, students work on developing swim stroke techniques for the front and back crawl and introduced to the breaststroke and butterfly kick.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 5: Stroke Development
5-10 weeks

In Stage 5, students work on integrating arm and leg actions for the breaststroke and butterfly strokes, and refine swim stroke skills and techniques for all other swim strokes.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 6: Stroke Mechanics
5-10 weeks

In Stage 6, students work on refining swim stroke technique for all major competitive strokes and building stamina to perform each stroke for greater distances. Students are introduced to the concept of, competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang

GROUP FITNESS CLASSES

Group Exercise

Explore all the fitness classes and reserve a space by logging into Motionvibe. Get your blood pumping with classes like HIIT and Zumba or tap into your mindfulness with yoga, Barre or Pilates.

WATER FITNESS

Water Fitness classes are an excellent choice to give your heart and muscles a great workout. The Y offers a range of Water Fitness classes, find the perfect one for you by logging into Motionvibe!

Programs
Locations
Adult Beginner
5-10 weeks

Swimmers focus on body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Wang
Adult Intermediate
5-10 weeks

Swimmers learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance. Rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action are introduced.

Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Wang
Basketball Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks

This class teaches youth the fundamentals of basketball including ball control, dribbling, passing, and shooting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Oak Square
Thomas M. Menino
Wang
Gymnastics
5-10 weeks

Learn basic gymnastics skills like forward rolls, handstands and cartwheels. Flexibility and proper stretching techniques will be taught.

Oak Square
Parent/Child Stage A and B: Water Discovery and Exploration
5-10 weeks

In Stage A, the parent/guardian is introduced to working with their infant or toddler in the aquatic environment. In Stage B, the parent/guardian works with their child to learn the fundamentals of safety and swimming skills.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Pickleball

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong and is also fun, social, and friendly.

Parkway Community
Preschool Basketball
5-10 weeks

This class helps children develop fundamental skills and incorporates teamwork through instructional play.

Dorchester
North Suburban
Waltham
Preschool Soccer
5-10 weeks

This class will teach the fundamentals of soccer. Classes will focus on improving the players’ ball control skills, learning game rules and teamwork, and then playing a game.

North Suburban
Preschool Stage 1: Water Acclimation
5-10 weeks

In Stage 1, the parent/guardian works with their child to develop comfort with the following swim skills: underwater exploration, floating and learning to safely exit the pool.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Preschool Stage 2: Water Movement
5-10 weeks

In Stage 2, the child works to develop the following swim skills: body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Preschool Stage 3: Water Stamina
5-10 weeks

In Stage 3, the child will work to develop the stamina needed to swim 25 yards unassisted, and introduces the following new skills: rhythmic breathing, and integrated arm and leg actions.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Preschool Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
5-10 weeks

In Stage 4, students work on developing swim stroke techniques for the front and back crawl and introduced to the breaststroke and butterfly kick.

Burbank
Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Private Swim Lessons
5-10 weeks

Private swim lessons for youth and adults are scheduled at the convenience of the individual, the instructor and pool availability.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Private Swim Lessons
5-10 weeks

Private swim lessons for youth and adults are scheduled at the convenience of the individual, the instructor and pool availability.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Soccer Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks

This class teaches youth the fundamentals of soccer including ball control skill, passing, and shooting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
East Boston
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Waltham
Sports Sampler
5-10 weeks

Introduces youth to sports at the Y while fostering the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and good sportsmanship. This engaging program focuses on the skills and drills essential to learning the fundamentals of a variety of sports including basketball, baseball/t-ball, floor hockey, and soccer while having fun.

Burbank
Charlestown
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Waltham
Wang
T-Ball Skills & Drills
5-10 weeks

This class teaches youth the fundamentals of T-Ball including fielding, throwing, swing form and hitting while incorporating teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Burbank
Charles River
Parkway Community
Tumbling Tots
5-10 weeks

Develop climbing, balance, and agility and coordination class in this physical play class.

Oak Square
Youth Stage 1: Water Acclimation
5-10 weeks

In Stage 1, the parent/guardian works with their child to develop comfort with the following swim skills: underwater exploration, floating and learning to safely exit the pool.

Charles River
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Parkway Community
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Youth Stage 2: Water Movement
5-10 weeks

In Stage 2, the child work to develop the following swim skills: body position and control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 3: Water Stamina
5-10 weeks

In Stage 3, the child will work to develop the stamina needed to swim 25 yards unassisted, and introduces the following new skills: rhythmic breathing, and integrated arm and leg actions.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 4: Stroke Introduction
5-10 weeks

In Stage 4, students work on developing swim stroke techniques for the front and back crawl and introduced to the breaststroke and butterfly kick.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 5: Stroke Development
5-10 weeks

In Stage 5, students work on integrating arm and leg actions for the breaststroke and butterfly strokes, and refine swim stroke skills and techniques for all other swim strokes.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang
Youth Stage 6: Stroke Mechanics
5-10 weeks

In Stage 6, students work on refining swim stroke technique for all major competitive strokes and building stamina to perform each stroke for greater distances. Students are introduced to the concept of, competitive swimming, and discover how to incorporate swimming into a healthy lifestyle.

Burbank
Charles River
Charlestown
Dorchester
Huntington
North Suburban
Oak Square
Parkway Community
Roxbury
Thomas M. Menino
Waltham
Wang