Volunteering

Vicki Slater, center, with Shannon Joslin and Kayleigh McQuaid of Child Life. The Slaters make an annual holiday toy donation each winter. — Vicki Slater, center, with Shannon Joslin and Kayleigh Koehler of Child Life. The Slaters make an annual holiday toy donation each winter.

Due to COVID-19, our donation and volunteer policies have changed. All volunteer opportunities are on hold.

The hospital setting can be frightening and lonely for a child.

Children and families can feel like the world goes on outside the hospital walls and they are forgotten.

The support from our community in the form of regular volunteers, visiting community groups and donations of toys and funds reminds our patients and families that people care.

As a teaching hospital, philanthropy plays a significant role in the care we offer. Donations to UM Children's Hospital through the UMMS Foundation can support a specific program or project.

If you are an existing UMCH Child Life volunteer interested in returning, call 410-328-7440 to let us know. We will reach out once volunteering resumes.

Volunteers assist in the playrooms, clinic waiting rooms or at a child's bedside. This might include holding infants and toddlers, playing with children in our playroom, facilitating arts and crafts activities, playing board or video games, or assisting with special events.

Volunteers must:

Be at least 18 years old
Commit to a schedule of 2-4 hours per week for at least a total of 75 hours
Be able to initially work between 10 am and 7 pm, Monday–Friday (Weekend hours are available after three months of volunteering.)
Go through the UMMC volunteer screening process

Note: Volunteers are not able to shadow nurses, doctors and clinicians, take vital signs or observe procedures. Separate from the Child Life Program, UMMC offers the NICU Cuddler opportunity. Call 410-328-4598 or 410-328-6716 for more information about the NICU Cuddler program.