Volunteer Opportunities

Abilities First serves close to 800 children and adults with special needs each year.

There are numerous opportunities and needs for volunteers to assist in the daily programs of the organization. Listed below are the types of volunteer opportunities available.

Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC)
ECLC provides a daycare/preschool for typically developing children as well as children with special needs from 6 weeks to 5th grade. We love volunteers assistance with reading and playing games with the children, helping with art activities, and helping during gym and outdoor activities during the listed morning and afternoon hours.

• Infant/Toddler classrooms (ages 6 weeks – 3 years) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 3:30-5:30 p.m.
• Assisting with Preschool classroom (ages 3-6) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 3:30-5:30 p.m.
• Assisting with School Age classroom (ages 6-10) Monday through Friday or 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

We also appreciate the preparation of materials (cutting, pasting, coloring) for all of the classrooms.

Pediatric Therapies
Pediatric Therapies provides speech, occupational, and physical therapy to over 100 clients a week in a variety of settings. Areas of needed assistance are:

• Copying and general office duties
• Preparing learning aids (covering items with contact paper, cutting, pasting, laminating, etc.) Alphabetizing and categorizing books/ pictures
• Toy and equipment washing and sanitizing
• Making games for speech and other therapy services
• Organizing cabinets and materials assisting with researching information
• Assisting with the Autism Learning Center
• Assisting with the Summer Therapy Program

Doty House and Hopewell Residential
Doty House in Middletown, Ohio is home to 20 individuals with a wide-range of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hopewell, in Franklin, Ohio, serves 10 individuals with less severe disabilities. The greatest need for volunteers is to help with the residents during the weekday evening hours (6-8 p.m.) and Saturday and Sunday for planned outings. The ranges of activities/services volunteers can provide for the residential area are:

• Friendly visitor (reading, talking, etc.)
• Assistance with outings (volunteer pays their way but most always at reduced fees)   Mealtime monitoring - sitting and interacting with those residents who have finished eating. Assisting residents and therapists in Nature walks - pushing wheelchairs - Playing games
• Mending, sewing clothing
• Leading residents in volunteer selected crafts

Support Services
Support Services personnel are a vital part of our operations. At times, volunteers are needed to assist staff with special projects.

• General cleaning
• Gardening, weeding, grounds work
• Construction renovation projects
• Small maintenance projects

Agency Needs

• Typing & Filing
• Mass mailings
• Potential Board members
• Special events
• Answering phones

For more information or to volunteer, contact Pam at 513-423-9496 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..