Volunteer — Wonder Connection

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Please note: As of October 28, 2024 we are no longer accepting new applications for #1 (working with pediatric patients). We will likely be able to open the applications for inpatient volunteers sometime in early 2025.

Wonder Connection has four different types of ongoing volunteer positions.

We are looking for adult volunteers to:

Use hands-on science and nature activities to bring joy to individual pediatric patients aged 4-18 at UNC Children’s Hospital during the work week (M, T, W, TH). This requires a 75+ hour commitment each year as well as at least 75 hours of experience working with kids/teens. Typically this looks like a two-hour session once a week over 9-12 months.
*Please note, UNC Hospitals only accepts new undergraduate volunteers at the beginning of the semester. Please refer to their website for more info.
Facilitate hands-on science and nature activities for outpatients and their families two Wednesday evenings a month. This requires a 30+ hour commitment as well as at least 75 hours of experience working with kids/teens.
Help us with random office tasks in the office during the work day. Random office tasks could include but aren’t limited to: prepping flowers, editing letters, portioning slime materials, or organizing photo releases. We will talk with each volunteer to gauge their strengths and allow for some flexibility in task assignment. This requires a 10+ hour commitment.
We’re looking for scientists who want to inspire the kids and teens we work with by sharing an activity related to the work they do. You could visit the hospital once for a couple of hours or several times a year, as your schedule permits. Please contact Andrew directly, rather than via the form below (andrew@wonderconnection.org).

Wonder Connection is committed to safeguarding children and teens; our policies and procedures for staff and volunteers reflect our commitment.

Volunteer Application Process:

Apply online (form below).
Send your resume/cv to Andrew@wonderconnection.org.
*This is not required for those applying to help with random office tasks.
Interview with Wonder Connection Staff
Various forms are required (including a background check)
An additional application, forms, and training process is required for volunteering at UNC Hospitals and RMH (positions 1 & 2 as listed above).

If you have questions, please contact

Andrew Torlage

andrew@wonderconnection.org

919-300-6799

Volunteers interested in requesting letters of reference/recommendation should check these guidelines.

Volunteer Application

Type of Volunteering Position

Let us know what type of volunteer position you want to sign up for. You may choose more than one.

Working with kids who are inpatients at the hospital (75+ hours)

Working with outpatients and families (30+ hours)

Helping with random office tasks (10+ hours)

Section 1

All applicants should complete this section

Name

First Name

Last Name

If you wish to, please tell us your gender pronouns (e.g. she/hers)

Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Email Address

Student Status

Non-School Email

If you're a student, please share a non-school email with us

Phone (best # to reach you)

(###)

###

####

Best Method of Contact

Emergency Contact Name & Phone #

Section 2 (for volunteers applying to work with inpatients or outpatients)

Office Volunteers may skip to section 3 (scroll down)

Why are you interested in volunteering with Wonder Connection?

Tell us about why Wonder Connection will benefit from your skills and experience

Do you have previous work or volunteer experience in a field related to Wonder Connection (education, healthcare, etc)? If so, please explain

We are looking for volunteers who are flexible. Please give us a brief example of your ability to be flexible with people and/or circumstances

We are looking for volunteers who are committed. Please give us a brief example of your ability to be committed to people, work, or circumstances

We are looking for volunteers who are able to work with people who are different from them (e.g. different religion, differently abled, different age, etc). Please give us a brief example of your ability to work with people who are different from you.

Experience with Children/Teens- Reference Info 1

Non-family member's name, phone number, and email who can speak to your work or volunteer experience with children/teens.

Experience with Children/Teens Reference Info 2

Non-family member's name, phone number, and email.

General Reference

Additional non-family member's name, phone number, and email.

I agree to a background check

This is required for any volunteer work at the hospital or Ronald McDonald House

Yes

Section 3

All applicants should complete this section

Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a traffic violation?

How did you hear about Wonder Connection?

To the best of my knowledge and belief, all statements are true, correct, and made in good faith. (Please type your name to indicate your agreement with this statement)