Join Our Team! Waukesha County Loves Its Volunteers!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Waukesha County.
We offer the chance to get involved in your community, be part of an incredible team, find greater meaning in life by helping others, and have fun.
We have numerous opportunities to match schedules, interests, and experience. Join our Volunteer Team, and you will help build a stronger Waukesha!
To get started, please review our available opportunities and select any you may be interested in. Contact us to get started.
Who can volunteer?
Waukesha County volunteers come from diverse backgrounds. They span all age groups and include business professionals, parents, community members, military personnel, college students, and retirees.
What type of qualifications are required?
Our volunteer opportunities have a wide range of qualifications, depending on which position you volunteer for. Professional qualifications are typically not required. See the detailed volunteer opportunities for more information.
Will I receive training?
Some volunteer opportunities have required trainings, but others do not. See the detailed volunteer opportunities for more information.
Can I leave if I don't like it?
Yes, of course. You are under no real obligation to keep volunteering for a role that you are unhappy in, however, it is always worth talking to the volunteer coordinator about this first. You can then discuss with them why you feel unhappy and what you feel would improve your time as volunteer.
How do I start the process of becoming a volunteer?
The first step to becoming a volunteer is to select a volunteer opportunity and then look at the details of that opportunity to see the next steps. If you are unsure of your interest area please contact any of our volunteer coordinators for assistance.
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Mentor
Individuals are needed to assist with the AODA Speaker Program. AODA Volunteers are recovering people who facilitate a variety of recovery groups for individuals at all levels of recovery. As a volunteer, you will partner with a seasoned volunteer to visit local facilities as a pair to share your experience, strength and hope with men and women who suffer from alcohol and drug issues. Daytime and evening options available. For more information please check out the AODA volunteer requirements brochure.
Location: Varied Dates: Ongoing How to Apply: An interview, application, and background screening are required for this position. Contact Kara Moore at kamoore@waukeshacounty.gov or 262-548-7284 .
Client Volunteer Driver
Your role as a Volunteer Driver with Waukesha Co Health and Human Services is not just a role, it's a vital part of our community. By connecting people in our community with vital wellness appointments, you are making a significant difference in their lives.
As a Volunteer Driver, you have the power to set your schedule. Whether you prefer a few shifts a week or one or two per month, you can choose the days, times, and locations that suit you best. Most rides are Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., with the majority during the day.
Don't worry if you're unsure about driving certain individuals. We are here to provide comprehensive training and all the necessary resources to equip you for the role. You can rest assured that you'll be well-prepared and supported every step of the way.
We welcome partners, spouses, or friends to volunteer for this together!
Mileage reimbursement, flexible scheduling, ongoing training and support, and client gratitude are all perks of this position. This is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in another person's life in a way that works with your busy schedule.
Location: Waukesha County and neighboring communities. Dates: Ongoing. How to apply: An interview, application, and background screening are required for this position. Contact Kara Moore at kamoore@waukeshacounty.gov or 262-548-7284 .
Health Promotion Program Leader Volunteer
Help educate seniors to a healthy way of life. Under the direction of the Community Health Promotion Coordinator, you will be trained to facilitate one of our health promotion programs. Program topics include: falls prevention (Stepping On), Healthy Living with Diabetes, Women’s Incontinence (Mind Over Matter-Bowel and Bladder Incontinence), Healthy Living with Chronic Pain, and strength building (Strong Bodies.)
Help pack meals for the Meals on Wheels program. Volunteers are needed from 9:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m. to pack hot and cold meal items for drivers to deliver to home bound seniors. Help out once a week or twice a month schedules may be flexible. You may have the option to stay and serve meals to seniors depending on the center you choose to volunteer with.
Location: Various locations throughout Waukesha County: Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, Mukwonago, New Berlin, Oconomowoc, Sussex and Waukesha. Dates: Ongoing. How to apply: A completed application, background screening and training are required for this position. Contact Sherry Williams at siwilliams@waukeshacounty.gov or 262-548-7829.
Home Delivered Meals Driver
Meals on Wheels is a national network of local community organizations that serve seniors facing the threats of hunger and social isolation. Volunteers deliver between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Monday – Fridays, excluding holidays. Mileage reimbursement is available. With 7 Meals on Wheels centers throughout Waukesha County, you can select the community in which you would like to serve.
Location: Locations throughout Waukesha County: Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, Mukwonago, New Berlin, Oconomowoc, Sussex and Waukesha. Dates: Ongoing. How to Apply: An application, copy of your driver's license, and proof of current auto insurance are required. Contact Sherry Williams at siwilliams@waukeshacounty.gov or 262-548-7829 .
Emergency Reception Center Volunteer
An Emergency Reception Center, also called a Volunteer Reception Center (VRC), screens and organizes volunteers during a disaster. They are a critical component to managing volunteer workforce in emergency response and recovery. Waukesha County is building a team of volunteers to help manage and run our VRC in times of emergency. Volunteers will assist with screening, interviewing, basic safety training, and more. The VRC is activated as needed when a disaster arises. Waukesha County will contact our VRC Volunteer team and ask for your assistance in opening the VRC. Shift lengths will vary depending on the disaster or emergency. For more information check out the brochure or video.
Location: Waukesha County, specific location dependent on emergency. Dates: Ongoing, scheduled as needed. How to Apply: Orientation/training is required. Contact Kara Moore at kamoore@waukeshacounty.gov or 262-548-7284.
Senior Nutrition Re-Assessment Volunteer
Senior Nutrition Re-Assessment Volunteers are needed to perform Home Delivered Meals eligibility reassessments. Volunteers are trained to assess the needs of the person they visit and report those needs to the ADRC. Training is provided.
Are you a youth looking for an opportunity for any of the following:
to share your opinion and feedback for an important cause?
leadership opportunities?
to earn experience with court and legal operations?
to build your college resume or application?
to provide impact and community change?
We are seeking teens who like sharing their opinion to help shape our Teen Court Program. Teen Court is an innovative juvenile justice program where teens who have been convicted of a crime are sentenced by a jury of their peers rather than a court system. Responsibilities include learning about and then assisting with the court proceedings, guiding and supporting your peer participants, and most importantly, providing feedback on the program itself, including feedback and ideas on how to improve the structure and implementation of the program.
All participants will receive hands-on training in all facets of the program, and support from program staff. You will have real impact on changing and improving this program into something bigger and better.
Ages: 14-17 Location: Varied. Dates: This position requires a 1-year commitment, meeting minimally one Thursday per month (and up to two Thursdays) from 5-7 pm. How to Apply: An interview, application and orientation are required for this position. Contact Kara Moore at kamoore@waukeshacounty.gov or 262-548-7284 .
Victim Impact Speaker: Youth Mediation Program
Are you passionate about helping the next generation of youth? Have you ever experienced a situation where a youth or family member committed an offense against you or your family? The impact of that offense is likely still fresh on your mind- whether it led to physical, emotional, mental, financial, or more. Examples of this may include a teen who stole from you, a teen who drove drunk and hurt or possibly killed a loved one, or a teen who bullied you. If so, would you consider sharing your trauma and the impact that that teen had on you and may continue to have on you? Your story has the power to transform lives.
Youth Empowerment and Accountability is a Waukesha County Program that provides comprehensive support to youth referred by the criminal justice system. Our dedicated social workers work with these youth for over 6-7 weeks, teaching them accountability, victim empathy/ awareness, and empowerment to make better life choices. The goal is that these youth never interact with the criminal justice system again. Your role as a volunteer speaker is integral to this mission.
Youth in this program often need help connecting actions with consequences and recognizing the impact of their actions on real people. We have found that when these youth meet, listen to, and ask questions of people who have crimes committed against them, they understand accountability and personal responsibility much more.
Volunteers are asked to commit to speaking 2-4 times per year- sharing their experience, their story, their truth, and the impact it has had on their lives, both in the short-term and the long-term. Social Workers lead the group on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. The speaking months for 2025 are January, April, July, and October, with some flexibility on the date the volunteer speaks within that month. Volunteers address a group of 3-10 youth and their parents for approximately 30 minutes.
Volunteer speakers should be prepared to answer questions about their experience, have a passion for working with and supporting positive change in youth, demonstrate maturity and dependability, and be comfortable effectively working with diverse populations. Rest assured, we provide comprehensive support and guidance to all our volunteers, ensuring you feel confident in your role.
Contact us today to learn how you can start sharing your story with the next generation.
Location: Virtual and in-person at Waukesha County Health and Human Services, 514 Riverview Ave, Waukesha Dates: Ongoing, quarterly, evening. How to Apply: An interview, application, and background screening are required for this position. Contact Kara Moore at kamoore@waukeshacounty.gov or 262-548-7284.
Volunteer Guardian
Volunteer Guardians serve a very important role in making essential decisions for vulnerable adults regarding safety and well-being. The volunteer guardian advocates for the best interest of the ward they are assigned. Applicants must be at least 25 years of age, pass a criminal background check and DOT check as well as interview for the position.
Youth Impact/ Motivational Speaker: Youth Mediation Program
Are you seeking an opportunity to transform your past experiences into a positive influence on the lives of young people? Did you have run-ins with law enforcement and the criminal justice system as a youth? Did you unintentionally or intentionally cause emotional, physical, financial, or mental harm to family or friends as a youth? If so, we have a powerful opportunity for you to share your history, your experience, and the lessons you've learned with a group of teens who are in need of guidance.
Youth Empowerment and Accountability is a Waukesha County Program that provides comprehensive support to youth who have been referred by the criminal justice system. Our dedicated social workers work with these youth for over 6-7 weeks, teaching them accountability, victim empathy/ awareness, and empowerment to make better life choices.
One way we do this is by having volunteers who experienced a similar start to their lives as youth share their own stories. Volunteer Speakers play a crucial role in shaping the future of these youth by sharing their stories, including any time they spent with the criminal justice system, the consequences of their actions felt by themselves and others, the impact the decisions they made as a youth had on their lives, and the lessons they learned.
Volunteers are expected to commit to speaking 2-4 times per year. The group is led by Social Workers on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. The speaking months for 2025 are January, April, July, and October, with some flexibility on the date the volunteer speaks within that month. Volunteers address a group of 3-10 youth for approximately 30 minutes.
Volunteer speakers should be prepared to answer questions about their experience, have a passion for working with and supporting positive change in youth, demonstrate maturity and dependability, and be comfortable effectively working with diverse populations.
Don't miss this chance to make a difference. Contact us today to learn how you can start sharing your story with the next generation.
Location: Virtual and in-person at Waukesha County Health and Human Services: 514 Riverview Ave, Waukesha Dates: Ongoing, quarterly, evening. How to Apply: An interview, application, and background screening are required for this position. Contact Kara Moore at kamoore@waukeshacounty.gov or 262-548-7284 .
Adopt-A-Drain Program
The Waukesha County Adopt-A-Drain program is an opportunity for individuals or groups to become actively involved in maintaining local storm drains. Adopters are asked to tidy the surface of their storm drain twice a month and report the quantity and composition of debris removed. Choose your drain(s) and sign-up: Adopt a Drain
Habitat Restoration Workdays
Volunteer to help maintain, improve, and restore our natural areas. Call it a "parks visit with a purpose"! Get started: Conservation in the Parks
Information to help you prepare to become a Waukesha County Volunteer is available below:
Health and Human Services Volunteers Volunteers with our Health and Human Services Department promote health, self-sufficiency, and an improved quality of life for county citizens by helping provide for some basic human needs such as clothing, emergency funds, education, food and transportation.
Parks and Land Use Volunteers Volunteers with our Department of Parks and Land Use help conserve our natural park assets while helping educate the community about our natural resources and conservation programs. Project needs vary depending on the time of year and the current projects going on within the Park System. In general, the need is for natural land management work involving basic hand tools (shovels, wheelbarrows, rakes, etc). Volunteers are also needed throughout the year for various special events held at Retzer Nature Center.
Extension Volunteers Extension in Waukesha County is the educational outreach division of the University of Wisconsin-Madison that applies university research in the form of educational programs to our communities. Volunteers assist the Extension Department in working with our educators to help promote educational programs and engage participants in 4-H youth development, community development, horticulture, nutrition, and health and well-being educational programs.
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