The core purpose of Hands On Charleston is to recruit and engage volunteers to support the missions of existing community service organizations.  By reaching out to these organizations, we help identify or create projects that support that agency’s objectives.  We then staff and lead these projects with Hands On Charleston volunteers and Volunteer Leaders. 

HOC seeks out and offers a wide variety of flexible volunteer projects and volunteer times.  Many projects are offered on weekends, in the evenings and during lunch hours to fit most any schedule.  Additionally, our wide range of agency partners allows you to choose a project that supports your passions and interests.  And best of all, the flexibility of the Hands On Charleston program allows volunteers to "sample" the work of many different Charleston without a long-term commitment to any one project or time.

How can you "raise your hands" and get involved?

1.         Sign Up 

Select the “Register” button from the bottom of the home page.  Once registered, you are ready to go!

 2.         Volunteer

Depending on your interests, your passion and your availability you can select a project from the Project Calendar (choose "Projects" from the left hand menu).  The steps are easy: 

I      -select the project

I      -sign up for the project online

I      -show up at the assigned time and location

I      -have a great volunteer experience 

3.         Become a Volunteer Leader

Volunteer Leaders are the lifeblood of our flexible volunteering program.   Volunteer Leaders (VL) are those willing and able to make a bigger commitment to volunteer.  They serve as a liaison between the Hands On Charleston staff, the partner agency and the project volunteers.  The VL is responsible for communicating with the agency about project needs as well as with Hands On about volunteer resources, tools or supplies needed to complete the project. VLs also serve as the contact point for Hands On Charleston volunteers wishing to participate in their project. This entails fielding e-mails and phone calls in a timely manner and communicating pertinent project requirements to potential volunteers.

 Volunteer Leaders commit to serve for a term of at least one year, or as long as the project is active. By making this commitment to one project, the VL offers consistency to the agency, Hands On Charleston and the volunteers.  

A VL training of approximately 90 minutes is required before leading projects for the monthly calendar or a Hands On special event. At this training VLs are instructed in basic volunteer management, emergency procedures, and given the opportunity to discuss one on one potential projects. If you wish to apply please direct inquiries to Brad Cashman at bethechange@handsoncharleston.org.

 4.         Join a  Hands On Charleston leadership committee or initiative

Hands On Charleston relies heavily on the leadership of volunteers who have made the extra commitment and give to us their greatest assets - their time and their expertise.   As a new organization, we are looking for a variety of individuals that can bring their talents into the leadership of Hands On Charleston.  Fundraising, event planning, committee leadership, communications, project leadership and strategic planning are specifics.  For more information contact one of the following, please send and email to bethechange@handsoncharleston.org.