At the YMCA, your time and talent go a long way.

Every hour you spend as a YMCA volunteer translates into the caring attention a child or teen needs to grow up healthy and resilient. It translates into support for families so they can be successful and strong. Into healthier lives for people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and incomes. Into a safer, more viable community that's a good place to live and work.

As a YMCA volunteer, you can lead an exercise class, read to a preschool class, coach a basketball team,  design a program brochure, greet people at the front desk, serve as a role model for young people, help out in the office or at a special event, or be part of a group or committee working on a neighborhood problem. No matter how you help, you'll make a big difference as you work with others to create a feeling of connectedness in your community.

The basic definition of a YMCA volunteer is "anyone who willingly gives time to help the YMCA accomplish its mission without getting paid by the YMCA." In the Y movement, we have five categories of volunteers:

1. Program volunteers help lead programs or assist in delivering programs (e.g., a program instructor, coach, aide or member of a program advisory council).
2. Support volunteers serve in the office, at the front desk, in the locker room or on the grounds.
3. Fundraising volunteers raise money by working in annual, sustaining, capital or other special campaigns; working on endowment development; or by working at or running special events.
4. Policy volunteers serve on the Y's board of directors, on a committee or task force.
5. Managerial volunteers help manage and administer YMCA operations and programs (e.g., PR specialist).

Please note that young people can serve in all of the above capacities as long as, like adults, they have the proper skills, training and supervision.

To solve the problems closest to home—or better yet, prevent them—the YMCA needs more people like you. Do something good. Volunteer at the YMCA.

For specific opportunities at the Davis Y, contact Ashley Chism at achism@ymcamemphis.org.