Looking to give back but drowning in options? You're not alone. Southlake residents contribute over 20,000 hours of volunteer service annually, creating an economic impact exceeding $750,000 in the community. Whether you're seeking weekend commitments, family-friendly activities, or ways to use your professional skills, this guide cuts through the noise to connect you with meaningful opportunities that actually fit your life.
Getting started without the runaround
The beauty of volunteering in Southlake lies in how streamlined the process has become. Gone are the days of calling twelve different numbers only to play phone tag for weeks. The City of Southlake's Volunteer Southlake program serves as your one-stop shop for city-sponsored opportunities, from helping at festivals to supporting senior programs.
The application process takes about as long as ordering takeout online. You'll complete a single form that covers all city departments, then wait 5-7 business days for background check processing (required for volunteers 17 and older, while kids 12-16 just need parental consent). Once approved, you gain access to the VicNet system where you can browse and sign up for volunteer shifts like booking restaurant reservations.
City Volunteer Coordinator Lindy Calzada puts it perfectly: "Our volunteers are the heart of Southlake. They are often our first point of contact to the public, and provide insight, feedback and information that helps us make this great community possible." Translation: you're not just stuffing envelopes in a basement somewhere.
School district volunteering made simple
If you're interested in supporting Carroll ISD's 8,100 students, the process is equally straightforward. The district uses the Dragon EZVolunteer system, which sounds more intimidating than it actually is. Visit apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MzUwOmVT, complete your annual background check, and you're typically approved within a week.
A few quick ground rules: you can't photograph students other than your own child (helicopter parent Instagram posts will have to wait), and you must check in at the front office with your driver's license for every visit. Beyond that, opportunities range from classroom assistance to library support, mentoring programs, and PTA activities.
Flexible opportunities that respect your schedule
Let's be honest… most of us have good intentions about volunteering regularly, then life happens. Kids get sick, work gets crazy, and suddenly your Tuesday evening commitment feels impossible. Thankfully, many Southlake organizations have embraced flexibility without sacrificing impact.
Call A Ride Southlake exemplifies this approach perfectly. Their volunteer drivers typically commit just 1.5 hours per assignment, usually once monthly, helping seniors and disabled adults reach medical appointments and run errands. You choose assignments that fit your schedule through their online system. The main requirements? A background check, proof of insurance, and the ability to help someone maintain their independence. Contact them at (817) 798-4022 to get started.
For weekend warriors, the North Texas Food Bank offers Pack and Box sessions on Tuesdays through Thursdays and Saturdays at 9 AM and 1 PM. These two-hour shifts involve sorting and packaging food for distribution across 13 North Texas counties. When you consider they serve 190,000 meals daily through 500 feeding partners, your Saturday morning suddenly feels pretty meaningful.
Evening options for the 9-to-5 crowd
Not everyone can volunteer during traditional daytime hours, and local organizations get that. GRACE (Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange) holds evening volunteer orientations monthly, with upcoming sessions August 13 and September 10 at 5:00 PM. Located at 837 E. Walnut Street in Grapevine, this organization coordinates 50,000 annual volunteer hours supporting families in crisis.
After completing orientation, you can assist with food pantry operations, clothing distribution, or special events based on your availability. Think of it as flexible volunteering for adults who understand that sometimes you can't make it because your teenager decided they absolutely needed help with algebra at 8 PM. Contact GRACE at (817) 488-7009 or info@gracegrapevine.org to register.
Education and youth programs that matter
Working with kids can be incredibly rewarding… or incredibly exhausting, depending on your caffeine intake and tolerance for glitter. Carroll ISD welcomes volunteers across all 11 campuses for everything from reading with kindergarteners to helping high schoolers navigate college applications. Each school maintains specific needs, so contact individual campuses directly after completing your district-wide background check.
The city's Teen Court program offers something completely different: a chance to participate in an innovative justice program where teen offenders are judged by their peers. Adult volunteers serve as courtroom monitors and provide administrative support, while teen volunteers can serve as jurors, attorneys, or bailiffs. Fair warning: the program currently maintains a waitlist due to popularity. Contact them at (817) 748-8346 for information about future openings.
Summer volunteering that beats the heat
Summer brings Camp Mania, the city's youth program that desperately needs volunteer assistants ages 15 and older. This isn't your typical "watch kids play on their phones" gig. Volunteers commit to full camp weeks (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM) throughout summer, supervising campers ages 5-11, running group games, and attending field trips.
Applications for the 2025 season close April 18, with mandatory training in late May. Contact programs@cityofsouthlake.com to apply. Pro tip: if you survive a week of Camp Mania, regular parenting feels like a vacation.
Faith-based and community organizations
Southlake's faith community provides extensive volunteer opportunities, and you don't need to be a member to participate. Gateway Church Southlake at 700 Blessed Way coordinates community outreach initiatives and ministry teams that welcome volunteers of all backgrounds. Contact them at (817) 552-5800 to explore current needs.
GRACE stands out as the area's primary assistance organization for families in crisis. Beyond evening orientations, they operate programs including food pantries, clothing rooms, transitional housing support, and the summer Feed Our Kids lunch program. Their resale stores, GRACEful Buys and Style & GRACE boutique, offer additional volunteer opportunities for those who prefer retail environments while generating funds for assistance programs.
Metroport Meals on Wheels delivers hot lunches to homebound seniors across 22 communities including Southlake. Volunteer drivers dedicate approximately 1.5 hours per delivery route, typically once monthly, providing not just nutrition but crucial social contact for isolated seniors. Volunteer Coordinator Annette Blount can be reached at (817) 491-1141 or ablount@metroportmow.org. The application process includes background checks and confidentiality agreements, because protecting client privacy matters as much as delivering meals.
Special events and seasonal opportunities
Some people prefer project-based volunteering to ongoing commitments, and Southlake's signature events create substantial volunteer needs throughout the year. Art in the Square (April 25-27, 2025) requires over 1,000 volunteers across three days for this top-ranked juried art festival that has donated over $3 million to local charities during its 20-year history.
Roles range from artist hospitality to children's activities coordination. Teen volunteers can earn community service hours while adults 21 and older can assist with beverage sales and gatekeeping (yes, someone needs to check IDs at art festivals… apparently people get excited about pottery).
Oktoberfest Southlake (October 17-19, 2025) draws 100,000+ visitors to Town Square, creating extensive volunteer needs for the Chamber of Commerce's signature event. Volunteers 16 and older can assist with various festival operations, while those 21 and older can work bar service positions. Contact the Southlake Chamber at (817) 481-8200 or oktoberfest@southlakechamber.com to join the volunteer team for this beloved community tradition featuring wiener dog races and cultural celebrations.
Year-round city celebrations
The city's Stars & Stripes celebration on July 3 and Home for the Holidays Christmas festivities require hundreds of volunteers for setup, activity coordination, and cleanup. These family-friendly events offer opportunities for volunteers as young as 13 to contribute to community celebrations that define Southlake's character. Registration occurs through the Volunteer Southlake portal, with shifts typically lasting 2-4 hours.
Here's what makes these events special:
- Family-friendly volunteering (ages 13+)
- Flexible shift lengths (2-4 hours)
- Multiple role options available
- Community celebration participation
- Easy online registration system
Senior services and healthcare support
Southlake's aging population benefits from dedicated volunteer programs addressing isolation and transportation challenges. The Senior Activity Center at The Marq Southlake welcomes volunteers 13 and older to assist with daily programs, maintain the senior café, and support special events like the Legends Hall Dance.
The "Floral Friends" program deserves special mention… volunteers meet weekly to create flower arrangements that brighten the center. If you've ever wanted to learn floral design while making seniors smile, this might be your calling. Contact Senior Services Coordinator Soheila Phelps through the Volunteer Southlake system to explore current needs.
Supporting families in crisis
SafeHaven of Tarrant County, the county's largest domestic violence service provider, maintains comprehensive volunteer programs supporting women and children in crisis. Opportunities range from sorting donations and preparing meals for shelter families to providing court accompaniment for survivors navigating legal proceedings.
The 24/7 crisis hotline requires extensive training but offers volunteers the chance to provide life-saving support. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Chelsea Derbyshire at cderbyshire@safehaventc.org or (817) 535-6462 to begin the application process, which includes thorough background checks and confidentiality agreements. This isn't light volunteering, but it's incredibly meaningful work.
Regional hospital systems including Texas Health Resources, Baylor Scott & White, and Medical City Dallas offer volunteer programs perfect for those interested in healthcare or seeking regular weekly commitments. Positions include patient escorts, gift shop assistants, and lobby greeters, with most requiring health screenings and immunization records alongside background checks. The Junior Volunteer Program at Texas Health provides structured summer opportunities for students 16-18 considering healthcare careers.
Environmental and civic engagement programs
Keep Southlake Beautiful coordinates environmental volunteer opportunities including the Adopt-a-Street program requiring four cleanups annually. Groups, families, or individuals can adopt street segments, receiving recognition signage while maintaining community aesthetics. The Great American Cleanup each spring brings together hundreds of volunteers for litter removal, waterway cleaning, and park beautification.
Contact KSB at (817) 748-8019 or ksb@cityofsouthlake.com to participate. Fair warning: you might become that person who picks up random litter even when you're not officially volunteering.
The Southlake Youth Action Commission offers students in grades 7-12 unique civic engagement opportunities. Commissioners serve eight-month terms attending monthly meetings at Town Hall while participating in city events and volunteer projects. This program develops future community leaders while providing valuable service hours. Contact Cassie Tucker at (817) 748-8036 to apply for the next commission term beginning in October.
For those interested in public safety, the Citizens on Patrol and Fire Rehab Unit programs offer specialized volunteer roles after completing the prerequisite Citizens Academy. COP volunteers patrol neighborhoods in city-provided vehicles, conducting vacation house watches and business checks while serving as additional eyes for the police department. Fire Rehab volunteers support firefighters during emergencies with cooling equipment and hydration.
Making your commitment count
United Way of Tarrant County CEO Leah King notes that "thousands of people volunteer tens of thousands of hours to improve lives in our community," with the organization serving nearly 400,000 residents in 2023, a 23% increase from the previous year. This growth reflects a broader trend, as formal volunteering nationally rebounded from 23.2% in 2021 to 28.3% in 2023, representing the largest expansion ever recorded.
The economic impact extends beyond statistics. Using the Independent Sector's 2023 valuation of $33.49 per volunteer hour, Southlake's 20,000+ annual volunteer hours generate over $750,000 in community value. More importantly, these hours represent real people receiving meals, children attending summer camps, seniors maintaining independence, and families overcoming crises with community support.
Starting your volunteer journey requires just a few simple steps: identify organizations matching your interests and availability, complete required applications and background checks, attend orientation sessions where required, and begin serving in your chosen capacity. Most organizations prefer consistent, reliable volunteers but understand that schedules change. Communication remains key… let volunteer coordinators know your availability and any scheduling constraints upfront.
Whether you can commit weekly to driving seniors to appointments, assist with seasonal festivals, or support education programs in Carroll ISD schools, Southlake offers volunteer opportunities matching every schedule and interest. The comprehensive support structure, from the city's Volunteer Southlake program to individual nonprofit coordinators, ensures new volunteers receive proper training and placement. Your contribution, regardless of size, strengthens the community fabric that makes Southlake exceptional.
Visit cityofsouthlake.com/volunteer, contact organizations directly using the information provided above, or stop by Town Hall to begin making your difference in Southlake today. Because at the end of the day, volunteering isn't just about helping others… it's about discovering what happens when a community actually shows up for each other.
