Complete your graduation hours while making a real impact in your community.

High School SSL Volunteer Program

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Ascenda offers SSL-approved volunteer opportunities for high school students looking to complete their required service hours. We provide a supportive, supervised environment where students can grow, learn, and contribute meaningfully to their community.

About the SSL Program

Student Service Learning (SSL) encourages students to develop academic, social, and civic skills through community service. Ascenda provides activities that align with SSL guidelines and offer students valuable real-world experience.

What You’ll Do as an SSL Volunteer

Students can participate in a variety of tasks, including:

  • Organizing supplies, classrooms, and learning materials

  • Supporting program activities for younger students

  • Assisting with community and educational events

  • Helping with special projects, such as campaigns or simple content tasks

  • Participating in community-centered activities around the center

These activities are designed to be safe, developmentally appropriate, and supervised by Ascenda staff.

Must be a current high school student

  1. Must bring the school’s SSL form for documentation

  2. Must follow Ascenda’s guidelines and supervision instructions

  3. Commitment to reliability and professionalism

Requirements

Verified SSL hours for graduation

  1. Volunteer certificate

  2. A safe, supportive environment

  3. Leadership and teamwork experience

  4. The chance to make a meaningful contribution

Benefits of Participating

Ready to Get Started?

→ Important Information

All volunteers must be age 15 or older; some volunteer opportunities have higher age minimums

  • We do not accept volunteers who have been charged with offense which reflect potential danger to the employees, office or property of Ascenda or to the people we support

  • All volunteers age 17 and older must allow The Arc to perform a background check (excludes those who volunteer with Children & Youth Services)

  • All volunteers age 18 and older volunteer in Children & Youth Services division and/or volunteers who will have contact with adults supported by Ascenda without staff present must complete and submit a CJIS Fingerprint Application

  • Volunteers completing court-ordered service may be accepted, but only for specially-identified opportunities

→ Volunteer Agreement

I certify the responses herein are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. Understanding that Ascenda Foundation has a real need for my services as a volunteer, I agree to:

  • Conduct myself with dignity and courtesy at all times in order to uphold the good reputation of Ascenda

  • Work together with others in a kind, cooperative manner

  • Treat all information about people receiving supports as confidential

  • Be dependable in punctuality, attendance and performance of duties

  • Follow all guidelines in the Volunteer Handbook (including revised editions)

  • Complete all required orientation and training courses and provide completed copies of all required forms

  • Make sure I understand my assigned duties

I understand Ascenda may ask me to stop providing volunteer services at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. I understand I have no employment relationship with Ascenda, I do not expect to receive any offer of employment as a result of my volunteer activities, and I will receive no financial reimbursement for services provided to Ascenda.