As the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute continues to develop new research and clinical programs, we have an increasing need for volunteers from the general community.  M.I.N.D. Institute volunteers come from all walks of life with a variety of skills and interests - but they are all focused on helping people with neurodevelopmental disorders lead full and independent lives.  Volunteering at the M.I.N.D. Institute can be a very rewarding experience for all involved.

The greatest strength of Volunteer Services lies in its philosophical approach to volunteerism. The volunteer is accepted as a member of the health care team at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute. Volunteers, guided by our philosophy, play an important role in patient care, research support and fundraising by giving psychosocial support, participating in patient care and healing, assisting Institute staff and giving administrative support to our development team in ways that free the staff for more critical responsibilities.

Building on the traditional concept of care and service, the new dimension of professionalism has established the volunteer as having a well defined, responsible role; being a well-trained support person; and "receiving" as well as "giving" from their donated time and abilities.

Volunteer Services of the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute serves the patients, research participants, families, volunteers, staff and community of UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute and complements the patient care delivery system by providing unique and innovative services and opportunities.

Volunteers work an average of four hours each week for a minimum period of four to six months, depending on the assignment and must be 16 years of age.  Because staff relies on volunteers, as they would any other member of their team, volunteers are expected to honor their commitment and inform their departmental supervisor of absences for illness or vacation.

How do I become a volunteer for UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute?

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, please contact one of the following volunteer coordinators:

Erin Roseborough, (916) 703-0222 - Coordinator for clinics (volunteers assisting Child Life Specialist).

Brenda Shelton, (916) 703-0336 - Coordinator for Resource Center and front lobby

Suzanne Edgington, (916) 703-0236 - Coordinator for all other volunteers, i.e., non-clinic volunteers.

How to complete the application process?

Once you identified one area in which you'd be interested in volunteering and complete the application form to volunteer services, you will receive a letter from the Volunteer Services Department to schedule you for the next mandatory information session. The information sessions are held once a month, usually mid-week in the late afternoon. For high school students between the ages of 16 and 18, we have a different volunteer program. If you are interested in this program, please call (916) 734-2401 for more information.