Volunteering
Volunteering with the Y is more than lending a helping hand. It’s about becoming a driving force for positive change. Your commitment will touch the lives of children, teens, adults, families, and seniors from all walks of life. Whether you're mentoring youth, supporting wellness programs, or helping create inclusive spaces, your impact will be felt in every corner of our community.
The YMCA is not just a local organization—it’s a global movement for good, active in 191 countries around the world. And here in San Antonio, volunteers like you are at the heart of everything we do. You help us nurture youth development, promote healthy living, and foster social responsibility. Because of your dedication, the Y continues to be a place where everyone can belong, grow, and thrive.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities with the Y, we invite you to click on the boxes below.
Youth Sports Opportunities
Youth Sports Coach - Share your passion for sports and make a lasting impact as a Volunteer Coach at the YMCA. Volunteer coaches help create a positive, fun, and supportive environment where youth learn skills, build confidence, and develop teamwork—both on and off the field. Your time and leadership help strengthen kids, families, and our community. Please contact the location below for more information. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
Sports Fields Clean Up and Improvements Day - Roll up your sleeves and help set the stage for the next great season! This hands-on volunteer opportunity lets you work alongside the Youth Sports team and local coaches to refresh and improve our sports facilities for families and athletes. From sprucing up baseball fields to moving soccer goals and organizing equipment, your efforts make a visible, lasting impact. It’s a great way to give back, enjoy being outdoors, and take pride in knowing the fields are ready for kids to play, grow, and thrive. For questions and to sign up to volunteer, reach out to Demetrius Hopson at demetriush@ymcasatx.org.
Inclusive Sports - Be part of something truly meaningful. Our Inclusive Sports program—developed in partnership with Morgan’s Wonderland Sports and the YMCA of Greater San Antonio—creates joyful, empowering sports experiences for individuals with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities. Volunteers help bring inclusive play to life across our leagues and venues, including the fully inclusive baseball field at Mays Family YMCA Stone Oak and the new Morgan’s Wonderland Sports Complex. By supporting crossover competitions and inclusive activities, you help ensure that every child has the chance to play, belong, and shine on the field. For questions and to sign up to volunteer, reach out to Demetrius Hopson at demetriush@ymcasatx.org.
Community Food Distribution
Join our YMCA in making a meaningful difference by supporting our community food distribution efforts. This rewarding volunteer opportunity allows you to directly assist individuals and families in need while contributing to a positive, welcoming environment.
Volunteer Responsibilities
- Assist with packing food items into bags or boxes
- Support set-up and breakdown of the distribution area
- Help distribute food to individuals and families
- Greet and engage with community members in a friendly, respectful manner
Time Commitment
- Typically a few hours per month
Skills & Qualifications
- 18 years of age or older
- No prior experience required
- Positive attitude and a willingness to help others
Why Volunteer?
- Make a tangible impact in your community
- Connect with others and work as part of a collaborative team
- Gain valuable experience in community service and outreach
We welcome individuals who are passionate about helping others and creating a supportive community for all. Please contact one of our locations below for further information and to sign up!
Harvey Najim Family YMCA - 3122 Roosevelt Ave, San Antonio, Texas 78214
The 2nd Wednesday of every month from 8am til Noon.
To reserve your spot at the Harvey Najim Family YMCA, please click HERE or contact Dolores Cortez at doloresco@ymcasatx.org or 210-532-0932.
Davis-Scott Family YMCA - 1213 Iowa, San Antonio, Texas 78203
The 3rd Wednesday of each month from 8am til Noon.
To reserve your spot at the Davis-Scott Family YMCA, please click HERE or contact Dolores Cortez at doloresco@ymcasatx.org or 210-532-0932.
D.R. Semmes Family YMCA at TriPoint - 3233 N. St. Mary's, San Antonio, Texas 78212
The 4th Thursday of each month from 8am til Noon.
To reserve your spot at the D.R. Semmes Family YMCA at TriPoint, please contact Rene Valle at renev@ymcasatx.org or 210-246-9622.
Boerne Family YMCA Turkey Trot
Boerne Family YMCA Turkey Trot Volunteers play an essential role in supporting the success of this annual community event by assisting with event operations, participant engagement, and safety. Volunteers help create a welcoming, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for runners, walkers, families, and guests while demonstrating the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith. Through teamwork, encouragement, and a positive attitude, volunteers work collaboratively with YMCA staff and fellow volunteers, follow established event procedures, and help ensure a safe, organized, and memorable experience for all. Their dedication and community spirit help strengthen connections, promote healthy living, and bring the YMCA’s mission to life.
Event Promotion: (volunteers needed 4-6) to promote the 15th Annual Boerne Family YMCA Turkey Trot by placing fliers/posters at area businesses in Boerne and surrounding areas.
Packet Pickup volunteers: (volunteers needed 6-10) Volunteers needed to work on November 19th (1:00pm-7:00pm-3hr shifts) and November 20th (10:30am-6:30pm -4hr shifts) at the Boerne YMCA, 820 Adler Rd., Boerne, TX. Duties include organizing/handing out shirts, preparing goodie bags, assigning runners their bib number, greeting participants, and providing race information. The position requires some light lifting to 20 lbs.
Registration table volunteers: (volunteers needed 4-6) Be behind the scenes and the first to see how the race weekend begins! This is the first stop for runners and walkers as they pick up their race packets. Duties include organizing/handing out shirts, preparing goodie bags, assigning runners/walkers their bib numbers, greeting participants with smiles and event guides, answering questions/providing race information.
Start and Finish line volunteers: (volunteers needed 2-4) Start Line: Move runners/walkers to the start line. Help keep strollers and wheelchairs at the rear of the pack and encourage runners going across the start line. Finish Line: The runners are happy to be done. Hand weary runner’s cold bottles of water. Some are waiting for their friends/family to cross. keeping runners moving efficiently through the finish line, directing runners to the post-race area where they can wait for loved ones, get their Finisher's picture taken, and retrieve their Medals. Duties also include opening cases and restocking bottled water.
Course volunteers: (volunteers needed 10-15) Direct runners and walkers keeping them on course. Be a key player in keeping the excitement and momentum going on the course. Make banners and posters with silly sayings (not required). Duties include encouraging, cheering, and keeping runners on course— anything to bring out a smile on our runner's faces! Volunteers will be standing for long periods of time at key locations throughout the racecourse. We also need 3 volunteers to lead the 1 Mile trail participants from start to finish and actually walk with them to ensure no one gets lost on the course.
Water Stop volunteers: (volunteers needed 3-6) This key role is not just about providing hydration support — but moral support and excitement as well. As runners travel the course, they may get fatigued and are counting on you for their water. Duties include filling and stacking cups with water, restocking cups throughout the course of the morning, handing water to runners as they come by, and finally cleaning up the area (cups) when the last runner passes. Excitement and standing for long periods are required for this role.
Set-up and Clean-up: (volunteers needed 10-12) We need volunteers to prepare the Main Plaza for the race before the participants & vendors arrive. When it is all said and done, and we have to say goodbye to our guests until next year, we need volunteers to help tear down the event staging area. Duties include setting up and taking down event signs, banners, barricades, racecourse directional signage, cleaning trash from the surrounding area. Standing, bending, lifting 25 lbs., are required.
Working Conditions
These volunteer positions are mostly performed outdoors in a busy and active community event environment, with potential exposure to varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, sunlight, wind, and rain. Depending on assigned responsibilities, volunteers may be required to stand, walk, bend, reach, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, including walking along designated race routes and assisting with event activities. Some assignments may involve lifting, carrying, or moving event supplies and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. Volunteers will regularly interact with participants, families, YMCA staff, and community members while maintaining a positive, welcoming, and supportive atmosphere. Volunteers must remain attentive to their surroundings, follow established safety procedures, and respond appropriately to participant needs or emergencies under the direction of YMCA staff. Physical demands may vary by assignment, and reasonable accommodations may be available to ensure an inclusive and meaningful volunteer experience.
To reserve your volunteer spot at the Turkey Trot, please contact Selma Angelucci at selmaa@ymcasatx.org or 830-815-1040.