Volunteer Services Department
Volunteers play an important role here at Children's Specialized Hospital and can be found in our patient care and non-patient care departments. The Volunteer Services Department is responsible for recruiting, orienting, retaining and honoring dedicated, compassionate and efficient volunteers who provide caring assistance through service and support to our patients, families, visitors and staff.
Criteria: Volunteers must:
• Be 14 years of age to assist with clerical support duties, such as filing, copying, mailings, special projects and more.
• Be 15 years of age and older to engage in volunteering in our clerical support areas, departments/activities involving patient contact and special projects.
• Commit to a minimum of 50 hours per year.
• Complete the application, orientation, medical clearance and background check (over 18) process prior to volunteer placement.
Auxiliary and Twigs
Our Auxiliary is committed to service and fundraising for the benefit of Children's Specialized Hospital. Under the Auxiliary umbrella are Twig groups who also provide volunteer service and fundraise geographically by towns: Mountainside, Summit/Short Hills and Westfield. Our Westfield Twig II sponsors our Junior Twig Program for high school students interested in volunteering and performing special projects for the hospital.
Criteria: Members of these groups:
• Pay annual dues
• Are expected to attend regularly scheduled meetings
• Perform volunteer service, special projects and fundraise
• New members are required to adhere to the Volunteer Department’s process of completing the application and orientation process as well as receive a tour of the facility.
New members are welcome! Please see the contact information below.
Community Service
Many scout, church & school community service groups and individuals inquire about performing service projects for our children and the hospital. If you think your group may be interested in performing a project, please contact the Volunteer Office in advance so we can discuss your project and how it can help to meet our children’s needs. Some examples include: sewing quilts, crocheting afghans and baby blankets, sewing wheelchair bags, and new toy and sock collections just to name a few
Donations
We appreciate your generosity and kindness in wanting to offer donations that will brighten our children’s stay with us. Please contact us to discuss any current needs our children may have.
Due to our strict infection control policies the following guidelines must be met:
• We cannot accept used toys, clothing or books
• We cannot accept stuffed/plush animals or cloth toys
• We can accept new toys (unwrapped) in their original unopened packaging. Please contact us for a “Wish List”
We want to make every effort that your donation is properly acknowledged. Please call the Volunteer Office in advance to schedule an appointment for delivery of your donation. Upon your arrival you will be asked to complete a green donor form as all donations must be recorded.
Externships, Internships or Shadowing
Please note that the Volunteer Services Department does not set up student externships, internships or shadowing opportunities. Students seeking these types of externships, internships or shadowing need to contact our therapy departments or discipline areas directly to see if their school has a contract/affiliation with Children’s Specialized Hospital. The student must also notify the department up front of any of their school’s paperwork requirements (i.e. required hours needed to perform, attendance signed by certified staff, performance assessment/evaluation, etc). Due to patient privacy and confidentiality medical/nursing shadowing is not available.
Further Information
We thank you in advance for considering sharing some of your time and talents with Children's Specialized Hospital. For more information please contact us. For Mountainside and New Brunswick volunteer information call (908) 233-3720 Ext. 5379 and for Toms River volunteer information please call (732) 797-3825.
