Volunteer with Lighthouse Transitional Care
Did you know that kids and teens are growing up in orphanages and youth homes all across Latvia? It’s true. And eighteen-year-olds who aren’t able to be adopted will age out from their orphanages, often with very little support for them.
Statistics show that without intervention, they face:
Homelessness
Human trafficking
Unplanned pregnancy
Incarceration
Death
But there is hope!
Lighthouse Transitional Care is helping to change the narrative and outcomes for these youth.
Want to help our youth? Want to be part of the change? Become a volunteer.
We’re looking for locals who care about these issues and these youth to step up, step in and help.
You bring commitment and consistency, we’ll do the rest
Good news: You don’t have to solve this problem and change the world by yourself. When you become a Lighthouse Transitional Care volunteer, you’re joining a dynamic, international team of people who care deeply and work hard to make change happen. We do our best to provide all the training and support you need to be successful.
As a volunteer, you will
Attend one Lighthouse event per week
Help prepare snacks and set up for events
Engage with our youth
Help clean up after events
As you learn and grow, your duties can expand to include:
Mentoring a youth individually
Engaging youth on the streets
Translating texts (EN>LV, EN>RU, LV>RU)
Visiting orphan care institutions with Lighthouse staff
Assisting with the Lighthouse’s Grocery Program
Advocating for the Lighthouse and its youth in social spaces, churches, etc.
Facilitating classes and events
Steps toward volunteering:
Apply
Short interview
Training (fall or spring)
Note: You may be required to complete a background check, paid for by the Lighthouse, if you plan to interact with minors (the children of our youth).
Meet Aaron
Aaron Newton is the Lighthouse’s director of mentoring. He’ll serve as your “boss” in your volunteer position. He’s a goofy American who will talk to anyone about anything. He especially loves talking about metal music, rock climbing, chess, food, fun Latvian traditions, politics, and dogs. If you’ve got questions about volunteering, you can reach out to him anytime through our contact form or at mentoring@lighthouselatvia.org!
“I wasn't sure how I could help, but I knew I could show up and love on these young adults. It's been so much fun. Together, we laugh a lot and learn a lot. These are great young adults who just need people in their lives who will show up and stick around.”
—Melissa Robinson
Volunteer since 2020