Johnson County Human Services

Johnson County’s Human Services department manages programs and activities that support the independence, dignity and self-sufficiency of Johnson County residents. These services and opportunities primarily target older adults, people with disabilities, low-income families, and other residents who require assistance.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Johnson County Human Services! Our volunteers are the heart of our programs.

Johnson County Human Services has several different volunteer programs. Volunteering is for all ages. We have volunteers as young as infants who assist their parents delivering meals to volunteers who are 90+.

Students needing service hours can join our Creative Expressions program or host a food/hygiene drive for one of our Multi-Service Centers. Please scroll down to learn more about those two opportunities. Service hours are awarded based on the quality and quantity of the work.

At this time, Johnson County Human Services does not offer one-time volunteer experiences. We are unable to accommodate corporate teams, organizations, or groups who want to volunteer one day. For organizations or corporate teams that would like an on-going experience, Meals on Wheels offers a great opportunity to deliver weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. Meals on Wheels can come to your organization, train your team on-site, and you can give back year round. We have many corporate partners such as Mainstreet Credit Union, Sprint, Heartstrings, and others that have corporate teams delivering meals weekly in the community.

What volunteer opportunities are available with Human Services?

Meals on Wheels Immediate Openings

Provide a hot noon-day meal during your lunch hour. Volunteers deliver meals Monday - Friday from 10:45 am - 12 Noon. 53 volunteer routes daily. You can deliver as a team or individuals. Children are welcome to accompany parents or grandparents. Recruiting both regular and substitute drivers. Volunteers deliver from one of eight centers: Blue Valley, De Soto, Gardner, Lenexa, Merriam, Olathe, Overland Park, & Spring Hill. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

Catch-A-Ride Immediate Openings

Provide rides to seniors, those with a disability, or anyone in a life transition who do not drive and public transportation is difficult or impossible to use. Rides are provided to essential appointments in Johnson County such as medical, grocery store, or food pantries. Volunteers choose their schedules and geographical distance, they are willing to drive. Mileage reimbursement is available. Catch-a-Ride operates Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm. Volunteers must be at least 25 years old.

Office Administration Opportunities with Office Administration are limited by staff needs.

An email distribution list is created for those willing to participate in the program, when an opportunity or need arises.

Help with data entry, filing, signing greeting cards, answering phones, greeting clients, etc. in any of our HS office locations. Locations include: Blue Valley, Gardner, North Central (Lenexa), North East (Mission), North West (Shawnee) Olathe, and Spring Hill. Our offices are open Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.

Helping Hands Opportunities with Helping Hands are limited by case manager's requests.
An email distribution list is created for those willing to participate in the program, when an opportunity or need arises.

A large umbrella that covers tasks for clients from A-Z: mowing the yard, painting, shoveling snow, etc. Assist clients who need help with clerical work in their homes - writing checks, sorting mail, writing notes, addressing envelopes, etc. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.

Special-OPPS Opportunities with Special-OPSS are limited by case manager's requests.
An email distribution list is created for those willing to participate in the program, when an opportunity or need arises.

Very similar to our Helping Hands program, but Special-OPPS offer those one-and-done opportunities that assist clients or staff with one-time requests. Requests vary from picking up a donation, to assisting at a speaking engagement, or perhaps transporting an animal. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.

Personal Shopper Opportunities with Personal Shopping are limited by case manager's requests. An email distribution list is created for those willing to participate in the program, when an opportunity or need arises.

Volunteer will for a homebound client, who is unable to shop. Client creates a grocery list and gives volunteer a form of payment. Volunteer shops for client, delivers groceries, and helps with unpacking. Shopping venues may include the grocery, discount stores, library, craft store, etc! A wonderful opportunity for both volunteers and clients! Volunteers must be at least 25 years old.

Birthday Club Opportunities for the Birthday Club fill up fast and volunteers are often placed on a waiting list.

Sponsor a senior adult client for their birthday and make them feel special by purchasing gifts that are pre-determined. A fun activity for groups and youth volunteers! Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.

Creative Expressions
Show off your artistic abilities and brighten a senior adult's day at the very same time. Decorate a Meals on Wheels lunch bag or make crafts for seniors. A variety of crafts are accepted such as bookmarks, cards, placemats, and small crafts. The crafts are delivered daily to seniors with their meals for Meals on Wheels. All ages welcome! A virtual opportunity from home, work, or school.

Outreach Centers (Multi-Service Centers) Opportunities at the food pantries are limited, and volunteers are often placed on a waiting list.

• Locations: Blue Valley, Gardner, Lenexa, Mission, Shawnee, and Spring Hill
  • Host a food/hygiene drive
  • Assist in the food pantry
  • Pick-up and deliver donated products
  • Our offices and food pantries are open Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
  • Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to volunteer independently in the food pantry

Roeland Park - Seeds that Feed the Need Garden

Volunteers are needed to assist with the community garden in Roeland Park. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to volunteer independently or they can volunteer with a parent/grandparent if they are 12 years or older. Volunteers are needed in March - October.

Nutrition Sites Opportunities are limited, and volunteers are often placed on a waiting list.

• Locations: DeSoto, Gardner, Lenexa, Merriam, Overland Park, and Spring Hill
  • Pack the Meals on Wheels bags for delivery, clean off tables, roll silver, serve meals, and more
  • Our nutrition centers are open Monday - Friday from 9 am - 12 noon
  • Volunteers must be at least 16 years old

Human Services offers many opportunities for volunteers to assist us in our mission to provide essential human services to Johnson County residents.