Volunteer With Us!

We have many community volunteer opportunities. Whether you have an hour available once a month or a couple hours every week, we could use your help! Some programs are set schedules and some are self-scheduled. For example, Sunshine for Seniors volunteers coordinate Friendly Visiting with a local senior based on a schedule that works for both individuals.

Sunshine for Seniors Friendly Visiting: Volunteers are linked with a local senior and set up regular visits over the phone or in-person to help increase socialization and alleviate feelings of isolation.

Senior Connect Errand Running: Volunteers pick up groceries from the store or food pantry or health and hygiene supplies from SIL and deliver to local seniors once a month.

Access Services: Volunteers assist with cleaning and preparing donated Durable Medical Equipment (DME) for use by local individuals.

SIL Socials: Volunteers join SIL consumers and staff for monthly social, peer support gatherings to play games, watch movies, and create arts & crafts projects.

IL Skills Classes: Volunteers co-facilitate Independent Living Skills classes with SIL staff and topic experts from around mid-Missouri.

Annual Events: Volunteer at SIL's annual Active & Aging Health Resources Fair in the Fall, Wheelchair Wash in the Spring and other pop-up day-of-service opportunities!

Group Projects: Please contact us to find a good fit for your group! Past group projects are scheduled as "Day of Service" events that address one-time needs that help keep homes safe, improve accessibility, and help residents keep their properties in compliance with city code like Spring and Fall yard clean up and/or gardening days!

Internships: We have a variety of internships available in our Access Services, Education & Transition, and Senior Connect departments that can be tailored to fit the interests of the intern. College and university students can enroll with their institution to receive academic credit.

We offer internship opportunities! Check out our jobspage for internship descriptions.

If you are interested any of these volunteer opportunities, please fill out the form to the right and tell us how you'd like to participate. We need you!

Join our Interested Volunteers List:

Start the Paperwork Process:

To ensure the safety of the individuals we serve, staff and volunteers, SIL requires a volunteer application and clear an annual background screening through Missouri's Department of Health & Senior Services.

1. Submit a SIL Volunteer Application

Click the button above to complete the volunteer application form online.

2. Print & Sign a MO FCSR Form

Click the button above to view & download the MO Family Care Safety Registry form.

3. Schedule a meeting w/Volunteer Coordinator

Click the button above to schedule a visit to the SIL Offices to meet with the Volunteer Coordinator and submit your MO FCSR form.

Active & Aging Volunteers

Friday, September 13th, 8am - 2pm

Active & Aging Health & Resource Fair is our annual event and fundraiser. We are looking for 5-10 volunteers to help us out with the event by setting up tables, helping vendors find where they're supposed to go, checking in guests, and any other thing that someone might need help with. We would primarily need help from 8am - 10am and 1pm - 2pm for setup and clean up.

SIL Volunteer Opportunities Calendar

*Volunteers must complete an application, receive a clear background screen, and attend an orientation before beginning service.

October 1, 2025

Mizzou Health and Wellness Career Fair - Fall'25

October 1, 2025 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sign in to download the location

Connect with representatives from companies, graduate/professional programs, and volunteer organizations excited to recruit MU students! Our fair will be in conjunction with the College of Arts & Sciences (A&S) and the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), allowing for a wider exposure of career pathways.

The fair is open to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students seeking full-time or part-time jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities, or simply looking to network with employers in their desired career field. This is a valuable opportunity to professionally represent yourself to potential employers and recruiters by demonstrating your communication skills and making a strong impression.

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Event Details: https://engage.missouri.edu/rsvp?id=438021

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October 8, 2025

MU Public Service Career & Internship Fair

October 8, 2025 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Memorial Student Union, 2nd Floor, Student Success Center, 909 Lowry Street, Columbia, MO 65211, United States

At the 2nd annual Public Service Career & Internship Fair, students will have the opportunity to engage and network with 60+ nonprofit and government organizations. The fair will be held on Wednesday, October 8th on the second floor of Memorial Student Union, stop by anytime between 11:00am-2:00pm.

Students will have the chance to connect with local nonprofits, government organizations, and campus partners dedicated to public service. Whether you're interested in public policy, social justice, environmental advocacy, public safety, law enforcement, community development and more there's something for everyone! This fair is open to ALL majors, years, and interest areas!

- Ask Questions
- Network
- Jumpstart your Career

Preview employers who are attending the fair by visiting our Handshake page: https://missouri.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/2844ba02-d526-4fca-9263-5f73ca3bee2a/student_preview

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Event Details: https://engage.missouri.edu/rsvp?id=439226

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October 9, 2025

Volunteer at Game Night @SILColumbia

October 9, 2025 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Services for Independent Living, 1905 W. Ash Street, Columbia, Mo 65203

SIL Socials: Game Night: Every 2nd Thursday, join us for board games, card games, video games, and more. Everyone is welcome!
Volunteer Need: We're always looking for volunteers to participate with community members at our social events.
Volunteer Sign Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=c.SignUpSearch&eid=08CBCBDFF4CFFF6C04&cs=09CBBAAD8FBF8B137B0B64715BB09BBDFDC2&sortby=startdate

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October 16, 2025

SIL Volunteers Meet & Greet - Fall 2025

October 16, 2025 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Large Conference Room

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Volunteer at Movie Night @SILColumbia

October 16, 2025 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Services for Independent Living, 1905 W. Ash Street, Columbia, Mo 65203

SIL Socials: Movie Night: Every 3rd Thursday, join us for a movie in the conference room. Everyone is welcome!
Volunteer Need: We're always looking for volunteers to participate with community members at our social events.
Volunteer Sign Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=c.SignUpSearch&eid=08CBCBDFF4CFFF6C04&cs=09CBBAAD8FBF8B137B0B64715BB09BBDFDC2&sortby=startdate

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October 21, 2025

SIL Virtual Volunteer Info Session

October 21, 2025 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86347847944?pwd=PGdkFaX6ZInQeZC9jumRIcO9jfKy4a.1

Services for Independent Living is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Register to Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86347847944?pwd=PGdkFaX6ZInQeZC9jumRIcO9jfKy4a.1

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October 23, 2025

Volunteer at Arts & Crafts @SIL Columbia

October 23, 2025 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Services for Independent Living, 1905 W. Ash Street, Columbia, Mo 65203

SIL Socials: Arts & Crafts: Every 4th Thursday join us for an creative art session. This event is appropriate for all ages and abilities. Everyone is welcome!
Volunteer Need: We're always looking for volunteers to participate with community members at our social events.
Volunteer Sign Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=c.SignUpSearch&eid=08CBCBDFF4CFFF6C04&cs=09CBBAAD8FBF8B137B0B64715BB09BBDFDC2&sortby=startdate

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Adopt a Grandparent Volunteers

Ongoing

Our "Adopt a Grandparent" program is one of the biggest that always needs people willing to volunteer with seniors in our community. No matter your age, there are ways you can help. Friendly visiting is about reducing social isolation and could look like taking your person to the park or to lunch, calling them on the phone to check in on them, or simply hanging out and talking to them.