Opportunities Supporting Students in the Issaquah School District
The Garage is a non-profit drop-in space exclusively for high school teens. We're a safe space for teens to come hang out with friends, grab a cup of coffee and a snack, play a game, play music, watch TV, talk over homework, and much more! All events, activities, food, and drinks at The Garage are free of charge. Our teens develop and produce all events and activities that happen at the Garage under guidance and support from staff. In addition, students have access to a professional mental health counselor, free-of-charge.
Issaquah School District: Host a Teen Intern at Your Workplace
District families, now is a great time of year for your workplace to join the hundreds of regional businesses and organizations willing to host a teen for an internship or shadow day. With the new school year underway, Gibson Ek High School students are looking for unpaid, daytime internships. If you can host for just 7-8 hours per week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, or split over both days), it's an incredible opportunity for interns to learn more about careers and develop soft skills – and you’ll gain extra hands for routine tasks and/or wish-list projects. Gibson Ek can be quite flexible on time of day and duration of experience. Learn more and sign up on the Gibson Ek website
Friends of Echo Glen is a 100% volunteer community that exists with the sole purpose of helping the youth at Echo Glen Juvenile Detention Center to rewrite the scripts of their lives. These teens have immense untapped potential. We help them gain self-esteem by providing essential building blocks for healthy development thus breaking the cycle of neglect and abuse.
Volunteer Orientation - Sign up HERE Echo Glen staff host volunteer orientations on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM, held on site at Echo Glen. During this 90-minute orientation, staff will: - Share expectations and guidelines for working with residents - Explain volunteer opportunities - Answer all your questions. Requirements: Volunteers must be 21 years or older. We are always in need of caring, positive adult role models to support the many activities we hope to offer, and we’re so grateful you’re considering getting involved. All who RSVP will receive a confirmation email with directions and details the day prior to the orientation. Questions? Email info@echoglen
GIVE CANINE STAFF SUNDAYS OFF! Can you come 2 to 4 Sundays each month to feed, and play with pups? Could use several volunteers to cover 3 times every Sunday! Timing: • Between 9~10:30 AM - separate pups into their own kennels, feed, pick up poop, then put back to the community yard. Usually takes about one hour plus whatever time you want for puppy play time. • Between 1~3 PM - separate pups and feed and put back to community yard - about 30 minutes plus any desired puppy playtime. • About 6 PM - separate pups into kennels, feed them and pick up poop so they don’t step in it. Again about 30 minutes plus desired puppy play time.
Wish List: Help the staff to keep the residents mentally active. New & nearly new items demonstrate to the kids that the community truly does care & value them. Thank you for your amazing generosity!
Community Service Socials Oct 15, 2025 Come listen to and chat with the youth while helping them make a simple dog toy. This gives them the opportunity to practice empathy, encourage others, and experience the joy of connecting with a caring adult—you! Together with the youth, we’ll make chew-toy ropes for rescue dogs. The toys will be given to rescue organizations to send home with dogs when they find their new forever families. SIGN UP HERE
Tutors Needed: Can you give support to a student anytime during the hours of 8 AM and 4 PM? IMMEDIATE NEED: Help with 5th and 6th grade Basic Math, Wednesdays anytime between 1:00 & 4:00 PM. ON-GOING: Add your name to the school's list of volunteers willing to tutor throughout the year as students ask for additional help.
Donate a store-bought cake so a youth to celebrate their birthday with their cottage mates. You'll be demonstrating that the community cares and sometimes the cakes we bring are the first they've ever received. With 14 birthdays in June alone, the kitchen staff can't keep up with making all the needed cakes. Questions? email info@echoglen.org
Art Docents Needed We’re excited to be back in Echo Glen classrooms during the school day, and we need your help to keep this momentum going! No artistic talent needed! You don't have to be an artist to make a difference — you just need a willingness to show up, create, and encourage. Art Docent teams of 2–3 volunteers visit the same classroom once a month, making it a wonderful way to build meaningful relationships over time. Contact us at info@echoglen.org to get involved!
VOICE mentors needed !
Mentoring differs from tutoring in that mentoring focuses on fostering positive, supportive relationships which help students develop skills and attitudes (such as resilience, self-advocacy, self-confidence, etc.) to promote academic achievement and success in life. Here is a youtube video that the district put together of current mentors talking about their mentoring experience.
Our mission is to enhance the lives of children who have disabilities and special needs and the high school athletes who mentor them. We believe that modeling acceptance, inclusion, and respect of all individuals transforms and strengthens our communities.
The Issaquah Schools Foundation, in partnership with the Issaquah School District, drives resources to help all students achieve the promise of their potential.