Opportunities Supporting Students in the Issaquah School District
Back to School Donation and Volunteer Opportunities for Fall 2026
Project Cool: Helping Homeless Students: Project Cool and Beyond
Seeking volunteers! Volunteer days are at the Bryn Mawr United Methodist Church in South Seattle from Tuesday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 29. Every year through Project Cool, Coalition members and volunteers make sure that more than 1,000 unhoused students start the school year off right with the supplies they need. In addition to school supplies for students, the Coalition also regularly provides training for staff working with youth and unaccompanied minors to help them advocate for and support the educational rights of homeless students. SIGN UP HERE
Friends of Youth: Our Back-to-School Drive is officially here!
Help us set local youth up for a successful school year by supporting a Friends of Youth client with much-needed school supplies. Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference. We will be accepting school supply donations at the Redmond Town Center from July 6 through August 3. You can also shop our Amazon Wish List here
Issaquah Schools Foundation: Tools 4 School
Education is a fundamental right, but not all students have equal access to the tools that make learning possible. To ensure cost is never a barrier to students starting the year with the supplies they need, we are working with the Issaquah School District to distribute new backpack and school supply kits at the Issaquah School District Back to School Resource Fair in August, where families can access many resources beyond just school supplies. In 2024, almost 500 families with 900 students attended the first Resource Fair. With your help, we’ll help level the playing field, allowing students to focus on what truly matters: learning and growing.
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.
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.
Summer Student Mentors Needed: This summer, through a new partnership with Highline College, several Echo youth are taking College 101 and working toward their diplomas. One student is completing high school on-line. For many, one supportive adult can change the course of a lifetime. Staff needs caring volunteers to provide encouragement and a positive adult presence during study sessions to help them problem-solve and persevere. You don’t need to be a teacher—just a cheerleader! (DCYF staff are always present for safety.) Summer Quarter: June 22–August 13 Study Sessions: • Tues 2–4 PM • Wed 4–7 PM • Thurs 2–4 PM To learn more and to sign up, Reply directly
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!
Career Panels – Those who have overcome felony charges or addictions are the ultimate inspiration. The goal of these panels is to allow the students to learn about various careers & companies so they can begin to visualize their ideal future careers. Help the youth re-write the script of their lives Every January, June and October. Come inspire the students towards a new career – youth are asking to hear about careers with Starbucks & about becoming MRI & radiologist technicians. Youth’s preference is for POC. Do you know anyone who may be willing to present? Please share the need.
Community Service Socials On July 16, we’ll join Echo youth to make bracelets and handwritten cards for men rebuilding their lives in the LA Dream Center recovery program. Our youth love these socials because they get to discover they have something valuable to give—finding empathy, hope, and purpose themselves as they lift up others. First-time visitors are also welcome. 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
GAME BOARD CLUB - Can you invest a couple hours two-times a month on weekends playing board games with the youth? Looking for a total of 16+ individuals!.
COOKING - Residents LOVE to cook with volunteers! Sixteen+ individuals are needed to share simple cooking recipes with all the youth twice a month. Volunteer with your friends, or we can partner you with 2 others. Day and time are flexible to accommodate your schedule. Volunteers must be over 21 yrs old. Email info@echoglen.org for more details.
Choir - Staff wants to start a choir but needs help from volunteers who have experience leading one. Email info@echoglen.org for more information.
Guitar Club - Volunteers needed to help students practice what they have learned. Email info@echoglen.org for more information.
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.