Volunteer with AIM
AIM Seattle is always looking for more volunteers to participate in our programs! Our volunteers are an incredibly valuable part of every class and camp, and often the number one thing that group members look forward to each and every week!
What do AIM Volunteers do?
AIM volunteers serve as Dance Buddies and Music Buddies during each class session - connecting with and supporting Neurodivergent and Disabled group members, participating in all class activities, and assisting staff as needed.
Volunteer with Aim
Scheduling
Volunteer scheduling is flexible based on your needs, preferences and availability. There are opportunities to volunteer once a week, once a month, or occasionally as you’re able - whatever frequency works best for you. Volunteer shifts are available throughout the week; check out our Classes and Camps pages for our current schedule and upcoming opportunities.
Community Service Credit
Need community service credit for school? Volunteering with AIM is a great way to fulfill those requirements! We are happy to sign verification letters and timesheets as needed.
Volunteering with AIM is the right fit for me?
We welcome anyone aged 13 and up to volunteer with us! No dance or music background is needed, nor experience working with children or Neurodivergent/Disabled individuals. All that is needed is a willingness to learn, connect, and encourage. We welcome all backgrounds, experiences, abilities and identities in our fantastic team of volunteers. Individuals who would benefit from accommodations or any other supports are encouraged to share these via our volunteer form, with any staff member, or by emailing
info@aim-seattle.org.
Will someone be there to help me if I have questions while I’m volunteering?
Yes! There will be a Support Staff in every class or camp. They are there to support all volunteers and group members to ensure that everyone is safe and comfortable. If you have any questions or need anything during your volunteer shift, they are a great person to ask! There will also be other volunteers and interns in each class who are always willing to support and lend an extra hand.
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Started for the Service, Continued for the Community: AIM Seattle’s Buddy Experience
By Leah Barracoso, Former AIM Intern
Buddies play a crucial role in Aim Seattle’s classes! Providing one-on one support to a Neurodivergent or Disabled dancer/musician, they encourage creativity in a safe environment.
“As someone who has a mobility disability myself, I’m happy to see that efforts are being put in so that Disabled individuals can take part in dancing,” Sarah, a buddy for over a year, said.
Like many of our buddies, Sarah found Aim by looking for service opportunities. One of Aim’s newer buddies, Alice, initially joined for the same reason, falling in love with sharing joy through dance.
“I enjoyed it so much that I know even when I’ve completed [my service hours], I’ll keep coming back!” Alice said after her first month as a buddy.
In each class, support staff, interns, and teaching artists are all present to assist and answer any questions about the buddy role.
“I just want to say that I was really nervous my first time volunteering, but all the staff and other volunteers are so wonderful and welcoming,” Alice said.
The teaching artist leads various activities related to fundamental concepts in the arts. Buddies and dancers are partnered up to work together, connect, and unleash their creativity.
“[My favorite part about being a buddy] are the connections I make with the person I am paired with,” Aidyn, a buddy for over six months, said. “I enjoy the way we get to experience the music and movement together.”
The positive interactions buddies have with their dancers is the primary reason why buddies keep rejoining.
Charlotte H. is a buddy that joins every week. “[My favorite part of being a buddy is] getting to spend time with/bond with the kids,” Charlotte H. said.
Like Charlotte, Parker is a buddy that enjoys the bonding aspect. However, some of our buddies are not able to come each week. Parker volunteers a few times a month, balancing AIM with school, clubs, and sports.
“I try to especially do it on the weekends and check every weekend to see if I can do the classes,” Parker said. “I also try to schedule things around AIM.”
This is similar to Charlotte S., who has been a buddy for over a year and knows how to adjust their schedule to fit AIM in.
“I have my school work done by Friday most of the time,” Charlotte S. said. “If I need to, I do the rest on Saturday after sports practice. I, then, like to leave time on Sunday to volunteer.”
Charlotte S. and Parker both help at weekly sessions during the school year. However, AIM’s camps co-occur with breaks in the Seattle Public School schedule, giving more buddies an opportunity to help out!
“I have sports games [on] the weekends so I often can’t make classes [during the regular sessions],” Sonia, a buddy with Aim for about 2 years, said. “But having AIM camps on breaks allows me to participate.”
Being a buddy for Aim can even open the door for new opportunities. Alphie, who started out as a volunteer over two years ago, is now an intern for the program.
“[My favorite part about being a buddy are the] connections I get to make!” Alphie said. “With teachers, other volunteers, and of course the dancers,”
Like Alphie, Ella is a buddy who loves finding new ways to communicate with the dancers, especially nonspeaking students. AIM has not only opened a door to a new opportunity but to the future.
“It’s truly changed my life,” Ella said. “[It also] helped me choose what I want to pursue in college.”
If you are interested in volunteering with us, please fill out our Volunteer Form. One of our team members will reach out to schedule a brief training with you. You will then be added to our volunteer pool, to receive weekly emails with open volunteer shifts for you to sign up for as you are interested and available.
Internship Program
Interested in getting more involved with AIM?
Apply to our Internship Program! We are currently accepting applications from individuals (ages 16+) who wish to learn more about disability, inclusion and advocacy to serve as paid interns at AIM. Interns in this program are involved in one or more of our weekly classes by supporting group members, acting as a Lead for volunteers, assisting Teaching Artists and Support Staff, and assisting with set-up and clean-up before, during and after class. Interns will also determine their own learning goals and a special project to complete during their time in the program. Interns are expected to commit to a minimum of one 8-week session (maximum internship length one year). Summer internships are available throughout July and August!
We welcome all backgrounds, experiences, abilities and identities as interns. Individuals who would benefit from accommodations or other supports are encouraged to share these via our internship application or by emailing kristin@aim-seattle.org.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you have any questions, or if you have any accessibility needs for completing this application, please don't hesitate to reach out by replying to this email, or calling/texting Kristin at 425-236-9347.
