We have been helping children and families since 1887. We could not continue to provide love and support to some of our areas most vulnerable without the help of our community. We would love to have you volunteer no matter what your time availability, skill level, or passion. With over 9,500 children and families served last year alone, we need your help! Sometimes, it only takes one person to make a difference in the life of a child.
Volunteer
Our residential program is located on a beautiful 25-acre campus, which can always use some extra tender love and care from volunteers willing to weed, plant flowers and greenery, paint the inside and outside of the homes and building, and more.Learn More
Join Our Guilds
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Ways to Give
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Visit our campuses with a group or organization.
We would love to show you around either or both of our campuses to see how we serve and care for the children in our programs.
Give to those in need, Donate.
Learn More#BeTheGoodGR
We strive to provide homes and hope for children and offer over 20 programs to help children and families in our community such as foster care, adoption, mentoring, and family preservation services.
Be a mentor. Be a volunteer. Be a donor. Be a foster parent. Be an adoptive parent.
Be the good!
Last year we helped over 9,500 children and families in our community. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our generous community who show us what it means to “be the good”. How do you “be the good?” Are you a mentor or volunteer or are you interested in becoming involved with our agency to help kids?
Share your #BetheGoodGR story.
Become A Mentor
Interested in mentoring a child or young mom? There is ongoing needs for mentors within our Mentoring Services program.
Become a Foster Parent
One of our greatest, on-going needs is having enough foster parents to provide homes for the children that need our help.
Recruitment & Volunteer of the Year Awards
With the Daisy Franks Recruitment Award and the Norm Ginebaugh Volunteer of the Year Award, we celebrate some of the exceptional people who make D.A. Blodgett - St. John's great. DABSJ is currently calling for nominations for the Daisy Franks & Norm Ginebaugh awards. These awards will be given to outstanding volunteers who meet and exceed the mission, vision and values of DABSJ.
Please take a moment to think of a volunteer you know who has made a difference and fill out these simple nomination forms. The winners will be honored at the annual board meeting in April.
Since 1993, D.A. Blodgett - St. John's has honored the memory of long-time Board and staff member, Daisy Franks, through the creation of the Daisy Franks Recruitment Award.
This award is presented annually to an agency adoptive parent, foster parent, or volunteer who best exemplifies Daisy's commitment to recruiting caring volunteers and families for disadvantaged children. These people have been so honored because of their ability to find a special friend or family for a child, and in doing so, have kept Daisy's work and dream alive by making a difference in someone's life.
The honoree, selected by the Officers Team of D.A. Blodgett - St. John's, will be recognized for their efforts in emulating Daisy's commitment to recruiting volunteers and families for all children in need.
View nomination form here. (116 KB, PDF)
Please email Shelly Friend nomination by January 15, 2019.
After hearing a presentation about the agency, Norm Ginebaugh asked how he might help. He was told about an upcoming Christmas party for the kids. Norm offered to cover the expenses and asked if he could attend to meet some of the staff and kids.
Norm showed up, and by the end of the evening he had donned a Santa Claus hat and was passing out presents to each and every child there that night.
That was in 1999.
Over the next 14 years, Norm never stopped giving - financially supporting the annual Christmas Party, delivering pumpkins for Halloween, and organizing food deliveries from local pantries all year long. He became known as "Grandpa Norm" to hundreds of kids.
Norm passed away on January 23, 2013. While no longer with us, we will never forget him. We honor his generous spirit each year by presenting the Norm Ginebaugh Volunteer of the Year Award.
The honoree, selected by the Officers Team of D.A. Blodgett - St. John's, will be recognized for their efforts in emulating Norm's commitment to the children of D.A. Blodgett - St. John's.
View nomination form here. (116 KB, PDF)
Please email nomination to Shelly Friend by January 15, 2019.
Nominations can be received via email or Treehouse entry. Send the completed form to Shelly by January 15, 2019. If you have questions, call Shelly at 616.774.4613.
Nominations can be made by staff, board, Emerging Leaders Council, but not by the nominees themselves.
Nominators may nominate more than one person.
The volunteer service must benefit DABSJ clients & families.
Nominated volunteers must have provided service during the previous and/or current calendar year, however other years of service will be considered.
DABSJ Officers will be the judges. All decisions are final.
Previous award winners will not be eligible for the award if they have already received the award within the last five years.