Community & Stewardship
Lend a Hand on 80+ Acres of Mountain Sanctuary
Volunteers keep our walking trails clear, our therapeutic gardens vibrant, and our community connected. Whether you join us for a single group service day or regular stewardship, you help make the sanctuary a welcoming home for adults with developmental disabilities.
How You Can Get Involved
Meaningful outdoor projects tailored to your energy, season, and skills.
Our 80+ acre care farm relies on community partners who believe that access to nature is transformative. Caring for this land mirrors what we teach participants every day: stewardship of the environment builds purpose, grounding, and belonging.
- 🌲 Trail & Forest Stewardship: Help maintain over two miles of gentle, shaded trails through the Enchanted Forest. Tasks include clearing blowdowns, mulching trail heads, and checking safety rails and bridges.
- 🌱 Sensory Gardens & Greenhouse: Tend our raised beds, sow seeds in the greenhouse, weed vegetable plots, and cultivate native sensory plantings.
- 🐮 Pasture & Animal Care: Assist with paddock fence checks, barn chores, and helping socialize our gentle herd of cattle.
- 🎪 Community Gatherings & Events: Assist with parking, welcoming families, and staffing activity stations during seasonal farm days, 5K runs, and sensory festivals.
- 🛠 Specialized Skills: We always welcome skilled volunteers who can offer carpentry, photography, masonry, equipment repair, or professional services.
Student Groups & Corporate Service Days
We regularly host half-day and full-day volunteer work parties for UVA student organizations (APO, Madison House, fraternities/sororities), faith communities, and corporate teams. We can customize projects for groups of 5 to 30+ volunteers!
Looking for Paid Direct-Care Roles?
Volunteer stewardship complements—never replaces—our paid staff. If you are interested in a paid Direct Support Professional (DSP) position providing DBHDS-licensed adult day support ($18–$22/hr with paid training), please visit our Careers & Staff Intake page →
Volunteer onboarding at a glance
- Submit inquiry (60 seconds): Share your interests, skills, and availability below.
- Project match: Our team coordinates upcoming work days or customizes a group date.
- Welcome to the farm: Safety orientation, gear check, and a rewarding day on the land!
Volunteer Interest Form
Complete this quick form to let us know your interests and availability. A member of our team will follow up with upcoming volunteer dates.
Frequently asked questions for volunteers.
Everything you need to know before coming out to the sanctuary.
What should I wear & bring?
Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes or work boots, long pants, and weather-appropriate layers. Bring a refillable water bottle and sunscreen. We provide work gloves and tools, but you are welcome to bring your own favorite pair.
Who can volunteer?
We welcome adults of all backgrounds, college students, and teens. Youth under 16 are welcome when accompanied by an adult. No prior farm or trail experience is required—we provide full orientation and guidance.
Stewardship vs. Care Roles
Volunteers focus on our physical campus, land, and community events. Direct participant supervision and licensed clinical day programs are provided by trained, paid Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).