If you’re interested in volunteering for YIF, the first step is to submit your completed Volunteer Application. Volunteers are crucial to the success of our programs, and we have lots of ways for you to get involved, including:
Classroom Mentor >> We have openings now! See details below.
Darkroom Monitor/Mentor
Freelance Project Mentor >> We have openings now! See details below.
Auction
Gallery Guru (help hang shows)
Facility maintenance
Internships
All volunteer positions require an interview, orientation, and a background check. Questions?
Contact our Program Director at (206) 407-2124.
List of Current Volunteer Opportunities
Right now we most need volunteers for the role(s) listed below. If you’re interested in doing something else, please send in your Volunteer Application anyway, noting all of your areas of interest. When we have an opening, we’ll get in touch with you.
Freelance Project Mentors
The Freelance Project is our job-skills program in which alumni of our advanced classes have the opportunity to shoot real-world photo gigs, alongside a mentor who serves as their technical and moral support, as well as composition coach. The schedule is very flexible, as mentorship spots arise when we get new gigs. You can sign up for as many or as few spots as you want! Almost all gigs are one-time events and may take place on days, nights, or weekends. For more information, contact Sherry at (206) 407-2126 or freelance@youthinfocus.org.
Classroom/Group Mentors
Each of our classes are supported by 2-3 mentors who help the teacher to guide class, keep students on track, share their knowledge and be a friendly and supportive part of the classroom community.
Film photography mentors need to be completely comfortable working in a darkroom and with Black & White film processing.
Digital photography mentors need to be completely comfortable working with the manual shutter and aperture settings of digital cameras and be comfortable/proficient in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
Our afterschool classes are held on Mondays & Wednesday or Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:30-6:30pm. Contact Kat at katv[at]youthinfocus.org if you have questions; you can also return your completed volunteer application Attn: Kat. Thanks!
Our available volunteer opportunities change frequently, so please check back here often!
