Opportunities From: Connect2Community

Brilliant Cities/Detroit currently has 18 operating hubs and there are always different opportunities that are in need of volunteer assistance. Whether it is reading one-on-one or with a group, managing activity stations, painting a room, event material set-up/restore, categorizing the book library, or sorting in-kind donations; our hubs have specific needs that arise throughout the year.

Current volunteer opportunities:

Brilliant Grixdale Farms Fall Clean-Up

Our Grixdale Farms hub has been closed for the summer and is ready for a fresh start this fall! We’re inviting volunteers to help us prepare the space for reopening as a vibrant center for literacy programming and community events. As a hub organization volunteer, you’ll play a vital role in getting the space ready by decluttering and deep cleaning, organizing supplies and materials, and helping to create an efficient, welcoming environment where our Brilliant participants can gather, connect, and learn. Volunteers groups are especially encouraged to join us! Flexible scheduling available; please inquire.

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Brilliant Dexter-Linwood Basement Organization Project

Help create a welcoming and efficient space for our Brilliant participants! We're looking for volunteers to assist with organizing the basement of our Dexter-Linwood hub which is home to our free community clothing closet. Volunteers will assist with assembling shelving units, sorting totes, and organizing clothing by size. Your efforts will help us maintain a welcoming, clutter-free environment, making it easier for community members to access the resources they need. Flexible scheduling available; please inquire.

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Brilliant Cody Rouge Basement and Garage Organization

We're looking for volunteers to assist with organizing the garage and basement rooms, assembling shelving units, and storing totes—some heavy lifting required. Your volunteer efforts will support smoother operations and ensure resources are accessible in a clutter-free environment. Flexible scheduling available, please inquire. 

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Brilliant Brightmoor Organization & Redesign 

Our Brightmoor location is currently looking for volunteers to help organize basement rooms, assemble shelving units, and properly store totes to declutter and sort items. Volunteers will assist in creating storage solutions and ensuring our programming areas remain clean and functional. Tasks may include lifting and moving boxes, sorting supplies, and organizing materials. Volunteers are needed weekdays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

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Brilliant Fitzgerald Clothing Closet Organization 

Brilliant Detroit's Fitzgerald Hub hosts a community clothing closet that provides free clothing to those in need, helping to boost self-esteem by allowing individuals to feel confident and included with appropriate attire. This is especially crucial for families facing clothing insecurity, as it can positively impact academic performance and social interactions. The Fitzgerald location is seeking monthly volunteers to assess the quality, condition and seasonal appropriateness of their clothing donations and help categorize them by type and size. Volunteers are preferably needed during the week between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on a monthly basis

This fall, our Brightmoor hub is hosting Givemoor Distribution Days every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., families can access essential items like clothing, books, and diapers in a warm, organized environment designed to encourage meaningful selection and community engagement. 

We’re currently looking for volunteers who can assist with set-up, breakdown, and management of the distribution station. If you are social, detail-oriented and have a heart for giving, we would love to have you join us! 

Come create an empowering learning environment for students this Fall semester! 

During our after-school programming, students will work independently on homework assignments, complete educational worksheets, and engage in independent reading time. We’re looking for volunteers to provide support and assistance with homework, teach positive study habits, and encourage questions for students in K-3rd grade during our Fall semester, between 9/17 and 12/17, from 3:30-5 p.m.

Join us for a cozy and festive afternoon at our Fitzgerald Hub, filled with holiday cheer, creativity, and fun for the whole family!

This joyful event will bring neighbors together to celebrate the winter season with board games, ornament and mug crafting, dancing, delicious food, and plenty of laughter. Families will also enjoy warm cocoa, donuts, and special gifts! It’s the perfect way to strengthen community ties and spread holiday joy in a welcoming space!

Volunteers will play a vital role in making the day a success by assisting children with board games, supporting at the cocoa and food stations, helping at the craft tables, and distributing gifts! Your energy and kindness will help create a festive and memorable holiday gathering! Our volunteer shifts include: 1-3 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.

Join us for a festive holiday celebration at our Pontiac hub filled with creativity, community, and joy for the whole family! 

Join us for a cozy holiday celebration at the Central Hub, filled with festive activities and joyful memories for the whole family! 

Come spread holiday cheer with us at the Brightmoor Hub as we celebrate the season with joy, creativity, and community connection! 

Monthly community dinners:

Next date: Thursday, October 16th, 3:30-7:15 p.m.

Following date: Thursday, November 20th, 3:30-7:15 p.m.

Brilliant Pontiac’s monthly community dinners offer a welcoming space for neighbors to connect over a shared meal, meaningful conversation, and a sense of belonging. These dinners are designed to strengthen community ties in a warm, inclusive environment. We are looking for volunteers to help set up the dinner area, welcome community members to our Brilliant Pontiac home, plate and serve food, manage fun and interactive child enrichment activities, and assist with cleanup by returning event materials to their original spaces.

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Holiday Extravaganza:

Thursday, December 4th, 3:30-7:45 p.m.

Join us for a festive holiday celebration at our Brilliant Pontiac hub filled with creativity, community, and joy for the whole family!

This special event will bring neighbors together to enjoy holiday-themed cuisine, activities, and a unique gift-wrapping experience. Children will have the chance to select and wrap gifts for their caregivers, while parents and caregivers will do the same for their children! Creating a fun and meaningful exchange of love and appreciation! Families will also enjoy lively holiday activities designed to spark laughter, connection, and togetherness!

Volunteers will play a key role in spreading holiday cheer by event set-up, registration, activity management, food distribution, and post-event clean-up. Your support will ensure that families leave with full hearts and lasting holiday memories!

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Clothing closet organization:

Flexible timing; please inquire

Brilliant Pontiac hosts a community clothing closet that provides free clothing to those in need, helping to boost self-esteem by allowing individuals to feel confident and included with appropriate attire. This is especially crucial for families facing clothing insecurity, as it can positively impact academic performance and social interactions. Volunteers are needed to help assess and organize clothing donations; some heavy lifting is required for this role. 

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Homework help:

Fall 2025; Monday-Thursday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. 

Starting this fall, Brilliant Pontiac will offer after-school homework help sessions for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. These sessions aim to support young learners with their schoolwork, encourage curiosity, and promote positive study habits. We are looking for volunteers to mentor students, assist with homework questions, model patience and a love for learning, and help tidy and organize materials at the end of each session. This is a great opportunity for older students to step into a meaningful mentoring role!

In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it’s more important than ever that our nation’s youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make informed decisions.

Brilliant Detroit holds 2 STEM courses each quarter that aims to develop and grow their skills in science, technology, engineering, math, and they even get to explore art. 

STEM Facilitator commitment - Quarterly Course and 3-5 hours/week training and coaching sessions.

Stories and STEM - Brilliant children ages 3-5 and their families enjoy stories and fun engaging hands-on projects in a variety of literacy-based science activities together that bring the exciting world of science to life!

Adventures in Science - Brilliant children ages 6-8 participate in step-level learning through inquiry and the exploration of a variety of science topics to develop and process skills for science (observing, hypothesizing, asking questions, problem solving, and drawing conclusions through hands-on experiences with a focus of allowing children's ideas come to life!

Unique Brilliant volunteers are needed to help prepare, facilitate and grow the minds of our Detroit youth. If you have a love of STEM (A), connect with us today! (Trainings and check-ins with our program creator happen frequently).

Dates: Quarterly

Locations: Various Brilliant locations - Where We Are

How: In-person

Volunteer Roles: 

**Volunteers working directly with Brilliant children, families, and staff are asked to have a background check**

Brilliant Cities/Detroit takes great pride in honoring National Days of Service that closely aligns with our mission and core values to educate and unite individuals, families, service clubs, businesses, schools, and faith-based organizations in volunteerism throughout the year.

 (Please NOTE: This opportunity is an in-person volunteer role)

We are looking for volunteers who are excited about working with kids and supporting literacy in Detroit to lead reading cohorts at our hubs. Brilliant Detroit is excited to partner with Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and Raising a Reader (RaR) to offer literacy enrichment programming at our sites!

As a volunteer leader, you would come in-person to one of our sites to lead an hour-long program once a week from October to May. 

Volunteers will be partnered with a child and be tasked to read aloud books and lead activities based on those books with that child. This opportunity is best suited for those with early childhood education experience and/or interest, however, anyone can lead these programs. These programs work best when the facilitator is upbeat, energetic, compassionate, and engaging.

These programs are offered in person at hubs based on the volunteer's availability. Volunteers will be placed based on the needs of our hubs and the volunteer's proximity to one of our Brilliant pods.

A Brilliant Detroit orientation and background check are required to serve in these programs. Specialized training for this opportunity will also be given after the background check is completed. For more information, please contact volunteer@brilliantdetroit.org.

Be Brilliant - Share their knowledge in Health, Wellness, and/or Nutrition by supporting or leading a specialized health program.

Brilliant volunteers are needed as facilitators, presenters and general assistance for health, wellness, and nutrition nights.

Brilliant Detroit provides a range of programming for our parent caregivers throughout the year. Our work is simply not possible without those who volunteer their time to create and advance so many of our programs at our hubs. As we support our adult participants, volunteers are needed to lead child enrichment activities during parent resource group meetings.

Child Enrichment Volunteers provide weekly support by interacting with children of all ages for specific timeframes by facilitating group activities with children.

While this volunteer opportunities will require a longer time commitment, we guarantee that it will make a lasting impact not only on the life of a Brilliant Detroit child, but on your own!

Requirements of Positions:
1. At least 15 years old
2. All volunteers must have an informal interview with Brilliant Detroit Volunteer Engagement Manager and pass a background check.
3. Must adhere to the confidentiality of Brilliant parents and children.
commit to keeping the confidentiality of all AVFC locations and clients at all times.
4. Must support and follow all guidelines, policies and procedures associated with Brilliant Southwest Detroit.
5. Have reliable transportation to volunteer locations.
6. Will be evaluated for the duration of your volunteer role. 

Qualifications for Positions:
1. Willingness to work within guidelines, policies, standards and mission statement of Brilliant Detroit.
2. Patience and understanding when dealing with children of all ages.
3. Awareness of and sensitivity to cultural/ethnic differences and/or willingness to learn.
4. Ability to work in a team and accept guidance and direction from staff members.
5. Experience with diverse cultures, languages and situations desirable but not mandatory.
6. Experience working with children
7. Bilingual abilities highly desirable but not mandatory.

COMMITMENT:
Commit to a regular schedule detailed below

Brilliant Staff fully recognize that burnout is a real issue in today’s world and in this line of work. We encourage volunteers to practice self-care activities.

**Volunteers working directly with Brilliant children, families, and staff must complete a background check.

Annually during the months of April, May and June, our Brilliant Detroit team, participants and volunteers gather at each of our neighborhood hubs for spring cleaning and outdoor beautification. We know that spring symbolizes a time of rebirth and growth, so we take this time to come together as a community to clean-up our yards, prepare our beds and gardens, plant flowers, and make other improvements to our outdoor spaces. It is also a time for us to renew our commitment to kid success neighborhoods. 

Brilliant Springwells

Brilliant Southwest

Brilliant Russell Woods

Brilliant Osborn

Brilliant Morningside

Brilliant  McDougall Hunt

Brilliant Martin Park Old Location

Brilliant Martin Park New Location

Brilliant Littlefield

Brilliant Grixdale Farms

Brilliant Fitzgerald

Brilliant Dexter-Linwood

Brilliant Outer Drive/Hayes

Brilliant Cody Rouge

Brilliant Chandler Park

Brilliant Central

Brilliant Brightmoor

Note: These volunteer projects are outdoors. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

Volunteer tasks may include:

Please reach out to volunteer@brilliantdetroit.org with any questions.

Dear Kid Success Champion,

We are thrilled to share the launch of Brilliant Detroit's very own podcast -- Brilliant Together.

Each podcast episode will feature top experts, leaders and changemakers dedicated to strengthening families and children from belly (0) to eight. 

Conversations explore a range of topics and thought leadership on engaging families, mobilizing communities, and providing children with the support they need to reach their full potential.

Brilliant Together is now available on Apple and Spotify. We are so excited to have made this project a reality and to continue lifting up the amazing work happening in the early childhood education and care space.

Yours in Kid Success,

Brilliant Detroit is dedicated to building kid success neighborhoods where families with children 0-8 have what they need to be school ready, healthy and stable. We do this by providing proven programming and support year round out of Brilliant Detroit homes in high-need neighborhoods.

If you are not already, become a FAN of Brilliant Detroit and receive the latest information happening at Brilliant!

Emergencies happen whether we are prepared for them or not. Some Brilliant Detroit families are not prepared for the emergencies that happen in their lives. 

Host a Collection Drive and make Brilliant things happen! With these new pantries, families who are facing an unexpected hardship are able to receive support to help them through. 

Brilliant accepts community support daily from 11 am to 2 pm Monday thru Thursday.  To schedule a donation drop-off, please reach out to volunteer@brilliantdetroit.org.

Suggested items Include:

We are currently looking for volunteers to help in person at our Larkins location!  This role would be helping us unload and bring in donated items into our building and help organize items for storage or for distribution to one of our other locations.

We are looking for volunteers who would be available during our operating hours: Monday-Friday 10am - 4pm.  We are looking for short OR long term volunteers! We do ask that if you are able to volunteer for only one day that you can help for a minimum of 3 hours.  However, we would love it if someone was able to come a couple times a week over the next few weeks!

Because of the nature of this role, you should be comfortable lifting/carrying items weighing at least 25lbs.

Brilliant Detroit will offer multiple tutoring opportunities for the fall of 2024. We are seeking new tutors to fill our growing student demand. Volunteer Literacy Tutors will be asked to tutor one on one with a child between the ages of 5-8, according to their chosen program’s literacy curriculum. The fall sessions will start mid to late October and end in May 2025. Tutoring sessions will occur Monday - Thursday between the hours of 4-7 pm. We ask that volunteers commit to tutoring twice a week for total of 2 hours a week. We will schedule your sessions based on your availability.

Volunteer tutors will be asked to attend a program-specific training and a diversity, equity, and inclusion training as well as undergo a background check.

Some of the tasks that tutors may perform include the following:

For more information about this opportunity, please reach out to volunteer@brilliantdetroit.org