Opportunities From: United Way for Southeastern Michigan

Brilliant Cities is a neighborhood-powered model ensuring children 0-8 are school-ready, healthy, and supported. We do this by transforming houses into family-focused, community hubs and partner with organizations to coordinate research-based programs for children and families. These programs focus on education, health, and family support, giving young children and families what they need for a bright future.

To date, Brilliant Cities has reached more than 24,000 children and caregivers, raising reading levels by an average of three grade levels per child. Since 2016, the model has expanded to 24 neighborhoods in Detroit, launched a hub in Pontiac, and is currently expanding to Philadelphia.

We’re inviting volunteers to join us in turning our mission into action. Whether reading one-on-one or with a group, painting a room, organizing our book library, or sorting in-kind donations, our hubs have meaningful volunteer opportunities that arise throughout the year, and we would love to welcome you!

Current volunteer opportunities

Brilliant Clothing Closet Organization 

Each Brilliant hub offers free clothing to families in need, helping build confidence and a sense of belonging by ensuring they have appropriate attire, which can be especially important for school success and positive social interactions. Clothing Closet volunteers impact our communities by helping to create an organized and welcoming space that supports smoother operations and makes clothing easily accessible for Brilliant participants. With support from hub staff, volunteers will review donated items for quality, condition, and seasonal fit, categorize them by type and size, and help create a department store style shopping experience for our community. This role involves standing, bending, reaching and moving around for most of the shift. Multiple locations and flexible scheduling available, please inquire.

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Brilliant Grixdale Farms Spring Cleaning

Our Grixdale Farms hub has been closed for the year and is ready for a fresh start this upcoming spring! 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 to schedule a spring volunteer date.

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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 to schedule a spring volunteer date. (Volunteer groups welcome!)

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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.

Brilliant Cities is a neighborhood-powered model ensuring children 0-8 are school-ready, healthy, and supported. We do this by transforming houses into family-focused, community hubs and partner with organizations to coordinate research-based programs for children and families. These programs focus on education, health, and family support, giving young children and families what they need for a bright future.

Do you enjoy working with children and have a passion for literacy-based mentorship? Join us this semester in creating a supportive and empowering learning environment for Brilliant students!

The Homework Helper program offers focused, age-appropriate homework support to Brilliant Detroit and Pontiac students through 30- or 60-minute sessions. Homework Helpers assist students with assignments, reinforce essential classroom skills, and foster a calm, encouraging space where students can ask questions, build confidence, and successfully complete their work.

All available Homework Helper opportunities are listed below. After selecting your preferred opportunity, please submit an interest form through Galaxy. A member of our Volunteer Team will contact you via email with more details.

Current opportunities:

Brilliant Detroit, Cody Rouge Homework Help

Weekly, Mon-Thurs from 4:30-6 p.m.

Begins Monday, January 12, 2026 and concludes Thursday, May 28, 2026

Our Cody Rouge hub is seeking two volunteers with strong educational backgrounds to support the Homework Helper program. A background in mathematics is especially desired.

Volunteer Role 1: Math-focused academic support

Volunteer Role 2: Reading, writing, and general homework support

Brilliant Cities is a neighborhood-powered model ensuring children 0-8 are school-ready, healthy, and supported. We do this by transforming houses into family-focused, community hubs and partner with organizations to coordinate research-based programs for children and families. These programs focus on education, health, and family support, giving young children and families what they need for a bright future.

As a Brilliant Health Corps Volunteer, you will share your knowledge in Health, Wellness, and/or Nutrition by supporting or leading specialized health programs. Volunteers play an essential role in creating engaging and impactful health, wellness, and nutrition nights for families.

Volunteer Health Corps Roles and Responsibilities: 

Volunteer Facilitators (Skills-based)

Volunteer Facilitators support or lead specialized health programs by sharing their expertise in Health, Wellness, and/or Nutrition.

Volunteer Presenters (Skills-based or experience-based) 

Volunteer Presenters lead or co-lead educational workshops during health nights.

General Support Volunteers (Support roles) 

General Support Volunteers assist with organizing and running health nights as part of a team. 

To learn more and join Brilliant Cities as a Health Corps Volunteer, please complete the interest form through Galaxy. A member of our Volunteer Team will contact you directly.

Brilliant Cities is a neighborhood-powered model ensuring children 0-8 are school-ready, healthy, and supported. We do this by transforming houses into family-focused, community hubs and partner with organizations to coordinate research-based programs for children and families. These programs focus on education, health, and family support, giving young children and families what they need for a bright future.

To date, Brilliant Cities has reached more than 24,000 children and caregivers, raising reading levels by an average of three grade levels per child. Since 2016, the model has expanded to 24 neighborhoods in Detroit, launched a hub in Pontiac, and is currently expanding to Philadelphia.

We’re inviting volunteers to join us in turning our mission into action. Whether reading one-on-one or with a group, painting a room, organizing our book library, or sorting in-kind donations, our hubs have meaningful volunteer opportunities that arise throughout the year, and we would love to welcome you!

Below is a list of current volunteer opportunities available at our Pontiac location. To view our ongoing/flexible opportunities happening across all of our locations, please view our general opportunities page linked here. 

Current volunteer opportunities: 

Monthly community dinners:

Next date: Thursday, January 22nd from 3:30-7 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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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. 

Dear Washtenaw Neighbors, Friends, and Community!

We're excited to invite you to join us for volunteer workdays at Apple Ridge Community Gardens. We will be out at Apple Ridge Community Gardens, at E Clark and Ridge Rd, every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6 - 8 PM with EMU's AKA Sorority!

At Apple Ridge Community Gardens we'll be building raised beds, weeding around our pollinator garden, adding mulch, planting perennials, installing an herb garden, building out our Underground Railroad Garden, and much more. See here for our full and exciting work list planned for Apple Ridge!

We'll provide all necessary materials and equipment. Please bring water for yourself and wear comfortable outdoor clothing to protect from the sun. 

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a meaningful impact at the Apple Ridge Community Gardens. We look forward to working with you to create a thriving agricultural space for our community.

Sincerely,

Willow Run Acres Team

Dear Detroit and Southeast Michigan Neighbors, Friends, and Community!

We're excited to invite you to join us for volunteer workdays at Willow Run Acres Detroit. We will be out at our new Farm & Garden site in Detroit every Sundays from 9 am - 12 PM. Please call our Executive Director, TC, at (734) 717-4849 for further updates on start date and location!

At Willow Run Acres Detroit we'll be building raised beds, weeding around our pollinator garden, combining mulch and compost, planting perennials, installing fruit and vegetable trees, and more! See here for our full and exciting work list planned for Willow Run Acres Detroit!

We'll provide all necessary materials and equipment. Please bring water for yourself and wear comfortable outdoor clothing to protect from the sun. 

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a meaningful impact at Willow Run Acres Detroit. We look forward to working with you to create a thriving agricultural space for our community.

Sincerely,

Willow Run Acres Team