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Youth Support Volunteer Project in Puerto Rico - San Juan

Youth Support Volunteer Project in Puerto Rico - San Juan

Purpose
Provide a safe space for marginalized youth
Start dates
Programs start every Monday
Duration
Choose from 1-12 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 18+ and families
Accommodation
Dormitory-style hostel
Apply for free
On this page:
  • Overview
  • Requirements
  • Gallery
  • Arrival & Orientation
  • Volunteer Schedule
  • Accommodation & Meals
  • Pricing
  • Entry & Visa Requirements
  • Reviews
    •
    'Who is going' users image
    Who is going?
    Group video calls

    Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

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    This program is ideal for:

    Volunteers interested in helping young people who are often from disadvantaged communities. No experience is required as you’ll be supported by the local team and placement staff.

    Project details

    Eager to be a Youth Support volunteer in Puerto Rico? International Volunteer HQ’s Youth Support project enables volunteers to assist in community centers, daycare centers and after school programs. Volunteers gain youth work experience by providing personalized attention, mentoring and educational support to young people and opening their minds to new cultures and possibilities.

    What to expect and how you'll make an impact

    The future of Puerto Rico lies in the hands of its young people - and youth-focused initiatives are doing great work across the island to build and harness the potential of the country’s next generation. Despite being under-resourced, they cater to a large number of young people each day, so rely heavily on the support of volunteers.

    As a Youth Support volunteer, you’ll be helping these initiatives to provide a variety of opportunities for children and young people, enabling them to thrive. The Youth Support project in Puerto Rico takes place in community centers and after-school programs. Volunteer work is led by local placement staff and your tasks each day will vary depending on your specific placement, but often include:

    • Providing personalized attention to young people
    • Mentoring
    • Educational support with homework
    • Tutoring young people
    • Assistance with running games and sports
    • Workshop activities such as yoga or music
    • General daily operations
    • Cooking and cleaning
    Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #1: No Poverty

    Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #1: No Poverty

    More than 10% of the world’s population live in extreme poverty, struggling to fulfil the most basic needs like health, education, and access to water and sanitation, to name a few. Growth must be inclusive to achieve sustainable development and an economy that benefits all.

    Why do Youth Support volunteering in San Juan with IVHQ?

    When you volunteer with young people in Puerto Rico you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

    • Providing extracurricular opportunities for young people
    • Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
    • Developing your communication skills
    • Gaining youth work experience
    • Immersing yourself in Puerto Rican culture
    • Exploring Puerto Rico’s stunning beaches

    Volunteer requirements

    Volunteers must be 18+ and families

    Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their start date, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead.

    Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.

    All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.

    Are you eligible to volunteer?

    Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

    Apply for free

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    'Who is going' users image
    Who is going?
    Group video calls

    Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

    New banner

    Academic course credit

    Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

    Academic course credit

    Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

    Learn about course credit

    Location

    Volunteer Abroad in Puerto Rico with IVHQ

    Location

    The IVHQ Puerto Rico volunteer program is based in and around the region of the island’s coastal capital of San Juan, renowned for its beautiful beaches and vivid history. ​Set on the outer edge of the Caribbean, San Juan has long been an important international port and remains so to this day. As a result it is also a hub for industry, finance, culture and tourism.

    The city is also home to around 80 percent of Puerto Rico’s population, and took a serious hit when Hurricane Maria ripped through the region in 2017.

    While huge recovery efforts have returned much of the city to a habitable state, there are still many people and parts of the region feeling the longer-term effects of the crisis. Volunteers can have a meaningful impact on these communities by choosing to give their time and energy to projects which aim to give people a hand up in the ways they most need it.

    Arrival and orientation

    The Puerto Rico volunteer program begins every Monday. You need to arrive in San Juan for pickup on the Sunday before your chosen start date.

    After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee if you arrive on the Sunday before your program starts. The pick-up window is from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM so please ensure to arrive during this period.

    When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation, which is a 20-minute drive away. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the Sunday night prior to your program orientation.

    If you are traveling in Puerto Rico prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a meeting point in San Juan on the Sunday before your program start date. Alternatively, you can choose to make your own way to the volunteer accommodation.

    On the first Monday of your program, orientation is hosted by our local team in San Juan and runs for a half day. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Puerto Rico – introduction to Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Puerto Rico, introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

    Volunteer schedule example

    Weekdays

    A volunteer day is subject to change depending on your specific project and your placement. ​A typical daily schedule​ might be as follows:

    9:00 AM Volunteer work begins
    12:00 PM Lunch breaks can vary depending on the working schedule, but all volunteers get time to have their own lunch and relax. After lunch you will have free time to explore the area, do some shopping or plan for your next day’s work. If your project calls for it, you may be involved in more afternoon volunteer activities.
    Evening: Volunteers have free time to spend as they wish. You’ll definitely want to head out to local restaurants for dinner, though volunteers who prefer to cook for themselves do have access to the hostel kitchen.

    Please note that the schedule may occasionally change due to weather, public or school holidays, or other unforeseen events that could affect your placement. We recommend checking in advance whether your intended travel dates coincide with any public or school holidays.

    Weekends

    During the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or ​explore San Juan and other parts of Puerto Rico.

    We recommend taking a walking tour of Old San Juan to absorb its vibrancy and colonial history, taking a trip to the tropical rainforest for hiking and waterfalls or enjoying the white sand beaches and soaking in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

    It’s a great idea to do your own research before you go to get an idea of what you may want to see and do once you are in Puerto Rico. Volunteers often get together once they’re in the country and organizing travel and tours together.

    Accommodation and WiFi

    You will be accommodated with other volunteers in one of two public hostels in San Juan. The hostels also cater for independent travelers who book rooms from time to time. The hostels are centrally located in San Juan, close to beaches, shops, restaurants and amenities.

    You should expect basic dormitory style accommodation. Rooms are mixed gender and you could share a room with up to 16 other volunteers. Bedrooms are comprised of bunk beds with bedding provided but you will need to bring your own towel.

    You can also expect to share a communal bathroom with toilets and showers. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to ensure their room and shared bathroom is kept tidy, although there are staff who clean the accommodation throughout the week.

    Free WiFi is available at the volunteer accommodation, as well as at many cafes and restaurants in the area. A local SIM card with data can also be used in unlocked phones.

    Private room upgrades are also possible for an additional cost, subject to availability. The cost varies according to the season and the upgrade and can be arranged with the local team directly, once you are registered.

    Meals

    Meals are not included in this program, so you will need to arrange your own breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hostel has cooking facilities to prepare meals and there are nearby shops and restaurants to purchase food from.

    Pricing

    • USD
      • United States Dollars - $
      • Australian Dollars - AU$
      • Brazilian Reals - R$
      • British Pound Sterling - £
      • Canadian Dollars - CA$
      • Chinese Yuan - CN¥
      • Euros - €
      • Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
      • Mexican Pesos - MX$
      • New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
      • Singapore Dollars - SG$
      • Swiss Francs - CHF
      • UAE Dirhams - AED

    Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$329 (approximately $329) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.

    You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.

    Duration
    Program Fee
    Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
    • USD
      • United States Dollars - $
      • Australian Dollars - AU$
      • Brazilian Reals - R$
      • British Pound Sterling - £
      • Canadian Dollars - CA$
      • Chinese Yuan - CN¥
      • Euros - €
      • Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
      • Mexican Pesos - MX$
      • New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
      • Singapore Dollars - SG$
      • Swiss Francs - CHF
      • UAE Dirhams - AED
    1 week $635 Equivalent to $91/day
    2 weeks $960 Equivalent to $69/day
    3 weeks $1,255 Equivalent to $60/day
    4 weeks $1,580 Equivalent to $56/day
    5 weeks $1,903 Equivalent to $54/day
    6 weeks $2,225 Equivalent to $53/day
    8 weeks $2,823 Equivalent to $50/day
    10 weeks $3,370 Equivalent to $48/day
    12 weeks $3,965 Equivalent to $47/day
    • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
    • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
    • Airport pick-up
    • Accommodation
    • 24/7 in-country emergency support
    • In-country program orientation
    • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
    • Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
    • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
    • Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
    • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

    Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

    • Meals
    • Transport to and from your placement each day
    • Transfer to the airport upon program completion
    • Flights
    • Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
    • Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

    Check what's required to visit Puerto Rico

    Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.

    Safety and support

    A smiling volunteer traveller wearing a traditional Andean poncho stands in front of the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain in Peru. The landscape features vibrant red, yellow, and green hues across the mountains, with a small lake visible in the background.

    Safety and support

    IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

    • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
    • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
    • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
    • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
    Learn more about IVHQ's safety

    Essential country information

    Essential country information

    Capital San Juan
    Population 3.68 Million
    Languages Spanish, English
    Currency US Dollar (USD)
    Time zone UTC-04:00

    Weather and climate

    Puerto Rico has a tropical climate with warm to hot temperatures throughout the year. The average top temperature each day is around 85°F (29°C). Easterly trade winds can cross the island year round. Puerto Rico’s rainy season is from April to November, and the dry season is from December to March. The temperature in San Juan, where our program is based, varies very little throughout the year and can be very humid.

    What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

    GR
    Grace Ramos

    From this experience, I gained so much personal growth, confidence, and a deeper sense of empathy. Mentoring the kids was truly the highlight for me—I loved building those connections, and I know the memories I made will stay with me for a lifetime. This opportunity helped me grow not only as a volunteer, but also as a person.

    For anyone who is hesitant about joining this program, my advice is simple: if you’re thinking about it, just do it. It is an amazing experience, and the positive reviews are truly well earned. At first, my mom was worried, but her concerns went away once she saw how organized everything was—the checklist, the trainings, and the constant communication with the program manager and local team made a big difference.

    Overall, I feel like I grew so much from this experience, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone considering it.

    ...
    Profile: American, 16 Volunteer trip: Youth Support in Puerto Rico
    ML
    Michael Loya

    I would say put yourself out there, the people you meet, experiences you have, and the things that you learn are invaluable and will change you as a person.

    ...
    Profile: American, 20 Volunteer trip: Youth Support in Puerto Rico
    MK
    Marilyn Kincaid

    I loved volunteering with the children and immersing ourselves into the local culture. If you’re hesitant, then pick the hostel option and a volunteer project in a city or a larger town where you will find many of the same amenities you have at home. It’s such an enriching experience for everyone involved, you will grow and learn so much!

    ...
    Profile: American, 53 Volunteer trip: Youth Support in Puerto Rico
    KM
    Kameshia Mays

    I feel as if I gained more insight about the country I was volunteering in. The more you know about a country and its citizens the more respect and appreciation you tend to gain. My advice would be to always come opened minded and make the best of your experience.

    ...
    Profile: American, 28 Volunteer trip: Youth Support in Puerto Rico

    To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

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