Volunteering will change your life!
“This has been one of the biggest blessings of my life. Our God is a good Father who prompts us to get out there and love people—to not just talk about it, but to really show them love.”
– Joy
Apply for a Wheels for the World™ outreach
Team Leader
The Team Leader oversees team development, fosters positive team dynamics, ensures faithful financial stewardship, and facilitates the successful achievement of outreach outcomes in collaboration with Joni and Friends, in-country partners, and the outreach team. They prioritize team safety and well-being, manage the distribution process, and interface with other Joni and Friends Partners in-country.
Seating Therapist
The Seating Therapist must hold a degree in physical therapy or occupational therapy. They apply their expertise in physical and functional assessment to select mobility equipment that optimizes function, comfort, and safety for recipients. They assess the comprehensive needs of the recipient, providing customized modifications as needed and teaching recipients how to properly use the equipment.
Seating Assistant
The Seating Assistant is a student currently enrolled in or a graduate of a physical therapy or occupational therapy assistant program. Works alongside the Seating Therapist to properly fit recipients with mobility equipment.
Mechanic
The Mechanic adapts mobility equipment based on the unique needs of each recipient. Mechanics are creative thinkers that are skilled in manual work, knowledgeable about tools, and can assemble and disassemble equipment with speed and accuracy. Provide guidance to Mechanic Assistant(s) and Support volunteers in equipment customization.
Mechanic Assistant
The Mechanic Assistant is skilled in manual work, knowledgeable about tools, and can assemble and disassemble equipment with speed and accuracy. Works alongside the Mechanic to adapt mobility equipment based on the unique needs of each recipient.
Support Volunteer
A Support volunteer fills various roles at the outreach based on their unique skillset, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to serve where needed. Support roles may involve assisting with equipment modifications, capturing impact stories, administration, welcoming families to distributions, and/or providing interpretation.
Seamstress / Seamster
A Seamstress / Seamster is skilled at sewing and provides support with wheelchair adaptations and modifications. They collaborate with the Seating Therapist and Mechanic to creatively and uniquely outfit wheelchairs based on each recipient’s needs.
Photographer
The Photographer captures images to visually communicate the stories and experience of Wheels for the World wheelchair recipients and volunteers. Must be comfortable engaging with participants and adhere to the content requirements as outlined in the Volunteer Photographer Packet. The Photographer will work with a Support Volunteer to make sure written and visual aspects of stories are captured.
I just want to serve!
Common questions about volunteering on an outreach
Outreach countries that currently require a VISA include Brazil, Cuba, Ghana, Jordan, India, Uganda, Kenya, and Nepal.
A VISA is an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country.
Joni and Friends will provide instructions to all team members about the VISA application process around 10 weeks prior to the outreach.
Joni and Friends will inform you of any vaccination or testing requirements needed for travel to the country you have applied for. Other recommended vaccinations should be discussed between you and your physician or travel nurse.
It is highly recommended that your Tetanus, Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B immunizations are current. Because some vaccinations require a series, it is important to have this conversation with your physician to time the vaccination needs with the outreach dates.
The outreach cost is all-inclusive, meaning it covers roundtrip economy airfare to and from any city within the continental United States*, in-country transportation, shared accommodations (double room occupancy), a cultural experience, and meals. The total cost does not include expenses related to vaccinations, passport fees, airport parking, souvenirs, snacks, or any other purchases made prior to the initial departure flight or following the final return flight.
*For volunteers traveling from outside of the continental United States, Outreach costs may vary and will be addressed on an individual basis.
Once approved to the outreach team, you will receive a personalized fundraising link where donations can be made to your outreach cost.
A $350 rravel deposit will be required upon acceptance. The full outreach cost will be due two weeks prior to the outreach start date.
Should you cancel your trip for any reason, you will be responsible for all outreach costs incurred, including airline tickets. All funds given to Joni and Friends toward the outreach cost are non-refundable. Extreme circumstances are addressed case-by-case.
Our goal is to build a balanced team of both experienced and new volunteers, totaling about 14 team members. A team is built up of a Team Leader, Seating Therapists*, Mechanics, Seamstress/Seamster, Support roles, and a Photographer.
