Family Volunteers
As a volunteer family with the DADS Silver Lining program, your family can strengthen and instill motivation to build stronger communities. A sense of responsibility for family, friends and neighbors can become a part of daily life.
Volunteering may take on a new meaning for your family. Your experiences as a Silver Lining volunteer can support family members in other areas of their lives.
Benefits of family volunteering
- Explore future career goals for you or your children.
- Develop social skills for the entire family.
- Build intergenerational relationships.
- Provide a greater understanding of social issues.
- Strengthen family bonds by helping others while spending time on an activity you create together.
Get started
Please follow these instructions for becoming a new Silver Lining volunteer.
- Decide if your family wants to volunteer at a nursing home or assisted living facility or a state school/center.
- Contact the volunteer coordinator or community relations director of the facility at which you want to volunteer.
- Complete the DADS Volunteer Application, Form 8653. Please be sure to check the Silver Lining option in the "Volunteer Interest/Background" section of the form. Please fax your completed volunteer application to 512-438-4829 or e-mail your completed application to Volunteerdads@dads.state.tx.us.
Family volunteering resources
Use these links for activity ideas and general updates on family volunteering.
- www.thevolunteerfamily.org
- http://www.familycares.org/
- http://www.doinggoodtogether.org/
- www.thefamilycaregiver.org
- http://familyfun.go.com/
- http://www.nalw.org/2007_planning_guide.pdf
Note: By visiting these links, you will be leaving the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) website. Any mention of vendors, products, or services and links to other websites on the DADS website is for informational purposes only. Users are responsible for checking the accuracy, completeness, currency and/or suitability of all information provided as additional resources.
Special annual observances for family volunteers
- Family Week (second week of November)
- Family Volunteer Day (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
- National Family Caregivers month (November)
Tell us your story!
Stories can focus on a Silver Lining event or project that your family has created or hosted. We encourage everyone to share. If you would like to include photos, please contact DADS Volunteer and Community Engagement at 1-800-889-8595, as there are guidelines for permission on any photos submitted. So that we respect each individual’s right to privacy, please exclude any information that might identify specific people or locations, such as last name, the name of the location you visited or the exact address.
Click here to submit your story.
Family volunteer recognition
Volunteers are recognized annually for their service contributions. DADS hosts an annual volunteer recognition ceremony in the early summer. Your family may be eligible for a DADS Vision Award, Length of Service Award or a certificate of appreciation, as well as other promotional volunteer incentives. Speak to either the activities director or community relations director at your volunteering location for more information on receiving volunteer recognition. These awards have specific criteria. Visit the Volunteer at DADS website for more information.
Updated: March 31, 2008