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Ready to Apply?
You're considering something that isn't quite like anything else: a year spent living alongside adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, sharing daily life, meals, and the everyday work of building a community together. It's demanding, it's ordinary in the best ways, and it's one of the most direct paths to real, lasting relationships you'll find.
If you're ready to explore what that year could look like, we're glad you're here.
If you are an international applicant, we kindly ask that you first review the Application Process for International Volunteer Candidates before proceeding to ensure you meet the necessary requirements.
For questions or inquiries about the application process, please contact:
Julie Freeman Mullins, Volunteer Recruitment and Communications Coordinator
Before You Apply
Innisfree is a real commitment, and it deserves real reflection. Before you start your application, take a moment to think about what this next step means for you.
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We're looking for people who are patient, adaptable, and genuinely curious about others; the kind of person who can sit with someone through a hard afternoon, laugh through a day that didn't go as planned, and show up again the next day ready to do it all over again.
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You don't need a background in social work or previous caregiving experience — plenty of people arrive with neither. What matters more is your readiness: to be steady and present for the full stretch of your commitment, and to grow into a role you might not fully understand yet.
If you're drawn to slower, rural living, energized by working alongside people rather than just for them, and ready to make community life your priority, you'll fit in here.
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We're looking for people who are flexible, self-aware, and ready to commit fully for the length of their stay. Volunteering here asks for your full presence, and you live it, day to day, alongside the people here. That's what makes this experience so rewarding.
You'll need patience for days that don't go as planned, flexibility when things shift at the last minute, and a willingness to ask for help when you need it. Knowing yourself helps too: your pace, your energy, what helps you feel grounded; since community life is closely lived, day in and day out.
Before you apply, sit with a few honest questions: What can you commit to? What do you need to feel supported? What are you hoping to walk away with? Answering those for yourself helps us figure out together if this is the right fit; for you and for Innisfree.
If you are an international applicant, we kindly ask that you first review the Application Process for International Volunteer Candidates before proceeding to ensure you meet the necessary requirements.
Your first step toward volunteering is the start of something meaningful.
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The Volunteer Application comes in 3 sections:
Part 1: Complete the online application with your contact info, education, and work/volunteer history. After an initial review, eligible candidates will receive an email with a link to Part 2. Click the Apply button below to get started.
Part 2: Eligible applicants will be asked to complete essay questions and provide three professional references (family and friends are not accepted).
Part 3: After Parts 1 and 2 are submitted, your application will be reviewed by our recruitment team. This may take some time, and we appreciate your patience. Once the review is complete, you’ll be contacted about next steps, which may include an interview or additional information.
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If you’re selected to proceed, you’ll have a video interview with the volunteer recruiter. This is an opportunity to learn more about the volunteer role, discuss your interests and experience, and help us get to know you better.
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While visits aren’t required for international volunteers, in-person visits offer U.S.-based prospective volunteers a valuable opportunity to experience our community. Seeing daily life, interacting with coworkers, staff, and volunteers, and exploring our workstations can help you understand our culture and mission, and prepare for a meaningful volunteer experience.
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The application process is designed to ensure each volunteer is well-prepared and aligned with our community values. Applications are reviewed by the Volunteer Application Review Committee with input from the community, considering experience, skills, and fit. The full application process—from submission to final decision—typically takes 6–8 weeks, though it may take longer if an in-person visit is included.
To be eligible for review, applicants must:
Submit Parts 1 and 2 of the Volunteer Application
Provide three professional references
Share a resume, CV, or work history
Complete a video or in-person interview with the recruitment coordinator
(If possible) Complete an in-person visit to Innisfree
Provide any additional information requested by the recruitment team
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If selected, applicants will receive a formal invitation via email and must respond within 7 days. Once accepted, volunteers receive guidance from the recruitment team to help them prepare for a successful arrival.
Arrival dates are coordinated with the volunteer coordinator based on community openings, which vary throughout the year. Patience and flexibility are appreciated as placements are carefully managed.
International Volunteers:
Selected international candidates must have a Class B visa (B1 or B2) to enter the U.S. Costs and fees are the responsibility of the volunteer. Innisfree will provide guidance throughout the visa process.If Not Selected:
Candidates who are not selected will be notified promptly. We strive to provide constructive feedback and encourage individuals to stay connected with our community and explore future opportunities.
Review the steps below to learn what’s involved and begin your application.
