Engage in a year of meaningful service, fostering profound, genuine relationships, and experiencing the joys and challenges of lifesharing in a therapeutic, rural community environment.

Since 1971, Innisfree has been more than a home—it’s a vision brought to life by a group of parents seeking a meaningful, inclusive alternative to traditional care for their children with intellectual disabilities. They imagined a place where everyone—residents, caregivers, and volunteers—lives not just side by side, but as family. Today, over 50 years later, Innisfree continues this vision as a living, thriving therapeutic community where everyone—residents, staff, and volunteers alike—can contribute, grow, and explore life in meaningful and fulfilling ways.

Here, community is at the heart of everything. On our 550-acre farm, residents (known as coworkers), volunteers, and staff live, work, and play together, creating a culture of empowerment, interdependence, and mutual respect. Every day offers the chance to connect deeply, make a tangible impact, and experience the joy of being part of something larger than yourself.

Volunteers at Innisfree don’t just help—they become part of a vibrant, inclusive community where your presence matters, your voice is heard, and your contributions shape lives. If you are drawn to a place where beauty, warmth, and respect are woven into everyday life, and where meaningful relationships flourish across all ages and abilities, Innisfree might just be the place for you to belong and make a difference.

Step into a Life-Sharing Community

As a residential volunteer at Innisfree, you step into a unique life-sharing community where every day is full of meaningful work, connection, and discovery. Living and working alongside coworkers and fellow volunteers, you’ll experience firsthand a culture rooted in inclusion, respect, and empowerment—values that guide everything we do.

Living and Learning Together

Volunteers live in family-style homes across the village, sharing daily life with coworkers of varying abilities. Some coworkers are highly independent, while others need more support with personal care, health, and emotional well-being. In this environment, volunteers gain practical skills—cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, and household management—while also nurturing deep, genuine relationships. It’s through these daily interactions that the heart of Innisfree’s community comes alive.

Creative and Practical Engagement

Life at Innisfree is rich with creative and practical experiences. Volunteers engage alongside coworkers in therapeutic workstations—including the art studio, bakery, community kitchen, farm, herb and vegetable gardens, pottery, weaving, and woodshop. These experiences allow volunteers to support coworkers’ growth, discover new talents, and develop skills they may never have explored before, all while contributing to a community that values every individual’s creativity and contribution.

A Global and Diverse Community

Innisfree brings together volunteers from around the world, each with unique backgrounds, life experiences, and cultural traditions. This diversity makes daily life dynamic, offering endless opportunities for connection, learning, and friendship. Shared meals, celebrations, and social events create moments of joy and belonging, making life at Innisfree deeply rewarding and often transformative.

The Lasting Impact

For volunteers, the Innisfree experience leaves a lasting impression: the joy of building authentic connections, the satisfaction of contributing to a supportive and empowering community, and the personal growth that comes from being fully present in a unique and inclusive way of life. Those who spend time here often leave with a sense of purpose, new perspectives, and friendships that endure long after their stay ends.

More Than Volunteering

At Innisfree, volunteering is more than service—it’s an invitation to live fully, give generously, and discover the joy of contributing to a community where everyone matters.

Are You a Good Fit for Innisfree Village?

Innisfree Village seeks motivated, passionate, and conscientious individuals who are excited to live, work, and grow in a rural community alongside adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A successful, happy, and engaged volunteer thrives here by embracing the joys, challenges, and surprises of life-sharing—where connection, creativity, and community are at the heart of every day.

What Makes for a Successful Volunteer?

• Compassion and Curiosity: A genuine interest in connecting with people from all walks of life and supporting their growth.

• Adaptability and Patience: Life at Innisfree is rewarding but requires flexibility, a willingness to learn, and a good sense of humor.

• Commitment and Enthusiasm: Volunteers who bring energy, openness, and a dedication to meaningful service are the most successful.

• Emotional Awareness and Resilience: Enjoying life here means embracing both real-life challenges and profound joys with emotional maturity and care.

What We Offer You

Volunteers at Innisfree gain experiences that are as enriching as they are unique:

• Meaningful relationships with coworkers and fellow volunteers.

• Hands-on growth in caregiving, community living, and creative therapeutic work.

• Opportunities to make a tangible, positive impact on the lives of others.

Who Is the Best Fit?

The best volunteers are compassionate, flexible, and open to learning, whether or not they have previous experience with individuals with disabilities. During your first month, you’ll receive structured training combined with hands-on guidance, designed to build confidence while honoring your existing knowledge, skills, and life experience.

Volunteers commit to one year of service, with the option to extend, and bring patience, flexibility, and a sense of humor to daily life. The most fulfilled volunteers are those who see challenges as opportunities for growth and who leave having helped others discover dignity, self-worth, and joy—while discovering new skills, talents, and connections in themselves.

At Innisfree, volunteering isn’t just about helping—it’s about becoming part of a living, thriving community where your contributions truly matter.

Room, Board, and Community Living

As a residential volunteer at Innisfree, your living arrangements are fully included as part of your volunteer experience—there are no fees for room or board. Each volunteer lives in one of our 10 residential homes alongside fellow volunteers, staff, and coworkers (residents with disabilities).

Volunteers are provided with private bedrooms, share bathrooms with one or two others, and enjoy communal living spaces where daily life unfolds. All meals are included, and volunteers actively participate in household routines like preparing meals, helping with clean-up, and contributing to the warm, welcoming environment of the home.

Living at Innisfree means more than just a place to stay—it’s a chance to become part of a household, build meaningful connections, and engage fully in the rhythms of community life.

Volunteer Benefits and Support

At Innisfree, we provide a comprehensive volunteer package designed to support you while you give your time and energy to our community:

• Room and board included—there is no fee for housing or meals.

• $800 monthly stipend for personal expenses.

• Health insurance (for U.S. volunteers).

• Time off: 2 consecutive days off each week, 15 paid vacation days ($75/day), and 5 unpaid holidays.

• Access to community resources: vehicles, on-site fitness facility, and student loan deferral support after one year of service.

• Training opportunities in first aid, CPR, medical assistance, and personal care.

• And more! 

The Heart of the Experience: Life-Sharing

While the benefits make life at Innisfree comfortable, the true gift of volunteering here is the people-to-people connections that grow through daily life and shared experiences. We call this life-sharing—living fully with coworkers, staff, and fellow volunteers in a supportive, inclusive environment.

By engaging wholeheartedly in community life, volunteers have the chance to:

• Build lasting friendships across diverse backgrounds.

• Contribute to therapeutic and creative work that makes a real difference.

• Experience a rewarding year of personal growth, meaningful service, and connection.

If you have a personal vehicle, you’re welcome to bring it and use it during your time off. For volunteers without a car but with a valid driver’s license, Innisfree provides access to a fleet of community vehicles that can be used for village needs as well as personal errands on your days off.

If you’re traveling by plane, bus, or train, we can make arrangements in advance to make your arrival and departure smooth and stress-free.

Please note that Innisfree is located in a rural farming area, about 20-30 minutes from the nearest city, so public transportation is not available. Having access to a vehicle—either your own or a community car—is helpful for getting the most out of your time off and exploring the surrounding areas.

Volunteers at Innisfree enjoy a balance of meaningful work and rewarding free time. Surrounded by the beauty of rural Virginia, there are plenty of opportunities to relax, recharge, and engage in activities that personally bring joy—whether it’s hiking, biking, fishing, or exploring nearby lakes and trails.

For those who enjoy city life, vibrant towns like Charlottesville, Staunton, and Richmond are nearby, offering farmers’ markets, shops, restaurants, and cultural events. Washington D.C., and even cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and New York, are accessible for day trips, giving volunteers a chance for personal enrichment and adventure.

Life in the village also includes fun, spontaneous moments with the community. Volunteers often gather for campfires, movie nights, game nights, birthday celebrations, and holiday events, creating meaningful friendships and shared memories.

At the same time, volunteering at Innisfree can be emotionally and physically demanding, so taking care of your own well-being is essential. Prioritizing self-care—through personal hobbies, wellness activities, or quiet time—helps volunteers maintain healthy boundaries, prevent burnout, and stay fully present while providing compassionate support to coworkers.

By balancing engagement with relaxation, volunteers can experience the joy of connection, personal growth, and meaningful service. Whether enjoying nature, exploring local culture, or sharing daily life with coworkers and fellow volunteers, life at Innisfree is deeply rewarding, offering friendships, new skills, and the satisfaction of contributing to a vibrant, inclusive community.