Pennsylvania Community Service
Pennsylvania Community Service – Court-Ordered & Voluntary Placements
This page highlights community service options in Pennsylvania that are commonly used by people on probation, parole, or pretrial supervision, plus general volunteer platforms. Rules change by county, judge, and officer. Always ask if a site is acceptable before you start your hours and keep signed proof of attendance.
Philadelphia & Southeast Pennsylvania
Counties: Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester
✅ Commonly used with supervision Community service & nonprofit partners
City-Approved Community Service Sites (Philadelphia)
Philadelphia courts and probation offices often maintain lists of approved community service sites such as parks, neighborhood cleanups, and nonprofit partners.
Philadelphia courts and probation offices often maintain lists of approved community service sites such as parks, neighborhood cleanups, and nonprofit partners.
Ask your officer or attorney for the most recent list of approved sites.
Philadelphia
Share Food Program & Partner Pantries
Food distribution warehouse and pantry network offering volunteer opportunities like packing, sorting, and distribution.
Food distribution warehouse and pantry network offering volunteer opportunities like packing, sorting, and distribution.
Philadelphia
Local Nonprofits & Thrift Stores (SE PA)
Many food pantries, shelters, and thrift stores allow supervised community service like stocking, cleaning, and organizing.
Many food pantries, shelters, and thrift stores allow supervised community service like stocking, cleaning, and organizing.
Verify with the agency and your officer that they accept court-ordered service.
SE PA
🛠️ General volunteering Volunteer centers & matching platforms
Local Volunteer Centers & Hubs
Civic engagement and volunteer centers connect residents with nonprofits seeking volunteers for events, drives, and ongoing projects.
Civic engagement and volunteer centers connect residents with nonprofits seeking volunteers for events, drives, and ongoing projects.
Tell them you are on supervision and need signed hour logs.
Philadelphia area
United Way Volunteer Opportunities (SE PA)
United Way affiliates in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware Counties list local volunteer needs across multiple nonprofits.
United Way affiliates in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware Counties list local volunteer needs across multiple nonprofits.
Ask if specific placements can count toward court-ordered service.
Regional
Pittsburgh & Southwest Pennsylvania
Counties: Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette, Beaver
✅ Commonly used with supervision Nonprofits & service sites
Regional Food Banks & Pantries
Food banks and partner pantries often allow court-ordered community service for stocking, sorting, and distribution.
Food banks and partner pantries often allow court-ordered community service for stocking, sorting, and distribution.
Ask specifically if they accept court referrals or probationers.
Allegheny & surrounding
Local Parks & Community Cleanups
Neighborhood associations and parks departments sometimes use supervised community service crews for litter pickup and beautification.
Neighborhood associations and parks departments sometimes use supervised community service crews for litter pickup and beautification.
Your officer may already know which crews are approved.
SW PA
🛠️ General volunteering Volunteer connectors
United Ways & Volunteer Portals (SW PA)
Regional United Ways maintain volunteer calendars and sign-up pages for multiple nonprofits.
Regional United Ways maintain volunteer calendars and sign-up pages for multiple nonprofits.
Filter for in-person roles that fit your schedule and supervision rules.
SW PA
Central Pennsylvania / Harrisburg Region
Counties: Dauphin, Cumberland, York, Lancaster, Lebanon
✅ Commonly used with supervision Basic-needs & faith-based sites
Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens & Thrift Stores
Many churches and nonprofits in Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster allow community service in kitchens, donation rooms, or clothing closets.
Many churches and nonprofits in Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster allow community service in kitchens, donation rooms, or clothing closets.
Bring your paperwork and ask for a supervisor to sign your hours.
Central PA
County-Approved Community Service Lists
Some probation offices in Central PA keep official lists of approved sites aligned with county policies and risk levels.
Some probation offices in Central PA keep official lists of approved sites aligned with county policies and risk levels.
Ask your officer which agencies are already approved.
Dauphin & nearby
🛠️ General volunteering Regional volunteer listings
211 & Local Volunteer Pages
211 and county websites sometimes list nonprofits seeking volunteers for events and ongoing work.
211 and county websites sometimes list nonprofits seeking volunteers for events and ongoing work.
Use search terms like “volunteer” + your county name.
Central PA
Northeast Pennsylvania & Lehigh Valley
Counties: Lehigh, Northampton, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Monroe
✅ Commonly used with supervision Nonprofits & shelters
Food Banks, Shelters & Community Centers (Lehigh Valley)
Many programs in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton accept community service volunteers for cleaning, stocking, or event setup.
Many programs in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton accept community service volunteers for cleaning, stocking, or event setup.
Ask if they have experience signing court-ordered service forms.
Lehigh Valley
Local Nonprofits (Scranton & Wilkes-Barre)
Organizations serving people in poverty or experiencing homelessness may accept community service volunteers.
Organizations serving people in poverty or experiencing homelessness may accept community service volunteers.
Coordinate hours with your officer to avoid curfew conflicts.
NEPA
🛠️ General volunteering Volunteer networks
Volunteer & Service Networks
Volunteer coordination groups in Lehigh Valley and NEPA can help you find placements that match your schedule.
Volunteer coordination groups in Lehigh Valley and NEPA can help you find placements that match your schedule.
Tell them upfront that you need documented hours for court.
Lehigh & NEPA
Pennsylvania Statewide & Online Community Service Options
Covers: statewide & remote-friendly volunteering
✅ Commonly used with supervision Public & nonprofit options
County Government & Public Works
Some counties allow community service with road crews, parks departments, and public works projects.
Some counties allow community service with road crews, parks departments, and public works projects.
Ask your officer which county departments they partner with.
Statewide
🛠️ General volunteering Online & statewide platforms
Online Volunteer Platforms (Pennsylvania Filter)
Websites like VolunteerMatch and similar platforms let you search for volunteer opportunities by ZIP code across Pennsylvania.
Websites like VolunteerMatch and similar platforms let you search for volunteer opportunities by ZIP code across Pennsylvania.
Confirm with your officer that any chosen site is acceptable before starting.
Online / Statewide
Important: A “✅ Commonly used with supervision” label means the site or type of program is
often used by people on probation or parole, not that it is automatically approved for your case.
Approval always depends on your judge, county policies, and supervising officer.
Documentation: Bring your paperwork, get a supervisor’s contact info, and keep copies of all signed time sheets. Take photos of completed logs in case the originals are lost.
Legal disclaimer: OACRA is not a court, probation department, or law firm. We do not guarantee that any community service site will be accepted by your officer, attorney, or judge.
