Volunteer with JOURNEYS
There are many ways to get involved at JOURNEYS to help people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in the community. The rise in homelessness over the past few years has increased demand and volunteers are critical to ensuring JOURNEYS can help as many people as possible. Volunteers help provide a positive, supportive experience for people who are experiencing homelessness so they can get back on their feet.
Opportunities are available all hours of the day and can involve many different types of tasks to suit your experience, area of interest, and skills. Let us know you're interested by signing up below and we'll provide you with training and help you get involved.
Opportunities are available all hours of the day and can involve many different types of tasks to suit your experience, area of interest, and skills. Let us know you're interested by signing up below and we'll provide you with training and help you get involved.
Begin Volunteering in 3 Easy Steps
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Areas to Get Involved
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Want to Provide Meals for People Who Are Experiencing Homelessness?
Every day, people who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity come to The HOPE Center or a shelter site for help and support. To provide an all-inclusive, comfortable experience, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served throughout the day.
Local faith communities, businesses, families, and many other types of groups help provide those meals. You can get involved by dropping off a home-cooked or store-bought meal.
Local faith communities, businesses, families, and many other types of groups help provide those meals. You can get involved by dropping off a home-cooked or store-bought meal.
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Volunteer Tours
A tour of our The HOPE Center and JOURNEYS homeless shelter facilities is a required part of the volunteer onboarding process.
Please sign up for a tour only after you have received a volunteer orientation email from JOURNEYS Volunteer Coordinator.
Please sign up for a tour only after you have received a volunteer orientation email from JOURNEYS Volunteer Coordinator.
Learn More about JOURNEYS Services and Facilities
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Volunteer FAQ
How old do I have to be to volunteer?
Volunteers below middle school age may only volunteer when clients are not present (e.g. setting up PADS homeless shelters).
Middle school age kids may volunteer when clients are present, but only with a parent or guardian.
High School age kids may volunteer when clients are present, but must work side-by-side with an adult volunteer.
Middle school age kids may volunteer when clients are present, but only with a parent or guardian.
High School age kids may volunteer when clients are present, but must work side-by-side with an adult volunteer.
What volunteer opportunities are available? Can I do more than one?
We welcome you to get trained in as many areas that interest you!
We have volunteer opportunities during the day during the week and weekends. Those opportunities would be for our Front Desk, Kitchen, Food Pantry/Clothing Closet, and Client Services Monitor.
In the evenings, we have volunteer opportunities for our overnight shelter program, Interim Housing. The volunteer opportunities would either be serving dinner or assisting with laundry and escorting guests upstairs to take showers and go to bed.
We have volunteer opportunities during the day during the week and weekends. Those opportunities would be for our Front Desk, Kitchen, Food Pantry/Clothing Closet, and Client Services Monitor.
In the evenings, we have volunteer opportunities for our overnight shelter program, Interim Housing. The volunteer opportunities would either be serving dinner or assisting with laundry and escorting guests upstairs to take showers and go to bed.
How do I become a volunteer?
The first step is to fill out a volunteer registration form located under the volunteer tab on our website. After filling it out, you will be contacted via email with the next steps! Next steps include reading through a volunteer orientation slide show, filling out a registration form, and attending a tour and training. After you are trained you can volunteer!
How often do I need to volunteer?
That’s up to you! Some of our volunteers come 1-2 times a week and others come 1-2 times per month. After you get trained for a position, you will receive a sign up for that month. You can sign up for any shifts you want during the available dates.
What is the time commitment to volunteer?
Shifts at our front desk vary between 2 and 5.5 hours depending on if it is a weekday or weekend and if it is during the day or in the evening. Shifts in the Kitchen, Food Pantry, Clothing Closet, and Client Services Monitors are all 3 hours.
Can I volunteer at JOURNEYS to get community service hours?
Yes! Our only requirements are that the charge cannot be a violent one for the safety of the population of clients we serve. We ask that your hours be completed two weeks prior to when they are due so that the necessary logs and completion letters can be submitted.
Do I need to be vaccinated?
JOURNEYS follows CDC guidelines on health and safety requirements. At this time, being vaccinated is recommended, but not required. We will update all volunteers if this policy changes.
Can my group volunteer together?
Groups can volunteer depending on their size. If groups are around 5 people, we would recommend that they serve a meal in the Kitchen or organize items in our Food Pantry/Clothing Closet.
A good way for larger groups to get involved is by doing some sort of drive. This could be for food, clothing, hygiene products, or gift cards. Contact John Cunningham (847-963-9163 x116) for more information on setting up a drive.
Additionally, larger groups could donate a meal instead. Meals are served every day so there are plenty of opportunities to provide food for people in need. Contact Danielle Kadamian (847-963-9163 x121) for more information on donating meals.
A good way for larger groups to get involved is by doing some sort of drive. This could be for food, clothing, hygiene products, or gift cards. Contact John Cunningham (847-963-9163 x116) for more information on setting up a drive.
Additionally, larger groups could donate a meal instead. Meals are served every day so there are plenty of opportunities to provide food for people in need. Contact Danielle Kadamian (847-963-9163 x121) for more information on donating meals.
Additional Volunteer Questions?
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