Shelter Support Volunteer

Save to Favorites

Shelter Support Volunteers assist the shelter staff in managing our emergency shelter. The shelter provides a safe and dignified space for 22 women and 44 men every night. We provide housing advocacy, healthcare services, toiletry, and basic clothing supplies, showers, lockers, and three meals a day. Our goal is to help our shelter guests move into safe, affordable, and stable housing as soon as possible.

Sample Volunteer Tasks

Make and Serve Coffee
Engage with Guests
Do Laundry
Hand out Supplies
Assist the Meal Group
Have Dinner with Guests

Timeframe

This volunteer opportunity is available 7 days a week, year-round. Volunteers may sign up for a 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm shift.

Benefits

The experience you gain as a volunteer will develop and hone skills that are useful in school, a career, and life. Upon your request, we will provide a letter of recommendation for school, work, or scholarship. Skills practiced at the shelter include:

• Active listening techniques
• Multi-cultural communication
• Healthy professional boundaries
• Ability to be assertive

Volunteers gain a deeper appreciation for their lifestyle and enjoy a new network of people by meeting shelter staff and other volunteers.

Volunteer Process

1. Complete our online volunteer application at http://simpsonhousing.org/volunteer_ap.html

* Be sure to select "Shelter Support at the Emergency Shelter" from the drop-down menu under "Volunteer Position Interest."

2. Katelyn Jaksha will contact you to schedule a 15-minute phone interview

3. Attend a 2-part orientation, including a shelter tour

4. Complete a criminal background check

5. Sign up for a Shadow Shift, your hands-on training at the shelter

7. Commit to volunteering 40 hours in a six month period.

For more information contact Katelyn Jaksha at 612.455.0876 or kjaksha@simpsonhousing.org