Volunteer With Us

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” – Oscar Wilde

Volunteers are at the heart of our organization and we are so grateful to the hundreds of volunteers who help us each year by donating their time, energy and goodwill.

Volunteers are active on the frontlines and behind the scenes at Inn from the Cold. Whether you’re looking for a long-term or short-term commitment, enjoy working with children, rolling up your sleeves in the kitchen or prefer the allure of special events, Inn from the Cold has a place for you.

DOWNLOAD OUR VOLUNTEER BROCHURE

Find The Area That Best Suits Your Interests!

Individual Volunteering

Virtual Homework Helper

Help students in our supportive housing program, by giving them an academic boost! Volunteers will be paired with a student for the school year and will help the student with their homework.

Family Facilitator

Family Facilitators support the child and youth team in a variety of roles, depending upon experience, skill set, and interests. We have online and in-person opportunities available.

Special Events Support

Volunteering for a special event is a great way to get involved with Inn from the Cold! As a special event volunteer, there are a wide variety of roles you can do. Get in touch and find out how you can help support our next event!

Group Volunteering

Meal Service

Meal service offers the opportunity to directly impact families being served by our shelter. Volunteers assist with dining room set-up, serving, and cleanup of our daily meal services.

Kitchen Support

Help create delicious and nourishing meals for the guests at the Inn! As a kitchen support group, you will assist kitchen staff with various essential kitchen and meal preparation tasks, which might include slicing ingredients or making bagged lunches. Kitchen support shifts are 11AM – 1PM on weekdays.

Facilities Projects

Are you handy and enjoy fixing or assembling things? Do you enjoy cleaning and organizing? We have a variety of roles assisting with general maintenance, organization and facility repairs.

Birthday Party Planner

Be the mastermind behind a birthday party at our emergency family shelter! Birthday party volunteers plan and prepare the party of the month. Planning and preparation would take place on the volunteers’ own time, and then the group would come on the party day to set up the party. This is generally a one-time volunteer activity.

Special Events Team

Volunteering for a special event is a great way to get involved with Inn from the Cold! As a special event volunteer, there are a wide variety of roles you can serve. Get in touch and find out how you can help support our next event!

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the volunteer application process work?

Apply using one of the links above and one of our Volunteer Coordinators will connect with you regarding next steps.

How quickly can I start volunteering?

Depending on your interests and availability, anywhere from two weeks to six months. Average processing time for individual volunteers is three months.

How far ahead do you schedule meal service opportunities?

We schedule meal service opportunities ~1-2 months in advance.

How often can I expect to volunteer?

Regular volunteers come in anywhere from once per week to once per month.

How long do I need to commit to volunteer?

We ask individuals and pair volunteers for a 6-month commitment in order to foster strong and consistent relationships with our guests. One-time or episodic opportunities are available for groups.

Can my child volunteer?

Our minimum age for volunteering is 8 years old; all minors between 8-15 years old must be accompanied by an adult. For groups, a 1:1 (adult to minor) ratio must be maintained for kids 8 to 12 and 1:3 for 13 to 17.