Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering. The homeless services community needs your help. Volunteering can help alleviate the pressures that service providers are under on a daily basis to do a lot with a little. In fact, many service providers rely on volunteers for the day-to-day operation of their programs. There are different ways to get involved: from cooking meals, to reading to kids, to tending community gardens. There is also a range of commitment levels. Find out what works best for you. Below we have listed a number of opportunities with service providers working throughout the Bay Area.
SF opportunities:
A Home Away From Homelessness
A Home Away provides recreational and educational programs for homeless and formerly homeless youth ages 6-16.
Volunteer opportunities: range from assisting with nature hikes to tutoring to cooking simple meals.
Here is a link to A Home Away’s volunteer page: http://www.homeaway.org/Volunteer_BeachHouse.html
To get involved, contact Kelly Grady at (415) 561-4629.
A Woman’s Place
A Woman’s Place is the only 24-hour emergency shelter and transitional housing facility in San Francisco for women with special needs due to mental illness, substance abuse and HIV-related issues.
Pro bono professional service opportunities range from art therapy to legal assistance.
To get involved, contact Nicole Johnson at (415) 703-9657
Hospitality House
Hospitality House programs include two drop-in centers, an employment program, a community arts program, and a shelter for homeless men.
Volunteering opportunities: range from assisting special needs individuals with art projects to helping people navigate their options at the drop-in centers.
Pro bono professional legal assistance is needed at the drop-in centers.
To get involved, contact April Valentine at (415) 749-2125.
Larkin Street Youth Services
Larkin helps San Francisco’s most vulnerable youth ages 12-24 move beyond street life.
Volunteering opportunities: range from wrapping holiday gifts for homeless youth to becoming a mentor.
Pro bono professional services are also welcomed depending upon need.
Here is a link to Larkin’s volunteer page: http://www.larkinstreetyouth.org/volunteer/interested.php
To get involved, contact volunteer@larkinstreetyouth.org or (415) 673-0911 ext. 221.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. Vincent de Paul offers a range of homeless services including the largest homeless shelter in Northern California, the largest continuum of domestic violence shelters and support services in San Francisco, a detoxification center, a residential hotel, and a “Help Desk” where people in need can go for free food, clothing, and other supplies.
Volunteer opportunities: range from organizing donations at the Help Desk, serving meals at the shelter, and helping to staff the library and computer room.
To get involved, contact Meredith Lierk at (415) 977-1270 x3078, or mlierk@svdp-sf.org
East Bay opportunities:
East Bay Community Recovery Project
EBRP works to support the well being of the community by providing substance abuse, mental health and other health related services.
Volunteer opportunities: range from maintaining gardens to helping paint murals.
To get involved, contact Mary Halpin: mhalpin@ebrp.org or (510) 446-7165.
Internship Opportunities:
Interns will work in our office alongside the Regional Director, Community Liaison Directors, and Linking Services Coordinator.
Duties will include:
- Customer Service and Recruitment
- Data Entry
- Providing administrative support
- Assisting with research projects
- Helping to facilitate Linking Services
One- to six-month internships are available. Hours are flexible, 5-30 hours a week.
Qualifications:
- Excellent communication skills required.
- A sincere and passionate interest in working on a campaign to end homelessness.
- Ability to behave courteously and professionally with the general public.
- Capable of working as part of a dynamic and diverse team, as well as working alone with minimal direction.
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
- Computer proficiency (word, database, excel, internet)
- Research skills
Application Instructions
Please send your resume and cover letter. Please describe what makes you passionate about the homeless crisis in the Bay Area. Send inquiries to hana@sfhsc.org with “SFHSC Internship” in the subject line.
This page is being worked on. Please check back soon for updates.