Volunteers-Opportunities

Overnight Volunteers Needed at St. Luke's Veterans Transitional Living Community

HELP OLDER HOMELESS VETERANS TRANSITION TO PERMANENT HOUSING---IN YOUR SLEEP!

BECOME AN OVERNIGHT VOLUNTEER

Volunteers needed on Fridays and Saturdays

Currently there are over 12,000 homeless veterans in the state of New York, but only 274 beds funded by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Each night 15 Veterans will spend the night in the shelter, which will be a space they can call their own. Volunteers help set up before the shelter guests arrive, profice a light snack, ensuring all shelter guests arrive safely, spend time interacting with guets, and stay the night at the shelter.

For more information and to become a volunteer, contact Nick Whitehouse at (212) 645-3444 x 508 or at nwhitehouse@pfth.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

In order to volunteer with The Partnership for the Homeless, you must first attend an hour-long Volunteer Open House orientation, followed by our hour-long Client Service and Shelter Training, which are held at least twice each month for new volunteers. Please see the calendar for a schedule of Open House orientations and Client Service and Shelter Trainings.

A complete and updated list of volunteer opportunities is distributed at the Open House and each month via US Mail or email.

Sample Volunteer Opportunities

Working with Clients

Homeless Shelter Volunteers
More than any other volunteer opportunity, we need shelter volunteers. The Partnership’s Emergency Shelter Network coordinates more than 100 overnight shelters in churches, synagogues and neighborhood organizations throughout the city. Shelters are operated by volunteers from congregations and the community and shelter up to 15 pre-screened “guests” from homeless drop-in centers throughout New York. Pairs of volunteers spend the night and help prepare and serve a light supper and a nutritious breakfast. Prior to lights out, volunteers chat or share the days’ experiences with guests, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Volunteers can usually be placed close to home or work. (You must be 18 years of age or older to participate as an overnight shelter volunteer.)

Peter's Place
The Partnership’s 24 hour multi-service center located in Chelsea, is designed to meet the needs of frail and elderly homeless New Yorkers. Open 24 hours, Peter’s Place provides an array of services such as case management, medical and psychiatric care, and hot meals and showers.

Group Works Volunteer
Through education and mutual support, the Group Works program at Peter’s Place seeks to build a greater sense of community and to empower clients. Be trained and receive on-going supervision as a Group Works volunteer. Help motivate change, provide an outlet for expression, and reduce stress as clients cope with the challenges of homelessness. Group Works programming currently includes, among others, writing, acting, painting, drawing, and arts and crafts. Weekday availability required during daytime hours.

Client Escort
Navigating New York City’s streets and its transportation systems can be difficult and confusing. Help clients get where they want to go. Escort clients to doctor’s appointments and other important appointments from Peter’s Place on an as-needed, as-available basis.

Cooking Skills
Preparing simple, nutritious, and delicious meals requires talent as well as a plan. If you have the talent, let us work with you on the plan. Partner with staff to conduct a one-time meal preparation workshop for guests at Peter’s Place in Chelsea.

Office Work/Library Work at Peter’s Place
Lend a hand with office work at Peter’s Place doing data entry, filing, or typing. Or, lend your library science skills to keeping our library organized and up-to-date. Improve your administrative/clerical or organizational skills by creating a regular schedule during daytime hours Monday-Friday.

Meal Service at Peter’s Place
Do you enjoy playing host and serving meals? Volunteers are needed to help set up tables and serve lunch and dinner at Peter’s Place seven days a week. Lunch is from 12:15 to 2:15pm and dinner is from 4:15-6:15pm.

Furnish A Future
New York City’s only free furniture bank for families transitioning from shelter to permanent housing. Open Mondays-Fridays, Furnish a Future is now located in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Furnish a Future Assistant
If you are someone who enjoys the challenge of ensuring that an office runs effectively and efficiently, Furnish a Future needs you. Help answer phones, coordinate furniture selection appointments for families, and furniture deliveries from donors. The hours are flexible during the daytime from Monday-Friday.

The Furniture Workshop
Furniture that isn't quite ready to be donated to a formerly homeless family because a hinge needs repair or a dresser needs to be stripped and stained needs a little care before being placed on the showroom floor. Use your handyperson skills on a flexible basis during daytime hours Monday-Friday.

Housewares Organizers
Organize and create an attractive housewares display area for families selecting plates, cups, towels, sheets, and other household goods for their new apartments. Use your organizing skills on a flexible basis during daytime hours Monday-Friday at Furnish a Future.

Showroom Designers
Did you like setting up your living room? Did you ever dream of becoming an interior decorator or doing set design for the movies? Come test your skills at The Partnership’s furniture warehouse.

Furniture Arrangers
Ideal for a small, energetic group (5-10 individuals) of volunteers. Arrange and move furniture for families to view and make their selection in the Furnish a Future warehouse space during weekday hours Monday-Friday.

In the Office (and Beyond)

Graphic Designer
Redesign the look of The Partnership’s Volunteer Program promotional materials, including flyers, newsletters, brochures, and cards. Lend your time and talents as a design professional from your own home of office on a flexible basis.

Help Keep Us on Track: Office Work
As needed, come to our office and lend a hand to The Partnership for the Homeless by coordinating a mailing, doing data-entry, typing or making outreach phone calls. Your help keeps us on track.

Party Planners
For homeless adults and children, holidays can be an especially trying time. Enthusiastic folks are needed to serve on planning committees for special events for both single adults and families.

Sponsor a Lunch
The Partnership provides workshops and group counseling for 10-15 clients on Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can provide lunch!

Meal Service at Peter’s Place
Do you enjoy playing host and serving meals? Volunteers are needed to help set up tables and serve lunch and dinner meals at Peter’s Place seven days a week.

Sponsor a Lunch
The Partnership provides workshops and group counseling for 10-15 clients on Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can provide lunch!

Homeless Action Network

Take Action
With the click of your mouse, join hundreds of concerned individuals fighting to end homelessness. Visit The Partnership’s Homeless Action Network. Receive emails on crucial issues and votes as they arise; get easy, fast access to accurate, up-to-the-minute information.

The Homeless Action Network makes you part of a network of concerned citizens who want to end poverty and homelessness.

For more details and news on volunteer opportunities, including activities during the upcoming holiday season, click on the current issue of the Volunteer Newsletter.