Faithful volunteers are the heartbeat of our work at the Pope Francis Center.
We are blessed with individuals and groups who recognize that wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness…and we can always use more helping hands.
Volunteers are essential to the success of our operation at both our Day Center and our Bridge Housing Campus. Learn more about the opportunities available and where you follow the call to serve.
Bridge Housing Campus
This trauma-informed, holistic transitional housing program offers residents a temporary place to stay while being provided with support services leading to a pathway to health, healing, and stability. Volunteers are critical to the success of the program and are involved in nearly every aspect of our residents’ daily lives.
MEAL TEAMS
The kitchen is the soul of a home. Join our Chef in the heart of our Bridge Housing Campus where meals are prepared not only for our Bridge Housing residents, but also for the over 200 guests that join us at our Day Center. Volunteer Meal Teams assist with meal preparation, serving residents, and keeping the kitchen clean and healthy. Ideally, Meal Teams will join us on an ongoing basis at least one time monthly.
DONATION CENTER
Without the generosity of our donors, our work would not be possible. Volunteers in the Lear Donation Center will sort donations, assist with inventory management, and fulfill requests for items from our Day Center. This opportunity is available to volunteers aged 14+ (those age 14-18 must have a parent or guardian with them at all times).
PROGRAM PRESENTERS & SUPPORT
While staying with us, residents will have a full schedule of support services, learning opportunities, and recreational activities. If you have a specialized skill or desire to engage with our residents, this may be the opportunity for you! Volunteers provide support to staff leading sessions, as well as presenting materials to residents.
LAUNDRY
Help ‘behind the scenes’ in our commercial laundry room, washing, drying, and folding towels and sheets for our residents. This essential service supports residents hygiene, health, and well being while staying at the Bridge Housing Campus.
Day Center
Every morning, we offer our guests two meals, showers, laundry, and more. More importantly, we offer a community of compassion where people who live at the margins of society are welcomed and embraced. In order to make it all happen, we need volunteers willing to roll up their sleeves and do a little bit of everything, including:
MEAL SERVICE
Hot nutritious meals support our guests’ mental and physical health, which is key to their overall well-being. We rely on a dedicated volunteer corps to help us prepare and serve food, as well as pitch in to keep the serving line full, clean up tables and wash dishes. This is a great way to get to know our staff and interact with our nearly 200 guests each day – especially as a first-time volunteer.
FRONT OFFICE & SHOWER SUPPORT
We provide our guests with four private shower units and sink/shave stations in a clean, welcoming environment. We also provide guests with toiletry kits, clean socks and underwear, new clothing, and other health and grooming items as needed. As a front office volunteer, you’ll assist in sanitizing showers between guest use, assisting those waiting to use the facilities and handing out necessities.
LAUNDRY SERVICE
We launder guests’ clothing while they are here, providing them with a fresh set of clothes as they wait for their belongings to be washed and dried. As a volunteer, you’ll keep the washers and dryers humming with guests’ clothes, fold each load and make sure the laundry room stays tidy.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Volunteers are also vital in helping to organize the community’s generous contributions. That can include picking up food donations from restaurants and delivering them to the Center, stocking food, health and hygiene products and other goods we receive or tackling other projects that may arise, all with ample instruction from our program staff.
