Join Us in Making a Difference
At Shelter KC, we believe in the power of community. Every day, our volunteers help transform lives by providing support, hope, and dignity to men and women experiencing homelessness. Your time, skills, and compassion can make a real impact on those who need it most.
Why Volunteer with Us?
- Be a part of change: Your presence can brighten someone’s day and offer the hope they need to rebuild their lives.
- Build meaningful connections: Our volunteers often find a sense of purpose and community by working together for a common cause.
- Learn and grow: Whether you’re volunteering to gain new skills, fulfill a passion, or simply give back, we offer a welcoming environment where you can make a lasting difference.
Volunteer Opportunities
We offer a wide range of volunteer roles to fit your availability, interests, and skills:
- Meal Service: Help prepare and serve meals to our guests.
- Mentorship: Be a positive role model by offering guidance and emotional support.
- Administrative Support: Assist with office tasks to keep our day-to-day operations running smoothly.
- Special Events: Help us with fundraising events and community outreach.
- Donation Sorting: Sort and organize clothing, hygiene products, and other essential donations.
How to Get Involved
Not sure where to start?
- Start by Telling Us Who You Are: Fill out our volunteer interest form to connect with our Volunteer Coordinator who will help you get connected by learning about your talents and interests. You can also sign up for a Lunch & Learn to learn about our mission while enjoying lunch with a staff member.
- Create a VOMO Account: But what is VOMO?
VOMO (Volunteer Movement) is an online platform designed to connect volunteers with organizations and opportunities in their communities. It provides a streamlined way to find, sign up for, and manage volunteer activities. Creating a volunteer profile on VOMO is important for several reasons:- Easy Access to Opportunities: With a profile, you gain immediate access to our current volunteer opportunities. On your own time, you can browse, sign up, and track your volunteer hours all in one place.
- Safety and Coordination: When you create a profile and sign up for an opportunity, you’ll be added to our volunteer calendar. This allows our staff to know who to expect, when, and where, helping us maintain a safe environment for our guests, staff, and volunteers by tracking who is in the building at all times.
- Streamlined Communication: VOMO facilitates communication between you and Shelter KC, ensuring you receive important information about your chosen opportunities.
- View Current Opportunities: Browse the available volunteer roles on our hub to find the best fit for you.
- Sign Up and Volunteer: Once you've found an opportunity, sign up and start making a difference! You can choose a regular volunteer schedule or join us for occasional events — whatever works best for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
No prior experience is required! We welcome volunteers from all walks of life. We’ll provide any training you need.
We’re flexible! Whether you can give a few hours a week or join us for one-time events, we appreciate all contributions.
Absolutely! We welcome groups from schools, churches, and companies. Just let us know, and we’ll work together to find the perfect project for your team.
The minimum age to volunteer is 18+. Anyone interested younger than 18 is required to be accompanied by an adult, depending on the task.
Please wear comfortable, modest clothing that you don't mind getting a little dirty, especially if you're helping with meal prep or donation sorting. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for safety.
Yes! We strive to accommodate all volunteers. Let us know if you have any physical limitations, and we’ll work to find a suitable role that allows you to contribute meaningfully.
Unfortunately, due to safety and the nature of some of our activities, we aren’t able to accommodate young children in most volunteer roles. However, we do have family-friendly events throughout the year—stay tuned for those!
We understand that things come up! Just let us know as soon as possible so we can adjust and make sure all areas are covered.
While no specific skills are required, we’re always looking for volunteers with specialized skills, such as hairstylits and barbers, fitness instructors, and chapel speakers. If you have a unique talent you'd like to share, let us know!
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate volunteers seeking to fulfill court-ordered community service. We encourage you to explore other local organizations that may have opportunities available for such service.
