Individual Volunteers

“For the past decade, volunteering at Shelter Network has enabled me to fulfill my life purpose.” -Maria P.

Each shelter, and Shelter Network's administration office, has ongoing needs for both short-term (3 months minimum preferred, can be one hour or one day per week) and longer-term volunteers in all areas of the organization.

Opportunities for Individual Involvement:

• Host afterschool activities or tutor in the Children’s Programs at our family sites.
• Teach life skills workshops to our clients, such as resume writing, techniques for online job searching, computer literacy, financial literacy/effective budgeting, etc.
• Help sort donations of clothing and food at all of our shelters.
• Support with office assistance at a housing site or the administration office.
• Take a leadership role and join a Support Committee for one of our transitional housing sites.

Apply to Volunteer

Corporate Volunteers

By volunteering your time, donating much-needed items and making financial donations, you and your company can make a lasting difference in the lives of people in need.

Opportunities for Corporate Involvement:

• Sponsor a drive at your company for financial donations, or in-kind donations of business clothing, household items, back-to-school supplies, diapers, and many other much-needed items.
• Prepare and serve a meal at one of our transitional sites for families or single adults.
• Plan a teambuilding volunteer day at one of our sites. Activities include painting, gardening, donation sorting, apartment staging, and more.
• Give or volunteer through one of our special Holiday Programs, such as:
  • Host a Halloween Costume Drive for kid’s costumes
  • Donate Thanksgiving or Holiday dinner baskets
  • Adopt-A-Family and make their holiday wishes come true
  • Serve a holiday meal
• Teach educational workshops, such as computer literacy, resume writing, or interview skills.
• Organize a personal tour of Shelter Network for you and your colleagues. See our life-changing programs and the positive impact of your contributions firsthand.
• Kick off your company's philanthropy program with a live presentation at your company from Shelter Network staff.

Interested?

Contact the Volunteer Manager for details and availability.

Lynnelle Bilsey

Volunteer Manager

650-685-5880 ext 125
lbilsey@shelternetwork.org

Civic Organizations, Congregations, and Service Learning Groups

It's easy to organize your group and take action to make a difference in the lives of homeless families and individuals. Shelter Network is a non-sectarian, non-political organization. We welcome everyone to participate to help people in need in our community.

Opportunities for Group Involvement:

On-Site:

• Painting, landscaping, furniture assembly, simple construction and other helpful facility maintenance projects.
• Gardening. We have both an organic garden to grow fresh food, and a meditation garden that require seasonal and ongoing management.
• Spirit-lifting events and parties. Host a birthday party or a movie night for the kids. BBQs for everyone at a shelter are also fun and engaging.
• Provide a Meal:
  • Participate in the Weekend Meal Program at the Maple Street Shelter or The Vendome
  • Provide one of 5 Holiday Meals per year needed for the families at the First Step for Families Shelter (Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas)
• Holiday Programs:
  • Fall: Halloween Costume Drive for kid's costumes
  • Fall: Donate Thanksgiving or Holiday dinner baskets
  • Winter: Participate in the Adopt-A-Family program
  • Winter: Provide a Holiday Meal for families at the First Step for Families Shelter, Maple Street Shelter and The Vendome (other opportunities for meals available throughout the year)
• Host an educational workshop for adults or children. Contact our Volunteer Manager for help with topics, details and availability.

Off-Site:

• Sign up to host a donation drive for financial donations or for much-needed items for the families and individuals in our programs.
• Participate in the Adopt-A-Family program for the Holidays.

Interested?

Contact Volunteer Manager for details and availability.

Lynnelle Bilsey

Volunteer Manager

650-685-5880 ext 125
lbilsey@shelternetwork.org

Youth and Student Volunteer Opportunities

"Our family has volunteered for many years.  We are deeply grateful that our children had the chance to volunteer in numerous ways at Shelter Network.  Now that they are adults, they see community service as an integral part of their lives." -Susan C.

Opportunities for Youth Involvement

On-Site:

• Painting, landscaping, furniture assembly, simple construction and other helpful facility maintenance projects.
• Gardening. We have both an organic garden to grow fresh food, and a meditation garden that require seasonal and ongoing management.
• Spirit-lifting events and parties. Host a birthday party or a movie night for the kids. BBQs for everyone at a shelter are also fun and engaging. Host an arts and crafts day at one of our family sites.
• Tutor school-age children, read to younger children, after school through the Homework Club program. Teen program volunteer welcome! Host an educational workshop for adults or children.
• Volunteer as a summer camp counselor, planning activities and field trips for the children living at our family sites.
• Provide a Meal:
  • Participate in the Weekend Meal Program at the Maple Street Shelter or The Vendome
  • Provide one of 5 Holiday Meals per year needed for the families at the First Step for Families Shelter (Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas)
• Holiday Programs:
  • Fall: Halloween Costume Drive for kid's costumes
  • Fall: Donate Thanksgiving or Holiday dinner baskets
  • Winter: Participate in the Adopt-A-Family program
  • Winter: Provide a Holiday Meal for families at the First Step for Families Shelter, Maple Street Shelter and The Vendome (other opportunities for meals available throughout the year)
• Internship opportunities are available (see Individual Volunteer Opportunities)
• Create your own project

Off-Site:

• Sign up to host a donation drive for financial donations or for much-needed items for the families and individuals in our programs

Interested?

Contact Volunteer Manager for details and availability.

Lynnelle Bilsey

Volunteer Manager

650-685-5880 ext 125
lbilsey@shelternetwork.org