Volunteer Opportunities for Teens, Adults and Groups

• Prepare (off-site), deliver, and serve (optional) dinner for shelter residents. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age to serve lunch or dinner. Please contact our Food Services Manager, Dorothy Howard, at 410-531-6006 or email dorothyh@grassrootscrisis.org to schedule.
• Make (off-site) and deliver lunches to the shelter for shelter residents. Volunteers must provide lunch items. Please contact our Food Services Manager, Dorothy Howard, at 410-531-6006 or email dorothyh@grassrootscrisis.org to schedule.
• Lobby Greeter – Lend assistance as a greeter at Grassroots. Welcome visitors to the building, accept donations, direct visitors, and answer business phone line. Two-hour shifts available Monday-Friday from 10am-3pm. Minimum age 18 years old. Interview with Volunteer Coordinator required.
• Office Assistant – Type letters and help administrative staff with various office tasks. Minimum age 15 years old. Interview with Volunteer Coordinator required.
• Office Assistant/Men’s Shelter –Assist male residents with shelter supplies, type letters for admin staff, answer business phone line. Minimum age 21 years old. Interview with Volunteer Coordinator required.
• Employment Counselor – Join the volunteer Employment Services team to help clients with resume development and job search assistance. Interviews with Employment Services leader and Volunteer Coordinator required.
• Storage Room Organizer – Help sort and organize donations on a weekly or bi- weekly basis. Interview with Volunteer Coordinator required.
• Pantry Organizer – Help sort and organize non-perishable food and clothing items for non-resident clients assisted by Crisis Services staff on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Interview with Volunteer Coordinator required.
• Children’s program Assistants – Provide structured play activities for shelter children pre-K through 6th grade. Minimum age 15 years old, parents welcome. Interview with Volunteer Coordinator and background check for applicants 18 years and over required.
• Fitness Activity Leader – Provide fun fitness education and activities for shelter residents (adults and children) to promote healthy, active lifestyles.
• Donation solicitation. Plan fundraiser at school or other location. Talk with our Grants and Development, Anna Katz, for guidance and support at 410-531-6006 or anna@grassrootscrisis.org.

• Collect items needed by Grassroots’ clients such as toiletries, towels, linens, school supplies, snack foods, white socks, etc. Clothing and stuffed animals are NOT accepted.
• Collect food donations which will be part of the care packages to be assembled for clients in the motel shelter program. See Volunteer Coordinator or grants and Development Manager for list of specific food items.
• Offer evening group activities – provide games and prizes (e.g., Bingo) for shelter residents on a monthly or quarterly basis.
• Offer seasonal socials – provide special meals such as ice cream socials or barbecues for shelter residents (approx. 52 people) in our courtyard.
• Group hospitality project – provide housewarming kits for departing residents moving into a new home on an as-needed basis (approximately one-two per month).
• Landscaping – buy and plant flowers, general landscaping.
• Back-to-school donations – help local students by providing school supplies in August.
• Back-to-school haircuts – Local stylists are welcome to provide haircuts to children in August and/or January.
• Holiday giving – donate and help collect and sort gifts for children and adults in November and December.
• Pro bono legal services – experienced attorneys are welcome to provide legal assistance for residents/clients with challenging cases. Qualified volunteers will collaborate with the Executive Director.
• Parenting Discussions – parent educators or consultants are welcome to provide a series of evening roundtable discussions for parents of shelter children on topics such as child development, age appropriate behavior, approaches to behavioral management, ways to facilitate difficult transitions or navigate challenging situations, and understanding services that may be available in school settings. Qualified volunteers will collaborate with the Shelter Director.

  For more information, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Monteith Mitchell at 410- 531-6006 or mont@grassrootscrisis.org.