Volunteering

Looking to roll up your sleeves to pitch in for a good cause? You’re in the right spot! HOPE 4 Youth provides meaningful one-time and long-term volunteer opportunities that allow you to make a difference in the lives of the young people we serve. We welcome your help with donating meals, sorting supplies, mentoring and more.

Becoming a volunteer

We are always in need of both individual volunteers and groups that would like to volunteer.

INDIVIDUALS: The first step to becoming an individual volunteer is to complete our online volunteer application. After submitting it, you will get a confirmation email and more information.

GROUPS: Are you the leader of a group interested in volunteering? We’d love to get more information on your group and interests. Please fill out this online group form to get started. Groups are also welcome to do a donation drive for us. 

INTERNSHIPS: We have two on-going, internships opportunities:  Drop-In Center Internship and HOPE Place Internship.  If you interested in either position, please fill out this online application to get started.

We encourage all interested volunteers to watch two short videos:  “How It Started, How It’s Going” at HOPE 4 Youth and The HOPE 4 Youth Story. New volunteers are encouraged to attend A Look Inside HOPE session, which is a great way to learn more about our programs and services.

HOPE 4 Youth adheres to the highest standards to ensure the youth we serve and our volunteers remain safe. That said, all volunteers who work directly with youth are required to pass a background check. 

Already have a volunteer account? Log into our volunteer calendar to schedule your next gift of time.

Current opportunities

These jobs are for volunteers who want to serve on a regular basis and can be done individually or as part of a group:

DONATE A MEAL
Volunteers are needed to provide a meal that can serve 14 – 16 youth at our Drop-In Center. Per food safety guidelines, all meals brought into HOPE 4 Youth need to be prepared in a licensed kitchen.

There are three options:

  • Prepare a meal off-site in a licensed community kitchen (church, school, etc).
  • Purchase retail foods and then prepare onsite. Must be unopened and labeled (ex: take and bake lasagna; retail meal items like Costco or Simek’s; Cub foods deli items). Sandwiches can be prepared and put together on-site if you bring in the ingredients needed.
  • Bring in food from a restaurant.

Lunch meal donations need to be received by 11:30am, to be served between 12 -1 p.m. Dinner meal donations need to be received for prep by 4:30pm. You may have access to the kitchen earlier, if needed.

This is a great option for families and a fun team-building opportunity for companies and service organizations. Multiple meals can be prepared in advance and brought in to be kept in our freezer for future meal service.

SERVE A MEAL

Help prepare and serve lunch or dinner to youth visiting the Drop-In Center, following all food safety protocols. Also, provide a welcoming and safe atmosphere for the youth. Must be 24 years or older.

Lunch meal prep starts by 11:30 a.m., with the meal served from 12 – 1 p.m. Dinner meal prep starts by 4:30 p.m., with the meal served from 5 – 6 p.m. Plates, utensils and cups are provided. Masks and serving gloves must be worn at all times.

Sorters meet and greet donors as they drop off items at the HOPE 4 Youth Donations Center. They check donations for quality, then record and store the items. Sorters also organize and stock the clothing closet and food pantry. 

Sorters who are at least 16 years old can volunteer with a supervising adult. Families with children ages 5 and up are welcome to volunteer on Saturday mornings. 

Two shifts are available: Wed., 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and Sat., 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Are you interested in volunteering at HOPE 4 Youth events throughout the year? Please complete this form to get the process started.

Please note that The Darkest Night 4K in September is a family-friendly volunteer opportunity.

These opportunities are specifically for individuals who want to help the 16- to 24-year-olds we serve: 

Volunteers welcome young people to the HOPE 4 Youth Drop-In Center and assist them with check-in/check-out, accessing the food pantry, clothing closet and other resources. Help with administrative functions (answering the phone, data entry) and other project.

Admin volunteers are good listeners who are non-judgmental and enjoy working with 16- to 24-year-olds.

Must be at least 24 years old and submit to a background check.

There are three weekday shifts available: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 2-5 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Front desk volunteers create a welcoming and safe environment for residents and guests. They interact with young people who are coming and going and keep a headcount on evenings and weekends. They also assist with some administrative functions. 

They are good listeners who are non-judgmental and able to mediate and resolve conflicts in a respectful manner. They enjoy working with 18- to 23-year-olds. 

HOPE Place greeters must be at least 23 years old, pass a fingerprint background check and complete 6 hours of training within their first 60 days of volunteering.

Hours vary for this position.

Do you have a skill that isn’t represented on the lists here? Perhaps we can create a new volunteer opportunity.

Be sure to note your special skills when completing our online volunteer application. We’ll work to find a place where HOPE 4 Youth can benefit most from your time and talent.