People Serving People is proud of and grateful for the community of dedicated volunteers who’ve supported the shelter and our guests in the four decades since we first opened. As the COVID pandemic has required us all to change the ways we live, it has also reshaped the volunteer program. While many of the ways we have welcomed volunteers in the past are less possible now (such as large-group volunteering or hosting different kinds of close-contact social events), we are grateful to those who continue to show up in spite of difficult circumstances, and to those who we know are eager to come back when health and safety allow.
Questions about volunteering? Contact volunteer programs staff at volunteering@peopleservingpeople.org or 612-277-0246.
CURRENT PROGRAMS
Meal Program Volunteering (located at 614 S 3rd St, Minneapolis)
Provide direct support to families and to shelter operations by helping ensure families receive their meals on time, whether served in our dining hall or to families in their rooms, both at our downtown shelter location. Volunteers partner with staff to bring hot meals to all families in shelter, ensuring every adult and child at People Serving People has access to nutritious meals that meet their dietary needs.
Meals shifts occur three times a day every day, including weekends and holidays. Shifts are 7:30-9:30am, 11:30-1:30pm, and 4:15-6:30pm. Weekday lunch and breakfast is currently served in the dining hall for seated dining or takeaway, while all other meals are brought to families in their rooms. Priority is given to volunteers who can commit to a regular schedule of at least two shifts per month for at least three months.
If you have questions or are interested in getting scheduled, please let us know at volunteering@peopleservingpeople.org.
Education Volunteering (Multiple Locations)
Volunteers work one-on-one or in small groups supporting teachers and providing general classroom support. Volunteers should be able to administer general childcare and supervision, be a positive role models for kids, and provide age-appropriate entertainment and engagement. Prospective volunteers should be comfortable working independently under the direction of teachers, be able to physically keep up with children, and maintain a high level of patience throughout each shift. Volunteer opportunities are available in our Early Childhood Development program, K-12 Afterschool program, and our Center of Excellence.
Early Childhood Development offers placement into one of our 3 classrooms (Infant, Toddler, or Pre School). Shifts are available Monday through Friday, and hours vary depending on the classroom. The K-12 program works with children ages 5-18 (majority 5-12) and engages kids in classroom activities and homework assistance. Shifts are available Monday through Friday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Finally, the Center of Excellence provides licensed, high-quality care for infants through school-aged children. Shifts are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. All volunteer opportunities ask for a weekly commitment over a 3-month period.
If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@peopleservingpeople.org. Prior to volunteering, interested volunteers will meet with the Volunteer Coordinator for a 15-minute introductory video call and have a basic background check paid for by People Serving People. After the background check is cleared, you can begin volunteering and will receive more specified training on site.
PAST PROGRAMS
People Serving People has previously welcomed volunteers for a wide range of activities, including the following:
- Resident Resources Assistant
- Reading Partner/Roving Reader
- Self-Defense Class Teacher
- Mock Interviewer/Resume Reviewer
- Building Beautification/Housekeeping
- Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Leader
- Technology Center Volunteer
- Academic Mentoring Volunteer
We have also welcomed church groups, school groups, and work or professional groups for one-time projects such as hanging holiday lights or repainting our dining hall. Partner organizations have also volunteered via consulting projects related to workplace culture, website development, organizational tax structure, and more. Due to the ongoing pandemic, in-person group volunteering is unfortunately unlikely to be available at this time.
For any questions related to volunteering, please contact our Volunteer Programs team at volunteering@peopleservingpeople.org or call us at 612-277-0246.