Volunteer

St. Francis Center is a seven days a week, year-round operation and we could not exist without the support of our Volunteers. We offer a hospitable, safe and accepting environment and have over 150 different volunteers who help us annually. There are many ways for Volunteers to serve and we are able to accommodate a variety of schedules and circumstances.

Volunteers provide hands-on caring by participating in the following critical onsite services, and can rotate through several areas during the day:

• Basic Services (distributing messages, mail, storage and hygiene items)
  
  
• Clothing Room (assisting guests)
  
  
• Laundry and Donations (sorting, washing and replenishing supplies)
  
  
• Men's Showers (monitoring use and providing towels and hygiene items)
  
  
• See below for detailed descriptions

Volunteers are also used to provide technical support services, work on the SFC Events Committee, locate jobs for our guests, and speak locally about issues that affect homelessness and the work that we do at St. Francis.  The possibilities for volunteering are as many and varied as the Volunteers who donate their time and skill. Come join us!

Volunteer Requirements
There are no preliminary training requirements before coming to St. Francis Center, as staff will spend time training new volunteers. There is, however, an initial conversation with the Volunteer Coordinator to introduce St. Francis Center and, together, to determine whether this is the right fit for the volunteer.

Volunteer Application
Contact Beth or Susan at 303-297-3607 or by email at bands@sfcdenver.org and let them know you are interested.  Beth or Susan will set up a time to meet. When you come to SFC, you'll learn more about SFC's philosophy, the work we do and the ways your service can make a difference in the lives of people who are homeless.

Volunteer Position Details

Basic Services Volunteer: Volunteers work the counter area assisting us with providing the homeless person their mail and messages and escorting the individual to the storage area to get their personal belongings. They also assist Women with shower sundries. These basic services allows the 800+ homeless to take care of their basic needs.

Clothing Room Volunteer: The clothing room is another area in which guests and volunteers interact in a one-on-one situation. In return for Guests who have helped clean up around the center, they are granted access to the clothing room to select items such as shoes, socks, pants, jackets, etc. Volunteers assist the guests to find their appropriate sizes from the donated goods. Once selections have been made, guests "check out" each item they have selected with a second volunteer located at the entrance to the clothing room.

Men's Shower Attendant: Volunteers who work in the Men's shower room pass out donated items such as shampoo, soap, and cologne when requested by a guest. Certain items such as razors, toothbrushes and combs are sold (5 and 10 cents a piece) and the Volunteer is responsible for that exchange. In addition, the volunteer attendant passes out towels and washcloths as guests enter the shower room and maintains the tidiness of the room.

Laundry Room Attendant: The laundry room is where donated clothing and the used towels are washed, dried and folded. Volunteers in this area may be loading or unloading the washers and dryers with these items, folding them, or placing them in their designated areas in the clothing room. In addition, volunteers may be asked to sort out donated items and place them throughout the clothing room for guests to look through when they are inside the clothing room.

Other: If you have a talent or skill - like cutting hair or teaching job search skills--that you would like to share with St. Francis Center's guests or, if you enjoy working on committees, let us know!

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