Photo by Pablo Maurer
As D.C.’s homeless population battles everything from harsh winter nights to employment discrimination, numerous local groups work to make their lives easier. Staffers spend countless hours working to ensure that those in need are fed, educated, clothed, and stable, but they can’t do it all. “If we don’t have volunteers, it takes staff away from their programs—volunteers end up being a huge help,” Greg Rockwell of Thrive DC, told DCist.
A number of organizations ask for help with one-time events like celebrations and clothing drives. Others are looking for longer commitments so that volunteers can develop relationships with clients through mentoring, tutoring, and other opportunities. Here are a few organizations, catering to D.C.’s homeless population, where your time can go a long way.
Bread for the City offers free necessities such as food, clothing, medical care, and legal assistance to homeless and low-income people. The organization offers ongoing volunteer opportunities such as providing office support, tending to fruits and veggies at its orchard in Beltsville, Md., sorting and distributing produce at farmers markets, welcoming clients at its food pantry, and more. Bread for the City also offers unpaid internships to students who can provide administrative and technical support or teach yoga at its center in Anacostia.
DC Central Kitchen uses donated food from restaurants, grocery stores, wholesalers, and farmers to make 5,000 meals a day for people in need of permanent housing. The organization welcomes volunteers who can help prepare meals all year round or pick produce at local farms during the summer.
Miriam’s Kitchen provides short-term assistance like healthy meals and social services to homeless individuals in D.C. The organization also links clients to permanent housing and advocates for a long-term solution to homelessness in the city. Volunteers can help prepare meals or serve clients on a monthly basis. They can also provide services like giving haircuts and manicures, and editing resumes.
So Others Might Eat offers emergency services such as food, clothing, and medical treatment to low-income and homeless people in D.C. The organization also offers job training, addiction treatment, and counseling. Volunteers can serve meals to clients, tutor and mentor children, help out during special events, and more. For a longterm opportunity, young adults are encouraged to sign up for SOME’s Volunteer Corps, which provides housing, work experience, and temporary relief from paying school loans.
Thrive DC offers emergency support that includes feeding 250 homeless and vulnerable people every day and providing women with necessities like bras and maxipads. The organization also helps clients find jobs, build life skills, and combat substance abuse. They are particularly looking for help with their front desk to meet clients when they come in, check their mail, connect them to the right case manager, and other administrative tasks. Shifts are two-three hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project offers healty snacks and plenty of play and learning activities to children who don’t have stable housing. In order to build relationships with clients, volunteers are asked to commit two hours each week for at least six months. During this time, volunteers will plan and lead arts and crafts projects, reading sessions, ball games, and other play activities for a wide range of children. As they work to expand their reach, they are looking to grow their volunteer staff.
House of Ruth runs 14 programs in D.C. catered to women and children who are living in poverty, surviving homelessness, experiencing domestic abuse, or have a histories of mental, emotional, and behavioral problems. Each family receives personalized assistance based on their levels of need. The best way to support the organization is to organize a fundraiser to support its programs. In the past, funds have been raised through children’s lemonade stands, potluck or cocktail parties, yoga classes, performances, and other activities and events.
The Covenant House Washington provides services to homeless youth aged 18-24. The organization offers emergency and transitional housing, job training and placement, education classes, and more. Volunteers can use their expertise to help with programming, environmental, and administrative support. The organization places volunteers based on its needs and the individuals’ talents.
Back on My Feet DC pairs healthy living with supportive services. Homeless individuals who commit to running three days a week for 30 days can receive educational support, job training, employment referrals, and housing resources. Individuals can support the organization through “fundracing,” which lets runners raise money for the organization in exchange for entry into sold-out races across the country, among other rewards. Not a runner? Volunteers can help out at special events as well.
Street Sense gives homeless people opportunities to sell newspapers that feature news, editorials, and art about homelessness, poverty, and other social issues—about half of the paper is written by homeless and formerly homeless people. Vendors pay 50 cents for each paper, which they sell around the city for a suggested donation of $2. Volunteers can help distribute the papers to vendors in four-hour shifts, or lend a hand at one-time events such as film screenings, performances, and awards ceremonies. They can also join committees (that meet once per month) to plan community forums and annual celebrations.
