WELCOME!
We at Youth Shelters and Family Services value our volunteers as important advocates for at-risk and homeless youth. Consider volunteering with us.

What You Should Know
We serve at-risk and homeless young people between the ages of 0-23 years old through an array of programs which you'll find listed below.

What Does "At-Risk" Mean?
We define "at-risk" as youths and families who could become homeless or involved with the social/legal systems or protective services, and families struggling with conflict and mental health issues.

What Qualities Make a Good YSFS Volunteer?
Patience, flexibility and a willingness to learn about the problems the youth and families in our community face every day.

What's Involved?
To volunteer for La Otra Puerta or First Contact Street Outreach, you'll get trainingand support as you work and advocate for our youth and families but, you'll also
need to be fingerprinted and have a criminal background check because state law requires it. You'll also be expected to adhere to a regular schedule and make a
long-term commitment to this work. This ensures our kids and their families feel
safe and secure in our care.

On the other hand, with our Kids Can Cook program and for involvement in our development and human resources departments, you won't need that extensive background process. You'll only need to fill out an application and supply references.

If You'd Like to Volunteer
There's no doubt about it, volunteering with us can be demanding. But, if you decide to donate your time and energies to help the at-risk youth of North New Mexico, you'll discover a rich and rewarding world of community involvement and a welcoming group of fellow volunteers. As one of our volunteers said recently, "I like giving back to the community. It's why I'm here."

Sound like your kind of volunteering? Then call Melissa Frank, Development Director, at (505) 983-0586 Ext.21 to set up an interview.

Volunteer Staff Positions
Here are some of the ways you can help make a difference:

La Otra Puerta Emergency Shelter Volunteer Staff

This position involves supervising and interacting with our kids in an easy, flexible manner; chaperoning clients on field trips,covering phones;and, participating in the general activities at the shelter. Volunteers need to commit to a 4-hour regular shift.

We also have two on-going programs at LOP emergency shelter:

• KIDS CAN COOK: Volunteers meet every Wednesday evening for approximately three hours to cook with our kids. Together you prepare the meal and then enjoy a family style dinner at the shelter.
• GARDENING PROGRAM: Volunteers come in as needed to garden with our kids and teach the care and maintenance of the raised garden bed as well as the propagation of seeds, soil amendment and other related skills.

First Contact Street Outreach Volunteer Staff

Volunteers participate in the every day activities of the house and interact in an easy, flexible, non-judgmental manner with our high risk kids. This work requires a regular 4-hour shift commitment.

Administration Volunteer Staff

We operate with a modest budget and a small administrative staff therefore we always need volunteers to:

• answer phones
• help with in-house administrative work such as typing, filing, and running errands
• help with large mailings, poster/flyer distribution and large donation pick-ups

There are no long-term or regularly schedule time commitments involved with this work.

JCC Program Volunteers

Volunteers who can’t make long-term commitments to the shelter programs can still participate on a “one time” or limited basis by sharing specific skills such as photography, music, art and film-making, or offering to discuss a particular topic of interest to our Wednesday evening group of kids.

Special Events

Throughout the year we have special events that need volunteers to help with fund-raising; picking-up donations; and, setting-up, decorating and cleaning up for some of our social gatherings.

Fixers Group

Help with various repairs at our four locations.

Recycling Group

Volunteers who are able to come in on a regular basis to help with pick up and delivery of recycling.

Computer Group

Help with our computer needs throughout the agency.

How to Apply Now!

Download volunteer application form PDF | MS Word