Volunteers
“Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer” –Author Unknown
Come and join Youth Shelters in the fight to end teen homelessness in Santa Fe! We need caring and compassionate individuals interested in a meaningful volunteer experience and willing to commit to a regular schedule. Whether you are a good listener, like to cook, or can help with maintenance, our staff will work with you to find the best match for your skills and interests.
All of our volunteers receive training and support while working alongside staff in a variety of programs. Even if it’s just for a few hours a week, you can make a difference in the lives of homeless and in-crisis youth in Northern New Mexico.
If you decide to donate your time and energy to help these youth, you'll discover a rich and rewarding world of community involvement and a welcoming group of staff and fellow volunteers. As one of our volunteers said recently, "I like giving back to the community. It's why I'm here."
Steps to Volunteering:
Get Informed- Learn about our mission and who we are
Review Volunteer Opportunities – Current needs listed below. More than anything these positions require patience, flexibility, and a willingness to learn about the problems facing youth and families in our community.
Submit an Application – Download and complete the volunteer application form PDF | MS Word. For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Rebecca Pike 983-0586 (x112) or email at rpike@youthshelters.org.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Street Outreach – 2 hour shifts, day time
Join staff to take backpacks filled with bottled water, snacks, resource guides, and other supplies to places in Santa Fe where street youth tend to congregate. Position involves walking around the downtown area to contact homeless youth- rain or shine. Approximately three-quarters of the young people served are from Santa Fe or Northern New Mexico, the other half come from other parts of the country. Volunteers must be comfortable interacting with homeless youth and talking to young people in general.
Street Outreach Drop-In Center Support – flexible shifts, daytime
The Drop-In Center is the second method by which the Street Outreach Program delivers services. Located at Agua Fria and St. Francis, young people can take showers, do laundry, and get food, clothing, hygiene, camping and other supplies as well as receive case coordination and counseling. Volunteers will help staff sort donation, participate in the every day activities of the house, show clients how to use the facilities, and “hang out” with youth.
Youth Emergency Shelter – shift times vary (typically 2-4 hours)
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.
Kids Can Cook – evenings
Volunteers “hang out” with kids at the Youth Emergency Shelter for an evening, typically once a week. Together you prepare a meal and then enjoy a family style dinner at the shelter.
Administration Volunteer Staff – flexible shifts, daytime
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 errands, help with large mailings, poster/flyer distributions, and sorting donations. A regularly scheduled commitment is not needed for this type of work.
Special Events
Throughout the year we have a number of special events that need volunteers to help with fundraising, picking up donations, setting up, decorating, or cleaning.
Fixers Group
Help with various repairs and maintenance at our four locations.
Driver – flexible schedule
Individuals with a truck or SUV are needed to support Youth Shelters by delivering weekly donations to the downtown Drop-In Center Center, take recycling from the Youth Emergency Shelter, or pick up large donations.