Overnight Shelter Volunteers Needed

First Presbyterian Church seeks volunteers to provide safe, caring shelter for homeless individuals who might otherwise sleep on the streets.

The Shelter at First Presbyterian is a community-based shelter serving 10 homeless men from the John Heuss House (a Drop-In Center for homeless single adults). At the John Heuss House, potential shelter guests are screened to ensure that they have not been using drugs or alcohol, are not a threat to self or others, have taken a TB test and meet a basic standard of physical hygiene.

After they are screened, these shelter guests board a bus that takes them to First Presbyterian and drops them off around 9:15pm. Although no guest is forced to stay at First Presbyterian, if a guest chooses to leave the premises, they will not be allowed to return to the shelter.

First Presbyterian needs overnight volunteers whose main responsibility is to stay overnight at the shelter, where everyone, including the volunteers, gets a good night's rest. In the morning, the overnight volunteers set out a light breakfast for the men, and ensure that all the guests get back on the bus when it arrives at approximately 6:30am. All overnight volunteers are expected to arrive by 8:45pm and leave by 7am. A one night per month commitment is preferred but not required.

Volunteers for the overnight shelter program should attend an open house that provides an overview of The Partnership, homelessness and volunteer opportunities. Our Client Service and Shelter Training is for volunteers 18 and older who have attended an Open House and wish to work directly with clients. Necessary skills include the ability to work independently, dependability, good judgment, flexibility, and a good-natured and friendly disposition.