Mission: The mission of Bread for the City is to provide vulnerable residents of Washington, DC with comprehensive services, including food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services, in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. We recognize that all people share a common humanity, and that all are responsible to themselves and to society as a whole. Therefore, we promote the mutual collaboration of clients, volunteers, donors, staff, and other community partners to alleviate the suffering caused by poverty and to rectify the conditions that perpetuate it.
Website: http://www.breadforthecity.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Volunteer form: http://www.breadforthecity.org/selectvolshift/
Email: volunteer@breadforthecity.org
Phone: (202) 265-2400
What volunteers do:
- Assist with administrative office work (filing, scanning, data entry, shredding, and other tasks).
- Distribute food with the food pantry team (Mon – Thurs, 9 am to Noon and 1 pm to 5 pm at the NW and SE centers).
- Sort clothing (Mon-Thurs, 9 am – 2 pm and Tues-Thurs, 2:30 pm – 5 pm @ SE Center).
- Support the free farmer's market.
- Sort and pack donated produce into family-sized distribution packages for Bread for the City clients (**Spring opportunity**).
- Plant, water, weed, and tend to various edible fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamental flowers (training attendance required; **Spring opportunity**).
- Join a roster of bilingual volunteers to help with facilitating social services.
- List of additional opportunities for skilled volunteers (lawyers + law students, doctors + med students, qualitative data specialists, grant writers) listed here: http://www.breadforthecity.org/internships/.
FYI:
- Individuals can view and register for ALL volunteer opportunities on this shift calendar: http://www.breadforthecity.org/selectvolshift/.
- Handy volunteer documents, forms, and orientation information available here: http://www.breadforthecity.org/volunteer-orientation/.
- Many volunteer opportunities are one-time activities lasting 2-3 hours. Individual volunteers with a regular schedule in one or both of our centers are asked to make a minimum time commitment of at least three months.
- A background check and confidentiality agreement are required for some roles.
- Group volunteer opportunities available.
Mission: The Community Family Life Services is a nonprofit that provides children, families, and adults with the tools they need to move themselves beyond poverty and homelessness and also supports women who are returning home following a period of incarceration by assisting them as they move into permanent self-sufficiency. CFLS has two primary goals: to provide short-term crisis assistance; and to empower individuals and families to change their lives over the long term. Our programs and services include transitional housing, mentoring for individuals and families, employment coaching and placement, case management, family education, and emergency services such as food and clothing distribution.
Website: http://www.cflsdc.org/volunteer.cfm
Volunteer form: http://www.cflsdc.org/pdf/CFLS%20Volunteer%20Application2.pdf
Email: bwashington@cflsdc.org
Phone: (202) 347-0511
What volunteers do:
Individual Volunteer Opportunities:
- Family Mentor
- Adopt-A-Family (December)
- Special Events Assistant (March - April)
- Childcare volunteer
- Clothing Room Attendant
- Clothing Room Processor
- Administrative Support
Group Volunteer Opportunities:
- Maintenance Projects (painting, cleaning, landscaping)
- Community Breakfast (requires a $300 donation for food)
- Join our team and represent CFLS at Annual Walk & 5K to End HIV (November)
- Christmas Drive: Participate in Adopt-A-Family drive
- Christmas Drive: Donate $50 Visa Gift Cards as Christmas Gifts to our Milestone residents (November - December)
Mission: Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. We primarily cater to clients who are employment ready and have an employment interview scheduled prior to suiting.
Website: https://washingtondc.dressforsuccess.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Volunteer form: N/A
Email: washington@dressforsuccess.org
Phone: (202) 269-4805
What volunteers do:
- Facilitate workshops
- Assist clients in boutique
- Serve as career center specialist, makeup artist, or mentor.
- Join the Professional Women's Group Steering Committee.
- Assist with administrative tasks, grant writing, marketing and PR, and legal matters.
- Organize special events
FYI:
- Personal Shoppers are the most utilized resource, as clients are suited Monday-Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- Generally, workshops are held the 4th Saturday of each month in our office from 9:30 am to 12 noon.
Mission: Friendship Place is a leader in Washington, DC, in developing solutions to homelessness that have demonstrable results and a lasting impact. Our innovative, customized, person-focused programs empower participants to rebuild their lives, find homes, get jobs and reconnect with friends, family and the community, permanently. Our goal is to end homelessness in Washington, DC, and to lead the way in modeling how this can be done in other parts of the country.
Website: https://friendshipplace.org/give-time/
Volunteer form: https://friendshipplace.org/volunteer-form/
Email: info@friendshipplace.org
Phone: (202) 364-1419
What volunteers do:
Individual Volunteer Opportunities:
- Welcome Center front desk receptionist
- Donation pick-ups
- Job Placement
- Mentor
- Movers/Clean-up Crew
- Chauffeur Team (drive participants to the grocery store, appointments, etc.)
- Office volunteer (administrative)
Group Opportunities:
- Landscaping
- Cleaning
- Organizing donations
- Move-Ins (for participants moving into housing)
Mission: The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future.
Website: https://www.rescue.org/volunteer
Volunteer form: https://rescueglobal.secure.force.com/application/rc_volunteers__ApplicationForm_Designer?id=a3E31000000UEco#!mode=view&form=00P3100000aMKNsEAO&dev=true application/references
Email: N/A
Phone: (301) 562-8633
What volunteers do:
- Mentor refugee families and individuals.
- Assist refugees to develop effective job seeking and interview results.
- ESL tutor training available.
- Advocate for the IRC and refugees.
FYI:
- Background check required ($25 fee).
Mission: The mission of No One Left Behind is to help Afghan and Iraqi combat interpreters with Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) resettle safely in the United States. We bridge the gap that exists between current State Department and NGO refugee relief programs, and provide assistance with housing, employment and cultural adaptation. We treat our clients as the heroic veterans they are.
Website: http://nooneleft.org/get-involved/volunteer-2/
Volunteer form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DnO4nVP9eKv-PNEjKoa9aAVaf56pcmUjBi3oqdxcS1U/viewform?edit_requested=true
Email (contact form): https://web.charityengine.net/Default.aspx?tsid=4103
Phone: N/A
What volunteers do:
- Provide family mentorship (helping a family write a resume, showing the family around the local area, and otherwise completing everyday tasks like opening a bank account, signing up for library cards, etc. English tutoring also appreciated.
- Collecting furnishings and donations for individual families.
- Finding housing for new arrivals.
- Securing employment opportunities and coaching on job search skills.
- Intake committee/assessing needs.
- Local events/Fundraising
Mission: Year Up envisions a future in which every urban young adult will have access to the education, experiences, and guidance required to realize his or her true potential. Our mission is to close the Opportunity Divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education. We achieve this mission through a high support, high expectation model that combines marketable job skills, stipends, internships and college credits. Our program combines hands-on skills development, courses eligible for college credit, and corporate internships to prepare students for success in professional careers and higher education. Our holistic approach focuses on students’ professional and personal development to place these young adults on a viable path to economic self-sufficiency.
Website: http://www.yearup.org/get-involved/ways-to-help/?location=national-capital-region/
Volunteer form: http://www.yearup.org/get-involved/#form
Email: volunteer@yearup.org
Phone: (703) 312-9327
What volunteers do:
- Mentor: Email or call mentee weekly; meet face-to-face monthly for 8 months; help mentee build professional network; review resume and college forms; encourage continuous learning and problem-solving; attend Year Up graduation and recognize your student.
- Tutor: Be there to provide students academic guidance and help them hone their technical skills.
- Guest Speaker: Inspire young adults with your story, and share your insights on building a career.