The Haven relies on the goodwill, expertise, and time of community members to keep our doors open every day of the year.

Volunteers have donated more than 100,000 hours of service at our day shelter and in our kitchen. We welcome your help. Volunteer opportunities are available in The Haven’s day shelter and kitchen.

Volunteer requirements:

  • 18 years of age or older (exceptions can be made for 16 and up with an adult chaperone)

  • can commit to 1-2 volunteer shifts per month

Additionally, all new volunteers must attend an orientation prior to their first shift. To sign up for an orientation session:

  1. Click “Apply to Volunteer” and create a VolunteerHub account.

  2. Once an account is created, you will be able to view and sign up for our orientation sessions, offered monthly.  

  3. Read the volunteer manual prior to orientation.

  4. After completing an orientation session, volunteers will be able to sign up for shifts.

Looking for court-ordered community service hours? Contact Jamey Rush, Day Shelter Manager, at (434) 973-1234 ext. 107.

Day shelter volunteering opportunities

  • Greet and tend to the needs of guests at our welcome desk

  • Maintain accurate sign-up sheet for laundry, showers, and computers and monitor use

  • Assist guests with filling out paperwork and job applications or scheduling appointments

  • Disperse needed items to guests, such as laundry detergent, soap, shampoo, lotion, and toothbrushes

  • Accept and thank donors for material donations, and ensure that donors fill out the donation form

  • Help keep The Haven clean and tidy for guests and staff

Kitchen Volunteering Opportunities

  • Prepare and serve daily healthy breakfasts (chop vegetables, cook eggs, make coffee, serve on the line, wash dishes, clean up) and weekly Friday lunches

  • Sort and transport food donations

  • Prepare vegetables and fruit for storage and for upcoming meals

OTHER VOLUNTEERING opportunities

  • Serve on one of our “deep cleaning” days, to help keep The Haven up to our standards of being the best that it can be

  • Organize a supply drive for needed items

  • Assist our staff with office or business tasks

Group volunteering

Because The Haven operates 365 days a year and offers all of our services every day, it is difficult to accommodate groups who want to prepare a meal together, particularly as breakfast is the primary meal we provide. We instead rely on our regular trained volunteers, who show up at 6:30 a.m., to serve during these daily shifts.

There are many other ways groups can support The Haven, however.

  • Become a regular volunteer. Attend one of our monthly volunteer orientations to get started.

  • Start a fundraiser for The Haven with your group or on your own via Facebook (choose the button + Create Fundraiser).

  • Run a supply drive to benefit The Haven. Consult our list of needed items. You could kick off your drive with a special presentation and tour of The Haven.

  • Become a donor. Every little bit helps. Committing to giving monthly is a great way for families or groups to contribute, with each member agreeing to set aside a small amount each month to assist our neighbors facing homelessness.

Questions?

Contact Ocean Aiello, our Community Engagement Manager, at ocean@thehaven.org.