Interested in volunteering? Call/email Debbie Todd, Director of Community Relations, with any questions. (773) 549-6111 LPCSinfo@LPCSonline.org.

To attend an orientation, please register with Debbie Todd by calling (773) 549-6111 or email LPCSinfo@LPCSonline.org. Space is limited.

Please note: The LPCS does not accept volunteers who are court-ordered to do community service hours.

Volunteer Opportunities

Overnight Volunteer: This is a great way to catch up on that extra work you've been meaning to do! Overnight volunteers provide supervision for the LPCS and its guests from 9:00 PM - 7:15 AM every night of the year. Volunteers must be 18 years of age and must attend one of the monthly orientations before training. Overnight volunteers are needed 365 days of the year - but this activity does book up quickly.

Volunteers are not expected to stay awake all night. They can read, work, watch TV, sleep, etc in a room separate from the the guests. Lights out for guests is 10:00 PM. For training, you will be paired with a veteran volunteer for your first overnightuntil you are comfortable on your own.

Front Desk/Reception: Work with Shelter staff, clients and volunteers! The Front Desk Volunteer answers general phone inquiries and directs calls, oversees client and visitor sign in/out, and other lights administrative projects as needed. Volunteers are needed 6-8pm Tuesday - Friday, and 11-2pm, and 2-5pm Saturdays and Sundays.

Track Activities: Track Activities Volunteers teach one-hour classes that are focused on enhancing personal and professional life skills. A syllabus is provided, but volunteers are welcome to bring their background and experience to assist in hosting the classes. We welcome new and fun ideas! Classes are held during the day and early evening.

**LPCS is in particular need of computer tutors, mock interviewers, and individuals who can develop and teach: anger management, personal safety, critical thinking & collaboration.**

Sack Lunches: Sack lunches are also needed on a daily basis. Prepare (not at LPCS) 35 lunches, and drop them off in the evening. Overnight volunteers distribute the lunches in the morning, for guests to take with them as they leave for the day.

Saturday Hot Lunch Volunteers: Great group activity! Hot Lunch is served at 1:30pm on Saturdays. Purchase, prepare and serve lunch to the guests of LPCS. The volunteer signing up for the Hot Lunch opportunity should coordinate his/her own group of volunteers (no more than 10 people) to provide the lunch.

Meal Volunteers: This type of volunteer assignment works best with a group of 4-6 people, but no more than 10 (i.e. families, friends, co-workers, church groups). We serve dinner nightly to our guests.

Meal volunteers prepare a meal that will serve up to 35 people. Volunteers are expected to plan, purchase, and prepare the food. The menu is up to you!

Other Ways to Help:

Office and School Collections: Are your friend or co-workers looking for some way to give back? Get them involved by organizing a drive to collect much needed toiletries, breakfast food, socks, and underwear. See our Wish List for ideas.

Job Leads: Do you own a business? Do you know someone who owns or manages a business? If so, pass along job leads to LPCS. Because nearly 80% of guests are currently working or looking for employement, we are able to recommend a good candidate for the job.

Apartment Leads: Do you own an apartment building? Do you know someone who does? Finding affordable housing for employed homeless people can be extremely difficult. Because of our On Track Program we are able to make a good tenant recommendation.

Professional Skills and Experience: Are you a lawyer? Doctor? Teacher? Dentist or Counselor? Let us know if you are willing to donate some of your professional time to the LPCS. Dental work and legal assistance can be especially difficult to arrange for homeless people with little or no income.

Advocacy: Homelessness does not occur in a vacuum. Pay special attention to political issues related to homelessness and welfare. Be aware of how homeless people are often portrayed negatively in the media, by politicians and other officials. Hold leaders accountable by taking action! This can include writing a letter to public officials expressing your concern about policy issues affecting the homeless. Or, write a letter to the editor when you see a story that is slanted unfairly toward the homeless. Advocacy can also take place with your family, friends and co-workers. Let them know about your concern regarding homelessness, and if possible, invite people to become involved with the LPCS to learn more about the issue first-hand. There are a lot of myths about homelessness which direct experience will help to dispel.