Volunteer
Volunteer Application
“Whether serving a meal, painting a room, teaching a class or simply talking with residents, each volunteer at Interfaith House not only has an impact on the success of the agency and the individuals we serve, but they impact their own lives through the experience”
Josh Earl, Board of Directors
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering at Interfaith House is a great way to enhance your own personal development while making a big difference in the lives of others. Interfaith House bases its volunteer program on compassion, creativity, education and flexibility. Since our doors opened in 1994 volunteers have played a significant role in helping homeless men and women heal emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Who Volunteers?
Anyone over the age of 14 can volunteer at Interfaith House. Volunteers range from students completing service learning hours and young professionals to retirees and IFH alumni. Volunteer groups include churches, young adults, corporations, families and students.
What do Volunteers do?
There are many creative ways to be involved. The following are just a few of the ways you can help:
- Lead Adult Educational and Recreational Sessions: This can range from ESL , Creative Writing or Daily Living Skills to leading a movie night, games or craft session. Share your skills and interests!
- Organize a drive for clothing, hygiene products, house hold products, books and art supplies: Collect these items to help make a home for residents and alumni.
- Resident Moving Phone Tree: Be on call to help residents move into their next stage of housing.
- Share-A-Meal: Organize a group to provide and share a meal with Interfaith House residents.
- 12-Step Instructors: Qualified instructors are invited to help support our residents in recovery.
- House & Garden Maintenance: Pick up a paint brush and provide a new lick of paint or help harvest vegetables and work in our garden.
- Front Desk Support: Learn the ropes of running our busy front desk. This is a great opportunity to develop professional skills while spending time with our residents
- New! Assist with staging, photography, and research for our innovative Project 12 Baskets partnership: This is a great opportunity for individuals interested in expanding their writing or photography portfolio while learning about socially conscious business models. Volunteers must have formal photography training and/ or a demonstrated “eye” for marketing, the ability to lift heavy objects, and be willing to travel to Naperville. Weekday availability is preferred but not required. Due to the level of screening and training involved, Interfaith House asks that volunteers commit a minimum of ten hours of service toward this project.
“I felt the experience of meeting people at Interfaith House for the Holy Family teens helped us to see beyond the externals that so often limit our vision and lead us to judgments about others. Breaking bread together was a means to gain a better understanding of what we share in common rather than what makes us different.”
Bob Ortbal, Holy Family Parish