For almost 120 years, YWCA St. Paul has been breaking down barriers and building up communities thanks in part to volunteers like you! This important mission continues and we always have opportunities for how you, as an individual or in a group, can help us meet urgent community needs.
Please contact us if you have interest in volunteering by emailing us at volunteer@ywcastpaul.org.
If you find a thrill in an organized filing cabinet, the hum of a shredder and the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, then this is the volunteer opportunity for you! Help us improve our internal systems through a variety of organizational tasks: filing, sorting paperwork, organizing donations, etc. This volunteer frees up valuable administrative hours and allows our staff to focus on the work that meets community needs.
Details:
Put your green thumb to good use by helping us maintain the yard space for our Transitional Housing Units. Our housing programs provide homeless women and their children with a safe, supportive place to stay as they participate in life skills training and stabilization services that prepare them for employment and stable housing in the community. By pulling weeds, placing mulch, and raking leaves, you’ll help beautify the green space where children in our program play. The ideal volunteer has the physical stamina to do physical work outdoors and can maintain confidentiality and respect for residents.
Details:
Individuals/Groups can adopt an apartment/unit and assist with preparing the space after a tenant moves out for a new family. This includes cleaning, painting, waxing floors and minor repairs. The ideal volunteer has the physical stamina to do physical work and can maintain confidentiality and respect for residents.
Details:
Help parents and families in YW’s housing programs celebrate their children’s birthday by providing all the supplies they’ll need to host a birthday party. Please package a gender neutral, all-ages party bag with the following items: candles, birthday hats, streamers, tablecloth, paper plates, napkins, utensils, cups, etc. Please only include new items, which you can purchase at your local Dollar Store, Target, Walmart, etc.
To drop off your completed “Birthday Party in a Bag”, please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@ywcastpaul.org.
Volunteering is more fun with friends! Coordinate with a group of, family or colleagues to assemble multiple party bags or purchase supplies.
Many of the families in our housing programs come to us from shelter or from having no home at all. By providing essential items and assembling a welcome basket, you can welcome a family in our community to a new home and a new life.
Please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@ywcastpaul.org for current needs, supply lists and to coordinate drop offs.
Volunteering is more fun with friends! Coordinate with a group of, family or colleagues to assemble multiple party bags or purchase supplies.
Many of the families in our housing programs come to us from shelter or from having no home at all. By providing homemade blankets, you can help make a new home feel more comfortable for a family in our community.
Please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@ywcastpaul.org for crafting instructions and to coordinate drop offs.
Do you have a skill set or idea not listed here? Email volunteer@ywcastpaul.org with a short proposal of how you or your group would like to volunteer.
If you find a thrill in an organized filing cabinet, the hum of a shredder and the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, then this is the volunteer opportunity for you! Help us improve our internal systems through a variety of organizational tasks: filing, sorting paperwork, organizing donations, etc. This volunteer frees up valuable administrative hours and allows our staff to focus on the work that meets community needs.
Suggested investment:
Flexible between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Monday through Friday
Ability to lift 15lbs. is desirable, but not necessary
YW’s Housing & Supportive Services programs provides homeless single-parents and their children with a safe, supportive place to stay as they participate in life skills training and stabilization services that prepare them for employment and stable housing in the community. Administrative Property Assistants help our Housing Manager assemble on-boarding documents and informative resources for new residents moving into YWCA housing properties.
Suggested investment:
Flexible during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Help provide coverage for YWCA St. Paul’s front desk. The Front Desk Receptionist volunteer will answer phones, greet program clients, faxing and copying and other duties as they arise. This is a great role for someone who loves customer service and is comfortable working with a variety of people.
Suggested investment:
Flexible during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), preferably with a consistent schedule week to week.
Minimum 3 month commitment.
Our housing programs provide homeless women and their children with a safe, supportive place to stay as they participate in life skills training and stabilization services that prepare them for employment and stable housing in the community. Help us by prepare for new families moving into YW housing by cleaning recently vacated units, and occasionally cleaning communal spaces where workshops and other trainings occur. The ideal volunteer loves to clean, work independently and has great attention to detail.
Suggested investment:
Individual sessions will be coordinated by the Housing Manager as needed. 3 month commitment, preferred.
Volunteers are invited to bring their own supplies, or use supplies as provided.
Put your green thumb to good use by helping us maintain the yard space for our Transitional Housing Units. Our housing programs provide homeless women and their children with a safe, supportive place to stay as they participate in life skills training and stabilization services that prepare them for employment and stable housing in the community. By pulling weeds, planting flowers, and raking leaves, you’ll help beautify the green space where children in our program play. The ideal volunteer has the physical stamina to do physical work outdoors and is able to maintain confidentiality and respect for residents.
Suggested investment:
Schedule and time commitment is flexible.
The Transitional Housing Program provides homeless women and their children with a safe, supportive place to stay as they participate in life skills training and stabilization services that prepare them for employment and stable housing in the community. Youth Tutors help youth with homework or practice reading while their parents participate in weekly development classes. Experience working with children and diverse cultures a plus!
Suggested investment:
Thursdays from 6–7 p.m., volunteers are asked to commit to the entire school year.
We are always looking for children’s books that feature culturally diverse perspectives.
The Transitional Housing Program provides homeless women and their children with a safe, supportive place to stay as they participate in life skills training and stabilization services that prepare them for employment and stable housing in the community. Child-centered programming and family enrichment activities, provided through the Children’s Program, help promote healthy child development and empower the family unit. Child care aids assist staff in preparing, implementing and leading age-appropriate activities in a safe atmosphere that promotes caring, fun and learning.
Suggested investment:
Availability varies, applicants will be added to a wait list.
Thursdays from 5:45–7:30 p.m., minimum 3 month commitment.
Help parents and families in YW’s housing programs celebrate their children’s birthday by providing all the supplies they’ll need to host a birthday party. Please package a gender neutral, all-ages party bag with the following items: candles, birthday hats, streamers, table cloth, paper plates, napkins, utensils, cups, etc. Please only include new items, which you can purchase at your local Dollar Store, Target, Walmart, etc.
To drop off your completed “Birthday Party in a Bag”, please contact Briana Riley, our volunteer coordinator, at volunteer@ywcastpaul.org or 651-265-0766.
Volunteering is more fun with friends! Host a “Birthday Party in a Bag” Party with your friends or family to assemble multiple party bags at once.
Prepare and serve a meal, and help with clean up, for families participating in the Thursday development workshops. Meal prep volunteers free up staff to work on educational and developmental workshops with the parents and children in our housing program. The Transitional Housing Program provides homeless women and their children with a safe, supportive place to stay as they participate in life skills training and stabilization services that prepare them for employment and stable housing in the community.
Suggested investment:
Thursdays, 4–6:45 p.m. (time can be flexible)
Volunteers are welcome to provide a meal and/or in-kind donations of paper plates, silverware, paper cups and napkins in addition to their time.
Use your organizational skills to make a splash! Help YW Swim coaches track yardage for fitness challenges and fundraisers, as well as assist with recruiting efforts and other administrative tasks. The ideal volunteer will be organized, familiar with Excel spreadsheets and has a passion for aquatics.
Suggested investment:
Schedule varies, 6-month commitment preferred
Plan, purchase groceries and cook a meal for the families participating in the Thursday workshops. Prepared meals should contain a main dish with a fruit and vegetable on the side or included. Meals are prepared onsite.
Suggested investment:
1–3 volunteers needed
In-kind food donation items appreciated.
1 Thursday per month, 4–6:45 p.m.
Help us provide a safe, nurturing and fun environment in our Transitional Housing Program by assisting with reading to children. Groups are able to read to children ages K-5 and provide books for them.
Your help gives parents in the program an opportunity to attend workshops and move toward self-sufficiency.
Suggested investment:
3 volunteers
Please plan to bring about 30 children’s books. Children will select a book to take home after the reading.
1 Thursday per month, 6–8 p.m.
Individuals/Groups are able to adopt an apartment/unit and assist with preparing the space after a tenant moves out for a new family. This includes cleaning, painting, waxing floors and minor repairs.
Suggested Investment:
5–8 volunteers
In-kind supply donation items appreciated.
1 day/month (based on move-out dates), 5–8 hour commitment
Many of the families in our housing programs come to us from shelter or from having no home at all. By providing essential items and assembling a welcome basket, you can welcome a family in our community to a new home and a new life. All items should be new and unopened (a recommended supply list will be provided by YW).
Suggested investment:
15–20 volunteers
In-kind supply donation items appreciated.
Seasonal (based on need), 2–4 hour commitment
Help parents and families in YW’s housing programs celebrate their children’s birthday by providing all the supplies they’ll need to host a birthday party. Host a party at home to package gender neutral, all-ages party bags with the following items: candles, birthday hats, streamers, table cloth, paper plates, napkins, utensils, cups, etc. Please only include new items, which you can purchase at your local Dollar Store, Target, Walmart, etc.
To drop off your completed “Birthday Party in a Bag”, please contact Briana Riley, our volunteer coordinator, at volunteer@ywcastpaul.org or 651-265-0766.
Do you have a skill set or idea not listed here? Email volunteer@ywcastpaul.org with a short proposal of how your group would like to volunteer.
Thank you for giving back to your community during this tough time. YWCA St. Paul wants to ensure the safety of volunteers, program participants and staff during this time and has the following procedures in place for all on-site volunteers:
Not comfortable volunteering onsite? You can still help by fulfilling a remote volunteer role, purchasing in-kind items from our Amazon Wishlist or making a financial contribution in support of our work. Thank you!