Volunteer

Volunteer Application

Ready to volunteer with Simpson Housing Services? Wonderful, we’re excited to meet you!

Meal Provider Information

365 days a year Simpson Housing’s emergency shelter hosts volunteer groups who plan, purchase, prepare, and serve meals for shelter guests. This is a great opportunity to learn a bit more about the shelter and homelessness in Minneapolis, get to know Simpson Housing, and have fun making a healthy meal with friends, coworkers, or family!

Want to serve a meal?

Click here to sign up.

Already signed up to serve a meal?

Click here to provide meal data.

What should we serve?

The ideal meal is healthy, low in sodium and fat, and high in fresh fruits and vegetables. Click here to download menu ideas and recipes, or adapt your favorite recipes for larger portions. Simpson provides all the cooking utensils, plates, etc, you and your group provide the food and the people power to create and serve the meal. We have a fully stocked kitchen with everything you need to cook a meal, all you need to bring is the food!

What if I need help?

We have a comprehensive guide for serving meals at the shelter that you will receive when you register for a meal. This guide, coupled with personal attention from staff throughout the planning process will ensure you have a successful and fun meal. We can also host a tour ahead of time to talk through the process, and see the kitchen space.

Have questions about registering or interested in learning more, email Aaron Ramos at aramos@simpsonhousing.org.

Volunteer Prep Cook

The Volunteer Prep Cook assists the Shelter Kitchen Specialist in prepping food to serve to shelter guests when meal groups are not scheduled. All levels of kitchen skills are welcomed. You will gain knowledge about kitchen tools, cooking for a large group, meal prepping, and menu planning.

Sample Volunteer Tasks

• Wash and chop ingredients according to recipe.
• Wash dishes.
• Maintain and Organize Kitchen and Cafeteria Space
• Contribute new recipe ideas to the menu.

Commitment

• Shifts are available Monday through Friday, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Shifts are posted in morning and afternoon time slots. When lunch is not served by a meal provider group, volunteers are invited to stay and serve lunch to the guests.
• Volunteers are required to commit to two shifts per month.

Shelter Support Volunteer

*Now Accepting Applications for Fall Weekend Shifts**

Each evening, 44 men and 22 women find a dignified safe place to stay at Simpson’s emergency shelter.  We provide the daily basics including food, a shower, a bed, hygiene supplies, and basic clothing items. Beyond this, our guests also benefit from respectful and attentive interactions with caring staff and volunteers. Combined, these efforts help us fulfill our goal of moving shelter guests into safe, affordable housing as soon as possible.

We need volunteers to assist shelter staff, listen and share stories, and to build community with the guests.  Once trained, volunteers commit to sharing 50 hours of their time in a six month time period. Volunteers use our online scheduling system to choose evening shifts, morning shifts, or a combination that works best for them.

Evening Shift: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Evening tasks include: distributing supplies, engaging with guests, doing laundry, serving coffee, enjoying dinner with guests, and much more!

Ready to get started?

We are looking for individuals that are 21 or older, responsible, and respectful. We need volunteers who can appreciate and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds. If this sounds like you, please complete our ‘shelter support at the emergency shelter’ online volunteer application.  After we receive your application, we will contact you to schedule a phone interview and an orientation session. A training shift will then be scheduled so that you are fully prepared for success in this position.

Tutor a Young Person

Simpson’s approach to working with families is strength-based, responsive, and holistic. All parents in our program work directly with a Family Advocate who focus on locating and retaining stable, affordable housing, and attaining personal goals related to financial stability, education, or employment.

The mission of our Children and Youth Services programs is to break the generational cycle of homelessness by partnering with parents to support children’s academic success, stability, and well-being. Adults aged 21 and older are invited to become a tutor and make a positive and lasting impact in the life of a young person.

Reading Tutor 

Simpson Housing Services has a high-quality, rigorous reading tutoring program for kindergarten through 6th grade students who are transitioning out of homelessness and participate in our Family Housing program. Seventy-five percent of children who are homeless are below grade level, and we know that if the learning gap does not diminish, the children will continue to struggle academically. The program’s goal is for each child to work up to grade-level reading and to foster a lifelong passion for learning.

Tutors are paired with a student for the school year and must commit to meeting with the student for one hour every week. Consistent and reliable support by tutors will provide consistency for the children. Simpson Housing Services staff will provide the curriculum, support, and coaching. An orientation to Simpson Housing Services and Tutor Training will take place in September. Topical trainings will also be offered throughout the year. 

Timeframe 

From September 2023 to May 2024, tutoring will take place one night a week, Monday through Thursday between 4 pm and 6 pm. Tutors can choose the session that works best for their schedule. 

Other Opportunities

If you cannot make an ongoing commitment to tutor but would still like to support the children and youth in our programs, we welcome donations of bag lunches for outings and other items for our education programs. Contact volunteer@simpsonhousing.org for information on additional ways to help.

Intro Sessions for Prospective Volunteers

Ready to get started? Join us for a virtual Introductory Session where you’ll learn about becoming a mentor or tutor!

2024 Intro Sessions have not been scheduled. This page will be updated when sessions become available.

Prospective Tutors

You can get started by attending one of the sessions above or by completing the Volunteer Application.  Select Literacy Tutor from the drop-down menu.

Current Mentors

Please complete your Mentor Activity Log or complete a paper version.

The Youth Group Mentoring Program is a space where young people, in partnership with supportive adults and with each other, build on their inherent strengths and capacity for leadership. Adult volunteers commit to being in relationship with a small group of young people in order to support their learning, exploration, and development. Mentors become part of these young people’s network of support as they pursue personal and collective goals and grow into active participants in civic and community life.

Mentor Role

Mentors will work in pairs with a small group of 3-5 young people between the ages of 12 and 18, with whom they will attend weekly programming. Exact programming dates are to be determined; however, mentors commit to a relationship with their group September–June.

Mentors work together to support young people in the following ways:

• Build an ongoing supportive relationship by participating in both small- and large-group activities with 3-5 young people in grades 7-12
• Facilitate conversations and activities with their mentees
• Manage group dynamics to ensure that each young person has opportunities for growth and connection in a safe and supportive environment
• Act as guide, cheerleader, and sounding board during projects, empowering young people to take the lead in their own learning
• Serve as a positive role model and friend
• Recognize and focus on the unique strengths of each mentee
• Attend bi-monthly outings
• Provide transportation to field trips and group meetings
• Take the lead on communicating with young people’s parents/guardians in order to coordinate schedules and logistics related to programming

Time Commitment

• Attend weekly 90-minute sessions with a small group of adolescents, September–June; mentors work in pairs and each mentor commits to missing no more than three meetings in the program year.
• Participate in at least 4 of the 6 outings
• Agree to attend mentor trainings as required, including but not limited t, a three-hour program orientation and at least one anti-racism training throughout the year
• Communicate with mentees weekly.
• Communicate regularly with the program coordinator, including monthly check-ins and email or phone communication as needed

Mentor Eligibility Requirements

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Be willing to adhere to all Simpson Mentoring Program policies and procedures
• Commit to all Simpson values, including a commitment to personal and systemic anti-racist work
• Complete and pass the screening procedure
• Be willing to communicate regularly with the program coordinator and submit monthly meeting and activity information
• Have access to an automobile or reliable transportation
• Have a current driver’s license, auto insurance with acceptable level of coverage, and good driving record
• Have a clean criminal history
• Have never been accused, arrested, charged, or convicted of child abuse or molestation

Qualifications

• Willing listener
• Ability to notice strengths and maintain an attitude of hope in the midst of challenges
• Encouraging and supportive
• Patient and flexible; willing to try new things and make and learn from mistakes
• Open and respectful of individual differences
• Reliable and consistent

Benefits

• Opportunity to build authentic connections with community and individuals
• Enjoyment and learning that comes with building a relationship with young people
• Training around positive youth work, homelessness issues, anti-racism, and more
• Mentor/mentee group activities, complimentary tickets to community events, participation in group celebration of time in the program
• Personal ongoing support and supervision to help the match succeed

Application and Screening Process

• Written application
• Driving record check
• Criminal history check: national, child abuse and neglect registry, sexual offender registry
• Personal interview
• Provide three personal references
• Attend four hours of mentor training

For more information, contact Simpson’s Mentoring Program at hsinnwell@simpsonhousing.org.

We are committed to building a diverse group of mentors. Mentors of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual/romantic orientations, religions, dis/abilities, and socioeconomic statuses are encouraged to apply. The majority of our families are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and members of these communities are especially encouraged to apply.