Volunteer

One of the most frequent questions we receive is “How can I help?”  We are excited that our volunteer opportunities have returned after a pause during the pandemic.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Meal groups: View the Meal Provider Information tab below for updated information on new guidelines and procedures.
  • Shelter Support and Literacy Tutoring are back! 
  • Prep Cooks: Prep Cooks assist in preparing food to serve to shelter guests when meal groups are not scheduled.

If you don’t see what you’re looking for, there are several ways you can help while you wait for the right volunteer opportunity.

  • Read through our full list of volunteer opportunities.
  • Complete our volunteer application below.
  • Donate: Share your financial resources or purchase much-needed supplies from our wish list.
  • Take time to educate yourself about racism, systemic injustices, and the communities that Simpson Housing serves.

Volunteers: The Heart of Simpson

Without our faithful force of volunteers, we quite simply would not be able to do what we do. We need your partnership to help ease the impact of homelessness on members of our community.

Every year Simpson volunteers contribute over 30,000 hours of their time to help people experiencing homelessness. This is the equivalent of 14 full-time employees.



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.

Meal Logistics Quick Reference 

Lunch Meal  Evening Meal 
Serving Time  Noon 7 PM
Recommended Number of Volunteers  5-8 6-10
Number of Servings 35 servings 50 Servings

 

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. 

*Now accepting applications for Fall 2023 through September*

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!

2023 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.