Opportunities From: Union College Community Connections

Provide direct service to people living outside: handing out water, food, blankets, and personal supplies, accompanied by Joseph's House staff who drive the vehicle, and address the long-term housing needs of the people served.

This opportunity is for one volunteer per 4 hours shift to support our staff as they travel in and around Albany, NY.

The van leaves the above address and runs from 12-4pm and 4-8pm, 7 days a week, year-round.

Shifts are chosen on an online calendar: you do not need to have the same availability week-to-week. You can choose how often you volunteer but suggest volunteer help at 2-4 shifts each month.

Because we have limited numbers of shifts we are accepting only people who anticipate doing this on a long-term basis out of a concern for homelessness. Unfortunately this means we are not currently accepting students doing service as part of their course or those who have mandated hours.

We will start with a phone interview so we check this is the right opportunity for you, followed by a short online application form. We will require and contact two references who can attest at your ability to be non-judgmental and confidential- and willing to engage in a friendly manner with our clients. There is an information/ orientation meeting to familiarize you with general Joseph's House policies and safety issues. At that point you will be an accepted agency volunteer. However, to be a volunteer on the van, applicants will meet with outreach staff to further describe this opportunity. Helping people staying outside can be an emotional and difficult - but extremely rewarding- task: staff will help you check this is a good opportunity for you and you can provide the support the team needs.

You can access the volunteer application from our website.

Joseph's House & Shelter provides temporary shelter for homeless women, men and families in Troy NY as well as supported living accommodation, in Albany, and Troy, NY, for formerly homeless adults. Our long-term tenants have disabling conditions, which have prevented them living in the wider community. Your presence can help reassure those we serve that they are remembered by the community, and cared for by society at a time of great need.

Volunteers help our staff serve the prepared dinner for our guests and tenants, and provide a friendly face and kindness.

This opportunity requires you to be available from 4:40pm to 6:15pm any day of the week. Our buildings are all staffed 24/7 but with fewer staff at that dinner hour,  your help allows staff to deal with client needs, the front doors and phones, while you help and chat with those we serve.

Sign-up is by an online calendar or app, and you do not need to be available every week on the same day, We do suggest you aim to serve at least twice each month so you are familiar with the task and can work independently.

We are a Housing First and harm-reduction based, secular agency.

You will be required to compete the short application form, and provide us with 2 references who can attest to your ability to be non-judgmental and confidential. After a phone call and a general systems and safety orientation to the organization, you will able to choose your shifts online. Training for the task will be given by our staff at your first shift.

Adults may accompany teens to do this task and small groups of 2-3 friends or a family can do this task. The kitchens are not large enough to accommodate a large team.

Joseph's House & Shelter provides temporary shelter for homeless women, men and families in Troy NY as well as supported living accommodation, in Albany, and Troy, NY, for formerly homeless adults. Our long-term tenants have disabling conditions, which have prevented them living in the wider community. Your presence can help reassure those we serve that they are remembered by the community, and cared for by society at a time of great need.

Volunteers help our staff serve the prepared dinner for our guests and tenants, and provide a friendly face and kindness.

This opportunity requires you to be available from 4:40pm to 6:15pm any day of the week. Our buildings are all staffed 24/7 but with fewer staff at that dinner hour,  your help allows staff to deal with client needs, the front doors and phones, while you help and chat with those we serve.

Sign-up is by an online calendar or app, and you do not need to be available every week on the same day, We do suggest you aim to serve at least twice each month so you are familiar with the task and can work independently.

We are a Housing First and harm-reduction based, secular agency.

You will be required to compete the short application form, and provide us with 2 references who can attest to your ability to be non-judgmental and confidential. After a phone call and a general systems and safety orientation to the organization, you will able to choose your shifts online. Training for the task will be given by our staff at your first shift.

Adults may accompany teens to do this task and small groups of 2-3 friends or a family can do this task. The kitchens are not large enough to accommodate a large team.