Franciscan Outreach Association 
Main office & soup kitchen: 1645 W. LeMoyne Street, Chicago, IL 60622
Telephone (773)278-6724
Shelter: 2715 W. Harrison, Chicago, IL (773) 265-6683
 
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Calendar for volunteering part time at the shelter

 

 

Volunteer 

to help the homeless at our overnight shelter

Every night of the year we need two or three volunteers to help serve homeless guests at our homeless shelter at 2715 W. Harrison. 

Sandwich Volunteers ~

Every night we need two volunteers to work from to help serve soup and sandwiches to the guests as they come in for the night.  From March 1 until mid-December volunteers are needed from 7:15 until 9:15 pm. (Between  March 1 and mid-December, volunteers are needed from 6:15 until 8:15 pm.)

Volunteers:

  • serve soup and sandwiches to the guests

  • welcome guests to the shelter - smile and say hello!

  • clean up the kitchen after dinner (wipe the counters, sweep the floor, etc.)

While we could easily put the soup and sandwiches on the counter without volunteers, but volunteers are good at making our guests feel welcome. After all, this is their home - at least for the night. In fact, for some of our guests, you may be the only person who has acknowledged their presence all day! No previous experience is necessary, only a willingness to be friendly and helpful. 

We welcome individual adults, workplace groups, corporate volunteer programs, church groups, and individuals but can only use two or three volunteers at a time. We ask that volunteers be Juniors in high school or older and that at least one be an adult. Two volunteers are all we need for handing out soup and sandwiches.

If you enjoy volunteering, consider setting a certain day of the month for yourself or your group to volunteer, such as the second Tuesday or the fifth Sunday. We ask that you volunteer at least once before you ask for a regular time slot. To volunteer, check the calendar for open dates at http://www.parishcalendar.com:8080/9/21514.  Sandwich volunteers are listed in green boxes.  Use the form below to request a date. 

If you would like to do something extra to brighten their day, you could bring cookies for our guests. Store-bought is fine!. You would need to bring enough for about 275 persons - the 246 plus any who don't make it inside because we're filled. For health reasons, plan on having one of your party hand out the cookies - rather than letting the guests take them from a tray. Another idea is to bring enough cheese for 275 sandwiches and add it to the sandwiches when you arrive.

Volunteers come from all faiths and all backgrounds. We do not preach to our guests or hold any religious services for them.

Intake Volunteer ~

Intake Volunteers assist the shelter staff with completing intake forms for new guests. We need only one per night. The intake volunteer works in the men's dorm and sits next to the staff member who is assigning bed numbers. When a new guest arrives, the staff person will direct them to you. You then talk with the guest to complete a very brief intake form.  Times for volunteering are the same as for sandwich volunteers.  To volunteer, check the calendar for open dates at http://www.parishcalendar.com:8080/9/21514. Intake volunteers are listed in blue boxes. Use the form below to request a date. 

"Something Different for Dinner" Volunteers ~

If you have a group that would like to bring and serve something for dinner other than soup and sandwiches, you must first volunteer to serve soup and sandwiches so that you can see how fast paced our dinner time is and the significant limitations of our kitchen area. You can contact Jose the shelter manager or Chris the Director of Mission and Volunteers, for more details. To volunteer, check the calendar for open dates at http://www.parishcalendar.com:8080/9/21514 then use the form below to request a date. Something Different for Dinner volunteers are listed in pink on the calendar.

Women's Dorm Assistant ~ new position!

The Women's Dorm Assistant works from just before opening, from 7:15 until around 9:30 pm when lights go off. (From mid-December until Mar 1 the times are from 7:15 until 9:30.) The Women's Dorm Assistant works with the Women's Dorm Monitor to help the women get settled and comfortable for the night. The Assistant will help the overnight monitor by doing such tasks as handing out towels and toiletries, talking and being friendly, taking info for intake, or doing anything else that seems to be needed.  Women's Dorm Assistants can move up to volunteering for the overnight shift. To volunteer, check the calendar for open dates at http://www.parishcalendar.com:8080/9/21514 then use the form below to request a date.

Overnight Volunteers ~

Overnight volunteers monitor either the men's dorm or the women's dorm overnight. The men's dorm has two shifts (6:00 pm to 3:00 am and 3:00 am until 6:30 am.) while the women's dorm is one shift, with a little sleep allowed if things are calm. The overnight volunteer in the men's dorm

  • checks in guests at the desk after they are inside

  • monitors the dorm at night

  • reports any problems the the supervisor on duty

  • signs guests up for the next night as they leave in the morning

  • wakes guests up if they have requested an early wake up, and

  • works with the supervisor to make sure everyone leaves in the morning.

The overnight volunteer in the women's dorm

  • fills out an intake form with new guests

  • monitors the dorm during the night

  • gives out clothing and toiletries upon request

  • monitors the use of the washing machine

  • monitors the placement of beds and belongings

  • bags and tags abandoned items

  • contacts supervisor if there are any disturbances, and

  • makes sure everyone is out in the morning.

  • The woman's dorm monitor is allowed to sleep a little if things are calm. 

Overnight volunteers must make a commitment of at least one night per month because they will receive training and must stay current to be effective. Overnight volunteers must be reliable as they will be counted upon to monitor the dorms the night they are scheduled. Use the form below or contact Chris. The calendar for overnight volunteers is not online because volunteers need training before they can sign up for a date.

The details:

Make sure you have the right address!   When you sign up to volunteer at the shelter, you'll be going to our shelter at 2715 W. Harrison. Our soup kitchen and offices are at a different location. Be sure you're headed to the right place! Click here for a map to the shelter.

When You Arrive  The best time for sandwich volunteers to arrive is at 7:15 (between March 1 and mid-December). Look for the staff member with the clip board. They'll be by the door near the big garage door.  You may also knock (pound!) on the steel door next to the garage. If no one answers, you may be able to reach someone in the kitchen by calling (773) 265-6683 x 111.

Meet our Crew Staff   When you volunteer you will be working closely with our Crew Staff. The Crew Staff are current guests who are developing a favorable work history and references by helping us with the work of the shelter. They are the ones who make the soup and sandwiches and have the kitchen ready when you get there. They should be able to answer any questions you have about volunteering. If you require further assistance, ask the supervisor on duty that evening. You can usually find him out in front of the building admitting guests.

Unaccompanied Youth  We do not allow unaccompanied minors to volunteer at our shelter. Registered sex offenders may be present.

Cold/Wet Openings   We no longer change the opening time because of cold or very rainy weather. Our opening time from March 1 until Dec 15 is 7:30 for women and 8:30 for men. (Between March 1st  and mid-December women come in at 6:30 pm and men in at 7:30 pm.) 

Parking   The shelter is at 2715 W. Harrison, Chicago. We are one block South of the Eisenhower Expressway (290) and a few hundred feet East of California. There's an exit from the expressway at California (from the East) and Sacramento (from the West). Parking is available on the street in front of the shelter. Feel free to ask a volunteer or staff member to walk you to your car after volunteering.  Click here for a map to the shelter.

Public Transportation   You can take the CTA Blue Line to the shelter, but you should arrange to have another volunteer or a staff member drive you to the CTA stop at the end of your shift. We do not encourage people to walk to the train after volunteering. Click here for a map to the shelter.

You must schedule a date in advance.  To view our on-line calendar, go to www.parishcalendar.com:8080/9/21514 .  The days on which no names are listed are the days we need volunteers. Use your "Back" button to return to this page and complete the form below to reserve your date. You could also call us directly.

Sign in - Please have all members of your group sign in when you arrive. We need to know who's on our site and want to make sure everyone has the chance to receive our newsletter. Look for the clip board hanging on the wall.

To schedule a date to volunteer, go to the Volunteer at Shelter Form. After doing so, feel free to follow up with Christine Curran by email by using her first name "chris" plus @franoutreach.org or calling her at (773) 278-6724.

Back to All Volunteer Opportunities page.