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 with the opening of our homeless shelter at 2715 W. Harrison. Volunteers work from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., (except during cold or rainy weather openings, see below for details). See below for the best time to arrive.

Volunteers are needed to: 

• serve soup and sandwiches to the guests

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

• hand out towels and toiletries to the men. This volunteer must be a male.

• 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 having volunteers present is a good way to make 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 church groups, college groups, corporate volunteer programs, 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 or three volunteers are all we need.

If you would like to do something extra, you could bring cookies for the guests. You would need to bring enough for about 275 - the 250 guests 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.

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 first, then sign up for a regular time slot. 

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 is 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 to arrive is between 7:15 and 7:30 or 8:00 and 8:10 pm. because this is when the staff in in front taking names. Look for the staff member with the clip board. They'll be by the men's door (near the big garage door) from 7:15 to 7:30 and by the women's door (towards the East) from 8:00 to 8:10. You may also knock (pound!) on the steel door next to the garage. If no one answers, you may be able to reach someone inside 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.

Cold/Wet Openings   When the temperature is 20 degrees outside or less or when it is raining hard, we open one hour early. Volunteers may call the shelter at (773) 265-6683 to verify if we'll be opening early.  In that event, shift the times to arrive earlier by one hour, if you can. (We'll understand if you can't.)  If we do an early opening and you can't come early, it would be best for you not to volunteer that day because the guests will already be inside by the time you arrive.

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. Volunteers are encouraged to car pool whenever possible. If you wish, you may call  the shelter in advance to arrange for your car to be parked in the garage or directly in front of the shelter. 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.

Note   For logistical reasons we are no longer having volunteers make sandwiches. The sandwiches will be made by the Crew Staff before the volunteers arrive. Volunteer still have the important job of handing our soup and sandwiches and welcoming guests.

You must schedule a date in advance, but short notice is usually ok with us. To view our on-line calendar  for available dates for volunteering at the shelter, click here.  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.

If you'd like to schedule a date to volunteer, contact Diana by email by using her first name plus @franoutreach.org, call her at (773) 278-6724 or use this form.