Volunteer
DO YOU NEED SHELTER TODAY?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN VOLUNTEERING
EXISTING VOLUNTEERS
If you have previously volunteered with us and are looking for new opportunities to participate in, look no further! Click the button below to register for an upcoming opportunity. We can’t wait to see you again soon!
NEW VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization and we would love to have you join our incredible community! Click the button below to get started and we will follow up with you shortly with additional information.
NEW GROUPS
If you are a part of a group that would like to give back together, we would love to have you! Please click the button below to provide us with your information and we will follow up with you shortly with additional information.
Opportunities
The Delores Project relies on over 800 volunteers annually to support our mission and programs. The contributions of volunteers and in-kind donors extend our budget by over $200,000 each year. The Delores Project offers many meaningful ways for individuals, families, friends, and groups to volunteer.
Meal Program
Are you looking for a fun activity to do with your family, friends, colleagues, or faith community? Does your child need service learning hours? The Delores Project is seeking individuals and groups to provide and serve meals for our guests seven days a week. To support our meal program you can serve a meal, provide a meal, or provide and serve a meal - whatever works best for you!
This opportunity is open to individuals or small groups. Families are welcome. If you plan to volunteer on-site at the shelter, please limit your group to 6 volunteers due to the size of our kitchen.
Expand the Provide a Meal and Serve a Meal categories below to learn more.
Help nourish our guests by donating a healthy, balanced meal. This opportunity is open to individuals or small groups. Families are welcome. If you plan to volunteer on-site at the shelter, please limit your group to 6 volunteers due to the size of our kitchen.
You are welcome to cook a meal in our commercial kitchen at the shelter (check out our Kitchen Inventory), cook a meal in your home, or order a meal from a restaurant to be delivered to the shelter. If you are dropping off a meal, we are happy to finish the meal on site.
Primary Responsibilities
- Plan a complete menu with a main dish, side dish(es), salad(s), accompanying condiment(s), beverages, and dessert as your budget allows. A unified meal rather than small amounts of many things expedites the meal service.
- Purchase all ingredients and prepare the meal.
- Provide enough servings for all guests.
- Accommodate dietary restrictions or label any food items containing sensitive ingredients so we can inform guests appropriately.
- If you are planning to deliver/drop off the meal for other volunteers or staff to serve, deliver the meal components no later than 11:00 am for lunch or 6:00 pm for dinner on the date you are scheduled. Large disposable rectangle aluminum pans are the recommended meal containers. Write the following on the outside of the meal containers:
- Scheduled date for your meal
- Lunch or Dinner
- Name of the food item
- Directions for reheating, cooking, or serving
- Follow the guidelines, policies, and procedures for volunteering at The Delores Project, including provided food safety rules and guidelines.
Qualifications
- Friendly person who is comfortable preparing and serving food.
- Ability to communicate effectively with guests, staff, and other volunteers.
- Desire to serve women and transgender individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Ability to work effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to communities of color, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ, victims of trauma, people experiencing homelessness, chronic mental illness, and/or substance use.
- A willingness to engage in continuous learning about anti-oppression and social justice issues.
Location
- You are welcome to cook a meal in our commercial kitchen at the shelter, cook a meal in your home and drop it off at the shelter for other volunteers or staff to serve, or order a meal from a restaurant to be delivered to the shelter.
Time Commitment
- The actual amount of time to prepare the meal will depend on the menu you plan. Lunch and dinner are served seven days a week. Sign up however frequently you prefer (such as weekly, every other week, monthly, every other month, quarterly, or fill in as available).
Training
- Meal providers are required to participate in a Volunteer Orientation. Small group leaders: please attend orientation and share all appropriate information with each member of your group.
Works With
- Shelter Assistants on duty
Responsible To
- Volunteer Program Manager
Serving a meal and joining our guests to eat is where many volunteers get their start and requires no financial contribution. We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers to assist with meal service at The Delores Project.
We believe that in extending true hospitality, our guests will begin to believe that they are worthy of care and regard. As a meal server, you will play a key role in raising the level of hospitality that we provide our guests each day.
This opportunity is open to individuals or small groups. Families are welcome. Please limit your group to 6 volunteers due to the size of our kitchen.
Primary Responsibilities
- Prepare the planned meal or finish preparing the donated meal.
- Clean and set-up the dining room for meal service.
- Serve the meal to guests.
- Put away leftovers and clean up following meal service.
- Follow the guidelines, policies, and procedures for volunteering at The Delores Project, including provided food safety rules and guidelines.
Qualifications
- Friendly person who is comfortable preparing and serving food.
- Ability to communicate effectively with guests, staff, and other volunteers.
- Desire to serve women and transgender individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Ability to work effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to communities of color, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ, victims of trauma, people experiencing homelessness, chronic mental illness, and/or substance use.
- A willingness to engage in continuous learning about anti-oppression and social justice issues.
Location
- Meals are served in-person at The Delores Project shelter.
Time Commitment
- Each meal server shift is two hours. They are scheduled twice a day (lunch is 11:00 am - 1:00 pm and dinner is 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm) seven days a week. Sign up however frequently you prefer (such as weekly, every other week, monthly, every other month, quarterly, or fill in as available).
Training
- Meal servers are required to participate in a Volunteer Orientation session. Small group leaders: please attend orientation and share all appropriate information with each member of your group.
Works With
- Shelter Assistants on duty
Responsible To
- Volunteer Program Manager
Community Building
Our guests and residents have limited access to transportation and limited means, so you can help our community by volunteering your services on-site. Services that are most frequently requested:
- Hair Cut
- Hand or chair massage
- Therapy pets
- Art therapy
- Self-defense
- Guided meditation
- Physical or dental health screening
- First Aid, CPR, and Narcan training
- GED tutoring
- Benefit application assistance
- Substance use support group (to reduce use of cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol)
Primary Responsibilities
- Bring any required tools and provide your service.
- Follow the guidelines, policies, and procedures for volunteering at The Delores Project, including provided food safety rules and guidelines.
Qualifications
- Experience in the service to be provided.
- Friendly and approachable person.
- Ability to communicate effectively with residents, guests, staff, and other volunteers.
- Understanding of or willingness to learn about: strengths-based, trauma-informed, and Housing First model of service; poverty/homelessness (especially as they pertain to individuals experiencing poverty).
- Desire to serve women and transgender individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Ability to work effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to communities of color, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ, victims of trauma, people experiencing homelessness, chronic mental illness, and/or substance use.
- A willingness to engage in continuous learning about anti-oppression and social justice issues.
Location
- Services are provided in-person at The Delores Project shelter.
Time Commitment
- Flexible depending on the service. Sign up however frequently you prefer (such as weekly, every other week, monthly, every other month, quarterly, annually, or as available).
Training
- Volunteers are required to participate in a Volunteer Orientation session.
Works With
- Housing or Shelter Assistants on duty
Responsible To
- Volunteer Program Manager
Life Skills Workshops are designed to engage shelter guests with important topics and skills to successfully transition into their own apartment after staying at The Delores Project. They are also a space for shelter guests to process upcoming changes and get support from their peers. There are nine workshops in a single cycle. Life Skills Workshop topics include:
- Housing Matters
- Discuss affordable housing terms and how to be a great tenant.
- New Beginnings: Transitioning Into Housing
- Process fears, hopes, and goals. Learn tips for successfully adjusting to apartment living and creating a personal wellness plan.)
- Finding Your “Why”
- Dig deep into what keeps you going and create a vision board to display your motivation.
- Money Management
- Learn about goal setting, budgeting, and saving money. Practice making a budget.
- Meal Planning and Cooking From Home
- Get introduced to how to meal prep and cook from home. Create a simple meal plan.
- Time Management: Getting Things Done
- Talk through new techniques for managing your time and put them into practice.
- Mental Health 101
- Identify the importance of taking care of your mental health and discuss coping skills to deal with stress.
- Boundaries
- Discuss the importance of boundaries and practice communicating them.
- Gender 101
- Learn about gender identity, gender expression, and how to create safe and inclusive spaces for everyone.
Volunteers will facilitate one of the nine workshops. Each workshop includes a facilitator’s outline, a worksheet or handout for participants, and a Powerpoint presentation to guide the workshop. Facilitators are welcome and encouraged to customize the materials and to bring their expertise and creative expression to the workshop. Facilitators ensure a supportive and constructive atmosphere is maintained by the participants.
Primary Responsibilities
- Facilitate both sessions of one workshop per 9-week cycle.
- Prepare/customize Life Skills Workshop materials.
- Facilitate a group discussion with participants.
- Communicate effectively and respectfully with workshop participants.
- Collect and submit workshop attendance records and evaluation forms.
- Follow the guidelines, policies, and procedures for volunteering at The Delores Project.
Qualifications
- 18 years of age or older.
- Ability to communicate effectively with guests, staff, and other volunteers.
- Ability to drive critical, participant-led dialogs about learning material.
- Has professional or lived experience with the topic to be discussed in the workshop.
- Solid understanding of or willingness to learn about: strengths-based, trauma-informed, and Housing First model of service; poverty/homelessness (especially as they pertain to individuals experiencing poverty).
- Desire to serve women and transgender individuals experiencing homelessness;
- Ability to work effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to communities of color, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ, victims of trauma, and people experiencing homelessness, chronic mental illness, or substance use;
- A willingness to engage in continuous learning about anti-oppression and social justice issues.
Location
- Workshops will be held in-person at The Delores Project shelter.
Time Commitment
- Each workshop is scheduled for one hour twice a week (Tuesday 10:30 am - 11:30 am & Thursday 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm) and is part of a 9-week schedule. Facilitators commit to this role for a minimum of a year.
Training
- Life Skills Facilitators are required to participate in an orientation to The Delores Project and co-facilitate one workshop with a staff member before facilitating independently.
Works With
- Rehousing Team
Responsible To
- Volunteer Program Manager
Volunteers will host a community-building activity for shelter guests or supportive housing residents. Community-building activities help our guests and residents build relationships for peer support. Hosts foster a supportive and constructive environment for guests or residents while leading participants in the activity. Popular activities include:
- Games (trivia, bingo, Wheel of Fortune, various board games)
- Seasonal arts & crafts
- Live music (musician, DJ, or karaoke)
- Field day
- Book club discussion
- Comedy (stand-up or improv)
Primary Responsibilities
- Host a group activity with participants.
- Communicate effectively and respectfully with residents, guests, staff members, and other volunteers.
- Collect and submit attendance records and evaluation forms.
- Follow the guidelines, policies, and procedures for volunteering at The Delores Project.
Qualifications
- 18 years of age or older.
- Understanding of or willingness to learn about: strengths-based, trauma-informed, and Housing First model of service, as well as poverty/homelessness (especially as they pertain to individuals experiencing poverty).
- Desire to serve women and transgender individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Ability to work effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to communities of color, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ, victims of trauma, and people experiencing homelessness, chronic mental illness, or substance use.
- A willingness to engage in continuous learning about anti-oppression and social justice issues.
Location
- Activities will be held in-person at The Delores Project.
Time Commitment
- Community-building activities are typically one hour each, and scheduling is flexible. Sign up however frequently you prefer (such as weekly, every other week, monthly, every other month, quarterly, annually, or as available).
Training
- Volunteers are required to participate in an orientation to The Delores Project.
Works With
- Behavioral Health Counselor & Shelter or Housing Assistants on duty
Responsible To
- Volunteer Program Manager
The Outreach & Events Committee is a volunteer group that supports the Development & Communications team with special events and community outreach. Special events include an annual brunch and golf tournament. Community outreach includes events like Denver’s Pridefest, restaurant giveback nights, and other pop-up community events. The Committee is staffed by the Director of Development & Communications and the Volunteer Coordinator, and is chaired by a member of the Board of Directors. Participating in a TDP committee is a great way to learn more about the organization and how volunteer leadership shapes and strengthens our programs.
Primary Responsibilities
- Attend monthly committee meetings.
- Participate in the planning for at least one (1) annual event.
- Support development staff in identifying and soliciting potential sponsors for events.
- Actively solicit in-kind donations for silent and live auction items.
- Represent The Delores Project as an ambassador at Denver Pridefest and other special and community outreach events.
- Help identify opportunities for community engagement at local events.
- Follow the guidelines, policies, and procedures for volunteering at The Delores Project.
Qualifications
- Comfort with or willingness to try asking for donations.
- Detail-oriented.
- Creative thinker.
- Comfortable talking to strangers.
- Willingness to learn about The Delores Project programs to share about the programs knowledgeably at community events.
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, donors, and community members.
- Desire to serve women and transgender individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Ability to work effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to communities of color, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ, victims of trauma, people experiencing homelessness, chronic mental illness, and/or substance use.
- A willingness to engage in continuous learning about anti-oppression and social justice issues.
Location
- The committee meets at The Delores Project offices. Attendance at events within the community is strongly encouraged.
Time Commitment
- Committee meetings are scheduled monthly on a regular day of the month and time TBD by committee members. Members commit to this role for a minimum of one year.
Training
- Committee members are required to participate in an orientation to The Delores Project.
Responsible To
- Director of Development & Communications
Operations Support
We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers to cover the lobby of our Supportive Housing Apartments or the Shelter Assistant Office during staff meetings. Staff meetings happen on-site, so support is available should you need it. Your help enables all staff members to attend and participate fully in the meeting.
Primary Responsibilities
- Greet and welcome guests or residents by letting them in the building.
- Answer all incoming phone calls and direct to voicemail.
- Screen and document visitors.
- Provide support to residents or guests, as needed (answering questions, providing requested items, etc.).
- Document what happens in the area.
- Assist with light chores/cleaning, as necessary.
- Follow the guidelines, policies, and procedures for volunteering at The Delores Project.
Qualifications
- 18 years of age or older.
- 3 months of volunteer experience at The Delores Project.
- Customer service experience.
- Good organizational and multitasking skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with residents, guests, staff, and other volunteers.
- Desire to serve women and transgender individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Ability to work effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to communities of color, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ, victims of trauma, and people experiencing homelessness, chronic mental illness, or substance use.
- Solid understanding of or willingness to learn about: strengths-based, trauma-informed, and Housing First model of service in addition to poverty/homelessness (especially as they pertain to individuals experiencing poverty).
- A willingness to engage in continuous learning about anti-oppression and social justice issues.
Location
- In-person at The Delores Project.
Time Commitment
- Staff meetings are typically scheduled Saturdays from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Training
- Volunteers are required to participate in a Volunteer Orientation session and a position-specific training with a department manager.
Works With
- Housing or Shelter Assistants on duty
Responsible To
- Volunteer Program Manager
We often have donations that need to be picked up and delivered to The Delores Project from various community partners on a regular basis. These donations meet essential needs of our community and extend our budget and resources.
Volunteers pick up the donation from the community partner location and deliver it to The Delores Project.
Weekly donation pick ups include:
- Food pick up from Yard House downtown on Tuesday mornings
- In-kind donations pick up from the USPS Edgewater branch on Friday afternoons (scheduling is flexible)
Primary Responsibilities
- Drive to the community partner location and pick up or load the donation into your vehicle.
- Drive to the Delores Project and unload the donation to the designated area.
- Follow the guidelines, policies, and procedures for volunteering at The Delores Project.
Qualifications
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
- Access to reliable transportation of an appropriate size.
- Ability to communicate effectively with community partners and staff.
- Desire to serve women and transgender individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Ability to work effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to communities of color, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ, victims of trauma, people experiencing homelessness, chronic mental illness, and/or substance use.
- A willingness to engage in continuous learning about anti-oppression and social justice issues.
Location
- Deliveries are picked up around the Denver metro area and dropped off to The Delores Project.
Time Commitment
- Pickup/drop offs average 30-60 minutes and are scheduled weekly on Tuesday mornings or Friday afternoons. Sign up however frequently you prefer (such as weekly, every other week, monthly, every other month, quarterly, or fill in as available).
Training
- Volunteers are required to participate in a Volunteer Orientation session.
Works With
- Community partners and staff on duty
Responsible To
- Volunteer Program Manager
Group Opportunities
Our spaces often need special attention, including sorting/organizing donations, deep cleaning, painting, or seasonal yard work. This is a great way to get involved with a group of 6-10 people from your workplace, school, or faith community.
If you have worked with us previously, please reach out to the Volunteer Program Manager, Stephanie Johnson-Wall (sjohnson-wall@thedeloresproject.org or 303-534-5411 x110) to get started.
For new groups, please complete the New Group Application to get started.
Here are projects where we could use your help:
One-time Projects
- Paint touch ups
- Re-caulk the dishwashing area in the shelter kitchen
- Add hardscaping in front of loading zone
- Replace mulch with rocks or other non-flammable material on 13th Ave & surrounding the parking lot
- Add flowers/shrubs along fence line & climbing vine to pergola area of the shelter patio
- Install shade sails to shelter patio areas
Ongoing Projects
- Sort and organize:
- Shelter & PSH pantries
- Shelter & PSH libraries
- Shelter donation/linen closet
- Shelter media room
- Rehousing shelves in the hallway behind the kitchen
- Deep clean:
- Shelter & PSH laundry areas
- Shelter kitchen
- Shelter dining room cubbies and fridges
- Wash both sides of floor-to-ceiling windows and doors throughout building
| Exterior Windows | Interior Windows | |
| Shelter | 22 | 17 |
| PSH | 9 | 3 |
| Admin | 5 | 6 |
| TOTAL | 36 | 26 |
Primary Responsibilities
- The group leader will collaborate with the Volunteer Program Manager to define an agenda, scope of work, and budget if necessary for the special project.
- All volunteer group members will register using the reservation code.
- The volunteer group will complete the work outlined in the scope of work.
- Follow the guidelines, policies, and procedures for volunteering at The Delores Project.
Qualifications
- Desire to serve women and transgender individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Ability to work effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to communities of color, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ, victims of trauma, people experiencing homelessness, chronic mental illness, and/or substance use.
- A willingness to engage in continuous learning about anti-oppression and social justice issues.
Location
- Special projects are completed in-person at The Delores Project shelter.
Time Commitment
- Special projects are typically 3-4 hours, and scheduling is flexible.
Training
- There is a 45-minute orientation to The Delores Project for all group members. This can be scheduled in advance of the volunteer date to happen virtually, or scheduled to happen at the beginning of the onsite volunteer date.
Works With & Responsible To
- Volunteer Program Manager
A great option for folks who have less predictable schedules is to host a donation drive or freezer meal party! Collect items on ourCurrent Needs list, or create and drop off easy freezer meals for staff to heat up when we do not have a meal provider.
Download our Donation Drive Kit. Please email volunteer@thedeloresproject.org to learn more.
COVID-19 Update
We still need volunteers! Our biggest need is for meal providers and servers - for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. The Delores Project is committed to the health and well-being of our volunteers, staff, and guests, and we've implemented a comprehensive response plan to keep our community safe.
Please review our Coronavirus Response Plan to review our enhanced safety procedures.
FAQs
We welcome volunteers of all ages. Serving a meal is a wonderful opportunity for families to volunteer together.
For volunteers who are under 18, please complete our Volunteer Agreement with your parent or guardian. If you are 16 or older, you are welcome to volunteer independently. We ask that a parent or guardian accompany any volunteers who are younger than 16 years old and that the adult assign their young person(s) age-appropriate tasks.
In most cases, yes! Our policy for court-ordered community service is to welcome volunteers who do not have a violent or drug-related offense.
We welcome volunteers of all gender identities and gender expressions, including women, men, transgender individuals, and nonbinary individuals. We ask that you are sensitive to our community of unaccompanied women and transgender individuals, and respect the dignity of everyone while you volunteer.
Call (303) 534-5411 and let a staff member know.
Yes, we encourage you to volunteer with friends and family once you have completed at least two volunteer shifts. Please let the Volunteer Coordinator know in advance and have your friend sign up too.
All volunteer shifts are available on our Sign Up page.
Yes, we’d love to welcome you back to our community as a volunteer! Please wait 12 months from the last time you stayed with us before volunteering.
Listen to our podcast, Welcome Home, wherever you get your podcasts. There are many great organizations working to end homelessness in the Denver community. Some organizations to check out:
- Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (mdhi.org)
- Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (coloradocoalition.org)
- Colorado Village Collaborative (coloradovillagecollaborative.org)
- National Low-Income Housing Coalition (nlihc.org)
- National Alliance to End Homelessness (endhomelessness.org)
- National Coalition for the Homeless (nationalhomeless.org)
- Corporation for Supportive Housing (csh.org)
Please send any other questions to volunteer@thedeloresproject.org.