How to Volunteer in a Homeless Shelter for American Red Cross

Volunteering to work in a homeless shelter is one of the easiest ways to become part of the American Red Cross organization. Whether you are bringing food and medicine to those who have been displaced by a natural disaster or merely spending one weekend per month listening to those who are less fortunate than yourself, you will be able to accomplish an enormous amount of good will in the world.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Help the Homeless in Multiple Ways

1. Find the nearest local chapter of the American Red Cross in your community, and tell its organizers that you would like to volunteer to work in a homeless shelter. Generally, you will be asked to spend at least one evening per month merely having conversations with those who are homeless and lending a sympathetic ear.

2. Ask the American Red Cross about training programs that can allow you to perform a wider variety of volunteer services, such as CPR and first aid. The American Red Cross will usually offer these training programs in exchange for a commitment from you to volunteer over a set period of time, such as a year.

3. Log onto the website for the American Red Cross (see Resources below). You will be able to view an online orientation video showing you all of the volunteer work being performed by the organization and how you can help. You will also be able to find local chapters of the American Red Cross and find out about volunteer opportunities in your community.

4. Check out the website's VolunteerMatch feature, which will allow you to find work in homeless shelters across the country. Some volunteers even go on "Red Cross vacations," where they travel to different parts of the country and donate their time and services in locations that have particularly strong needs for volunteers.

5. Bring a friend with you when you volunteer to work in an American Red Cross homeless shelter. The organization is in constant need of volunteers, and you may know someone with useful skills, such as medical training, fire and rescue experience or the ability to speak in a different language.

Tips & Warnings

• Last year, over 158,000 people volunteered to teach safety classes, such as swimming safety, CPR and first aid, for the American Red Cross.

Resources

• American Red Cross to volunteer in a homeless shelter