Get Started

What to Do 

• Determine if you need to attend an Orientation
• Review the volunteer opportunities
• Review the requirements (below)
• Give us a call to schedule. We’ll be in contact within three business days.

• Age  - There's no real requirement, though we prefer ample adult supervision for children younger than 12.  Younger children may also volunteer provided they are with a legal guardian.  Last, some areas, like the kitchen, prohibit children under 12 for safety reasons.  Please call us to discuss your unique circumstances or get guidance on ratios of kids to adults for large groups.

• Clothing – Volunteers working in our kitchen are required to wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and a shirt with sleeves.   All others should consider wearing the same for safety reasons, although shorts and sandals are acceptable in most cases.  Bottom line--for the dignity of our clients, dress modeslty and keep tigh fitting, revealing, or offensice clothing at home.

• Mandatory Community Service Hours  – For mandatory community service hours, including Tampa Housing Authority and  Workforce Alliance, you will need to attend a special screening in our Outreach Center on Tuesdays from 1:00pm-4:00pm. Call 813-209-1200 for details. *** Note that we no longer take court-mandated community service hours for individuals over the age of 17. ***

• Training – Most volunteering requires no training and there’s nothing to bring—just show up on time with a good attitude and ready to serve.   

• Background Checks – Only required if you are going to work with our children unattended or on a recurring basis.

• Conduct – Our mission is to care for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. Those called to serve should do so according to principles based upon Jesus Christ’s own model for helping others as well as generally accepted ethical guidelines of helping professions.  Below is not a complete set of rules for all situations.  Rather, they are intended to guide actions that best convey the spirit of ministry and professionalism.  All who serve should consider the spirit as well as the letter of the guidelines that follow: 

• Never join in, condone, or associate with dishonesty, deceit, or fraud.
• Always speak respectfully—avoiding profanity, sexual innuendo, threats, and condescending tones.
• Treat all with respect and without discrimination, regardless of race, sex, orientation, age, religion, national origin, marital status, political belief, physical or mental handicap, or any other preference or personal characteristic, condition or status.
• Respect client and guest confidentiality.
• Never initiate interactions with clients that are strictly social or self-serving in nature.
• Should a volunteer be seen taking Ministries property without permission, credit for hours served will be revoked and appropriate legal action taken.