Volunteer

Volunteering with Heading Home is a very rewarding experience, and you will have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the men, women, and children we serve.  Some of our volunteer needs are dependant upon what projects we have going on, so not all opportunities are available all of the time. 

If you are interested in learning more about Heading Home's volunteer opportunities, or if you would like to be added to our e-mail list to receive information when these opportunities arise, please contact Stacey Gordon, Volunteer Coordinator at 617-864-8140 or e-mail sgordon@headinghomeinc.org.  New ideas are always welcome!

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and must submit to a background check if working around children or planning to volunteer on more than one occasion.

HEADING HOME VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

ONGOING VOLUNTEER PROJECTS:

  • Serve dinner at our shelter in Cambridge from 6pm - 8pm (Monday - Friday).
  • Organize a group to purchase groceries, perpare and serve dinner at one of our programs.
  • Assist families with childcare during weeknights at our Medford Family Life Education Center. (Not available during the summer, must submit to a background check)
  • Stop by our Women's Drop-In Center in Cambridge during weekday afternoons to serve lunch or help with the clothing room.
  • Get matched with a family for a year and plan fun activities to do together. (Must submit to background check)

SPECIAL PROJECTS & PROGRAMS:

UP & OUT PROGRAM

Up & Out is a newly developed program that assists individuals and families who are moving into their own apartments for the first time after being homeless.  Up & Out is a program that organizes a group of volunteers to furnish the entire apartment, stock the refrigerator, and help with all the details pertaining to the move.  For these people who are starting their lives over again, it gives them a valuable head start, and it is quite a moving experience for everyone involved!

    Ways to get involved:

  • Volunteer to participate in an upcoming move - prepare an apartment, move family's/individual's belongings.
  • Organize friends, family and co-workers to donate items for an upcoming move.
  • Organize friends, family and co-workers to sponsor a move - coordinate fundraising (each move requires approximately $2,500).
  •  Coordinate your company or organization to sponsor a move (each move requires approximately $2,500).

SPRUCE UP A PROGRAM

  • Help Heading Home maintain one of their properties, by painting, cleaning or landscaping.

ADOPT A FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Help make a special holiday season for a deserving family.  You will be assigned either a family or a group of families to buy presents or gift cards for (recommended average gift range is $20 - $40).  You will be provided the parent's and children's name and ages as well as suggestions for possible gift ideas.

  • We do not accept gifts that are unwrapped, so please put gift tags on the gifts and place them in a gift bag or plain bag.
  • Please no violent toys
  • All donations must be delivered to our administrative offices 2 weeks prior to the holiday, so that they may be provided to the adopted families.

FAMILY DINNER & ENTERTAINMENT NIGHTS

Individuals and groups can sponsor a night of fun for the families at the Boston Family Shelter by throwing a party or hosting a get together.  Volunteers would be responsible for providing the food for all attendees including the families, as well as an activity for the kids.

Ideas include, but are not limited to:

  • Holiday themed party (ie. 4th of July BBQ, Halloween, Valentine's Day, etc.)
  • Movie night
  • Pizza party with face painting
  • Cooking dinner 


 

 

 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR INVOLVEMENT, THANK YOU!