Volunteer

Rescue Ministries receives many requests for volunteering and volunteering ideas for small groups, organizations, families, and other groups looking for a rewarding, educational, and bonding experience. Some people just want a tour of our facilities, to see what we do, while others come for much more.

We love to provide tours to the public, it helps us show them what we need and how we help the community. There is no better way to get a feel for the real ministry that takes place at our facilities than to come for a visit and tour the places where ministry occurs. Youth groups, other church groups, community organizations, classes, families, and others all enjoy seeing first-hand the homeless shelter or the housing units where our residents stay. Often groups have a chance to meet residents who are actively involved in our restoration programs.

Several groups in the past have had volunteers who get together and make a fun project out of cooking and baking a meal, and then collectively bring their meal to serve it and share with our residents and visitors. Some church groups, community groups and organizations hold drives to collect needed items and bring them to our facility. In addition, we have groups and individuals come and serve by doing landscaping and outside cleanup, shrub trimming, building maintenance, parking lot work, prepping and painting, window washing, general cleaning, organization of donated food in our pantry and freezer areas, etc.

Volunteers must complete an application, have a criminal background check and come in for an interview before they are scheduled to volunteer.  (Note:  This does not apply to church youth groups, etc. that come for a one-time project.) Prospective volunteers will meet with the volunteer coordinator and is given a tour of the house and an overview of the program.

Volunteers are expected to treat all people with dignity and respect.  We want volunteers to see people as Jesus sees them, with all of their potential.  We believe everyone who comes through our doors is God sent, whether they are volunteers, staff, donors, or clients.  The volunteer coordinator will pair the volunteer with the person who will train or be the support person for them while they are here.

Rescue Ministries recognizes the dedication and hard work of their volunteers through hand written thank you notes on a regular basis.  They also hold an annual event for the purpose of recognizing volunteers.  Last year Charis House held a sit down dinner at a local church.  The meal was prepared by a chef at the Men's Division, and residents gave testimonies reflecting on the difference volunteers had made in their stay at Charis House and the Mission.

Our volunteers are very important to our ability to be effective ministers to those God sends our way. Rescue Ministries is very grateful to our volunteers. It is the generosity of our local community that keeps us going. Thank you so much for your willingness to get involved. We assure you that you will not only bless those we serve, but you will receive a great blessing as well.

We also value the partnership of churches and other groups, as well as individuals, who conduct collection drives for food and the physical needs of our residents and others we serve. See our current Needs List.

If you are interested in volunteering with us, please contact Carlton Smith by phone at 260-426-7357, or via email at carlton@rescueministries.us.